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Mourners shout in defiance at funeral for Alexei Navalny

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Hundreds of individuals in Russia gathered for the funeral of Alexei Navalny, the outspoken Putin critic who died in prison last month. Despite a substantial police presence and erected barricades, mourners broke into applause as Navalny’s body was brought into a church near Moscow. Attendees knowingly risked arrest for expressing support, while Navalny’s wife squarely pointed the finger at President Putin for his demise, contrary to Moscow’s claim of natural causes.

Navalny’s memorial service commenced at 14:00 Moscow time at the Church of the Icon of Our Lady Quench My Sorrows, with notable foreign diplomats present in solidarity. Following the service, Navalny was laid to rest at Borisovskoye Cemetery. Despite efforts to broadcast the event live, disruptions to mobile signals hindered streaming, leaving many unable to witness the proceedings.

Despite warnings from the Kremlin, mourners seized the opportunity to voice their admiration for Navalny’s bravery and questioned the authorities’ apparent fear. Navalny’s team encountered challenges in organizing the funeral, including difficulties in procuring a hearse. Supporters abroad were urged to participate in memorial services, reminiscent of past public displays of grief for opposition figures.

Concerns about surveillance and the potential for post-funeral detentions were widespread, with social media platforms sharing advice urging attendees to exercise caution. The gathering was marked by a sense of defiance against government crackdowns on dissent.

Navalny’s immediate family, excluding his children residing abroad, attended the ceremony. However, his widow, Yulia, faced potential arrest upon her return to Russia, further underscoring the risks associated with opposition activism in the country.

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Alain Delon: Police seize 72 guns from French film star’s home

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French authorities discovered 72 firearms and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition at the residence of iconic actor Alain Delon, located in Douchy-Montcorbon, approximately 135km south of Paris. The actor, renowned for his tough-guy roles in classics like “The Samurai” and “Borsalino,” did not possess the necessary permit to legally own these weapons.

The search was initiated after a court-appointed official observed a firearm at Delon’s home and reported it to a judge. Delon, aged 88, has been in poor health since suffering a stroke in 2019 and is facing family disputes that have garnered public attention. His children have publicly aired grievances, leading to legal battles and accusations.

Concerns arose when his children accused his former live-in assistant of “moral harassment,” a claim that was disputed by the assistant’s lawyer. Delon’s most recent notable appearances include receiving an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 and attending the funeral of his friend and fellow actor Jean-Paul Belmondo in Paris later that year.

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France shooting: Calmer night despite protests over Nahel M’s murder, minister says

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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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Pope Hails Benedict During Solemn Funeral for Being “Intelligent, Tender”

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In order to preside over the burial of his predecessor, who resigned from the papacy in 2013, Pope Francis has joined pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square. As Pope Benedict XVI’s body was taken out and positioned on the steps of St. Peter’s cathedral in the Vatican, the dome was veiled in mist.

The believers who had gathered for the funeral applauded. Benedict was then buried beneath the basilica in a tomb. Cardinals in red robes, nuns, and monks in their dark robes were among the clergy from all over the world who had arrived. In a wheelchair, Pope Francis was wheeled out onto the dais.

The Sistine Chapel choir’s Latin songs resounded all over the area. The atmosphere was sombre and reserved.

A teacher named Daniele told me the weather was appropriate for the occasion after he and the former pope had met in a church in Rome. Pope Benedict’s enigma, the mystery of life and death, is symbolised by the fog.

Pope Francis talked of “knowledge, love and devotion that he showered upon us through the years” at the Mass, which was celebrated by cardinals, bishops, and priests.

“Benedict, faithful friend of the Bridegroom,” he said referring to Jesus, “may your joy be complete as you hear his voice, now and forever.”

Police estimate that 50,000 people attended the funeral. Italy and Germany, the country of the late Pope Benedict, both sent official delegations. The king and queen of Belgium attended in a private capacity, as did several heads of state.

With Benedict’s passing, the extraordinary situation of a pope and a previous pope coexisting in the Vatican comes to an end. This position was made possible by Benedict’s resignation almost ten years ago.

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Putin will not attend Gorbachev’s funeral

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The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the funeral of Mikhail Gorbachev, the final leader of the Soviet Union. Putin’s work schedule will prevent him from attending the ceremony on Saturday, according to spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Gorbachev passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91, and he said that the Russian president had paid his respects at the hospital in Moscow. Although Gorbachev’s reforms contributed to the end of the Cold War, Mr. Putin grieved the fall of the Soviet Union. The dissolution of the USSR, according to the Russian president in 2005, was “the greatest geopolitical calamity of the [20th] Century.”

However, Mr. Putin struck a more amiable tone in his condolence telegram to Gorbachev’s family on Wednesday, referring to him as “a leader and statesman who had a major impact on the course of world history.” On Thursday, Mr. Putin was seen on Russian state television laying red roses next to Gorbachev’s casket at the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow.

There will be other noticeable absences from the burial besides Mr. Putin. In response to Western sanctions implemented as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many of the foreign leaders who would have been anticipated to participate are temporarily prohibited from entering Russian territory. Top politicians from the US, UK, EU, Japan and Canada are among those on the exclusion list, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as the two candidates vying to succeed him, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

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