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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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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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American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva arrested in Russia

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Alsu Kurmasheva, an American journalist working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague, was detained after a visit to her family in Kazan, Russia. She was first detained on June 2 and then again recently, charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, which could lead to a five-year jail term.

The arrest of Alsu Kurmasheva comes after the detention of another American journalist, Evan Gershkovich, who was charged with espionage earlier in the year. Gershkovich’s employer and the US government refute the charges, suggesting that he is being held for potential exchange purposes.

Kurmasheva, who holds both US and Russian citizenship, is known for her work focusing on ethnic minority issues in central Russia. She was charged with collecting information on behalf of foreign governments under a law that is criticized for its broad interpretation, potentially encompassing even basic information about military personnel.

This incident adds to a series of events where Russian authorities have been accused of using repressive laws to target journalists and stifle independent reporting. Notably, several journalists and Kremlin critics have been labeled “foreign agents,” and some, including Nobel Peace Prize-winner Dmitry Muratov, have faced such accusations. Additionally, cases like that of Ivan Safronov, who was sentenced to 22 years on treason charges, and Dmitry Ivanov, sentenced to eight and a half years for sharing information about the Russian army, have raised concerns about the state of press freedom in the country.

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Berlin Synagogue Attacked as Anti-Semitic Incidents Surge in Europe

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An uptick in anti-Semitic incidents in Europe has recently rattled Berlin’s Jewish community, culminating in a disturbing event where two petrol bombs were thrown at a synagogue. The director of the synagogue, Anna Segal, expressed the growing tensions and feelings of threat within the community.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, which occurred in the midst of violent protests in Berlin, where emergency services were targeted with projectiles and street barricades were set ablaze. Simultaneously, Lebanon’s Hezbollah called for a “day of rage” following a devastating explosion at a Gaza hospital.

The Central Council of Jews in Germany deemed this call a form of psychological terrorism that often leads to concrete attacks. The recent assault on the Berlin synagogue, which also houses a community center and a school, has heightened the community’s sense of vulnerability, with demands for better protection.

While police presence was reported at the time of the attack, a man was later detained for shouting anti-Israel slogans near the synagogue. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in France and parts of Germany were banned, with the Paris police dispersing a prohibited rally using tear gas and water cannon. In response to the surge in anti-Semitic incidents, French authorities vowed swift action against perpetrators, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the concerning rise in hate speech and vandalism targeting synagogues.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Community Security Trust (CST) in the UK also condemned the escalation of anti-Semitic acts. The CST particularly urged universities to swiftly combat anti-Semitism and safeguard Jewish students, highlighting 36 recorded incidents on campuses between October 7 and 16.

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Vladimir Putin feted at Xi Jinping’s global Belt and Road summit

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At a global summit in Beijing, Russian leader Vladimir Putin received special treatment, alongside China’s President Xi Jinping, as the two countries solidified their alliance amid global geopolitical tensions. The event commemorated a decade of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Despite diplomatic scrutiny and an international arrest warrant issued against him, Putin’s close relationship with Xi was evident throughout the summit. The two leaders were prominent during the opening ceremony and engaged in an extended bilateral meeting.

The summit highlighted China and Russia’s mutual opposition to the Western world order, advocating for a multipolar global system. China, positioning the BRI as a means to establish a more equitable world order, emphasized principles of cooperation, inclusivity, and sustainable development.

While the BRI has stimulated development, it has also faced criticism for fostering debt dependency and environmental degradation. The summit saw participation from various countries, particularly from Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and representatives from the Afghan Taliban government.

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Mainz Suspends Anwar El Ghazi for Controversial Israel-Gaza Post

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Mainz, the Bundesliga club, has suspended Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi from both training and games due to a social media post concerning the Israel-Gaza conflict. The club deemed the post “unacceptable” and emphasized that El Ghazi had taken a stance on the ongoing conflict that did not align with the club’s values.

El Ghazi, who joined Mainz this summer after stints at Aston Villa and Everton, has participated in three league games since his transfer.

In response to the incident, Bayern Munich has reportedly planned to hold a detailed meeting with full-back Noussair Mazraoui after the player shared a pro-Palestinian video on Instagram.

Similarly, French prosecutors are investigating Nice defender Youcef Atal for allegedly posting an antisemitic video on social media regarding the Israel-Gaza situation. Both Mainz and Bayern Munich have been contacted for further comment on the matter.

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