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Emmanuel Macron’s government in crisis after migration bill defeat

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The French government, led by President Emmanuel Macron, is facing a crisis as opposition parties, spanning the political spectrum from far-right to far-left and moderate factions, joined forces to defeat a crucial immigration bill. The rejection occurred on Monday, with critics arguing that the proposed law was either too repressive (according to the left) or not stringent enough (according to the right).

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, known for his tough stance on immigration, offered to resign following the defeat, but President Macron declined his resignation. The government had asserted that the bill aimed to control immigration while enhancing the integration of migrants. The proposed legislation sought to streamline the deportation process for migrants sentenced to prison terms of five years or longer and impose stricter conditions on family reunification in France.

Despite Interior Minister Darmanin’s efforts to garner support for the bill, opposition MPs from various factions, including the National Rally (far-right), France Unbowed (far-left), Republicans (right-wing), and smaller parties, voted against it, leading to a 270-265 defeat for the government.

Before the vote, MP Arthur Delaporte of the Socialist party denounced the bill as “unjust, scandalous, and a threat to freedom.” President Macron’s centrist Renaissance party had lost its parliamentary majority in the June 2022 elections, making it challenging for the government to secure votes in parliament.

In response to the defeat, the government announced its intention to redraft the bill. Notably, the option used by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to pass laws without a vote cannot be employed to advance this revised version.

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Referee punched: Turkish FA halts league football after club president hits Super Lig official

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Turkish football authorities have decided to suspend all leagues following an incident where referee Halil Umut Meler was punched by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca. The assault occurred after Ankaragucu conceded a late equalizer in a Super Lig match against Caykur Rizespor. Turkish FA chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi announced the indefinite postponement of all league matches, calling the attack a “night of shame for Turkish football.”

Meler, a respected referee, suffered injuries, including a minor fracture, after being punched and receiving blows from others on the pitch. The chaotic scenes led to the suspension of all matches, and Koca, who required hospital treatment, will face detention procedures. Several others involved in the incident have been arrested.

Turkey’s minister of internal affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, strongly condemned the attack and assured that detention procedures would be carried out. Meler and Koca both received medical attention, with Meler’s injuries reported as non-life-threatening.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in sports and expressing wishes for Meler’s speedy recovery. MKE Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor issued apologies and messages of support for Meler, while the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) vowed to take strict action against Ankaragucu and its officials.

TFF chairman Buyukeksi stressed that football matches are not a war and urged everyone to take responsibility, announcing severe punishments for Ankaragucu and its management. The incident prompted Galatasaray, a prominent club, to call for an emergency meeting to address growing issues in Turkish football. Referee associations and football clubs expressed solidarity against violence, with the TFF aiming to make Turkish football a safer environment.

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Paris Ritz: Missing €750k ring found in hotel vacuum bag

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A €750,000 (£643,000) ring, initially reported missing at the Ritz hotel in Paris, has been discovered inside a vacuum cleaner. The owner, a Malaysian businesswoman staying at the hotel, suspected theft by an employee and filed a police complaint on Friday. Ritz security guards found the ring in the vacuum bag on Sunday, resolving the mystery. Despite the guest having traveled to London, she plans to return to Paris to retrieve her ring.

The Ritz extended an offer of three additional nights to compensate for the inconvenience caused to the guest, but she is reportedly not interested in taking up the offer. The hotel expressed gratitude for the security guards’ meticulous efforts in locating the missing ring and commended their integrity and professionalism.

According to the businesswoman, she left the ring on a table in her hotel room on Friday while she went shopping in the city. Upon her return, the ring was nowhere to be found. The police are currently safeguarding the ring until the owner can collect it.

This incident is not the first time that valuable items have gone missing at the Ritz hotel. In 2018, a group of five armed men stole over €4m (£3.5m) worth of merchandise from a jewelry shop within the renowned establishment. Additionally, later that year, an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family reported the theft of hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of jewelry from her hotel room suite.

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Spanish La Liga Match Abandoned After Fan Dies in Stands

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On Monday, Granada’s La Liga match at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium against Athletic Bilbao is set to resume after being interrupted on Sunday due to a tragic incident. The game was halted after 17 minutes following a cardiac arrest suffered by a Granada season ticket holder, leading to its eventual abandonment an hour later. La Liga has now confirmed that the match will recommence from the 17th minute, with Athletic Bilbao holding a 1-0 lead from Inaki Williams’ earlier goal. The restart is scheduled for 20:00 GMT, and attendees with tickets from the original match will be permitted entry.

Granada expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased supporter and extended sympathies to the entire Granada community. The incident prompted a display of sportsmanship, with Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon earning applause from Granada supporters for alerting officials to the situation in the stands. Subsequently, players from both teams left the pitch 20 minutes after the initial suspension of the match.

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Putin to stand for fifth term as Russian president

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially announced his candidacy for a fifth term in office during an awards ceremony honoring participants in the 2022 war against Ukraine. The presidential election is slated for March 15-17, 2024, following a constitutional amendment in 2020 that extended the presidential term from four to six years. Given the limited opposition and the tight control Putin exercises over Russian media, his victory is widely perceived as inevitable.

The re-election of the 71-year-old Putin would mark a continuation of his extensive political career, having previously served as president from 2000-2008 and returning to the role in 2012 after a stint as prime minister. This extended period in power surpasses that of any ruler in Russia since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. The constitutional amendment in 2020 effectively canceled out Putin’s previous terms, allowing him a clean slate to run again in 2024. A successful victory would keep him in the presidency until 2030, and if he decides to stand for re-election, potentially until 2036.

Despite facing significant challenges stemming from the invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing standoff with the West, Putin is unlikely to encounter substantial opposition. Genuine opponents have been marginalized, with many either deceased, imprisoned, or in exile. The announcement of the election dates by the Federation Council was swiftly followed by Putin’s declaration, emphasizing the apparent widespread support for his continued leadership.

Putin’s firm grip on power has only strengthened throughout his tenure, and his decision to run again underscores the lack of any significant contenders on the political landscape. The Kremlin’s official spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, noted an “astonishing” number of people expressing a desire for Putin to continue as the leader of Russia. The announcement was made during an informal gathering after a ceremony in the Kremlin where Ukraine war veterans were awarded the Hero of Russia medal, highlighting Putin’s role in the conflict and the political backdrop against which his candidacy is unfolding.

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Laura Kuenssberg: Ukraine in ‘mortal danger’ without aid, Olena Zelenska warns

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Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady, has issued a grave warning about the perilous situation facing Ukrainians if Western nations do not continue their financial support. This concern arises following the blocking of a vital $60 billion aid bill for Ukraine by Republican senators in the US. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Zelenska emphasized the potential life-threatening consequences if the world grows weary of the ongoing crisis, stating that Ukraine could be left to perish without sustained assistance.

The urgency of the situation was highlighted by the White House, which cautioned that US funds for Ukraine could soon run out. However, a deal for additional assistance has been delayed as Republicans seek compromises on unrelated domestic issues before granting approval. President Biden underscored the significance of aiding Ukraine, warning that a failure to do so would be a detrimental “gift” for President Putin, and history would harshly judge those turning their back on the cause of freedom.

Zelenska’s exclusive interview with the BBC provided insight into her deep concern over the delays in financial support, describing the situation as a “mortal danger” for her country. She expressed distress at witnessing signs of diminishing global willingness to help, emphasizing that the continued aid is a matter of life for Ukraine. The first lady’s warnings serve as a poignant reminder of the critical need for ongoing assistance to ensure Ukraine’s survival in the face of Russian aggression.

The United Kingdom has also played a role in urging US politicians to reach a timely agreement for Ukraine. During a visit to Washington, UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron emphasized the US’s pivotal role as the “lynchpin” in the Western coalition supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia. He urged the US not to inadvertently gift President Putin by blocking the financial support required for Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russian forces. The shifting attitudes within the international community raise concerns about Ukraine’s ability to sustain its fight without robust and continuous support. Zelenska’s warnings are strategically crafted to underscore the critical importance of ongoing assistance for Ukraine’s survival on Europe’s eastern flank.

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Russia luring migrants from Finnish border for war in Ukraine

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Russia has been recruiting foreign migrants detained at its border with Finland for military service in Ukraine, as evidenced by several cases reported by the BBC. This practice involves coercing individuals in pre-deportation detention centers to sign contracts for army service. While this tactic is not new, the numbers increased significantly as foreign migrants arrived at Russia’s border with Finland. Finland temporarily closed its Russian border crossings, accusing Moscow of using migrants as part of a destabilization campaign after Finland joined NATO.

In the past three weeks, 236 people in Karelia, one of the three Russian regions bordering Finland, were arrested for staying in Russia without valid visas. The pattern was similar in the other two border regions of Leningrad and Murmansk. Migrants, including a Somali man identified as Awad, detained for immigration violations, were approached by military representatives and offered a job in the Russian army, promising good pay, medical care, and permission to stay in Russia upon completing a one-year army contract.

The influx of migrants at Finland’s border led to accusations that Russia encouraged the surge, bypassing visa checks and organizing the distribution of bicycles for migrants. Awad, who had arrived in Russia in mid-July and attempted to enter Poland via Belarus, hired a taxi in November to reach the Finnish border. After being detained, he and others were pressured to sign army contracts to avoid deportation.

The report mentions an Iraqi man facing deportation who claimed he was also pressured to sign an army contract due to the danger he faced in Iraq. According to a representative from the Somali community in Belarus, at least 60 Somali nationals in Russian detention centers were approached by military recruiters, with some reportedly agreeing to sign contracts with the Russian army.

Awad and his group realized they were being sent to fight in Ukraine when they reached a military camp at the border. Despite threats of long prison sentences, the detainees demanded the annulment of their contracts. Some received letters confirming the cancellation, but they remain in the military camp. Awad insists he was deceived and did not fully understand the contract, emphasizing that he is an asylum seeker, not a soldier. The BBC has sought comment from the Russian interior ministry regarding the allegations.

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Two arrested in France over alleged bedbug scam

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In France, two individuals have been arrested for allegedly scamming elderly people by convincing them to pay exorbitant amounts for unnecessary bedbug treatments. The suspects, operating in Strasbourg, would visit the homes of their victims, conduct fictitious inspections, and then exploit the situation by overcharging for purported treatment products. The victims, numbering 48 in total, were predominantly elderly women, many of whom were over 90 years old. This fraudulent activity comes amid a growing concern over the rise of bedbug infestations across France, prompting government officials to consider measures to address the issue.

The modus operandi of the alleged scammers involved contacting potential victims, informing them of a bedbug infestation in their neighborhood. Subsequently, the suspects would visit the targeted individuals’ homes, posing as health officials. They would simulate a treatment process using aerosol sprays, then offer a supposed bug-repelling ointment, which, in reality, was a basic eucalyptus-scented cream. The victims, unaware of the scam, were charged varying amounts ranging from €300 to €2,100. Authorities received a total of nine formal complaints related to suspected fraud, leading to the surveillance and arrest of the suspects as they left the residence of an alleged victim in Strasbourg.

The escalating bedbug issue in France has raised concerns about its potential spread, with fears that Parisian infestations could impact other cities, including London. London mayor Sadiq Khan expressed apprehension about the threat to the capital’s public transport system, emphasizing efforts to prevent a similar problem. In October, he reported engaging with counterparts in Paris and officials at Transport For London to collaborate on strategies aimed at averting the potential spread of bedbug-related challenges.

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Russia school shooting: Teenage girl kills classmate and herself

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A tragic incident unfolded in the city of Bryansk, western Russia, where a teenage girl fatally shot a fellow student before turning the gun on herself at Gymnasium No 5 on Thursday morning. Five individuals, including one seriously injured, were harmed in the shooting. The firearm used was reportedly registered under the girl’s father’s name, according to a parliamentarian.

Authorities were alerted to the situation around 09:15 local time, and one victim was undergoing surgery, as stated by Russia’s deputy health minister, Alexey Kuznetsov. The police suspect that the 14-year-old girl may have been involved in a conflict with classmates.

Local authorities are providing psychological support to students, teachers, and parents affected by the incident. Alexander Khinshtein, a member of the Russian Duma, revealed on Telegram that the girl’s belongings, including a box of bullets, were discovered during a school search. He emphasized the “neglectful attitude” towards the secure storage of the firearm as a contributing factor to the tragedy.

Strict gun laws in Russia require firearms to be stored in a special safe, accessible only by the legal owner, and subject to regular police inspections. Students reportedly barricaded themselves in a classroom upon hearing gunshots.

The governor of the Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy.” While school shootings have occurred in Russia in recent years, this incident is noteworthy as it involves a female shooter. In 2021, a 19-year-old carried out a shooting in Kazan, resulting in the deaths of seven children and two adults, and the following year, 18 people were killed in a school shooting in Udmurtia.

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Putin makes rare foreign trip to Gulf states

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has undertaken a rare foreign trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. The discussions are expected to cover topics such as the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as oil production. Notably, the UAE is hosting the COP28 UN climate summit. Despite facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to alleged war crimes, including the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, both the UAE and Saudi Arabia do not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.

Putin’s visit is seen as part of Russia’s efforts to assert influence and counter isolation attempts by the West. In the UAE, trade and oil are key agenda items, as it is described as Russia’s primary economic partner in the Arab world. Putin also traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing bilateral cooperation and regional events. The leaders reportedly addressed ways to promote de-escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict and discussed conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Sudan.

Furthermore, Putin is set to meet Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi to discuss the war in Gaza. This trip follows Putin’s limited international travel since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with visits restricted to Russian-occupied Ukraine, Iran, and China.

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