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Swedish court clears dual national Skvortsov of spying for Russia

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In Stockholm, a Russian-born Swedish man, Sergei Skvortsov, has been cleared by a court of charges relating to alleged unlawful intelligence activities against the US and Sweden. The 60-year-old, who operated import-export businesses, was accused of transmitting Western technology to Russia’s military intelligence service over a nine-year period from 2013 to 2022. Throughout the trial, Skvortsov has maintained his innocence.

His defense lawyer, Ulrika Borg, expressed his relief at the verdict, although prosecutors still have three weeks to appeal. The prosecution, led by Henrik Olin, contended that Skvortsov functioned as a “procurement agent,” facilitating the supply of electronics to Russia’s military and its GRU military intelligence service. Olin sought a five-year prison term for Skvortsov, characterizing him as a serious threat to US and Swedish security.

Skvortsov and his wife were arrested in a dramatic dawn raid conducted by special forces in November 2022. However, his wife was subsequently released without charge. The trial largely took place behind closed doors, and testimony was provided by an FBI official.

Although the judge acknowledged that Skvortsov had engaged in many of the activities outlined by the prosecution, he emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest that Skvortsov’s actions were intended for espionage purposes. Consequently, the court ruled in favor of Skvortsov’s acquittal.

The case occurred amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions in Sweden concerning espionage, with the country applying for membership in NATO in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In a separate incident, a couple in their mid-50s was arrested on suspicion of handling classified information, with the wife having a background in intelligence work for Sweden’s military. Her husband, a former high-ranking military officer, has denied the allegations.

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Russia Enlists Prisoners for Ukraine Invasion Forces

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The Russian defense ministry has reportedly taken over the practice of recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, assuming the role previously held by the Wagner mercenary group. These units are informally known as Storm-Z, with the letter Z symbolizing Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” against Ukraine and referencing the Russian word “zek” for “inmate.” Similar to Wagner’s prisoner units, Storm-Z detachments are allegedly treated as expendable forces, with little regard for the well-being of their soldiers.

There are suggestions that members of other army units may be sent to Storm-Z detachments as punishment for infractions such as insubordination or drunkenness. Last year, Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin’s chef,” was permitted to recruit from prisons after significant Russian troop casualties in Ukraine. He promised inmates their freedom and expungement of their convictions after six months of service if they survived.

However, Prigozhin later publicly criticized Russia’s top military officials and died in a plane crash along with Wagner’s other commanders. The group has since disappeared from the Ukrainian battlefield, with reports indicating that the defense ministry has taken over the recruitment of inmates for the conflict.

One former Storm-Z member revealed that recruits were promised substantial payments but were sent into battle unprepared and unaware of the true situation on the front line. The Russian military has neither confirmed nor denied the use of convicts in its units, but there are multiple accounts of prisoners being sent to Storm-Z units. These accounts include a confession from the governor of Sevastopol and an interview with a convicted murderer now serving in the Russian military.

The defense ministry in Moscow acknowledged the existence of “storm units” without divulging the identity of their members. These units are tasked with breaking through intricate layers of Ukrainian defenses and are reportedly deployed without due consideration for their survival. A regular soldier who fought alongside Storm-Z members referred to them as mere “meat,” while reports suggest that soldiers from other units can be sent to Storm-Z as a form of punishment.

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Andrea Giambruno: Meloni’s ex-partner dropped as TV host over lewd remarks

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Andrea Giambruno, former partner of Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, has been removed from his position as host of a national TV show following the leakage of off-air sexist comments to another program.

The TV company, Mediaset, has stated that Giambruno will retain an editorial role on the show. Meloni recently announced her separation from Giambruno after a recording of his conversation, which was broadcast on a satirical TV show, prompted controversy.

Mediaset, owned by the family of late Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, has replaced Giambruno’s role with journalist Manuela Boselli. There have been speculations in Italian media about the impact of this incident on the tensions within the Meloni government.

However, both the Berlusconi family and Forza Italia have denied any involvement in the leak. Meloni, known for her adherence to traditional Catholic family values, has emphasized the importance of a mother and father in a child’s life.

Antonio Ricci, director of the show that aired the recording, had earlier suggested that the incident might eventually benefit Meloni. Reports indicate that Giambruno had often joked about his relationship with the prime minister, and further embarrassing recordings could potentially emerge, according to sources.

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The Rock waxwork museum makes skin tone fix after criticism

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The Grevin Museum in Paris proudly showcased a life-sized wax figure of the famous wrestler-turned-actor, but faced backlash for misrepresenting his skin tone, leading to accusations of “whitewashing.” The Rock himself expressed disappointment, urging the museum to accurately reflect his dual heritage.

Responding promptly, the museum swiftly adjusted the wax figure’s skin tone as a corrective measure. Museum director Yves Delhommeau acknowledged the need for further modifications and anticipated The Rock’s visit to review the changes.

The museum had relied on photographs and videos during the creation process, with artist Stéphane Barret investing extensive effort in perfecting the model, including multiple adjustments to the eyes.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, known for his mixed African American and Samoan heritage, comes from a family deeply rooted in wrestling, as his father, Wayde Douglas Bowles, was a renowned wrestler himself. The Rock’s representatives were approached for additional comments.

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One dead after ships collide in North Sea – officials

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According to German authorities, a collision between two cargo ships off the North Sea coast of Germany has resulted in one fatality, with four others reported missing. The incident, involving the British-flagged Verity and the Bahamian Polesie, occurred at approximately 5:00 local time (3:00 GMT) on Tuesday morning.

The Verity, traveling from Bremen, Germany to Immingham, UK, is believed to have sunk, while the Polesie remains afloat. The collision occurred near Heligoland, part of the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Rescue efforts involving the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service, a German navy helicopter, water police boat, and a nearby cruise ship are underway.

The cause of the collision remains unknown, and German Transport Minister Volker Wissing has expressed gratitude to the rescue teams for their efforts in locating the missing crew members.

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Icelandic Prime Minister Takes Stand on Gender Pay Disparity

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Thousands of women in Iceland, including Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, are participating in a strike, known as “kvennafrí,” to protest against the gender pay gap and gender-based violence. Sectors predominantly staffed by women, such as healthcare and education, are being notably affected.

This strike is the first of its kind since 1975. The prime minister highlighted the government’s efforts to address the undervaluation of female-dominated professions compared to male-dominated fields.

While Iceland is globally recognized for its strides in gender equality, challenges persist, and the country ranks 14th worldwide in economic participation.

The 1975 strike played a pivotal role in shaping Iceland’s path towards gender equality, ultimately leading to the passage of an equal pay law. Former President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir regarded the strike as a crucial milestone in Iceland’s progress towards women’s emancipation.

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Women’s Champions League: Chelsea visit Real Madrid in group stage opener

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Chelsea FC is set to kick off their Champions League journey with an away match against Real Madrid on 15 November. This is the second consecutive year that Emma Hayes’ team has been grouped with Real Madrid, having secured a draw away and a victory at home in the previous season. Following their group stage triumph, Chelsea advanced to the 2022-23 semi-finals, whereas Real Madrid failed to progress after finishing third in their group.

Uefa released the group-stage fixture dates on Saturday following Friday’s draw, scheduling matches to take place between 14 November and 31 January. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages. As the sole British representative in this season’s group stages, Chelsea’s first home game is against Paris FC on 23 November, with subsequent fixtures against BK Hacken, both home and away on 14 and 20 December respectively. The team will then host Real Madrid on 24 January and conclude their group stage campaign with an away match against Paris FC on 30 January.

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News Politics Trending

Women and Youth Propel Power Shift in Poland’s Elections

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At 01:33 on Monday, Szymon Szumniak cast his vote at Wroclaw Polling Station No 148, having endured a six-hour queue in the freezing cold, long after the polls were due to close. The lengthy wait, a symbol of the immense engagement in Poland’s parliamentary election, saw a record turnout of over 74%, resulting in the removal of the right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) from power.

Szymon, an entertainment blogger, recounted the remarkable solidarity shown in the queue, with locals offering blankets, hot beverages, and even entertainment. Similarly heartening instances of community support unfolded, such as a local pizza company distributing free food and redirecting surplus funds to charity, prompting Szymon to stay determined and contribute to the democratic process.

The election witnessed a notable surge in the participation of young voters, with 68.8% of those under 29 turning out, surpassing the turnout of the over-60s, which is an unusual trend. The youth’s support for change was evident in areas like Wroclaw, where the opposition Civic Coalition secured a significant victory over PiS.

Both major parties directed aggressive campaigns during the election, with the government propagating fears of chaos under Civic Coalition, and its leader, Donald Tusk, being labeled a European pawn. In contrast, Tusk emphasized the threat PiS posed to democracy, a message that resonated strongly with younger voters.

The high voter turnout, along with strategic voting efforts, emphasized the significance of this election in safeguarding democratic values and the country’s relationship with the EU. Women’s voices, particularly in response to restrictive abortion laws, were also pivotal, with campaigns urging them to exercise their rights at the ballot box.

With the potential government change, issues such as abortion laws are poised for reform, with promises of terminations on demand up to 12 weeks by the Civic Coalition and Left parties. The mandate from society for such changes underscores the need for the new administration to deliver on their promises.

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French arrests after bomb scares trigger evacuations at airports and Versailles

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A recent spate of bomb threats in France has led to the arrest of 18 individuals, predominantly minors, involved in the disruptive activities. The threats have targeted significant landmarks such as the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre, along with schools, airports, and hospitals.

These incidents follow the recent stabbing of a teacher in Arras. Despite the heightened tension, the authorities maintain that there is no immediate specific threat. The bomb scares have been communicated through phone calls, emails, and a dedicated website.

Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti has warned the culprits of the consequences they will face, as authorities employ various means, including IP addresses and phone numbers, to track them down. Perpetrating a fake bomb threat in France constitutes a punishable offense with potential imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of €45,000 (£39,000).

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Italy PM Giorgia Meloni splits from partner after off-air lewd TV remarks

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently confirmed her separation from her long-time partner, Andrea Giambruno, following the broadcast of off-air comments made by Giambruno on a TV show. The announcement was made on social media, where Meloni acknowledged the divergence of their paths and expressed gratitude for their time together and for their daughter, Ginevra.

Giambruno, a TV host, faced backlash after his off-air remarks were aired on a satirical program. The comments included flirtatious remarks to a female colleague and explicit references to group sex, causing controversy. Notably, Giambruno previously stirred controversy with remarks about a gang-rape case, implying that certain precautions could have prevented the incident. Meloni defended him then, claiming his words were misinterpreted, and requested not to be held responsible for his comments as he was simply doing his job as a journalist.

Meloni, known for her adherence to traditional Catholic family values and her opposition to same-sex parenting, received support from her allies following the announcement of her separation. Matteo Salvini, her deputy, and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani both offered their support publicly. The network Mediaset, where Giambruno works, was formerly owned by the late Silvio Berlusconi, who was criticized for perpetuating a culture of sexism and machismo in Italian television.

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