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Russian Court Imprisons Theatre Figures for Play About IS Wives

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A Russian playwright and a theatre director have been convicted of “justifying terrorism” by a Moscow military court. Director Yevgenia Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petrichuk received six-year sentences for their play, The Brave Falcon Finist. The play, loosely inspired by real events, depicts Russian women traveling to Syria during the civil war to marry Islamic State fighters.

Their defense lawyer has pledged to appeal the verdict. The trial, held partially behind closed doors, has raised concerns about artistic freedom in Russia. In addition to their prison sentences, both women are barred from “administering websites” for three years post-release. They have been in custody since May 2023 and will now be sent to a penal colony, as reported by RBC.

Prosecutors argued that the play conveyed a positive view of IS, with prosecutor Yekaterina Denisova highlighting “signs of justification of terrorism” in the content. At the trial’s outset, Berkovich, 39, and Petrichuk, 44, stated that they created the play to oppose terrorism, expressing strong condemnation of terrorists. Berkovich emphasized her lack of affiliation with any form of Islam, particularly radical forms.

Throughout the trial, both women asserted their innocence. Defense lawyer Ksenia Karpinskaya condemned the trial as “absolutely illegal” and “unfair,” committing to appeal despite having “little hope.” She emphasized the innocence of both women.

Supporters suggest Berkovich’s prosecution may be linked to her critical poems about Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s artistic community has faced growing pressure from the Kremlin. Notable Russian figures, including newspaper editor Dmitry Muratov and actress Yulia Peresild, have expressed support for Berkovich and Petrichuk.

The Brave Falcon Finist, which debuted in 2020, won two Golden Mask Theatre Awards for best playwright and best costumes. Recently, Russia has experienced deadly Islamist militant attacks in Moscow and Dagestan, with the Kremlin making unproven claims of Ukraine’s involvement.

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Children’s hospital hit as Russian strikes kill dozens in Ukraine

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A children’s hospital in Kyiv has been severely damaged by Russian strikes, resulting in 33 fatalities across Ukraine in an early morning attack. In Kyiv alone, 19 people were killed, including two at Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, Ukraine’s largest pediatric facility, which suffered extensive damage. Kryvyi Rih saw at least 10 deaths, three people were killed in Pokrovsk, and one in Dnipro. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, currently in Poland signing a security pact, has vowed retaliation.

President Zelensky detailed on social media that multiple cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk, were hit by over 40 missiles, damaging residential buildings, infrastructure, and the children’s hospital. Dr. Lesia Lysytsia from Ohmatdyt described the missile strike as resembling a scene from a film, with a bright light followed by a deafening sound, resulting in 60-70% of the hospital being damaged. Images showed children with IV drips being evacuated. The hospital, which provides cancer treatments and organ transplants, is currently evacuating patients, though many on ventilators cannot be moved easily.

Hospital officials reported to Ukrainian TV that around 20 children were being treated in the ward that was hit. A subsequent explosion nearby forced hundreds to seek shelter in an underpass. President Zelensky mentioned on social media that people were trapped under the hospital rubble, with doctors and civilians assisting in the rescue efforts.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko described the bombardment as one of the worst attacks on the capital since the war began. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service revealed that a separate maternity unit in Kyiv was also partly destroyed, killing four and injuring three. Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina will wear a black ribbon at her Wimbledon match to honor the victims.

In Kryvyi Rih, the attack killed at least 10 and wounded 31, with 10 in serious condition, according to military administration head Oleksandr Vilkul. Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, has faced repeated attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Dnipro regional head Sergiy Lysak reported one death and six injuries in Dnipro, with a high-rise building and a business hit. Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region saw three deaths amid recent Russian advances.

The bombardment coincides with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Moscow, where he is set to meet President Vladimir Putin. Russia claimed the strikes targeted military facilities, not civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov called for increased air defense support from allies, citing insufficient current capabilities. The UN’s human rights mission in Ukraine noted a rise in civilian casualties, with May being the deadliest month in almost a year due to renewed Russian air attacks.

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French Left Triumphs as Far Right Faces Unexpected Defeat

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France’s far-right National Rally was widely expected to win the snap election, but they ended up in third place. The left-wing alliance, New Popular Front, secured the most seats after a highly charged and short election called just four weeks ago by a weakened President Emmanuel Macron.

The National Rally (RN) had won the first round, and opinion polls predicted their victory in the run-off round. Instead, France faces a hung parliament with no party holding a majority. RN leader Jordan Bardella attributed their failure to “unnatural political alliances.”

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, appointed by Macron seven months ago, announced he would resign, though his Ensemble alliance was projected to win three times the forecasted number of seats. This was partly due to 217 candidates, mostly from the left alliance and Macron’s camp, withdrawing to help their rivals defeat RN. This strategy allowed center and left voters to pivot to other parties to prevent the far right from gaining control.

Mr. Bardella criticized the alliances for depriving voters of solutions to France’s cost of living crisis and accused the Macron alliance of facilitating a left-wing victory, which left France in a “quagmire.”

The left-wing alliance, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed, now leads the parliament. Mélenchon’s party, seen as far left by rivals, is projected to have up to 94 seats. He declared the president and prime minister should accept defeat, prompting Attal to announce his resignation.

Attal, a popular politician, praised the candidates who withdrew to stop RN and acknowledged the need for stability during the upcoming Paris Olympics. He expressed willingness to remain as long as necessary but faced opposition from the New Popular Front, which is now ready to govern.

The alliance, hastily formed after Macron called for the two-round vote, includes Greens, Communists, and Socialists. Leaders from these groups, like Marine Tondelier of the Greens and Olivier Faure of the Socialists, emphasized their readiness to govern and the rejection of the far right. Former Macron Prime Minister Edouard Philippe highlighted the election’s uncertainty and called for centrist forces to restore stability.

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Slovak PM in first public appearance since shooting

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The Slovakian Prime Minister made his first public appearance following an assassination attempt. Robert Fico was shot multiple times on May 15 while greeting people outside a cultural center in Handlova, approximately 180km (112 miles) from Bratislava. He underwent emergency surgery and was later discharged to recover at home.

On Friday, Mr. Fico attended a ceremony at Devin Castle in Bratislava to celebrate Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, a public holiday in Slovakia. Cyril and Methodius, two brothers from the 9th century, are credited with converting the Slavic people to Christianity and creating an early version of the Cyrillic alphabet.

During his speech, Mr. Fico, 59, criticized the spread of progressive ideologies and the West’s approach to Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. He referred to liberal ideas as “meaningless” and spreading “like cancer,” and argued that there were insufficient peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict.

Mr. Fico, a populist who returned to office last October, has been a polarizing figure both domestically and within the EU. He has called for an end to military aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, and proposed abolishing Slovakia’s public broadcaster.

The attacker, identified as 71-year-old Jurac C., is described as a writer and political activist. Footage of the incident shows a gun being drawn in the crowd and five shots fired. The Prime Minister was quickly escorted into a car by his bodyguards, while the suspect was detained at the scene.

In a video address posted on social media on June 5, Mr. Fico stated that he forgave his assailant and harbored no hatred towards him, blaming the attack on his parliamentary opposition.

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Andrew Tate can freely depart from Romania, but not the EU

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Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are now allowed to leave Romania but must remain within the EU, according to a ruling by a Bucharest court. Previously prohibited from leaving Romania while awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, the brothers deny all allegations. This decision, which the court may appeal, is seen by the brothers as a “significant victory and major step forward” in their case.

Their lawyer, Eugene Vidineac, praised the ruling as a “reflection of the exemplary behaviour and assistance” of his clients. He stated that Andrew and Tristan are determined to clear their names and reputations and are thankful to the courts for their trust.

Andrew Tate, who was previously banned from social media platforms for misogynistic views, posted on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that the “sham case is falling apart.” The Tate brothers, both former kickboxers and dual UK-US nationals, are accused of exploiting women through an adult content business that prosecutors allege operated as a criminal group. Alongside them, two female Romanian associates were also indicted, with seven alleged victims identified.

Andrew Tate insists that Romanian prosecutors lack evidence and asserts a conspiracy against him. The internet personalities are also wanted in the UK for alleged sexual offences. Over the past two years, the brothers faced movement restrictions, including police custody from December 2022 to April 2023, followed by house arrest until August, when they were placed under judicial control.

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Rising Violence Shadows French Parliamentary Elections

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Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that over 50 candidates and activists in France have been physically attacked ahead of the final round of parliamentary elections. The recent assault on government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot, her deputy Virginie Lanlo, and a party activist in Meudon highlighted the violence. Thevenot, injured in the attack, returned with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who condemned the violence.

Darmanin attributed the attacks to a tense political climate, with more than 30 arrests made. The attackers varied from spontaneously angry individuals to ultra-left, ultra-right, and other political groups. Despite National Rally (RN) leading the polls, 217 candidates have withdrawn from local races to prevent RN from winning an outright majority.

Prime Minister Attal urged the public to reject the violence, while RN leader Jordan Bardella emphasized his commitment to combating insecurity. In response to the unrest, Darmanin announced the deployment of 30,000 police for Sunday’s vote. RN candidates have also faced attacks, including Marie Dauchy and Nicolas Conquer.

Despite opposition efforts to block RN, Marine Le Pen remains optimistic about securing an absolute majority. The latest Ifop poll suggests RN will win 210-240 seats, short of the 289 needed for a majority. RN’s policies include prioritizing French citizens over immigrants for jobs and housing and restricting citizenship rights. Prosecutors are investigating a “patriotic network” targeting lawyers who opposed RN.

Football captain Kylian Mbappé urged voters to make the right choice, warning against putting the country in the hands of the far-right.

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Orban’s Moscow Visit Raises EU Concerns

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s reported upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked concerns among other EU leaders. Orban, currently holding the EU rotating presidency, maintains closer ties with the Kremlin compared to other EU heads of state, despite Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. European Council President Charles Michel emphasized that Orban lacks a mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU, while Polish PM Donald Tusk sought clarification on the matter.

Reports indicate that Orban plans to meet Putin in Moscow, accompanied by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The visit follows Orban’s recent trip to Kyiv, where he suggested a quick ceasefire to expedite peace negotiations, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not publicly respond. Critics in Ukraine fear that any ceasefire could solidify Russia’s territorial gains without ensuring Ukraine’s negotiating strength.

Orban’s stance on Ukraine has been contentious within the EU; he previously delayed approval of a significant EU aid package for Ukraine. His recent visit to Kyiv, the first in twelve years, occurred shortly after assuming the European Council presidency, underscoring his influential role in European affairs despite internal and external scrutiny of his diplomatic engagements.

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Man who flew €8.4m of cocaine to Ireland jailed

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Tim Gilchrist, a 56-year-old former company director from Mavis Bank, Newrath, County Waterford, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for flying €8.4m (£7.1m) worth of cocaine from France into the Republic of Ireland. On 4 August 2022, Gilchrist was arrested with 120kg of cocaine in his car after landing a Cessna light aircraft at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome in County Longford.

Gilchrist, a father of one, claimed that he used the aircraft for “leisure flying” and had smuggled the drugs under duress after two men threatened to harm his daughter. He alleged that a month before the incident, two men came to his house, threatened him, and demanded that he smuggle the drugs. Gilchrist said that when he told them he was going to inform the police, they warned him he “would have another problem” and threatened his daughter. Under these threats, he claimed he felt he had no choice but to comply, buying a mobile phone and flying to France.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that the court heard there were no customs officers at either the Dieppe aerodrome in France or at Abbeyshrule in Longford. Defence counsel Michael O’Higgins argued that it was “a complete open corridor” for smuggling, which Judge Keenan Johnson described as “extraordinary.” Judge Johnson called for significant security upgrades, including 24-hour checks, stating that the country was “unacceptably exposed” to the importation of large quantities of drugs.

The court was told that Gilchrist flew to France on 3 August 2022, returning to Longford the following day at 17:25 local time with the cocaine. He drove off with the drugs in an Alfa Romeo but was stopped by Garda (Irish police) officers at Lough Owel near Mullingar, following surveillance. The officers searched the car and found 120kg of cocaine separated into five black holdalls and a suitcase.

Det Sgt Ciaran Cummins testified that when interviewed, Gilchrist claimed he had been coerced by threats to his daughter. However, the gardaí checked out his story, which did not stand up. The court also heard that Gilchrist had two mobile phones, one of which he had bought two months before the arrest and used solely for the smuggling operation. He sent and received messages from contacts, including a man named Sam, who warned him: “A lot of guys around, be careful.”

Mr Justice Johnson concluded that Gilchrist was willingly involved in drug trafficking for financial gain and the court was obliged to impose a significant sentence. He noted that Gilchrist offered limited assistance to the investigation after being caught red-handed. Although Gilchrist did not provide material assistance regarding the “masterminds” behind the importation, Mr Justice Johnson said his “omerta” was not surprising. The judge also dismissed the duress claim, adding that it was clear Gilchrist was aware of what he was doing.

Gilchrist was sentenced to 11 and a half years in prison, with the final six months suspended to allow for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

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Italy’s PM Condemns Fascist Nostalgia Following Youth Wing Scandal

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her frustration and disappointment to her Brothers of Italy (FdI) party members following investigative reports showing the party’s youth wing engaging in fascist salutes and using racist and antisemitic language. In a letter, Meloni asserted that there is no place in FdI for racism, antisemitism, or nostalgia for totalitarian regimes, condemning such behavior as detrimental to the party’s mission.

The reports by the investigative outlet Fanpage involved undercover journalists who captured National Youth wing (Gioventù Nazionale – GN) members chanting fascist and Nazi slogans. Subsequent footage revealed members making derogatory remarks about disabled individuals, along with racist and antisemitic comments. Following the exposé, some former GN members came forward to confirm similar behaviors in local branches.

Prominent GN members implicated in the investigation, such as Elisa Segnini and Flaminia Pace, resigned from their positions after their involvement was revealed. Holocaust survivor and Italian senator Liliana Segre condemned the resurfacing of such rhetoric, expressing distress over witnessing it again at her age.

Minister Luca Ciriani of FdI claimed the reports were based on out-of-context, fragmented images taken privately, while Senate President Ignazio La Russa condemned the GN’s language, asserting it contradicted the party’s values. Although Meloni initially criticized Fanpage’s methods and questioned the fairness of targeting only FdI, she acknowledged the incompatibility of racist, antisemitic, or nostalgic ideas with the party’s principles.

Opposition senator Simona Malpezzi argued that Meloni should have praised the journalists for uncovering the serious issues within GN and distanced herself from the implicated members. Meloni had previously lauded GN’s young supporters, describing them as rare and valuable for their political engagement.

Since leading a right-wing coalition and becoming Italy’s prime minister in 2022, Meloni has faced numerous controversies related to the far-right roots of Brothers of Italy, tracing back to the Italian Social Movement (MSI) founded by Mussolini supporters post-World War II. In June, a spokesperson for a key Meloni ally resigned over racist and antisemitic remarks in wiretapped communications.

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Greece starts six-day working week for some industries

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Greece has recently introduced a new six-day working week for specific industries, which came into effect at the beginning of July. Under this new legislation, employees in these sectors can now work up to 48 hours per week, an increase from the previous limit of 40 hours. This change primarily applies to businesses that operate continuously throughout the day and night. Importantly, participation in this extended working week is optional for workers, who are compensated with an additional 40% pay rate for any overtime they undertake.

The decision by the Greek government contrasts with prevailing workplace trends in Europe and the United States, where there is a growing movement towards shorter working weeks, often favoring four-day work schedules. Advocates of these shorter weeks argue that reduced working hours can actually enhance productivity and promote better employee welfare.

The motivation behind Greece’s adoption of the six-day working week includes efforts to combat undeclared work, which contributes to tax evasion issues in the country. Notably, industries heavily reliant on tourism and the food sector are exempt from this policy.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described the legislation as being supportive of workers while also promoting economic growth. He believes it brings Greece more in line with other European countries. This move aligns with the EU’s “working time directive,” which mandates member states to ensure a maximum 48-hour weekly limit on working hours, inclusive of overtime.

In recent years, there has been a global shift towards more flexible working arrangements, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies have experimented with four-day work weeks, often finding that productivity levels remain stable or even improve, despite reduced hours. Iceland, for example, reported overwhelmingly positive results from trials of a four-day week, leading to widespread adoption of shorter working hours in various workplaces.

The backdrop to Greece’s policy shift includes its recovery from the severe economic impacts of the late 2000s global financial crisis, which left the country burdened with significant debts due to high public spending and widespread tax evasion. Under Mitsotakis’ leadership, Greece has made strides in stabilizing and revitalizing its economy, despite earlier needing multiple international bailouts.

However, with regards to working patterns, Greece’s approach appears divergent from that of many other nations currently embracing shorter work weeks and flexible working models. This move towards a six-day working week reflects Greece’s specific economic and regulatory context, aiming to address economic challenges through revised labor policies tailored to specific sectors and economic realities.

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