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British Journalist Charlotte Alice Peet Missing in Brazil for Over 10 Days

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A British journalist, Charlotte Alice Peet, 32, has been missing in Brazil for more than 10 days, according to the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (ACIE). Peet, who had worked as a freelancer for Al Jazeera and British news outlets, last contacted a friend in Rio de Janeiro on February 8, expressing plans to visit the city and find accommodation. However, the friend was unable to host her, and Peet’s family in Britain later reported losing contact with her.

Authorities in Sao Paulo are leading the investigation based on Peet’s last known whereabouts. The ACIE confirmed that her family has provided local authorities with details of her flight to Brazil and a copy of her passport to assist in the search. Sao Paulo’s public security office stated that the case is being handled by the 5th Missing Persons Unit, which is working to locate her and uncover more details about her disappearance.

The foreign press association has urged Brazilian authorities to intensify their efforts to find Peet. Concerns over her safety have grown, with journalists and human rights groups closely following developments. The case has drawn attention to the risks faced by foreign correspondents working in the region.

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Holocaust Survivor and Journalist Marian Turski Dies at 98

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Polish journalist and Holocaust survivor Marian Turski has passed away at the age of 98, as announced by the Polish weekly magazine Polityka, where he worked as a columnist. Born Moshe Turbowicz in 1926 in what is now Lithuania, Turski endured the horrors of the Lodz ghetto and later survived imprisonment in Auschwitz-Birkenau. He also withstood two death marches before being liberated in 1945.

Following World War II, Turski became a prominent historian and journalist, joining Polityka in 1958 and contributing to the establishment of the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Recognized as an honorary citizen of Warsaw in 2018, he remained an active voice against antisemitism. During the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation in January, he warned of the resurgence of antisemitism, emphasizing the need for dialogue and understanding.

Turski dedicated his life to preserving the memory of Holocaust victims and advocating for tolerance. Over 3 million of Poland’s 3.3 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis, with Auschwitz alone claiming over 1.1 million lives. His legacy as a journalist and a witness to history leaves an indelible mark on the fight against hatred and extremism.

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European Leaders Push for Defense Boost Amid Divisions Over Ukraine Peacekeepers

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European leaders met in Paris on Monday for emergency talks on strengthening the continent’s defense capabilities, agreeing on the need for increased military spending but remaining divided over the possibility of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine. The meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise decision to hold direct peace talks with Russia, excluding European allies and Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the idea of a European peacekeeping mission but stressed the necessity of U.S. security commitments, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed skepticism about the feasibility and effectiveness of such an initiative.

Leaders also emphasized that any ceasefire in Ukraine should be tied to a comprehensive peace agreement to prevent further Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, after a call with Macron, insisted that security guarantees must be “robust and reliable” to avoid another conflict. Meanwhile, European officials acknowledged the urgent need to bolster their defense budgets, with some advocating for loosening EU fiscal rules to accommodate higher military expenditures. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Russia posed a broader threat to Europe, underscoring the necessity for a stronger European defense strategy.

As European leaders debated their approach, senior U.S. and Russian officials arrived in Saudi Arabia for high-level peace talks set to begin on Tuesday. The discussions, led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, are expected to focus on the future of U.S.-Russia relations and the potential for a settlement in Ukraine. Despite signs of differing objectives, both sides expressed a willingness to explore diplomatic solutions. Russia has ruled out territorial concessions, while Trump’s team has positioned itself as problem-solvers seeking economic and strategic cooperation between Washington and Moscow.

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Russia Intensifies Attacks in Eastern Ukraine as Peace Talks Loom

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Russian forces have sharply escalated their offensive in eastern Ukraine, with Kyiv’s military reporting 261 combat engagements in a single day, the highest recorded this year. The main attacks are concentrated near Pokrovsk, a vital logistics hub, as Moscow’s troops advance in the region. Ukrainian officials confirmed a temporary decline in engagements to 117 on Sunday but noted that heavy fighting continues, with Russian forces capturing the village of Berezivka while pushing toward key supply routes.

As NATO officials warn of intensified Russian assaults, Ukraine has stepped up its drone strikes deep into Russian territory, aiming to weaken Moscow’s position. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy highlighted a “good result” in recent battles, with Kyiv reclaiming the village of Pishchane, south of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia, though Kyiv has not been invited, sparking concerns over President Donald Trump’s direct engagement with Moscow without consulting European allies.

In response to shifting dynamics, France will host a European summit on Monday to discuss security and counter Trump’s unilateral approach. Zelenskiy reported a surge in Russian strikes, with over 1,220 aerial bombs, 850 drones, and 40 missiles hitting Ukraine last week. Despite ongoing challenges, Kyiv remains committed to strengthening its defenses and coordinating with Western partners to strategize against Russian advances.

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UK Government Partners with Anthropic to Enhance Public Services with AI

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The UK government has announced a collaboration with AI startup Anthropic to explore the use of its chatbot, Claude, in improving public access to information and services. The partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, aligns with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ambition to establish the UK as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Backed by tech giants Google and Amazon, Anthropic is among the leading AI firms competing with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Technology Minister Peter Kyle emphasized that the initiative is part of the UK’s broader commitment to fostering AI innovation. He stated that the collaboration would help ensure the benefits of AI are widely distributed among people and businesses. The move is also expected to boost efficiency in public services, streamlining information retrieval and enhancing user experience.

Claude has already been adopted by various governmental institutions, including the European Parliament, where it assists in organizing and accessing archival documents. By integrating the chatbot into public services, the UK aims to leverage AI’s potential to improve governance and accelerate digital transformation.

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Russian SU-24MR Jet Briefly Violates Polish Airspace Due to Navigation Failure

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A Russian SU-24MR military jet entered Polish airspace over the Gdańsk Bay area of the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, reportedly due to a navigation system failure, according to Poland’s Operational Command. The aircraft flew 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) into Polish territory and remained there for just over a minute before altering its course. Polish airspace monitoring services were in contact with their Russian counterparts, who acknowledged the violation and attributed it to a technical malfunction.

The Polish military stated that the jet had taken off from Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and that the flight route was immediately corrected after intervention from a Russian Armed Forces navigator. Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak emphasized that such incidents have been occurring for years, with Russia consistently testing and probing in the Baltic region.

Siemoniak also reassured that Poland’s detection systems promptly identified the intrusion, ensuring the aircraft exited Polish airspace swiftly after being alerted. He added that the Polish foreign ministry would assess the situation and determine an appropriate response.

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Students Protest in Sarajevo Over Government Inaction Following Deadly Floods

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Hundreds of students gathered in protest on Monday, demanding government accountability for the deaths of 27 people during devastating floods in October 2024. The disaster, which caused severe damage to homes, roads, and bridges in central and southern parts of the country, highlighted inefficiencies in aid distribution and recovery efforts. In the village of Donja Jablanica alone, 19 people died when an illegal quarry collapsed, burying victims under heavy rocks. Authorities have yet to launch an investigation into the tragedy.

The demonstrators marched in front of the state parliament, carrying banners that read, “Where is the responsibility? Where is transparency?” Imran Pasalic, president of the Sarajevo University Students Parliament, stated that the protest aimed to hold accountable those responsible for the quarry collapse and the government’s slow response to reconstruction and aid distribution. The protesters criticized delays in utilizing donations from the European Union and other foreign contributors for relief efforts.

This demonstration in Bosnia follows similar protests in neighboring Serbia, where students rallied against the government following a railway disaster in November that claimed 15 lives. Both protests reflect growing dissatisfaction with governance in the post-conflict Balkans, where political fragmentation continues to hinder effective crisis response.

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Russia Awaits Concrete Proposals for Peace Talks on Ukraine, Says Deputy Foreign Minister

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Moscow has yet to receive a “good offer” to initiate peace talks on Ukraine, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated on Monday. His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Washington was making progress in negotiations aimed at ending the nearly three-year conflict. Galuzin emphasized the need for practical steps that recognize Russia’s legitimate interests and address the root causes of the crisis.

Despite Trump’s assertions of ongoing conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remained cautious, neither confirming nor denying the claims. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to meet with Putin at an appropriate time to negotiate peace. He also revealed plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy this week to further discussions on ending the war.

The conflict, set to mark its third anniversary on February 24, remains a pivotal issue. Moscow views it as critical to Russia’s survival, while Kyiv and Western allies see it as an unjust territorial invasion. Zelenskiy reiterated Ukraine’s refusal to cede any land and stressed NATO integration as a top priority while offering rare earth minerals in exchange for U.S. financial support.

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Britain’s Migration Crackdown Leaves Thousands of Modern Slavery Victims Without Support

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Thousands of victims of modern slavery in Britain are being denied essential support due to stricter immigration rules introduced in 2023, according to sources from government, law enforcement, and charities. The changes have made it harder for victims to qualify for state assistance by demanding greater proof of exploitation, leading to a rejection rate of 45% in 2023 compared to just 11% in 2022. The toughened regulations are deterring victims from coming forward, fearing deportation instead of protection.

The 2015 Modern Slavery Act, once considered a global benchmark for combatting trafficking, has now lost its effectiveness, a recent House of Lords report revealed. Despite earlier pledges to reform the rules, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has maintained a ban on asylum seekers accessing modern slavery protections. Data from the Home Office shows that foreign victims face harsher rejection rates, with 85% of British applicants receiving positive decisions compared to just 44% for foreign nationals.

Charities warn that the tightened rules have created significant barriers for victims, many of whom are unable to provide comprehensive evidence of their exploitation. Former officials and experts said the measures undermine efforts to catch traffickers, with victim engagement plummeting. Britain’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner expressed concerns that fears of deportation, including past proposals to send migrants to Rwanda, continue to deter victims from seeking help.

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Italy Probes Spyware Attack Targeting WhatsApp Users, Including Activist and Journalist

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The Italian government announced an investigation into a “particularly serious” spyware incident targeting seven mobile phone users on WhatsApp. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office denied any involvement and directed the National Cybersecurity Agency to probe the matter after reports that a journalist and a migrant rescue activist were affected.

Luca Casarini, co-founder of the Mediterranea Saving Humans charity, revealed he received a spyware alert from WhatsApp the same day Meta accused surveillance firm Paragon Solutions of targeting 90 users across several countries. Italian journalist Francesco Cancellato, editor of Fanpage, also confirmed receiving a similar alert. Both victims expressed concern about the breach, with Casarini calling it a “violation of democracy.”

Meta linked the sophisticated “zero-click” hacking method to Paragon, reportedly owned by AE Industrial Partners, and issued a cease-and-desist letter. Spyware cases were also detected in Belgium, Greece, Germany, and other EU nations. The Italian cybersecurity agency has yet to receive information on the identities of those targeted.

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