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Police Officer Faces Charges in Connection with Death of Teen During Traffic Stop in France

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The French police officer has been taken into custody and charged with homicide following the fatal shooting of a teenager near Paris on Tuesday. The 17-year-old, identified as Nahel M, was shot at close range as he attempted to drive away and subsequently crashed.

The incident has triggered widespread anger, leading to violent protests throughout the country. A march led by the boy’s mother was marred by clashes, and there have been further episodes of unrest and arrests in cities such as Lille and Marseille. In response, heightened security measures, including night-time curfews in some areas, have been implemented.

Over 40,000 police officers have been deployed across France to address the escalating situation. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about police power and the relationship between authorities and marginalized communities in the country’s suburbs.

The lawyer representing Nahel’s family criticized the existing legal and judicial framework, which they argue fosters a culture of impunity for law enforcement. Meanwhile, the accused officer maintains that he acted in self-defense and within the boundaries of the law.

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France shooting: Who was Nahel M, shot by police in Nanterre?

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The fatal shooting of Nahel M, a 17-year-old, has sparked widespread riots in various cities across France, including his hometown of Nanterre, located west of Paris.

Nahel, who was raised by his mother as an only child, worked as a pizza delivery man and was involved in playing rugby league. He had a tumultuous educational background and was enrolled in a college in Suresnes, near his residence, with the intention of becoming an electrician.

Residents of Nanterre spoke highly of Nahel, describing him as well-loved in the community where he lived with his mother, Mounia. He had a close relationship with his mother and expressed his love for her before she went to work on the day of the incident.

Tragically, in the morning, during a police traffic check, Nahel was fatally shot at close range in the chest while driving a Mercedes car, after attempting to drive away from the scene.

Nahel’s mother expressed deep sorrow and devastation, stating that she had dedicated everything to him and he was her only child and best friend. His grandmother remembered him as a kind and good-hearted boy.

The incident has drawn attention to the police shooting, leading to protests and calls for justice across France. Politicians and activists emphasized that a refusal to stop should not result in lethal force, emphasizing the right of all citizens to fair treatment.

Nahel had been involved with the Pirates of Nanterre rugby club for the past three years and participated in an integration program called Ovale Citoyen, which aimed to assist struggling teenagers by providing apprenticeships. He was learning to become an electrician through this program.

Jeff Puech, the president of Ovale Citoyen, described Nahel as a determined individual seeking social and professional integration, contrary to negative portrayals of him on social media. Puech praised Nahel’s exemplary attitude and knew him well during his time in the Vieux-Pont suburb before moving to the Pablo Picasso estate.

Notably, Nahel’s family had Algerian origins, and expressions of support and condolences were seen on a banner displayed on the Paris ring road. Some individuals in France, particularly those from Arab or black backgrounds, highlighted the issue of police violence and demanded justice for Nahel.

Nahel had been subjected to multiple police checks, known as refus d’obtempérer (refusals to cooperate), with records indicating up to five such instances since 2021. It was reported that he had recently been detained for refusing to cooperate and was scheduled to appear in juvenile court in September. His recent troubles mostly involved incidents related to cars.

The riots triggered by Nahel’s death serve as a reminder of the 2005 events, when two teenagers, Zyed Benna and Bouna Traoré, were electrocuted while evading police after a football game and sought refuge in an electricity substation in the Parisian suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois.

The emotional impact of Nahel’s death resonates with many in France, as they can relate to the incident and perceive the potential for it to have happened to themselves or their loved ones.

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Kramatorsk: Alleged Russian spy to be charged over deadly strike

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that a suspected Russian agent involved in the deadly attack in Kramatorsk will be charged with treason. Zelensky emphasized that those assisting Russia in causing harm deserve the harshest punishment. The missile strike on a popular restaurant claimed the lives of twelve individuals, including three teenagers. The Ukrainian authorities claim that the suspect, a resident of Kramatorsk, had sent video footage of the restaurant to the Russian military prior to its destruction. The city of Kramatorsk is under Ukrainian control but is situated near Russian-occupied areas. Rescue efforts are still underway, and the security services have released a photo of the arrested suspect, who could face life imprisonment.

The targeted restaurant, called the Ria lounge, was a frequented venue for international journalists, volunteers, and Ukrainian soldiers taking breaks from the nearby front lines. Several people, including Colombian nationals and a prominent Ukrainian writer, were injured in the attack. One witness described the aftermath of the explosion, mentioning the surreal sight of particles moving in slow motion. A leading Ukrainian writer is in critical condition following the incident.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro denounced the attack on Colombian citizens and instructed the foreign ministry to issue a diplomatic protest. The Colombian peace negotiator who was present during the attack sustained minor injuries. Ukrainian officials have been urging their allies to provide modern fighter jets to enhance their defense capabilities against Russian strikes. The United States recently announced its support for Ukraine by allowing Western allies to supply American-made F16s and training Ukrainian pilots to operate the jets. The Russian government has claimed that its strikes target military installations and alleged the destruction of a temporary deployment of Ukrainian commanders in Kramatorsk without providing further details.

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Belarus leader welcomes Wagner boss Prigozhin into exile

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The leader of Russia’s 24-hour mutiny, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has arrived in Belarus after his Wagner mercenary group’s mutiny ended south of Moscow. Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus, claimed credit for arranging Prigozhin’s exile and stated that the Wagner mercenaries were offered an abandoned military base in Belarus if they wanted to join their leader.

As part of the agreement that ended the mutiny, Prigozhin has been promised security, and the Russian criminal case against Wagner has been dropped. The presence of Wagner in Belarus has raised concerns among neighboring NATO members, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, who fear possible sabotage and infiltration operations. NATO has expressed readiness to defend against any threat from Moscow or Minsk and plans to strengthen its defenses in countries bordering Belarus.

Russia has recently deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, stating that they would only be used if Russian territory was threatened. There are mixed reactions among the Belarusian public, with some expressing concern about having someone like Prigozhin in their country. The mutiny has revealed weaknesses in the Kremlin’s control of security in Russia, but President Putin praised Russian security forces for stopping a potential civil war.

Putin also acknowledged that the state fully funded Prigozhin’s private army, which included expenditures on salaries, bonuses, and catering services. The events surrounding the mutiny remain somewhat unclear, with reports of downed military helicopters and conflicting claims about casualties. Lukashenko revealed a version of events in which he acted as an intermediary between Putin and Prigozhin, suggesting that he could play a role in managing the mercenary forces in Africa.

Observers speculate that the crisis has weakened both Putin and Lukashenko, potentially leading to more repression in Belarus in the short term and uncertainty about Russia’s reliability as a pillar of support for Lukashenko in the long term.

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Outrage in Paris following police shooting of teenager who defied traffic stop

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Violent protests erupted in Paris overnight following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old who failed to comply with a traffic stop order by police. Video footage circulating on social media shows a police officer aiming a gun at the driver of a car, followed by a gunshot and the car subsequently crashing. The teenager, identified as Naël M, succumbed to chest wounds despite receiving assistance from emergency services. The officer responsible for the shooting has been apprehended on charges of homicide.

Initially, the police claimed that the teen had driven his car toward them with the intent to harm. However, verified footage contradicts this account, revealing two officers attempting to stop the vehicle. One officer points his weapon at the driver through the window and seemingly fires at close range as the driver tries to flee. In the video, an unidentified person can be heard saying, “you’re going to be shot in the head,” but the speaker’s identity remains unclear.

Two other individuals were in the car at the time of the incident. One of them fled, while the other, also a minor, was detained by the police. The shooting triggered protests in the Nanterre area, located west of Paris, with incidents of arson, destruction of bus shelters, and the use of fireworks near the police station. Riot police employed tear gas to disperse the protesters, leading to the arrest of twenty individuals.

Following the teenager’s death, two separate investigations have been initiated—one into the potential misconduct of a public official resulting in a fatality, and another into the driver’s failure to stop the vehicle and alleged attempt to harm a police officer.

Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez expressed concerns about the officer’s actions, although he suggested the officer may have felt threatened. The family’s lawyer contested this justification, stating that the video unequivocally depicted a police officer deliberately killing the young man. The family filed a complaint against the police for providing false information initially, claiming that the car had attempted to run over the officers.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described the video shared on social media as “extremely shocking” and called on people to respect the family’s grief and the presumption of innocence for the police. Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon extended his condolences to the teen’s family, emphasizing that no officer has the right to kill unless in self-defense. He called for a comprehensive reform of the uncontrolled police force, which he believes undermines the authority of the state.

This incident follows another fatal police shooting two weeks earlier in Angouleme, where a 19-year-old driver was killed after allegedly hitting an officer during a traffic stop. Last year, a record number of 13 individuals died in police shootings during traffic stops in France, according to Reuters. Naël M’s death marks the second such incident this year.

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Spanish swimming pools in Catalonia told not to ban topless bathing

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Activists in Catalonia are celebrating a recent development where the regional government has instructed town and city halls to allow women to go topless in public swimming pools. This decision comes as a result of a 2020 Catalan equality law that guarantees the right to go topless.

Despite the law, some municipal swimming pools had prohibited women from doing so, leading to numerous complaints each summer. The Catalan government’s department of equality and feminism sent a letter to local authorities, emphasizing that preventing women from going topless constitutes discrimination and infringes upon personal freedom and body autonomy.

The letter also specified that breastfeeding and the use of full body bathing suits, including the Muslim “burkini,” should be permitted. Municipalities failing to comply with the directive can face fines of up to €500,000 (£430,000). The decision has been welcomed by activists, including the feminist group Mugrons Lliures (Free Nipples), who have campaigned for gender equality in this regard.

The issue of toplessness has garnered attention beyond swimming pools, as demonstrated by an incident at a Pride event in Murcia, where a singer performing topless was later questioned by local police.

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Vladimir Putin vows to hold accountable the leaders of the Wagner mutiny

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Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has accused the leaders of the recent Wagner mutiny of seeking to create chaos and conflict within Russia. In a strongly-worded speech, Putin vowed to bring the organizers of the revolt to justice. However, he distinguished the regular Wagner troops as “patriots” and provided them with options to join the army, go to Belarus, or return home. Putin did not specifically mention Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, who had previously denied any involvement in attempting to overthrow Putin’s regime.

Wagner is a private army of mercenaries that has been fighting alongside the Russian military in Ukraine. The mutiny, which was short-lived, involved Wagner fighters seizing a major Russian city and advancing towards Moscow in a convoy of military vehicles. Prigozhin claimed that the revolt was in response to government plans to take direct control of Wagner, citing concerns over mistakes made by defense officials during the war with Ukraine. He insisted that Wagner had always acted in Russia’s interests.

Prigozhin’s comments were his first public statements since reaching a deal to end the mutiny, reportedly involving him going to Belarus with dropped criminal charges. However, Russian state media reported that he remains under investigation. Putin emphasized in his address to the Russian people that the organizers of the march on Moscow would face justice and criticized Prigozhin for betraying Russia. He used the speech to assert his authority and counter the perception of a weak response to the mutiny.

Putin accused the West of wanting Russians to turn against each other, although US President Joe Biden denied any involvement by the US or its allies in the rebellion. Putin claimed that his handling of the crisis prevented a catastrophe, but many Russians witnessed events differently and may not be convinced by his statements. He reiterated his promise to allow Wagner troops who did not engage in violence against fellow Russians to leave for Belarus or sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense or other military and law enforcement structures. Putin credited the unity of Russian society and thanked Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko for his role in peacefully resolving the situation.

The contrast between Putin’s portrayal of a united country and the scenes in Rostov, where locals welcomed and embraced the Wagner fighters, led Putin to suggest that the mercenaries had been deceived and used. The rebellion occurred after months of tensions between Wagner and Russia’s military leadership. The situation escalated when Wagner mercenaries crossed the Ukrainian border and took control of the regional military command in Rostov-on-Don, while a column of military vehicles headed towards Moscow. Prigozhin claimed that the “march of justice” exposed serious security problems across the country and mentioned Lukashenko’s involvement in brokering an agreement to end the mutiny. He expressed regret for the deaths of Russian troops during the conflict but justified their actions as self-defense.

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Julian Sands: Remains found in California area where British actor disappeared

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Human remains were found by hikers near the location where British actor Julian Sands went missing. The San Bernardino County sheriff’s department in southern California announced that the identification of the remains would be completed by next week.

Sands, known for his roles in films such as “A Room With A View” and TV shows like “24” and “Smallville,” disappeared on January 13 while hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles. The 65-year-old actor, originally from Otley, West Yorkshire, went missing in the Baldy Bowl area during inclement weather.

The sheriff’s department confirmed that civilian hikers reported the discovery of the human remains in the Mt Baldy wilderness but did not provide further details.

Sands’s family expressed gratitude to the search teams and coordinators who dedicated their efforts to finding him, and they remembered him as a beloved father, husband, explorer, lover of nature and the arts, and a talented performer.

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Russia: Instability ratchets up pressure on Vladimir Putin

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It seems that you are sharing a blog post or an article discussing recent events in Russia, specifically regarding the Wagner rebellion and its implications for President Vladimir Putin. While I can provide some context and analysis, please note that the information I provide is based on knowledge available up until September 2021, and I cannot provide real-time updates on current events.

The events described in the blog post indicate a sense of uncertainty and shifting perceptions surrounding President Putin and his leadership. The author highlights the contradictory messages coming from the Kremlin and suggests that these mixed signals may weaken Putin’s image. The dropping of criminal charges against the Wagner leader, despite earlier strong rhetoric condemning the rebellion, is seen as a significant shift.

The author also suggests that these events, along with other challenges faced by Russia, such as economic problems and cross-border incidents near Ukraine, may contribute to instability within the country. The speculation about potential changes in leadership and discussions among the Russian elite about the upcoming 2024 presidential election indicate that there may be a growing desire for alternative leadership among certain circles.

However, it is important to note that predicting political changes and leadership transitions is challenging, especially in the case of Russia. Vladimir Putin has demonstrated political survival skills throughout his long tenure, and it is uncertain how these recent events will ultimately impact his position.

Without further information on recent developments, it is difficult to predict President Putin’s next move accurately. The quoted exchange from an old Putin interview about forgiveness and treachery may provide some insight into his mindset, but it is ultimately open to interpretation.

It is essential to follow reliable news sources and analysis to stay updated on the latest developments in Russia and the implications for President Putin’s leadership.

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Greek conservative party aims for a majority win in upcoming election led by Mitsotakis

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In Greece, conservative ex-Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is seeking a strong majority as voters head to the polls for the second time in a month. Mitsotakis emerged victorious in May’s election and called for new elections in order to govern without coalition partners.

Despite a recent migrant boat tragedy that claimed the lives of an estimated 500 people, the incident has had minimal impact on the election campaign. Mitsotakis’s New Democracy party secured a significant 20-point lead over the center-left Syriza party, led by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and he is confident of a repeat victory that would grant him a second term. Voting will continue until 19:00 (16:00 GMT).

Mitsotakis argues that a stable government requires a majority of more than 150 seats in the 300-seat parliament. Notably, the winning party in this election will be awarded between 20 and 50 bonus seats, potentially bolstering Mitsotakis’s mandate. Recognized for stabilizing and fostering growth in the Greek economy following a severe debt crisis and multiple bailouts, Mitsotakis has established a resilient image despite facing various crises over the past year.

Tsipras faces a challenging task in this election, with Mitsotakis focusing on his accomplishments and promising lower taxes and improved public health. The two leaders diverged in their responses to the recent migrant boat sinking, with Mitsotakis defending the coastguard and condemning people smugglers, while Tsipras raised concerns and highlighted his government’s previous focus on preserving human life during the 2015 European migrant crisis.

Greek voters’ views on migration have shifted toward stricter and more conservative policies since the 2020 migration crisis on the Evros River, which reinforced perceptions of migration as an external threat to national sovereignty. Additionally, Mitsotakis benefits from the fragmentation of the Greek left, with the Socialists now the third political force in Greece, making it unlikely for left-of-center parties to form a coalition with the conservatives.

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