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German Foreign Minister’s Sydney Trip Derailed by Plane Defect

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had to cancel her planned trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji due to issues with her government plane. The 23-year-old Airbus A340-300 experienced repeated wing flap problems, forcing it to make emergency landings in Abu Dhabi twice within two days.

Baerbock expressed her frustration on social media, highlighting the unreliability of Germany’s government planes despite the country’s reputation for efficiency.

This is not the first time such problems have arisen; in 2018, the same Airbus plane caused then Chancellor Angela Merkel to miss a G20 summit due to technical faults.

Germany’s Luftwaffe Air Force announced the early retirement of the problematic plane, replacing it and another A340-300 with recently acquired A350 planes for top government officials.

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Russian Ruble Hits Lowest Point Against US Dollar in 16 Months

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The Russian ruble has reached its lowest point in 16 months, dropping below 100 against the US dollar.

This decline is a result of mounting pressures on the Russian economy, marked by a faster increase in imports compared to exports and heightened military expenditures due to the conflict in Ukraine.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western nations imposed sanctions on Russia. Although the ruble initially plummeted during the onset of the conflict, it received some support from capital controls and exports of oil and gas.

Since the war began, the ruble’s value has been fluctuating, but it has overall lost around 25% of its value against the US dollar since the invasion of Ukraine.

On a recent Monday, the ruble’s exchange rate was 101.04 per US dollar. A higher number of rubles needed to buy a dollar indicates the currency’s weakening, given the dollar’s status as a dominant global currency.

Russia’s central bank has suggested the possibility of a key interest rate increase but maintains that the country’s financial stability is not under threat. In response to the invasion, the bank had raised rates from 9.5% to 20%, subsequently reducing them.

Jane Foley, Managing Director at Rabobank London, noted the progressive weakening of the ruble throughout the year, with the pace accelerating since late July. She attributed this trend to Russia’s challenging economic fundamentals, such as budget deficits and export pressures.

Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell, indicated that Western sanctions, particularly concerning oil and gas, were negatively impacting Russia’s trade and economy. The EU countries heavily reliant on Russian energy sources pledged to decrease their dependence and explore alternative suppliers.

The imposition of a price cap by G7 and EU leaders in December 2022, aimed at limiting Russia’s oil export revenue by maintaining oil prices below $60 per barrel, contributed to the reduction in Russia’s oil-related exports.

The interruption of gas supplies to Europe by Russia also played a role. Germany, a significant importer, announced its reduced reliance on Russian fossil fuels for energy.

Mould stated that the exclusion of Russia from Swift, a global payment system, had further impacted Moscow.

He pointed out that the ruble’s depreciation should also be considered alongside the strength of the US dollar. The dollar’s gain against emerging currencies was partly attributed to the robust US economy, prompting the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates while many emerging central banks were cutting rates.

The attractiveness of holding dollars or dollar-denominated assets was further enhanced due to higher cash returns in dollars compared to other currencies.

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US returns haul of stolen artefacts to Italy

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Over 250 ancient artifacts, which had been stolen and sold to US museums and collectors in the 1990s, have been repatriated by the United States to Italy.

The art division of Italy’s police force identified the looted items, which include pottery, paintings, and sculptures dating back as far as 3,000 years. Some mosaics are valued at tens of millions of euros. The pieces hail from various historical periods such as the Villanovan age, Etruscan civilization, Magna Graecia, and Imperial Rome.

Most of the artifacts were pilfered in the 1990s and eventually circulated through dealers. While some were believed to have been offered to the Menil Collection in Texas, the museum denied having them in their possession. The artifacts were voluntarily returned by the owner after authorities linked them to illegal archaeological site excavations.

Furthermore, around 145 of the retrieved pieces originated from the bankruptcy case of Robin Symes, an English antiques dealer involved in an illegal trading network. Italy’s ongoing efforts to locate and recover stolen antiquities led to this successful repatriation, following a similar return of stolen art from New York in 2022.

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Eiffel Tower Evacuated Following Bomb Alert

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Following a bomb alert, all three levels of the iconic Eiffel Tower were evacuated on Saturday, as reported by France BFMTV, a CNN affiliate. Currently, a team of experts in explosives is present at the site to conduct an assessment in response to the threat.

At present, the Eiffel Tower remains shut down, as per BFMTV’s report. With an annual influx of nearly seven million visitors to this renowned Parisian tourist spot, the precautionary measures are notable.

For security purposes, the monument has a law enforcement station situated at the base of its southern pillar. The entire premises are subjected to constant video surveillance, and visitors are required to undergo stringent security screenings before they are granted entry.

Although evacuations are infrequent, they are not unprecedented. In 2019, the monument had to be evacuated and temporarily closed after an individual was seen ascending its exterior.

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Poland to Deploy Approximately 10,000 Troops to Belarus Border

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Amid growing concerns about the presence of Wagner forces in the region, Poland is making preparations to deploy approximately 10,000 troops to its eastern border with Belarus. The Wagner troops, affiliated with Russia and stationed in Belarus, were reportedly involved in a brief rebellion. Poland’s Defense Minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, revealed that out of the total troop count, 4,000 soldiers will directly support border guards, while the remaining 6,000 will be in reserve.

Blaszczak cited alleged instances of Polish airspace violations by Belarusian military aircraft as a justification for the deployment. Belarus dismissed these accusations, labeling them as unfounded. Blaszczak emphasized the significance of such airspace violations and termed them a provocative act.

Blaszczak further asserted that events in Belarus are closely coordinated with Russia’s actions. Additionally, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed plans to bolster Russian forces along its western borders, attributing the decision to increased militarization in Poland.

Poland has recently raised concerns about Wagner forces within Belarus. Notably, heightened activity has been observed in the Suwalki gap, a narrow land strip between Poland and Lithuania. Wagner forces appear to be moving in that direction, possibly to exert pressure on NATO and EU member states. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki even warned about the possibility of Wagner fighters disguising themselves as migrants to cross the border.

Lithuania, another neighboring country of Belarus, has also fortified its borders, citing the threat posed by Wagner fighters.

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Spain defeats the Netherlands to advance to their inaugural World Cup semi-final

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Spain secured their place in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands, thanks to a late goal from teenage winger Salma Paralluelo. Mariona Caldentey initially put Spain ahead with an 80th-minute penalty, capitalizing on a handball by Stefanie van der Gragt. However, Van der Gragt redeemed herself by scoring a stoppage-time equalizer. The game headed into extra time, where Paralluelo found the net, securing Spain’s first major semi-final in 26 years.

Despite the Netherlands’ status as runners-up in the 2019 tournament, they were outplayed for much of the match, and Paralluelo’s goal sealed Spain’s victory. Spain will face the winner of the Japan vs. Sweden match in the semi-finals. The match was marked by VAR interventions, including disallowed goals and penalty decisions. Paralluelo’s heroics ultimately stole the spotlight, making her the youngest Spanish scorer in a Women’s World Cup and a rising star in the tournament.

Van der Gragt, who is retiring after the tournament, experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, first conceding a penalty and then scoring an equalizer. The Netherlands, missing Danielle van de Donk due to suspension, struggled to find their rhythm and were largely reliant on their goalkeeper. Despite their manager Jonker’s pride in the team’s progress, their journey in this major tournament came to an end with this defeat.

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Yandex Co-Founder Criticizes Russia’s ‘Brutal’ Conflict in Ukraine

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Arkady Volozh, a co-founder of Yandex and a prominent figure in Russia’s tech industry, has criticized Moscow’s complete military intervention in Ukraine, referring to it as “savage.”

In an official statement, Volozh expressed his distress over the daily bombing of Ukrainian homes and conveyed his opposition to the conflict. Although he resides in Israel and had been criticized for his silence on the matter, he acknowledged his responsibility for his home country’s actions.

Volozh stepped down as Yandex’s CEO in 2022, a move that coincided with personal sanctions imposed by the European Union. The EU cited his role in supporting actions undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty. Yandex, often likened to “Russia’s Google,” is the largest Russian-language internet search engine. Volozh’s condemnation of the invasion stands out among Russia-linked business figures who have openly criticized President Vladimir Putin’s decision to initiate the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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German Government Official Allegedly Engaged in Espionage for Russia

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A German government official has been apprehended in Germany on allegations of sharing classified information with Russia. The individual, identified only as Thomas H in accordance with German privacy regulations, was employed by a department focused on military equipment and information technology. It is claimed that he took independent initiative to visit both the Russian embassy in Berlin and the consulate in Bonn, offering his services.

After being presented before a judge on Wednesday, he was taken into custody pending a trial. Justice Minister Marco Buschmann took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the arrest, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

The accused is believed to have handed over information gathered through his professional responsibilities with the intention of it reaching a Russian intelligence agency, as stated by the federal prosecutor’s office. The arrest took place in Koblenz, western Germany, accompanied by searches of his home and workplace.

This incident follows a warning issued in June by the domestic security agency, the BfV, about the potential threat of an “aggressive Russian espionage operation” amidst Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This isn’t the first occurrence of its kind since the Russian invasion began in February the previous year.

In a separate case from January, another German citizen named Arthur E was arrested under suspicion of treason for his alleged role in a plot to supply intelligence to Russia. He was thought to be associated with an employee of the German foreign intelligence service (BND) who had been apprehended in December on charges of spying for Russia.

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New Russian Schoolbook Seeks to Legitimize Military Action in Ukraine

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Moscow authorities have introduced a new educational textbook aimed at rationalizing the war in Ukraine and attributing blame to Western nations for Russia’s predicament. As per extracts disclosed by Russian media, the school material asserts that humanity’s survival was at stake if Vladimir Putin hadn’t initiated his “special military operation” against Ukraine. The textbook, titled “Russian History, 1945 – early 21st century,” was co-written by Vladimir Medinsky, a former Russian culture minister and current presidential adviser.

Notably, this marks the first officially sanctioned history book in Russian schools covering events as recent as the complete invasion of Ukraine, which commenced in February 2022. Beginning September, it will be taught in the final year of Russian secondary education, attended by 17 to 18-year-old students.

The textbook argues that Western powers are dedicated to destabilizing Russia and disseminating “unconcealed Russophobia.” It contends that the West is deliberately dragging Russia into conflicts, with the ultimate goal of dismantling the nation and gaining control over its mineral resources. The book also relies on familiar Kremlin narratives, depicting Ukraine as an aggressive state led by nationalist extremists manipulated by the West to act against Russia.

The textbook distorts historical facts. For instance, it frames Russia’s initial involvement in Ukraine in 2014 as a response to a popular uprising in eastern Donbas, without mentioning Russia’s military involvement in the region. The book cites the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO as a key reason for the full-scale invasion in 2022, suggesting that such an event would have prompted Russia to wage war against the entire NATO alliance, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.

The textbook also inaccurately claims that Ukraine planned to turn Sevastopol into a NATO base and pursue nuclear weapons. Additionally, it misrepresents the linguistic demographics of Ukraine’s population, asserting that 80% spoke Russian as their mother tongue before 2014, when the actual figure was much lower.

In the context of mounting evidence linking Russian forces to atrocities in Ukraine, the textbook warns students about the proliferation of staged media content and fake imagery. The book critiques Western sanctions against Russia following the invasion, depicting them as efforts to undermine Russia’s economy and wrongly asserting that they violate international law.

Furthermore, the exodus of Western businesses from Russia post-invasion is depicted in a positive light, being characterized as a “fantastic opportunity” for Russian entrepreneurs.

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