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Zelensky accuses Russia and China of undermining summit

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Ukrainian President Zelensky has accused Russia and China of trying to sabotage his upcoming global peace summit in Switzerland. He claims Russia is pressuring countries not to attend and alleges China is assisting in this effort. Zelensky made these statements at an Asian security forum, where he urged delegates to attend his summit focused on nuclear security, food security, and the release of prisoners of war and Ukrainian children held in Russia.

Despite 106 countries confirming attendance, Russia has not been invited and China is not participating. Zelensky criticized China for being an instrument in Putin’s hands and accused China of supplying elements for Russia’s weaponry. However, China denies supplying weapons to either side of the Ukraine conflict and asserts its commitment to peace.

Zelensky also discussed with US Secretary of Defense Austin the US decision to allow Ukraine to use American weapons on Russian territory, albeit with restrictions. This move by the US and other Western states has drawn warnings from Russia about serious consequences.

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Venice Prohibits Large Tourist Groups and Loudspeakers

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New regulations have been implemented in Venice, banning the use of loudspeakers and restricting tour group sizes to a maximum of 25 people. Officials state that these measures aim to mitigate the effects of over-tourism on the Italian city. Venice’s historic canals make it one of Europe’s most popular destinations. Earlier this year, Venice introduced a €5 (£4) daily entry fee, following a 2021 ban on cruise ships docking in the historic area.

Over-tourism is a critical issue for Venice, a city with a population of approximately 250,000 that welcomed over 13 million visitors in 2019. Although visitor numbers have declined since then, they are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels soon. Many local residents have left the historic island city due to concerns about being overwhelmed by tourists.

According to Ocio, a citizen association monitoring housing in Venice, the historic quarter now has about 49,000 tourist beds—exceeding the number available for residents. These new tourism rules follow warnings from Unesco experts last year, suggesting Venice could be added to the list of world heritage sites in danger due to climate change and mass tourism. The UN cultural body ultimately decided not to add Venice to the list, acknowledging efforts to address these issues through an anti-flooding system and measures to curb the impact of mass tourism.

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SAJ Hotels, DQUE, Pegasus Unite for Miss Glam World & Mrs Glam World Spectacle in Kochi

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Pegasus Global Private Limited, in collaboration with SAJ Hotels and Resorts and DQUE, is gearing up for the prestigious Miss Glam World and Mrs Glam World beauty pageants, slated for June 9th. These global events aim to spotlight the extraordinary talent and allure of women worldwide. Spearheaded by Dr. Ajit Ravi, Chairman of Pegasus, with over two decades of experience in the beauty pageant realm, these competitions promise to be nothing short of spectacular.

The opulent Le Meridien Hotel in Kochi has been selected as the perfect backdrop for the Miss Glam World and Mrs Glam World extravaganzas, showcasing elegance and grandeur.

Pegasus Global Private Limited is dedicated to hosting beauty pageants that go beyond superficial standards, emphasizing qualities like intelligence, wisdom, and empathy. By championing a platform that celebrates humanity, Pegasus has taken a bold step by removing the bikini round, shifting the focus to inner beauty and substance. This groundbreaking decision sets a new benchmark for global competitions, paving the way for a more inclusive and meaningful experience.

With a rich legacy in event production, including renowned national and international beauty pageants such as Miss Queen Kerala, Mrs Kerala Global, Miss South India, Mrs India Global, Mrs South India, Miss Queen of India, Miss Asia, and Miss Asia Global, Pegasus Global Private Limited is committed to elevating India’s stature in the beauty pageant industry through the Miss Glam World and Mrs Glam World competitions.

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German anti-Islamic activist hurt in a stabbing incident

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A man attacked six people, including a police officer, with a knife in Mannheim, a city in southwestern Germany, as confirmed by police. One of the injured was anti-Islam activist Michael Stürzenberger, who was preparing for a rally in the market square, organized by the Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa (BPE). The incident was livestreamed on YouTube, showing the attacker stabbing a man and then a police officer who tried to intervene. The officer is in critical condition.

The attacker was shot and injured by another police officer. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence is unacceptable in a democracy and calling for severe punishment for the perpetrator. Mannheim police confirmed a major operation in the market square, with a rescue helicopter dispatched to the scene.

The attack occurred at 11:35 AM (10:35 BST) during the rally hosted by Michael Stürzenberger’s group. Stürzenberger was injured in the leg and face and requires surgery, though his life is not in danger. The attack, which seemed premeditated, took place before the rally began. The attacker injured five BPE members and one police officer, with the officer in critical condition requiring emergency surgery.

The suspect, whose identity has not been officially released, is a 25-year-old Afghan-born resident of Germany. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser suggested the possibility of an Islamist motive behind the attack.

Michael Stürzenberger, a far-right activist known for his Islamophobic blog and involvement with BPE, is a former politician previously affiliated with the Christian Social Union (CSU) before leading the now-dissolved right-wing party Die Freiheit.

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Biden Authorizes Ukraine to Target Certain Sites in Russia Using US Arms

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US President Joe Biden has reportedly authorized Ukraine to utilize American-supplied weaponry to target specific sites within Russia, particularly in the vicinity of the Kharkiv region. This directive aims to enable Ukraine to retaliate against Russian forces attacking or preparing to attack them.

Recent advances by Russian forces in the Kharkiv region, close to the Russian border, have prompted this decision. Despite this, the United States maintains its stance against allowing the use of long-range strikes or the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) within Russian territory.

Regarding the possibility of targeting Russian aircraft, US officials stated that Ukraine has not been prohibited from defending itself against Russian planes flying over Russian soil. While the UK and some European leaders have expressed openness to relaxing restrictions on the use of Western-supplied weapons by Ukraine, the US has previously been hesitant due to concerns about escalation.

However, recent events have prompted a shift in this approach, as indicated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to Moldova. Russian forces have taken advantage of opportunities to advance further into Ukrainian territory, particularly in Kharkiv, amid delays in the arrival of additional Western weapons to Ukraine.

Recent attacks, including the bombing of a supermarket and a residential building, have resulted in civilian casualties and extensive damage, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russian forces of targeting civilian infrastructure.

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Recovering Slovak Prime Minister Relocates to Capital

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Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has been relocated from a hospital in Banska Bystrica, situated in the heart of the country, to Bratislava, the nation’s capital, to continue his recovery journey. This decision comes in the aftermath of a shooting incident that left him with severe injuries, occurring two weeks prior.

The 59-year-old politician was targeted in Handlova on May 15, where he was shot four times at close range while engaging with supporters following a government meeting. Enduring multiple surgical procedures, Fico’s health status prompted the decision for further care and observation.

Details regarding Fico’s current whereabouts remain undisclosed, as it is unclear whether he has been discharged to his residence in Bratislava or transferred to another medical facility for ongoing treatment. The shift in his condition has attracted significant media attention both domestically and internationally.

Fico’s political tenure spans over a decade, during which he has held the prime ministerial position for a substantial portion of the past 18 years. His return to power in September, leading a coalition characterized by populist-nationalist ideologies, marked a significant chapter in Slovakian politics.

The shooting incident has exacerbated existing tensions within Slovakia, a nation grappling with increasing polarization in its political landscape. The attack has served to deepen societal divisions and raise concerns about the stability of the country’s governance.

The alleged perpetrator, identified by local media as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, has been apprehended and is currently in custody, facing charges of attempted murder. The ongoing investigation seeks to shed light on the motives behind the attack and its potential ramifications for Slovakian society and its political future.

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Spain passes amnesty law for Catalan nationalists

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Spain’s Congress has passed a contentious Catalan amnesty law, clearing its final parliamentary hurdle before implementation. The law aims to halt legal actions against Catalan nationalists for their separatist activities, including the 2017 independence referendum and subsequent failed independence bid. The law narrowly passed with 177 votes in favor and 172 against, following a six-month parliamentary process initiated by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist Party (PSOE). Although delayed by the opposition-controlled Senate, it could not be blocked entirely.

The amnesty will be published in the official gazette, giving judges two months to apply it. While potential legal challenges remain, they are unlikely to impede the law’s implementation. Around 400 Catalan nationalists, involved in separatist actions since November 2011, will benefit, including those prosecuted for organizing the illegal 2017 referendum. Police facing charges for voter assaults during the referendum are also covered.

The most notable beneficiary is Carles Puigdemont, former Catalan president, who led the 2017 secession attempt and has since been in self-exile in Belgium. Puigdemont’s party, Together for Catalonia (JxCat), and the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) secured the amnesty in exchange for supporting Sánchez’s coalition government. Puigdemont plans to return to Spain for an investiture vote in the regional parliament, despite lacking sufficient support to form a government.

Miriam Nogueras of JxCat described the amnesty as “necessary redress” rather than clemency. The PSOE, their coalition partner Sumar, JxCat, ERC, the Basque EH Bildu coalition, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), the Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG), and far-left Podemos supported the law. The conservative People’s Party (PP), far-right Vox, and other regional conservatives opposed it. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo condemned the amnesty as “political corruption,” accusing Sánchez of using it to secure his political position. Conversely, Artemi Rallo of the PSOE argued that the law, along with a 2022 pardon of nine jailed independence leaders, has “normalized politics in Catalonia.”

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Fears for the town of Iceland after a new eruption

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A volcanic eruption has commenced in southwest Iceland, prompting the evacuation of the renowned Blue Lagoon spa and the fishing town of Grindavik. The new fissure, which is over 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long and growing, opened near Sundhnuksgigar on the Reykjanes Peninsula, marking the fifth eruption in the region since December.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported the fissure’s significant length, while authorities declared a state of emergency. Despite the severity, air travel to and from Iceland remains unaffected. Grindavik’s mayor, Fannar Jónasson, expressed concern about the substantial volume of lava advancing toward the town, surpassing previous eruptions in magnitude. As a safety measure, energy provider HS Veitur cut off power to Grindavik.

Local media reported that three individuals refused to evacuate. Authorities strongly urged all residents and visitors to leave Grindavik and move to a safe distance. Currently, only one road out of the town remains accessible.

Dramatic footage from the eruption site showed molten rock spewing up to 50 meters high and extensive ash clouds darkening the sky. Benjamin Hardman, a natural history cinematographer documenting Iceland’s volcanoes, described the experience as surreal.

Officials noted the magma intrusion is nearing Grindavik, and the Svartsengi power plant, crucial for providing electricity and water to the peninsula, has also been evacuated. Barriers have been erected to shield the power plant, Grindavik, and the Blue Lagoon from lava flows.

Despite the eruption, Keflavik International Airport continues normal operations. Prior to the eruption on Wednesday, “intense earthquake activity” was recorded. Geophysicist Ari Trausti Gudmundsson indicated that scientists had anticipated this eruption.

Most of Grindavik’s 4,000 residents were evacuated permanently in November, following eruptions over the past months that saw lava inundate the town’s streets in January, destroying three homes. Some residents had returned to safer neighborhoods.

Iceland, located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, has 33 active volcanic systems. The last significant volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula occurred 800 years ago, lasting for decades. Since 2021, this marks the eighth eruption, suggesting the area might be entering a prolonged volcanic period that could span decades or centuries.

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Pope apologises over reported homophobic slur

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Pope Francis recently found himself embroiled in controversy following reports of his use of highly derogatory language towards gay men during a private meeting with bishops. The Vatican promptly issued a statement in response, acknowledging the incident and expressing regret for any offense caused. Despite the Pope’s public advocacy for respect towards gay individuals, the reported remarks have sparked widespread shock and criticism.

Some supporters of Pope Francis have sought to contextualize the incident, suggesting that his use of language may have been unintentional. They point to his occasional struggles with Italian colloquialisms and his upbringing in an Italian-speaking household in Argentina. However, critics argue that regardless of intent, the remarks reflect a deeper issue of anti-gay bias within the Church.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, representing the LGBT Catholic rights group DignityUSA, strongly condemned the reported comments as hurtful and indicative of ongoing discrimination within the Church. She emphasized the impact on gay priests who have faithfully served their communities, highlighting the need for greater inclusivity and acceptance within Catholicism.

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Georgia parliament overturns veto on foreign agents law

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Georgia’s MPs have overturned a presidential veto on the controversial “transparency on foreign influence” bill, commonly referred to as the “foreign agents law,” after several weeks of protests in Tbilisi. The law mandates that media and NGOs receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad must register as “organisations acting in the interest of a foreign power,” undergo stringent audits, or face heavy fines. The vote in a plenary session on Tuesday saw 84 MPs, primarily from the governing Georgian Dream party, in favor, with four votes against and the opposition abstaining.

Thousands of Georgians protested outside parliament, waving Georgian and EU flags. The law, initially passed on May 14 and then vetoed by pro-Western President Salome Zourabishvili, is set to take effect in 60 days. The Georgian government argues that the law will enhance transparency and protect against foreign interference. However, opponents, calling it the “Russian law” due to its similarity to existing Russian legislation, believe it aims to suppress dissent ahead of October’s parliamentary elections.

The EU expressed deep regret over the parliament’s decision, warning that the bill could hinder Georgia’s progress within the bloc. Georgia achieved candidate country status in December 2023. Many NGOs have declared they will not comply with the legislation, describing it as “insulting” and “factually incorrect.”

As MPs debated the bill, protesters gathered outside parliament under heavy police presence. Following the vote, demonstrators shouted “slaves!” and “Russians!” Police have frequently used force against protesters, with reports of beatings and intimidation. Despite this, many demonstrators, predominantly young, continue to protest, viewing their future as dependent on aligning with Europe.

Observers believe the passing of the foreign agents law has become crucial for the survival of Georgian Dream, alienating many traditional partners. The US joined the EU in warning of repercussions, with the US State Department announcing travel restrictions on those undermining democracy in Georgia and their families. However, authorities dismissed these warnings, with Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze asserting that there would be no compromise against national interests.

With limited options left to halt the bill, President Zourabishvili presented a new charter on Monday to move Georgia towards Europe, calling for a new political reality, different elections, and significant reforms to depoliticize the justice system and security services. She invited all opposition parties to sign the charter by June 1 and unite for the parliamentary elections in October.

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