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In Sweden, a Kurdish man has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for various crimes, including an attempt to finance terrorism. This is the first instance where Sweden’s updated anti-terrorism laws have been utilized in a case involving the Kurdish militant group PKK. Turkey has long urged Sweden to take action against Kurdish separatists. Sweden’s aspirations to join NATO have been delayed, primarily due to Turkey’s demand for the extradition of individuals it considers terrorists.

Ahead of a NATO summit, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Lithuania. Sweden is hopeful for NATO membership and has received support from President Joe Biden. The timing of the court case was emphasized by commentators, who noted that it conveyed a message to Ankara that Sweden was cracking down on the PKK.

The convicted Kurdish man, who has Turkish origins, will be deported after serving his sentence. The judge highlighted that Sweden’s NATO bid did not influence the court’s decision. Last month, Sweden strengthened its anti-terrorism laws to criminalize arranging meetings to provide financial or other assistance to banned groups. Critics raised concerns about potential impacts on freedom of speech.

The sentencing coincided with a significant meeting in Brussels involving the foreign ministers of Sweden, Turkey, and Finland, ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius. Finland’s Foreign Minister expressed hopes for a swift announcement regarding Sweden’s NATO membership. Turkey’s President has voiced reservations about Sweden’s bid, emphasizing the need for further action.

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After much speculation, Silvio Berlusconi’s will has been revealed, showing that he has bequeathed a majority stake in the family’s holding company Fininvest to his two eldest children, Marina and Pier Silvio. They will jointly own 53% of the family firm. Berlusconi, who passed away on June 12, was one of Italy’s wealthiest individuals, with a vast empire spanning real estate, television, cinema, and sports. His will also revealed that Marina and Pier Silvio, his children from his first marriage, will receive larger shares compared to his three other children from his second wife. The two eldest children have been involved in managing the family business since the early 1990s and have stated that no single shareholder will have overall individual indirect control of Fininvest.

In addition to his children, Berlusconi allocated €100 million to Marta Fascina, his partner at the time of his death. Although they were not married, Berlusconi referred to her as his wife on his deathbed. He left €100 million to his brother Paolo and €30 million to his close aide Marcello Dell’Utri. The distribution of Berlusconi’s other valuable assets, such as luxurious villas, has not been clarified yet and may present challenges in dividing them equally among his offspring. These properties include Villa San Martino in Arcore, a historic mansion covering 3,500 square meters, as well as homes in various locations such as Lake Maggiore, Rome, Cannes, and the Caribbean.

Among his properties, Villa Certosa in Sardinia stands out as a prestigious asset. Berlusconi purchased the mansion in the 1970s and hosted world leaders there, including Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush. The mansion, with 126 rooms and elaborate features like a fake erupting volcano, is estimated to be worth €259 million.

Silvio Berlusconi was a highly influential figure in Italy’s history, leaving a lasting impact on politics, media, football, and society. His will included a handwritten letter expressing his gratitude and love for his children. However, the question remains whether the family unity he maintained during his lifetime will persist after his passing and how that might affect the future of his business empire.

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Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has stated that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group and former participant in a brief armed rebellion in Russia, is currently in Russia and not in Belarus. Prigozhin’s whereabouts had been unknown after he was spotted in southern Russia during the mutiny.

However, as part of a negotiated agreement to resolve the situation, charges against Prigozhin were dropped, allowing him and his fighters to potentially relocate to Belarus. Lukashenko, who played a role in brokering the deal, initially claimed that Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus when a private jet associated with him landed in Minsk on June 27.

However, Lukashenko recently informed reporters that Prigozhin is actually in St. Petersburg and not present in Belarus. Despite this, Lukashenko reiterated that the offer for Wagner fighters to station themselves in Belarus, a prospect raising concerns among neighboring NATO countries, remains open.

Lukashenko believes there is no risk to Belarus and does not anticipate Wagner fighters taking up arms against his country. The Wagner Group is a private mercenary army that has fought alongside the Russian military in Ukraine. Prigozhin’s mutiny involved Wagner mercenaries crossing the border into Russia from field camps in Ukraine and seizing control of certain security facilities in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don. They then proceeded toward Moscow, leading to increased security measures implemented by the Kremlin in various regions, including the capital.

While Vladimir Putin accused the group of treason, the mutiny’s resolution resulted in Prigozhin receiving security assurances and the dropping of the Russian criminal case against Wagner. The fighters were given the option to sign regular army contracts, return home, or relocate to Belarus.

Lukashenko had previously stated that Wagner mercenaries were offered an abandoned military base if they chose to join their leader. Recent satellite imagery has shown the potential establishment of tents at a former military base near Minsk, but no concrete evidence of their occupation has been observed yet.

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The Dutch government has revealed plans to implement a ban on devices, including mobile phones, in classrooms to prevent disruptions to learning. The ban, set to take effect from the beginning of next year, is a collaborative effort between the government and schools.

While exceptions will be made for students with medical needs, disabilities, and digital skills-focused classes, the ban is not currently legally enforceable but may become so in the future.

Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf emphasized the importance of creating a focused learning environment for students and cited scientific research demonstrating the disruptive nature of mobile phones in classrooms.

The prohibition extends to other devices such as tablets and smartwatches. Individual schools will determine specific rules in consultation with teachers, parents, and students, including the possibility of a complete ban. The effectiveness of the ban will be evaluated at the end of the 2024/2025 school year, which may lead to the implementation of a legal ban.

This decision follows a similar move by Finland and aligns with proposals in countries like England and France to enhance learning by prohibiting mobile phone use in schools.

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Cuba’s current fuel crisis has prompted the country to seek assistance from its historical ally, Russia. Cuban taxi driver Jorge Lloro, who drives a Soviet-era Lada, is reminded of the strong ties between the two nations. During the Cold War, around 100,000 Lada cars were imported to Cuba as a way to circumvent the long-standing US economic embargo. Now, facing a severe fuel shortage and a grim economic outlook, Cuba’s leadership has once again turned to Russia for support.

For drivers like Jorge, maintaining their vehicles has become a constant struggle due to the scarcity and high cost of spare parts. Even obtaining petrol has become a lengthy ordeal, with long queues at petrol pumps. To manage the situation, the state has organized drivers into WhatsApp groups, assigning them numbers and notifying them when it’s their turn to fill up. However, the system has been inefficient and lacking in proper organization and infrastructure, leading to frustration among drivers.

The fuel crisis is just one of the many challenges Cuba has faced recently, including food insecurity, inflation, and electricity blackouts. These longstanding issues stem from government mismanagement and the US economic embargo, aggravated further by the collapse of the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seizing this opportunity, some Russian companies have signed agreements with Cuba to revitalize tourism infrastructure, improve agriculture, and invest in industries such as rum and steel production.

Of particular interest to Jorge and other drivers is an agreement for Russia to supply approximately 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day. This would help compensate for the reduction in oil exports from Venezuela, Cuba’s oil-rich socialist ally, which decreased from 80,000 barrels per day in 2020 to around 55,000. The Cuban state media portrays this cooperation as evidence of the enduring ties between the two nations. However, independent economist Omar Everleny believes that closer relations with Moscow offer only a short-term solution for Cuba.

While Russia’s assistance may stabilize the current crisis, Mr. Everleny points out that Russian firms will expect timely and full payment for their investments, which could potentially burden Cuban families. He warns against relying on a single benefactor, citing historical examples of dependence on Spain, the US, the Soviet Union, and Venezuela. Instead, Everleny suggests that Cuba should develop its own production strategy, with a key role for small and medium-sized Cuban businesses.

As the day outside the petrol station comes to an end, Jorge Lloro manages to fill up his Lada. However, like the Cuban Revolution itself, the country’s situation remains precarious, relying on Russian assistance while desperately needing significant reforms in the years to come.

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Investigative journalist Yelena Milashina and lawyer Alexander Nemov were brutally attacked by masked individuals while en route to a court in Chechnya, Russia. Milashina, who has previously received death threats from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was traveling with Nemov to attend the court verdict of Zarema Musayeva, a critic of Kadyrov.

The assailants intercepted their car, forcefully removed the driver, and proceeded to assault Milashina and Nemov. Milashina described the incident as a kidnapping, where they were threatened at gunpoint, physically restrained, and subjected to various forms of violence, including the shaving of her head and the application of green dye to her face.

Milashina suffered a brain injury and broken fingers, while Nemov sustained injuries, including a laceration on his leg. In the past, Milashina had temporarily left Russia due to threats from Kadyrov, who has been accused of human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, and involvement in the invasion of Ukraine.

Milashina’s courageous investigative reporting in Chechnya mirrors the work of Anna Politkovskaya and Natalia Estemirova, both of whom were murdered for their activism. Kadyrov’s actions and the constant threats directed towards Milashina highlight the climate of fear and danger faced by journalists in the region.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his country’s opposition to Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking at the virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, his first international address since the recent mutiny in Russia, Putin expressed defiance towards the West, stating that Russia would counter external sanctions and pressures while continuing to develop. He emphasized the importance of trade agreements between SCO nations in local currencies, seen as a measure to mitigate the impact of sanctions. Putin also welcomed Belarus’s application to become a permanent member of the SCO. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hosting the summit, called for increased trade, connectivity, and tech cooperation among member states.

However, he did not directly address the war in Ukraine or China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, reflecting India’s delicate diplomatic position as it strengthens ties with both the West and China. Instead, Modi urged SCO members to cooperate on countering cross-border terrorism, with his statements commonly interpreted as aimed at Pakistan. China’s President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of regional peace and security and called for solidarity and mutual trust among SCO members. All members agreed on the need to maintain stability in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover.

The SCO, formed in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian countries, has gained relevance as relations with the West deteriorate for Russia and China. With around 40% of the world’s population and over 20% of global GDP, the SCO holds significant potential, and the inclusion of Iran as a full member further enhances its energy portfolio.

However, India’s ability to strike a diplomatic balance between its global partners, including Russia, China, and Pakistan, will impact the future of the SCO. Indian diplomats assert their commitment to an independent foreign policy without favoring any particular group.

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Following five days of violent protests in response to the shooting of teenager Nahel M during a police traffic stop, the riots in France appear to be calming. Sunday night witnessed a decrease in violence and a lower number of arrests.

President Emmanuel Macron has instructed the interior ministry to maintain a significant police presence on the streets. Mayors have organized rallies outside town halls to condemn the violence and looting. While the situation has improved, authorities remain cautious and are not declaring a complete return to normalcy. President Macron has requested a massive deployment of around 45,000 officers across the country to ensure a peaceful environment.

The number of arrests, cars set on fire, and damaged buildings has significantly decreased. The mayors’ association has expressed concern about the serious unrest, targeting symbols of the republic with extreme violence. One act of violence involved an attack on the home of a suburban Paris mayor, resulting in injuries to his family.

The family of Nahel has called for an end to the violence, emphasizing the need for changes in the laws regarding lethal force during traffic stops. They disapprove of a fundraising campaign for the police officer involved in Nahel’s shooting, which has attracted criticism from politicians.

President Macron will meet with mayors from affected areas to address the situation. Additionally, a fireman died while attempting to extinguish cars set ablaze in an underground car park, although there is no confirmed connection to the ongoing violence.

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A Ukrainian soldier struggles through tall grass, dragging one leg behind him. Moments later, an explosion and smoke indicate another land mine has been triggered just a few meters away. Another injured soldier manages to reach the relative safety of an armored vehicle, his arms flailing as he moves, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

Last week, a Ukrainian army drone captured these live scenes in the frontlines near the city of Bakhmut in Donbas. From above, the minefield appeared as a scattered pattern of dark circles on the cratered ground.

Artyom, a 36-year-old soldier from Ukraine’s 108th Territorial Defense Brigade, expressed his fear of mines, stating that they terrify him more than anything else. He recounted an incident where two of his colleagues stepped on newly scattered anti-personnel mines, losing their legs. Artyom, a trained sapper, explained that Russian forces use rockets to plant mines in previously cleared areas liberated by Ukrainian troops.

The anticipated counterattack by Ukraine has faced delays, and soldiers stationed along different sections of the frontlines attribute part of the delay to Russian minefields. The commander of a sapper squad known as Dill confirmed that mines significantly slow down troop movements. He recently completed a de-mining mission near the village of Predtechyne and displayed deactivated Russian mines while ensuring he remained hidden from Russian drones.

Artyom, a realist about Ukraine’s counter-offensive, believed that many people in the media and society were too impatient, expecting rapid progress. He cautioned against the worst-case scenario of slow progress. As fighter jets flew overhead and artillery pounded the frontlines, one officer suggested that the patient approach of the Ukrainian forces would soon yield significant results, as long-range strikes hindered Russia’s ability to rearm and low morale among Russian troops created opportunities for breakthroughs.

Regarding the extensive minefields ahead of Ukraine’s counter-attack, Dill, the sapper squad commander, expressed quiet confidence. He stated that they were learning to improvise and find safe paths through the minefields but acknowledged the fierce nature of the enemy they were fighting.

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The death of a teenager shot by police at close range in France has sparked protests and unrest in various cities. However, the Interior Minister has reported a quieter night of protests with fewer arrests compared to previous nights.

The most intense clashes occurred in the southern city of Marseille. In a Paris suburb, attackers targeted the mayor’s house, injuring his wife as she attempted to flee with their children. The funeral for the teenager, Nahel M, was held with large crowds in attendance. The Interior Minister commended law enforcement for their actions, which contributed to a relatively calmer night. Around 45,000 police officers were deployed across the country for a second consecutive night.

The hope is that the security crackdown and the public’s disapproval of the violence will lead to a turning point and a decline in rioting. However, it is yet to be confirmed if this trend will continue. Clashes between police and rioters were reported in Marseille, with tear gas being used by the police. In Paris, a significant police presence deterred protesters from gathering on the Champs-Élysées.

The mayor of L’Haÿ-les-Roses denounced the attack on his home as a “murder attempt of unspeakable cowardice.” In other cities such as Lille, Lyon, Nice, and Strasbourg, clashes and vehicle fires were reported. The incident involving Nahel has reignited discussions about French policing, including a controversial firearms law from 2017 that allows officers to shoot at drivers who refuse to stop.

The issue of racism within the police force has also been raised, with the UN’s human rights office urging France to address this concern. President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the violence and criticized the exploitation of Nahel’s death to justify acts of violence.

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