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Ukraine war: French journalist killed near Bakhmut

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A French journalist, 32-year-old Arman Soldin, was fatally struck by rocket fire while reporting in the war-torn region of eastern Ukraine. He was working for the AFP news agency and was killed near Chasiv Yar, just west of Bakhmut.

Soldin was part of a group of journalists accompanying Ukrainian soldiers when they came under attack at around 16:30 local time. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and praised Soldin’s work on the front lines of the conflict. The chairman of AFP, Fabrice Fries, described the news agency as “devastated” by the journalist’s death, emphasizing the risks faced by journalists covering the Ukrainian conflict.

Soldin had been living in Ukraine since September, having joined the first AFP team to report from the country after Russia’s invasion in February of the previous year. Tributes were paid to Soldin in France’s National Assembly, and Ukraine’s defense ministry offered its condolences, acknowledging his dedication to uncovering the truth.

The Kremlin expressed sadness and called for an investigation into the circumstances of Soldin’s death. The White House also honored the journalist and acknowledged the sacrifices made by journalists exposing the realities of Russia’s invasion.

Soldin, who was born in Bosnia, is the 15th journalist to be killed while reporting on the Ukrainian war since February 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Bakhmut has been a focal point of the conflict in eastern Ukraine for several months.

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Turkey elections: Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu offer stark choices for presidency

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Turkey stands at a critical juncture as its citizens must choose between two leading contenders for the presidency, each offering distinct visions for the future of the country.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has held power for over 20 years, pledges to establish a robust and collaborative Turkey, aiming to generate six million job opportunities. Erdogan also accuses the Western world of attempting to undermine his leadership. His political party, rooted in Islamism, aligns itself with traditional family values, while he portrays his opponents as “pro-LGBT.”

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Erdogan’s main rival, enjoys broad support from the opposition and advocates for steering Turkey towards a more democratic and pro-Western position. He plans to revert the country, which is a NATO member, to a parliamentary system with a prime minister at the helm. Kilicdaroglu seeks to restore the independence of the judiciary, promote a free press, and position himself as an impartial leader, detached from any political party.

Erdogan currently wields extensive presidential powers, having governed under a state of emergency since 2017. Some believe that if he secures another term, there may not be significant changes as his authority is already substantial, and he may not seek to expand it further. Conversely, Kilicdaroglu aims to dismantle the presidential system and adopt a more impartial leadership approach, prioritizing the interests of all 85 million Turkish citizens.

These elections have far-reaching implications for Turkey’s trajectory, with Erdogan championing a strong and multilateral Turkey, while Kilicdaroglu advocates for a return to pro-Western policies, bolstered democracy, and independent institutions such as the judiciary and media.

In addition to Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, there are five other parties in Kilicdaroglu’s alliance, each of which would have a vice president. Furthermore, Erdogan’s party colleagues who serve as mayors of Ankara and Istanbul would also hold vice presidential positions.

Before completely abolishing the powerful presidency, Kilicdaroglu’s coalition might need to utilize the presidency’s extensive powers to implement reforms if they lack sufficient control over the parliament.

Both parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled to take place on May 14th. While Turkey is a member of NATO, Erdogan’s presidency has pursued close relationships with China and Russia. This includes the procurement of a Russian S-400 air defense system and the inauguration of Turkey’s first Russian-built nuclear plant, signaling closer ties with Russia ahead of the elections.

Erdogan advocates for a multilateral approach, positioning Turkey as a “haven of peace and security.” He also presents Ankara as a potential mediator in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. On the other hand, Kilicdaroglu and his allies aim to revive Turkey’s EU accession process and restore military ties with the United States while maintaining relations with Russia.

Should Erdogan remain in power, Selim Koru believes that he will continue to steer Turkey away from the West while retaining its NATO membership. Erdogan envisions a future where Turkey’s NATO affiliation becomes less relevant in the medium to long term.

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Demon Headmaster actor Terrence Hardiman dies aged 86

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Terrence Hardiman, the actor who played the titular character in the CBBC series The Demon Headmaster, has passed away at the age of 86. His agent confirmed the news and paid tribute to him as a much-loved stage and screen actor. Hardiman’s portrayal of the sinister character terrified a generation of children during the show’s original run from 1996 to 1998.

He made a brief appearance in the reboot of the series in 2019. The Demon Headmaster was based on a series of children’s books by Gillian Cross, and Hardiman’s performance as the hypnotic character, who would say “Look into my eyes,” while removing his dark glasses, left a lasting impression on viewers.

Terrence Hardiman was born in 1937 in east London and studied English at the University of Cambridge, where he developed a passion for acting. He performed with the university’s amateur dramatic club, alongside future stars such as Derek Jacobi.

Hardiman had a successful career in both film and stage, including a touring production of Doctor Faustus with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 1968, where he played Mephistophilis. He gained his first major television role in Granada’s Crown Court from 1972 onwards and went on to appear in other popular TV shows such as The Crown, Doctor Who, and Prime Suspect.

Hardiman often played characters of authority, and his other credits include Bergerac, Colditz, Minder, and Secret Army. In Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film, Gandhi, he portrayed former UK Prime Minister Ramsay McDonald. Hardiman is survived by his wife Rowena and two children.

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Ukraine says it downed Russian cruise missiles aimed at Kyiv

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Ukrainian officials claim that their air defences successfully shot down 15 Russian cruise missiles that were launched overnight towards the capital, Kyiv. No casualties were reported. Senior Kyiv military official, Serhiy Popko, believes that the missiles were launched by four bombers from the Caspian sea region.

The missile attack occurred just hours before Russia’s Victory Day holiday, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has compared the Ukraine war to Adolf Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union.

Ukraine’s air force accused Russia of attempting to kill as many civilians as possible on Victory Day. The missile attack comes after Ukraine reported that Russia had launched its biggest drone attack of the war on Sunday night, killing one person and injuring five.

In Moscow, there is a sense of nervousness due to a series of recent explosions, drone attacks, and sabotage, including an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, for which Moscow blamed Ukrainian drones, while Kyiv denied involvement.

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Europe’s Gas Buying Slows on Expectations of Further Price Crash

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Despite a recent drop in prices, the rate of natural gas purchases required to refill Europe’s storage sites is slower than usual for this time of year. Some buyers are betting on further price drops and are therefore holding off on making purchases.

While the benchmark futures for natural gas have decreased significantly from record highs seen last summer, consumption remains slow to recover from the crisis lows. While reduced fuel usage has meant that global supplies are currently sufficient to meet European demand, gas producers and traders caution that the situation remains fragile, and a delayed or uncertain rebound in consumption could disrupt the market balance.

According to Klaus Reinisch, group chief sales officer at MET Holding AG, consumers seem confident and are being told by political leaders that the worst is over. Reinisch believes that this confidence is leading some consumers to hold off on purchasing natural gas in anticipation of even lower prices.

However, even if prices drop to as low as €10 per megawatt-hour, Reinisch does not expect these lower prices to last. Europe’s heavy reliance on liquefied natural gas, which replaced Russian pipeline fuel, leaves it exposed to market moves and price volatility.

While consumption from industry and demand from Asia could lead to a resurgence in natural gas demand and price rebound, analysts from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Boston Group Consulting see the possibility of prices rising above €100. Reinisch believes that the natural gas market is still vulnerable.

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Zakhar Prilepin: Russian pro-war writer defiant after car bomb attack

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Zakhar Prilepin, a Russian writer known for his support of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, survived a car bombing that killed his friend Alexander Shubin. The bomb was placed under the passenger seat, but Prilepin was driving the car at the time.

He sustained injuries to both his legs but survived the blast, which he said occurred just after he had dropped off his daughter. Investigators claim that a suspect, Alexander Permyakov, has admitted working for Ukraine.

Prilepin, a veteran of Moscow’s wars in Chechnya, has become a strident supporter of the Ukraine invasion and has admitted to fighting alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. He has also called for the “return of Kyiv to Russia” and has advocated for the “purge of the cultural space” of those who oppose the conflict.

The Russian Investigative Committee (SK) claims that a suspect, Alexander Permyakov, has been caught in a neighbouring village and has admitted to carrying out an assignment for the Ukrainian secret services.

A Ukrainian-Crimean Tatar group called Atesh claimed responsibility for the attack on Prilepin, but the BBC has been unable to verify their claims. The attack is the latest in a series targeting high-profile supporters of Russia’s war in Ukraine, including blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, activist Darya Trepova, and Darya Dugina, the daughter of Alexander Dugin, a close ally of President Putin.

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Real Madrid Win First Copa del Rey Since 2014

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Real Madrid claimed the Copa del Rey title after defeating Osasuna in the final in Seville, with Brazilian striker Rodrygo scoring twice to secure victory. Toni Kroos’ deflected shot fell to Rodrygo, who fired in the decisive goal from close range.

Despite a strong performance from Osasuna, who equalized through Lucas Torro, Real Madrid held on for the win. Rodrygo also opened the scoring for Real Madrid after just 106 seconds, marking the fastest goal in a Spanish cup final in 17 years. This victory marks Real Madrid’s first Copa del Rey win since 2014.

Osasuna, backed by nearly 25,000 fans inside the Estadio de La Cartuja, had their chances as they chased a first major trophy in their 103-year history.

They were denied a stoppage-time equaliser when Dani Carvajal produced a last-ditch block to keep out Kike Barja’s side-footed effort.

Los Rojillos, which translates as The Little Reds, had more shots on target (5) than Real (3), but Carlo Ancelotti’s side were ultimately more clinical in front of goal.

Victory for Real delivers a 20th Copa del Rey title as they now turn their attention to Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

Ahead of the Copa del Rey final, Osasuna fans flooded Seville with enthusiasm and support, but their team got off to a rocky start on the field. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, who was back in the starting lineup along with four other changes from their previous match, posed a constant threat from the left flank. He set up Rodrygo for the opening goal after just two minutes of play.

Although Osasuna had a chance to equalize soon after, Abde Ezzalzouli missed the target with his chipped effort. Osasuna eventually found the equalizer after the break when Lucas Torro scored against his former club, triggering enthusiastic celebrations among the red half of the stadium. The game was briefly paused due to a pyrotechnic issue involving Osasuna fans.

However, Real Madrid remained dangerous and eventually secured the victory thanks to a deflected shot from Toni Kroos that fell to Rodrygo to score his second goal of the match. With the La Liga title seemingly out of reach, Real Madrid will now focus on their upcoming Champions League match against Manchester City, hoping to welcome back Luka Modric from injury.

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News Trending War

Ukraine war: Russia accused of using phosphorus bombs in Bakhmut

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Ukraine has accused Russia of using phosphorus munitions to attack the city of Bakhmut. Drone footage released by Ukraine’s military shows the city ablaze as white phosphorus appears to rain down on it. The use of white phosphorus weapons is not banned but is considered a war crime when used in civilian areas.

Russia has been accused of using such weapons before. Moscow has been trying to capture Bakhmut for months, despite its questionable strategic value, and thousands of Russian troops are said to have died in the assault. White phosphorus causes severe injuries and burns at 800 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to remove and causing extreme burns on human flesh.

Though Russia is a signatory to a convention that bans the use of incendiary weapons in civilian areas, the chemical does not fall under the treaty as its primary purpose is to create a smokescreen to hide military operations.

The commander of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said his forces would withdraw from Bakhmut on 10 May in a dispute over ammunition supplies. However, Ukrainian officials claim that Wagner is redeploying fighters towards Bakhmut to capture the city before Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May.

The fighting comes amid reports that Ukraine is preparing a large-scale counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is largely controlled by Russia. The Russian-installed governor of the region has ordered the evacuation of villages near the front line. Russia regards the area as its own territory after illegal annexation and self-styled referendums last year.

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Subtract: Ed Sheeran album praised by critics hours after copyright ruling

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Ed Sheeran has received positive reviews for his latest album, titled Subtract, which was released shortly after he won a court case in the US regarding plagiarism. The album takes on a more introspective and somber tone, and is a departure from his previous albums.

Sheeran had intended for Subtract to be more acoustic and stripped-down to reflect its title, but during the songwriting process, he opted for newer songs that directly referenced the personal challenges he faced in 2022. Critics have noted the album’s darker tone and its reflection of Sheeran’s difficult year, which included the death of a friend and his wife’s cancer diagnosis while pregnant.

Subtract marks the end of Sheeran’s series of albums named after mathematical symbols, which also includes Plus, Multiply, Divide, and Equals.

According to a music critic, Ed Sheeran’s new album Subtract mostly features his signature acoustic folk-pop style and appears to be a reflection of his emotional turmoil. Despite its occasional lack of poeticism, Sheeran’s sincerity in his lyrics is evident.

The album features collaborations with The National’s Aaron Dessner, who also worked on Taylor Swift’s lockdown albums, resulting in a more subdued and introspective sound. Neil McCormick of the Telegraph praised Subtract, giving it five stars, noting that Dessner’s subtle guidance allowed Sheeran’s emotional immediacy to take center stage, resulting in a deeply personal and atmospheric album of therapeutic self-healing.

The album ended up being less strategic than originally planned, making it all the more interesting.

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Suspect arrested after second mass shooting in Serbia

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A man identified only by his initials has been arrested after a mass shooting in Serbia in which eight people died and 14 were injured. The attacker opened fire from a moving car near a village 60 km south of Belgrade after an argument with a police officer.

The manhunt involved more than 600 police officers, and the suspect was eventually discovered hiding at his grandfather’s house. The shooting followed an attack in which a 13-year-old boy killed nine people at a school in Belgrade.

President Aleksander Vucic pledged a “practical disarmament” of the country, and announced new security measures, including the hiring of 1,200 new police officers, a ban on new gun permits, tougher penalties for illegal weapons possession, and psychological checks of gun owners. Serbia has very strict gun laws, but has one of the highest levels of gun ownership in Europe, with an estimated 39.1 firearms per 100 people.

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