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Iranian Singer Tataloo Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy

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Iranian singer Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, widely known as Tataloo, has been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges by the Supreme Court, overturning a prior five-year jail term. Reformist newspaper Etemad reported that the court reopened his case after a prosecutor’s objection, with the death sentence issued for insulting Islam’s Prophet Mohammed. The verdict is not final and remains subject to appeal.

Tataloo, a 37-year-old underground musician renowned for his fusion of rap, pop, and R&B, had been living in Istanbul since 2018 but was extradited to Iran in December 2023. He has been in detention since then, facing additional sentences, including 10 years for promoting “prostitution” and accusations of spreading anti-government propaganda and publishing “obscene content.”

Previously, Tataloo garnered attention for his controversial public persona and political ties. He met with ultra-conservative figures, including the late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, and once released a pro-nuclear program song in 2015. His sentencing marks a dramatic turn in a career that straddled both underground music and political intrigue.

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Noyb Files Privacy Complaint Against Chinese Firms Over EU Data Transfers

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Vienna-based privacy advocacy group Noyb (None Of Your Business) has filed a landmark privacy complaint against six Chinese companies, including TikTok, Shein, Xiaomi, and AliExpress, alleging unlawful transfers of European Union (EU) user data to China. The complaints, filed across four European countries, seek to halt data transfers and impose fines of up to 4% of global revenues under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The companies reportedly admitted to sending user data to China or undisclosed third countries suspected to be China, raising concerns over inadequate data protection in the authoritarian state.

This marks Noyb’s first complaint against Chinese firms, though it has previously targeted U.S. tech giants like Apple, Alphabet, and Meta, resulting in significant fines and investigations. According to Noyb, GDPR prohibits data transfers to countries that fail to meet EU privacy standards. “China is an authoritarian surveillance state, and transferring Europeans’ personal data there is clearly unlawful,” stated Kleanthi Sardeli, a Noyb data protection lawyer. Companies implicated include TikTok, AliExpress, Shein, Temu, Xiaomi, and Tencent’s WeChat.

Chinese firms have been increasingly scrutinized by global regulators, with TikTok particularly under fire. The app faces a federal ban in the U.S. and is under European Commission investigation for allegedly failing to limit election interference, notably in Romania’s presidential elections. The case underscores mounting global concerns about data privacy and foreign surveillance risks tied to Chinese technology companies.

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British Financial Services Minister Tulip Siddiq Resigns Amid Corruption Allegations

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British Minister for Financial Services Tulip Siddiq resigned on Tuesday following weeks of scrutiny over her financial ties to her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh. Siddiq, 42, denied any wrongdoing but acknowledged her position could become a distraction to the government. While the ethics adviser cleared her of breaching the ministerial code, he noted her lack of vigilance regarding the reputational risks posed by her family’s associations.

Siddiq’s resignation comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces political pressure following the departure of a second minister in two months. Starmer swiftly replaced Siddiq with former pensions minister Emma Reynolds. The resignation is linked to allegations of corruption and money laundering involving Hasina, who was ousted in 2023. Bangladeshi authorities claim financial irregularities tied to infrastructure projects and a $12.65 billion nuclear power contract may have benefited Siddiq’s family.

Documents revealed Siddiq lived in a property gifted by a lawyer associated with Hasina and acquired another from a developer linked to the Awami League. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, vowed to recover stolen funds and urged Siddiq to seek forgiveness for her actions. Despite Siddiq’s denials, her ties to properties and financial transactions connected to Hasina remain under investigation.

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Zoran Milanovic Secures Second Term as Croatia’s President

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Zoran Milanovic has been re-elected as Croatia’s president, winning nearly three-quarters of the vote in the presidential election. His opponent, Dragan Primorac, backed by the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), managed just 25% of the vote, marking the party’s worst-ever electoral performance. The outcome reflects a resounding endorsement of Milanovic despite his frequent critiques of the government.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, leader of the HDZ, offered a muted response, refraining from congratulating Milanovic and criticizing him as offering “nothing.” Milanovic, in contrast, extended an olive branch, stating he would “offer a hand” to the prime minister. As a ceremonial head of state, Milanovic’s role is constitutionally non-partisan, yet his presidency has been marked by outspoken criticism of the government on issues such as corruption, inflation, and healthcare.

A seasoned politician, Milanovic served as prime minister from 2011 to 2016 and led the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) for nearly a decade. His presidency has also seen controversy, including a failed attempt to run for prime minister last year, ruled unconstitutional by the courts. While Milanovic has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, his criticism of Western military support for Kyiv has drawn international attention.

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Germany’s Habeck and Scholz Criticize Trump’s Divisive Tactics and Greenland Proposal

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Germany’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has accused US President-elect Donald Trump of attempting to undermine European unity, calling for a united European front in response. Speaking to Deutschlandfunk, Habeck claimed Trump’s past efforts to strike individual deals with European nations sought to fracture EU solidarity and warned of potential trade policy attacks targeting German products. Highlighting Germany’s significant trade surplus with the US, he stressed the importance of EU backing in trade matters.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz also criticized Trump for reigniting controversial remarks about acquiring Greenland and Canada, asserting that borders must not be altered by force. During a news conference, Scholz emphasized the principle of border inviolability as foundational to international peace. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed Trump’s renewed proposal for Greenland, reaffirming the territory’s autonomy. Trump’s comments on his Truth Social platform, advocating for Greenland to join the US, have drawn sharp rebukes from European leaders.

Adding to the strain in transatlantic ties, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a Trump ally, publicly criticized German leaders and voiced support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Scholz responded by reaffirming Germany’s commitment to NATO and Western values, emphasizing the importance of border security. As Trump’s inauguration approaches, European leaders brace for renewed challenges to relations with the US.

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Ukrainian Strike Hits Russian Fuel Depot, Disrupting Strategic Operations

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The Ukrainian military announced a targeted strike on a fuel storage depot in Engels, a city in Russia’s Saratov region, approximately 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The overnight attack ignited a blaze at the depot, which supplied a critical air base used by Russian planes to launch missiles into Ukraine. Ukraine’s General Staff stated that the strike significantly disrupted Russian strategic aviation, hampering their ability to target Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.

Russian officials confirmed a major drone attack in the area, with Saratov Governor Roman Busargin reporting fire damage at an industrial site in Engels caused by falling debris. No injuries were reported, but authorities responded by restricting flights at airports in Saratov, Ulyanovsk, Kazan, and Nizhnekamsk. The incident reflects escalating tensions as Ukraine expands its reach into Russian territory using domestically developed long-range weapons.

Ukrainian presidential advisor Alexander Kamyshin attributed the attack to Ukraine’s indigenous arsenal, emphasizing the effectiveness of locally produced capabilities with the hashtag #MadeInUkraine. Last year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted Kyiv’s development of weapons with a range of up to 700 kilometers, with recent strikes proving their ability to hit targets over 1,000 kilometers away. This marks a shift in Ukraine’s strategy amid restrictions on the use of Western-supplied long-range weapons.

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Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Freed from Detention in Iran

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Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist detained in Iran last month, has been released and is on her way back to Rome. The 29-year-old journalist was arrested on December 19, following the detention of Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini in Milan, who was suspected of supplying drone technology linked to the deaths of US soldiers. Sala had been held in solitary confinement at Tehran’s Evin prison, sparking widespread outrage in Italy.

The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, announced her release, crediting “intense work through diplomatic and intelligence channels” for securing her freedom. Sala’s partner, Daniele Raineri, shared the emotional news, quoting her saying, “I’ll see you soon.” The journalist’s plane was en route to Rome, where she is expected to land later today.

While the exact reasons for Sala’s release remain unclear, Iranian authorities initially claimed her detention was due to violations of the Islamic Republic’s laws. However, US officials indicated that her arrest might have been connected to Abedini’s case, suggesting she could have been used as “political leverage.” The Italian government has taken a proactive role in her case, with Giovanni Caravelli, head of Italy’s foreign intelligence service, reportedly traveling to Tehran to facilitate her return.

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Jean-Marie Le Pen, Controversial French Far-Right Leader, Dies at 96

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Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of France’s far-right National Front (FN) and a polarizing figure in French politics, has passed away at the age of 96, his family confirmed. Known for his fiery rhetoric and hardline views on immigration and nationalism, Le Pen’s political career spanned decades, marked by repeated bids for the presidency. He gained global attention in 2002 when he shocked France by advancing to the second round of the presidential election, only to be decisively defeated by Jacques Chirac.

Le Pen’s career was fraught with controversy, including multiple convictions for hate speech and Holocaust denial. A staunch nationalist, he pushed his far-right agenda into the French political mainstream, but his inflammatory remarks often overshadowed his political ambitions. His daughter Marine Le Pen later took over the FN in 2011, rebranding it as the National Rally to appeal to broader voters, ultimately leading to a bitter rift between father and daughter.

Born in 1928 in Brittany, Le Pen’s early life was shaped by war and loss. After serving in the French Foreign Legion during the conflicts in Indochina and Algeria, he entered politics, founding the FN in 1972. Despite his expulsion from the party in 2015 over his repeated Holocaust denial, Le Pen remained unapologetic about his views, leaving behind a complex legacy as a pioneer of far-right populism in Europe.

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Ukraine Launches Surprise Offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region

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Ukraine has launched a surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, aiming to reclaim ground after months of setbacks. Reports emerged early Sunday from Russian military bloggers, later confirmed by officials in Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian forces reportedly attacked multiple fronts near Sudzha, with the country’s Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak describing the situation as “good news” for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have repelled two assaults and inflicted heavy losses on Ukrainian troops, including North Korean soldiers aiding Moscow.

This escalation follows Ukraine’s initial incursion into Kursk last August, during which Kyiv seized significant territory before losing over 40% due to sustained Russian counterattacks. The latest offensive seeks to regain momentum amid concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may push for a peace deal, potentially pressuring Ukraine into unfavorable compromises. Analysts have cautioned against premature conclusions about the attack’s significance, as both sides have engaged in disinformation campaigns.

As Ukraine braces for potential changes in U.S. support, its leadership is focused on negotiating from a position of strength. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has maintained strong rhetoric, highlighting Russian losses, including North Korean troops, in the ongoing battles. Western analysts suggest that while the offensive’s outcome remains uncertain, it underscores Ukraine’s determination to challenge Moscow and resist territorial concessions.

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Russia’s Secret Military Files Reveal Target Lists for Japan and South Korea

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Leaked Russian military documents from 2013-2014, reviewed by The Financial Times, reveal detailed plans targeting 160 civilian and military sites in Japan and South Korea, including nuclear power plants and energy facilities. The files, which reflect Russia’s strategic considerations from 2008 to 2014, highlight concerns about vulnerabilities along its eastern borders amid potential conflicts involving NATO, the U.S., and regional allies. Civilian infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels, and factories was marked to hinder troop movements, alongside military command centres and radar installations.

The documents also describe Russia’s potential use of Kh-101 cruise missiles in strikes against Japan and its air missions to test Japanese and South Korean air defences. In a notable 2014 operation during the annexation of Crimea, Russian bombers flew near South Korea and Japan, provoking multiple non-hostile interceptions by fighter jets. These maneuvers coincided with a joint U.S.-Korea military exercise, underscoring Moscow’s tactical interest in gauging regional air defence capabilities.

The revelations further underline the significance of Asia in President Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical strategy, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine. As Moscow strengthens military and economic ties with China and enlists North Korean troops for the war in Ukraine, the leaked plans expose Russia’s focus on countering U.S. influence and securing its eastern front. However, questions about the reliability of its military systems, highlighted by operational setbacks in Ukraine, cast doubt on the feasibility of these plans.

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