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G7 leaders to discuss €30bn loan for Ukraine using Russian assets

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The G7 finance ministers are set to discuss whether Ukraine can receive an additional €30 billion loan from seized Russian assets totaling €270 billion. This proposal has sparked division within the G7, particularly between the US and Germany. While some advocate for full asset seizure, others, including Christine Lagarde, ECB president, raise legal and economic concerns.

The US and UK propose mobilizing the frozen assets to provide a substantial loan to Ukraine, with interest paid from the profits of the seized Russian assets. They argue this approach avoids the need for asset confiscation, which could disrupt the international legal order and financial stability.

Belgium, holding the largest share of Russia’s frozen assets within the G7, has already generated significant investment income from these assets. It has agreed to allocate a portion of this profit to a joint G7 fund for Ukraine.

Critics argue that using the assets as collateral for a loan effectively amounts to confiscation. However, some legal scholars suggest that under the doctrine of state countermeasures, seizure may be justified.

Overall, there is contention over whether to provide Ukraine with a substantial loan using the seized assets, with concerns about legal implications and potential repercussions for financial stability and international relations.

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Finnish presidential candidate surprised at renewed focus on his sexuality

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Finnish presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto has expressed surprise and dismay at the sudden focus on his sexuality in the final days of campaigning before Sunday’s election, particularly by journalists from the national broadcaster, Yle. Haavisto, who could become Finland’s first Green and first gay president, noted that while his sexual identity was discussed in his 2012 campaign, it hadn’t been a central topic this time until the second round of voting.

He questioned why his sexuality had become an issue now and suggested that some journalists’ active pursuit of the topic raised questions. This comes after a poll found that a third of voters wouldn’t support him because he is gay. Despite this, Haavisto has been gaining ground on his rival, Alexander Stubb, according to the latest Yle poll, though he still trails 46-54%.

The campaign has also seen debate over nuclear weapons, with Haavisto opposing their storage in Finland, while Stubb advocates for a change in the law. Both candidates have diverse support bases, with Stubb favored among pensioners and Haavisto drawing support from younger voters, making turnout crucial for him.

As the campaign enters its final days, Haavisto continues to engage with voters, particularly focusing on female and young voters. If elected, he aims to prioritize addressing the climate crisis on the global stage, seeking to form an informal coalition to pressure international bodies for urgent action.

Haavisto is surprised by the sudden focus on his sexuality in the campaign’s final days, believes it to be an artificial topic, and remains committed to his platform of climate action and engagement with voters ahead of the election.

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Irish Woman Wrongly Accused by Newspaper of Losing Son to Vaccine

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Following a lawsuit against a conspiracy theory newspaper that falsely attributed her son’s death to a Covid vaccine, a bereaved mother and her legal representative have become targets of severe online abuse. The Irish Light, known for spreading vaccine misinformation, inaccurately implicated Edel Campbell’s son, Diego Gilsenan, and others in vaccine-related deaths. This marked the first instance of a relative suing over such a case. Diego, who tragically took his own life and was not vaccinated, was included in the erroneous article.

The backlash against Ms. Campbell after filing her legal action has been distressing, deterring other affected families from seeking similar recourse, according to her solicitor, Ciaran Mulholland. The Irish Light and its editor, Gemma O’Doherty, have launched a campaign of derogatory social media posts and threats. Supporters of the publication have even called for violence against Ms. Campbell’s lawyer. The legal case aims to address harassment and defamation, rather than pursuing retribution or compensation.

In response to the false claims made by the newspaper, Ms. Campbell and her lawyer decided to take legal action against Gemma O’Doherty. The Irish Light had published a front-page photo of Diego and others with the misleading headline “Died Suddenly.” This headline was subsequently used by conspiracy theorists to suggest a link between young people’s unexpected deaths and the Covid-19 vaccine.

Ms. Campbell’s legal pursuit is backed by donations and pro bono work. Despite obtaining a restraining order against the Irish Light editor in July, abusive posts have persisted on social media. The Irish police are investigating the alleged harassment. Gemma O’Doherty and the Irish Light have not responded to inquiries from the BBC.

The case bears resemblance to other instances where conspiracy theorists have targeted victims, such as survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims. The Irish Light has a history of promoting conspiracy theories, and its unfounded claims have been a source of distress for Ms. Campbell and others who have faced similar unfounded allegations.

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