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Jamala: Ukrainian Eurovision winner added to Russia’s wanted list

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Ukrainian Eurovision song contest winner Jamala, whose real name is Susana Jamaladinova, has been added to Russia’s wanted list, according to state media. The accusations against her include spreading fake information about the Russian armed forces, a charge often used by the Kremlin against those critical of Russia’s actions. Jamala, known for openly criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was placed on the wanted list last month. The independent Russian human rights website Mediazona reported this, and details of the listing became widely known on Monday.

Russian breaking news Telegram channel Shot claimed that Jamala was added to the list for posting alleged “fakes” about atrocities in the Ukrainian town of Bucha in 2022. The Kremlin has denied responsibility for the Bucha massacre, despite evidence indicating Russian forces’ involvement. Jamala, currently in Australia after fleeing Ukraine with her family following the invasion, responded to the news by posting a photo of herself in front of the Sydney Opera House with a link to an article about it and a facepalm emoji.

Jamala won Eurovision in 2016 with the song “1944,” inspired by the forced deportation of her people, the Crimean Tatars, by Russia during that year. The song, perceived as addressing Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, caused controversy for allegedly breaking the competition’s rule against overtly political songs. However, organizers allowed it, and it ultimately won, defeating Russia. Jamala, in her 40s, has been vocal about using her music to give a strong voice to her homeland, Crimea, and to counter the historical narratives propagated by the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. She emphasized the importance of revealing the truth through her songs in her latest folk album, Qirim.

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Spain’s Pedro Sánchez wins new term as PM after amnesty deal

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Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez has successfully navigated weeks of negotiations to secure a parliamentary vote, allowing him to serve another term as Spain’s prime minister. Despite the Popular Party winning elections in July, their leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, failed to form a majority. Sánchez, however, clinched a four-seat majority in the 350-seat chamber, solidifying his position.

One key aspect of Sánchez’s success was the sealing of an amnesty deal for Catalans involved in a failed bid to secede from Spain. This move was pivotal in gaining support from two Catalan pro-independence parties, even though it has stirred controversy. Critics argue that Sánchez’s proposed amnesty for politicians and activists may reignite secessionist sentiments, posing a threat to Spain’s territorial unity.

The amnesty deal, covering actions dating back to 2012, has been a point of contention, with many in Spain’s judiciary criticizing the proposal. Despite opposition, Sánchez defended the move, stating that it would help “heal wounds” and promote reconciliation. However, the main judges’ association condemned it as the “beginning of the end of democracy.”

Sánchez’s reliance on Catalan pro-independence parties has sparked protests across Spain, with tens of thousands expressing their discontent. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused Sánchez of prioritizing personal interests over the country’s, emphasizing the potential risks to Spain’s unity. The political atmosphere became tense, with incidents such as protesters booing MPs and right-wing Catholic organizations displaying anti-Sánchez messages, further highlighting the divisions.

Despite the controversies, Sánchez rejected claims that his government is dependent on parties seeking to break up Spain. His swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, signaling the official continuation of his leadership. However, the fragility of his new government is evident, as tensions persist and some coalition partners, like Podemos, express dissatisfaction with their role in the administration.

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Paris Mayor Hidalgo trains sights on SUVs after e-scooter rental ban

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Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, fresh from her success in banning rental electric scooters, is now targeting SUVs. She plans to hold a city referendum in February to decide on increasing parking fees for SUVs, similar to the e-scooter referendum where she achieved an easy victory. Hidalgo assures that Paris residents won’t be affected, as SUV ownership within the city is relatively low. The main impact would be on suburbanites who drive SUVs into Paris for work or leisure, and they won’t be part of the voting process.

Critics suspect that Hidalgo’s focus on SUVs is a diversion from controversy surrounding her own overseas trip to New Caledonia and French Polynesia. During this two-week visit in October, she extended her stay to visit her daughter, raising eyebrows. Opposition council members criticize the timing, especially during the aftermath of the October attacks in Israel, when concerns about the Middle East conflict were high in Paris. Hidalgo’s office denies any wrongdoing, stating that extending official visits for personal reasons is a common practice, and she covered the costs for the personal portion of her trip.

Officially, Hidalgo’s visit included paying respects at a cemetery in New Caledonia and holding meetings in French Polynesia, where protests disrupted plans to view the Olympic site at Teahupo’o. Right-wing members of the Paris Assembly criticize the trip’s appropriateness, citing the €60,000 cost. They argue that it was unnecessary for Hidalgo to visit the Olympic site, as key officials involved in organizing the Games had already been there. Critics also highlight the environmental impact of Hidalgo’s long-haul flight, contrasting it with her emphasis on environmental concerns related to local transportation in Paris.

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Minister’s awkward EU summit kiss causes controversy

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Croatia’s foreign minister, Gordan Grlić-Radman, caused a stir when he greeted his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, with a kiss during an EU ministers meeting in Berlin on Thursday.

The act drew criticism from some Croatian media outlets, with women’s rights activist Rada Boric deeming it “highly inappropriate.” Grlić-Radman defended the gesture, stating that it was a “warm, human approach to a colleague” and acknowledging that it might have been perceived as awkward.

He apologized “to whoever took it that way.” As of now, Annalena Baerbock has not made any comments regarding the incident.

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Italy PM Giorgia Meloni splits from partner after off-air lewd TV remarks

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently confirmed her separation from her long-time partner, Andrea Giambruno, following the broadcast of off-air comments made by Giambruno on a TV show. The announcement was made on social media, where Meloni acknowledged the divergence of their paths and expressed gratitude for their time together and for their daughter, Ginevra.

Giambruno, a TV host, faced backlash after his off-air remarks were aired on a satirical program. The comments included flirtatious remarks to a female colleague and explicit references to group sex, causing controversy. Notably, Giambruno previously stirred controversy with remarks about a gang-rape case, implying that certain precautions could have prevented the incident. Meloni defended him then, claiming his words were misinterpreted, and requested not to be held responsible for his comments as he was simply doing his job as a journalist.

Meloni, known for her adherence to traditional Catholic family values and her opposition to same-sex parenting, received support from her allies following the announcement of her separation. Matteo Salvini, her deputy, and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani both offered their support publicly. The network Mediaset, where Giambruno works, was formerly owned by the late Silvio Berlusconi, who was criticized for perpetuating a culture of sexism and machismo in Italian television.

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Spanish Prosecutor Lodges Complaint with High Court Against Luis Rubiales

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A Spanish prosecutor has taken legal action against Luis Rubiales, the suspended president of the football federation, on charges of sexual assault and coercion. The case stems from an incident in which Rubiales kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory.

Hermoso has filed a formal complaint against the unwanted kiss, prompting the prosecutor, Marta Durantez Gil, to also include a charge of coercion in the complaint submitted to the high court. The prosecutor’s office mentioned that Hermoso claimed that Rubiales and his professional associates had pressured her family to support the incident. The prosecutor is now seeking to question Rubiales as a suspect and Hermoso as the victim in the case.

Additionally, they have requested information from Australian authorities, where the incident occurred. This legal action follows a preliminary investigation initiated by Spanish prosecutors on August 28, which aimed to determine if the incident constituted sexual assault.

The move came in response to Hermoso’s unequivocal statements. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Rubiales has refused to step down as the president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), maintaining that he will not resign and alleging a character assassination campaign against him.

FIFA has provisionally suspended Rubiales and launched disciplinary proceedings in response to the allegations.

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Bavarian Deputy Leader Aiwanger Faces Scrutiny Over Historical Anti-Semitic Flyer

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Bavarian Deputy Premier Hubert Aiwanger is facing scrutiny over his involvement with an anti-Semitic pamphlet from his school days. Aiwanger, a populist conservative leader, denies writing the pamphlet that mocked the Holocaust, but he has acknowledged possessing it 35 years ago. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder has asked Aiwanger to respond to 25 questions regarding the controversy. This issue comes ahead of crucial elections in Bavaria on October 8.

Söder emphasized the importance of transparency and condemned anti-Semitism, asserting that it has no place in the Bavarian government. The state parliament has requested an urgent statement on the matter. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also called for clarification, underscoring the need to address anti-Semitism vigilantly.

The pamphlet in question contained references to a fictional competition for “the biggest traitor to the Fatherland,” with a disturbing prize of a “free flight through the chimney in Auschwitz,” referencing the Auschwitz extermination camp where countless Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. Aiwanger later admitted to having copies of the pamphlet in his schoolbag during his teenage years, but he couldn’t recall whether he distributed the material himself. He denounced the content as “disgusting and inhumane.”

The situation has generated debates over whether actions from a person’s youth should impact their political career decades later. However, the pamphlet’s offensive content has been widely condemned. In Germany, making light of concentration camps is unacceptable and can have legal consequences due to Holocaust denial being a criminal offense.

Aiwanger’s response to the situation has been criticized for lacking transparency and genuine remorse. Despite his history of fiery and populist rhetoric, he has remained reticent on this matter. Pressure is mounting on Aiwanger, especially from Söder, who aims to maintain the coalition with Aiwanger’s party but is frustrated by the timing of the controversy ahead of crucial elections.

The Free Voters party, led by Aiwanger, is expected to secure 11-14% of the vote, but if support wanes, it could spell trouble for Söder’s conservative Christian Social Union. This situation is particularly significant given upcoming elections in other German states and nationally, as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been gaining traction.

The handling of the story by the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung has also come under scrutiny, with criticism directed at its headline suggesting Aiwanger wrote the pamphlet, even though his denial was placed behind a paywall for subscribers to access.

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Spanish Football Federation to Pursue Legal Action Against Jennifer Hermoso for Alleged False Statements

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The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced its intention to pursue legal recourse in response to statements made by Jenni Hermoso concerning the federation’s president, Luis Rubiales. This follows a controversial incident where Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory over England. While Hermoso claimed that she did not give consent for the kiss, the RFEF disputes her account and asserts that evidence supports Rubiales’ innocence.

Represented by the players’ union Futpro, Hermoso has stated that she did not attempt to lift President Rubiales during their embrace on the podium. In response, the RFEF has released images of the embrace along with a detailed analysis, asserting that Hermoso did indeed exert force to raise Rubiales off the ground.

The RFEF expressed its intent to initiate legal actions against Hermoso or any party involved in spreading what they deem to be false information. This move comes amidst larger tensions within Spanish football, as 81 female players have declared their refusal to represent Spain’s national team until Rubiales steps down. The controversy has even extended to the men’s team, with Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias also announcing his refusal to play under Rubiales’ leadership.

The RFEF’s decision to pursue legal action follows international criticism of Rubiales’ behavior at the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales had faced calls for resignation from government ministers, and Fifa had initiated disciplinary proceedings against him. Despite mounting pressure, Rubiales remained defiant and vowed to continue his position as president, asserting that the kiss was consensual and mutual.

The situation has also spurred solidarity among players, as evidenced by wristbands worn during a National Women’s Soccer League game in the United States, which bore the message ‘Contigo Jenni’ (With you Jenni). Prominent players like Alex Morgan have expressed their support for Hermoso and the Spanish players, condemning the alleged assault, misogyny, and failures of the Spanish federation.

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Andrew Tate No Longer Under House Arrest in Romania

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Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been released from house arrest in Romania while awaiting trial for rape and human trafficking charges, along with his brother Tristan. The pair denies the charges and can now move freely in Bucharest and the surrounding Ilfov district where they reside. However, they must follow strict conditions, including reporting to the police as ordered and informing them of any address changes. Additionally, they are prohibited from contacting the two Romanian associates accused alongside them, witnesses, alleged victims, or their families. Violating these conditions could result in a return to house arrest or preventative detention, subject to monitoring by a judge for the next 60 days.

The indictment alleges that the Tate brothers, along with two female Romanian associates, formed an organized criminal group in 2021 to commit human trafficking not only in Romania but also in other countries, including the US and UK. The indictment names seven alleged victims who were reportedly recruited by the Tate brothers under false promises of love and marriage.

Andrew Tate, a British-American former kickboxer, previously faced controversy when he was removed from the British TV show Big Brother in 2016 due to a video suggesting he attacked a woman. He later gained notoriety online, with Twitter temporarily banning him for making controversial statements about sexual assault and women’s responsibility, although he was later reinstated on the platform.

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French Officer Involved in Marseille Riots Admits to Firing Riot Gun while in Custody

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French policeman under investigation for a shooting incident during the Marseille riots a month ago has confessed to firing a rubber bullet at a 22-year-old man’s head. The victim, Hedi, an assistant restaurant manager, suffered severe injuries and disfigurement from the “flash ball.”

The officer has been in custody for weeks, causing controversy among his colleagues. The officer’s lawyer requested his release, but the public prosecutor cited the risk of collusion with colleagues. The incident occurred during nationwide riots that followed the death of a 17-year-old during a police check in Nanterre.

Hedi, a North African immigrant, survived the headshot but sustained serious health issues. Other incidents of rubber bullet use by the French police have also resulted in life-changing injuries and deaths, sparking further debate on their use.

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