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Lockdown continues in France

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In the second day of the strike also, the public life has been hugely disrupted in the European country of France.

The strike, which began last day by workers against the pension reforms introduced by President Emanuel Macron, is expected to last at least till Monday.

A prominent workers’ organisation has acknowledged the rumour that the strength of the strike will remain unchanged until Monday.

The ongoing strike has badly disrupted the transport facilities in the country. The strike has literally put the country in the state of complete lockdown.

The strike is a big blow to Mr. Macron. What it mocks is the reformer image of the present French President.

Some workers’ unions are likely to meet today to decide their future course of action.

Last day, in several cities in the country, the strike has turned violent.

Meanwhile, there are rumours that an effort is on to bring the agitated unions to a discussion table with the country’s government.

The ongoing protest is expected to make a serious dent on the effort of Mr. Macron to emerge as the saviour of Europe.

The strength of a leader is the support he/she enjoys in his homeland. The moment he loses that his future as a leader is over.


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News

France frozen

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A nationwide strike, organised by workers who are unhappy with Emanuel Macron’s pension reforms, have almost completely frozen the European country of France.

Along with transport workers, even police, lawyers and hospital and airport staffs have come out in support of the strike.

The strike has badly affected the transportation system in the country. Several flights have been cancelled. The rail transport has cut down its number of services. The road transport is almost completely in a standstill state.

The present strike is the most serious strike the European country of France has witnessed in its recent history.

Mr. Macron, who came to power as a solution to the problems the French people face, is now largely unpopular in the country.

The anti-establishment wave, which helped Mr. Macron to march to power, is at present against him.

Most of his reforms have ended up against the interest of the people of the country. The controversial pension reform is one of them.

If the things progress in this manner, the wave that helped him to win the power of the country itself will push him down from the seat of power.

What Mr. Macron represents at present is failed populism. The rest of the Europe has a lesson in the French experience.


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News

Russia introduces bill that curtails freedom of speech

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has introduced a controversial bill that can reduce the freedom of speech to a level in which it is almost unrecognisable.

The newly introduced law empowers the country the right to register bloggers, journalists and social media users as foreign agents.

That simply means the Russians who use the social media platforms to criticise the Putin’s government are at the risk of falling into the list of foreign agents.

The bill is also a clear threat to the Russian journalists who do not buy the idea of the projection of Mr. Putin as a leader who should not be criticised.

Mr. Putin’s Russia is known for its opposition to the idea of the freedom of speech and expression.

The present Russia is one of the very few countries which are almost completely intolerant towards dissent.

It often suppresses dissent with force. The new bill is seen as a latest method to suppress the possibility of the emergence of dissent.


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Crime News Sports

Austrian Olympic champion awarded five years imprisonment for child abuse

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A renowned Austrian Olympic judo champion, Peter Seisenbacher, who won two Olympic gold medals in the year 1984 and the year 1988, has been awarded a tough sentence of five years imprisonment for abusing two of his students while working as a coach.

The incidents led to the cases happened in 1990s and 2000s. The victims were children then.

The court has found no reason to disbelief the statements given by the victims.

The trial was supposed to begin in the year 2016 itself. But, it was delayed as he briefly disappeared prior to the scheduled date. Later, he surfaced from his hiding in Georgia and fled to Ukraine. Only few months has passed since he was handed over to Austria by Ukraine.

He denied all allegations triggered against him.

As per the judgement, the Olympian will have the right to approach a higher court challenging the verdict delivered by the present court.


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International Relations Trending

France unhappy with US’ protectionist attitude

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A new statement made by France President Emanuel Macron clearly indicates that the European country of France is unhappy with the protectionist attitude of the United States of America.

As the NATO members are at the doorstep of a crucial meeting, the statement made by France is of great importance.

Beneath the statement lies a clear message that France no longer trusts the security offered by the US.

Its advice for Europe is crystal clear. It wants to see a European army formed, against the interest of the NATO leader.

The root of the crisis lies in the disinterest of the US to use its money for the betterment of the NATO and to engage more with its NATO allies.

The change of attitude was evident when the US reduced its spending on the NATO budget imposing pressure on its allies to spend more on the said budget and when it decided to pull out its force from Syria, paving way for the aggression of Turkey, without discussing the decision with its NATO partners.

Though Germany’s decision on this matter is not different, it is not that adamant as that of its neighbour.

Undisputedly, a European army is a German dream too.

From an aggressive China and an unpredictable Russia to a protective US, Germany and France are no short of reason for the consideration of their dream plan.


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Crime Trending

Malta journalist murder case: Arrested businessman approaches Prez seeking pardon in exchange of information

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In a move which can be considered as a breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of Malta journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a renowned businessman, Yorgen Fenech, who was booked in connection with the case recently, has approached the president of the country, seeking a presidential pardon in exchange of a important lead he can give to take the investigation in the case to the next level.

His lawyer has recently approached a court seeking the dismissal of the chief investigative officer of the investigative team, which investigates the sensitive murder case, on the ground of his connection with some close supporters of Malta PM Joseph Muscat, who were recently found to have links with the brutal murder.

Interestingly, the businessman has not approached the cabinet with his pardon request, but has approached the president instead.

If the aforesaid developments are closely observed, what his possible revelation can be predicted.

Since the murder of the journalist, the Malta PM is under serious pressure to leave his seat of power.

Malta, a country which is not a fan of violent protest, has already witnessed some violent protest for the first time in its history in this issue.

It seems that the future of the present government in Malta hinges on the words of the arrested businessman.

There are reports that the government has already come out openly against the idea of offering pardon to the businessman in exchange of the lead he can provide to help the investigation.


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International Relations News

France, Turkey relation hits new low

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The bilateral relation between France and Turkey has hit a new low, with the latter calling the former terrorist sponsor.

A senior official from Turkey said France was supporting terrorist groups. He has also triggered several other allegations against France.

The Turkey official’s statement against France has come days after the European superpower hosted an official from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Force.

Turkey considers some of the organisations led by the Kurds as terrorist groups. The organisation hosted by France is very close to some of the organisations which Turkey considers as terrorist groups.

The France-Turkey issue is not a new thing. France was one of the first European powers which came forward openly against Turkey strongly with the latter attacked some Kurdish controlled regions in Syria in the name of creating a safe space for the Syrian migrants who were displaced from their homeland due to the Syrian War.

France has not yet responded to the provocative statement made by Turkey. The European superpower is likely to respond in the same manner.

If the things progress this way, the scheduled NATO meeting, going to take place in the UK in the near future, is less likely to be smooth.


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Crime News

Resignations connected to Journalist Daphne’s murder investigation shake Malta

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The resignations of high profile political leaders, including Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s top aid Keith Schembri, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and Economy Minister Chris Cardona, in connection with the investigation into the murder of acclaimed Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia known for her fearless articles against corruption has jolted the tiny European country of Malta.

Since the unearthing of the connection of some of the colleagues with the murder of the journalist, the popularity of the charismatic leader of the country has plummeted significantly.

The opposition has come out strongly against the supremo. The opposition MPs has called the supremo ‘mafia’ when he has reached the parliament to attend the session.

The protest against the prime minister is at its peak in the country. The protesters have even thrown eggs at the vehicle owned by the PM, clearly showing how far the popularity of the supremo has come down.

Recently, a business man was arrested dramatically in connection with the murder of the journalist. But, sadly, he was send off on a bail hours after the arrest.

Similarly, a middle man arrested in connection with the murder was pardoned by the Malta government on the ground that he offered some vital information about the crime in return.

The aforesaid realities are what that gives strength to the allegation that some top officials in the present Maltese government have connection with those who committed the brutality against the journalist.


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International Relations News

Thirteen French soldiers died in Mali

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In a worst accident caused to the French army, as many as thirteen soldiers have died in a helicopter accident in Mali.

The accident has happened when at least two helicopters have collided each other during a military operation.

French President Emanuel Macron has expressed his deep sorrow in the accident that has taken the lives of thirteen of his soldiers.

An investigation has been launched by the French government in this matter. Not any time in the recent past, the French army has experienced anything like this in the soil of Mali.

Several thousands of French army personals are now in Mali to support the Mali government force in its fight against militant groups.

The investigative authority will investigate all the possibilities.

Mali is not the only region which runs with the support of this European superpower. Many other countries in the region, such as Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger, enjoy the support of the French army.

At this moment, it remains unclear whether the French army will alter its policy on the deployment of its military personals in the African region in the wake of this development.


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Art Trending

Thieves break into Germany’s Green Vault

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A group of thieves have broken into the largest treasure collection in Europe, known as Green Vault – situated in Germany.

Several treasures worth millions are feared to have been stolen by the group. No information regarding that has been released yet.

The German police are examining the view. They have not yet responded to any media personal.

It is yet to know whether they have received any clue about the group who has committed the theft.

Green Vault is an 18th century treasure collection. It is the contribution of the then ruler of Saxony, where the centre is located.

It houses several rare diamonds and similar expensive things.

It is important to understand how the group has managed to escape the security cover offered to the centre to avoid similar failures in future. It is also pertinent to understand has the theft been the contribution of any security failure; if it is so, those responsible should be brought to justice.


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