News Trending

Evan Gershkovich: Waiting for her brother, Putin’s ‘bargaining chip’ in Russian jail

By 90 0

One year ago, Danielle Gershkovich received shocking news from her mother: her younger brother, Evan, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, had been arrested in Russia on charges of espionage. Facing the possibility of 20 years in prison, Danielle describes the past year as incredibly difficult, marked by uncertainty and worry.

Despite his confinement, Evan remains resilient and thoughtful, frequently sending letters to his loved ones. His family maintains a supportive and lighthearted communication with him, exchanging sibling banter and teasing with love.

Evan’s troubles began during a reporting trip to Yekaterinburg, where he was detained by Russia’s security service, the FSB, under accusations of possessing classified information. Both Evan’s employer and US authorities vehemently deny these charges.

Throughout his ordeal, Evan continues to surprise his family with gestures of care and thoughtfulness, such as arranging for bouquets to be sent to the women in his life on International Women’s Day.

Despite sporadic court appearances, Evan’s situation remains precarious. Recent court proceedings in Moscow excluded journalists, offering only brief glimpses of Evan via official footage, reinforcing his family’s concerns for his well-being.

Emma Tucker, editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal, emphasizes Evan’s innocence and underscores the unsettling reality of his situation, which appears to be driven by political motives.

Evan is held in Moscow’s Lefortovo jail, a historic facility notorious for its treatment of political prisoners. Despite the challenges, US Ambassador Lynne Tracy notes that Evan remains in good health and finds solace in correspondence with his loved ones.

The US government has condemned Evan’s detention as wrongful, echoing calls for his release. However, Moscow seems to view him as a bargaining chip in exchange for concessions from the US, mirroring a pattern of hostage diplomacy observed in recent years.

This troubling trend extends beyond Evan’s case, with other Americans, like former marine Paul Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, also facing imprisonment in Russia under dubious circumstances.

For Danielle and her family, Evan’s ordeal is not only a personal tragedy but also a broader reflection of the importance of journalism and freedom of speech. They remain steadfast in their hope for his safe return home.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Finnish presidential candidate surprised at renewed focus on his sexuality

By 113 0

Finnish presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto has expressed surprise and dismay at the sudden focus on his sexuality in the final days of campaigning before Sunday’s election, particularly by journalists from the national broadcaster, Yle. Haavisto, who could become Finland’s first Green and first gay president, noted that while his sexual identity was discussed in his 2012 campaign, it hadn’t been a central topic this time until the second round of voting.

He questioned why his sexuality had become an issue now and suggested that some journalists’ active pursuit of the topic raised questions. This comes after a poll found that a third of voters wouldn’t support him because he is gay. Despite this, Haavisto has been gaining ground on his rival, Alexander Stubb, according to the latest Yle poll, though he still trails 46-54%.

The campaign has also seen debate over nuclear weapons, with Haavisto opposing their storage in Finland, while Stubb advocates for a change in the law. Both candidates have diverse support bases, with Stubb favored among pensioners and Haavisto drawing support from younger voters, making turnout crucial for him.

As the campaign enters its final days, Haavisto continues to engage with voters, particularly focusing on female and young voters. If elected, he aims to prioritize addressing the climate crisis on the global stage, seeking to form an informal coalition to pressure international bodies for urgent action.

Haavisto is surprised by the sudden focus on his sexuality in the campaign’s final days, believes it to be an artificial topic, and remains committed to his platform of climate action and engagement with voters ahead of the election.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Tucker Carlson to interview Russia’s Putin

By 117 0

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has announced plans to conduct a one-on-one interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Carlson stated that he aims to provide Americans with a deeper understanding of the conflict in Ukraine, which he believes mainstream media coverage has failed to deliver. He emphasized his personal funding of the trip, highlighting his commitment to independent journalism.

This interview would mark President Putin’s first engagement with a Western journalist since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Carlson’s decision to pursue this interview underscores the significance of the conflict and the need for diverse perspectives in understanding its complexities. It also reflects a departure from traditional media channels, as Carlson intends to broadcast the interview live and unedited on his social media platform, X.

Critics have raised concerns about the potential risks and ethical implications of such an interview, given Putin’s track record and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. However, Carlson remains steadfast in his belief that Americans deserve access to unfiltered information about the conflict. The interview is expected to spark significant interest and debate, shaping public discourse on both sides of the Atlantic.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending War

Arman Soldin: Journalist killed in Ukraine given top French honour

By 205 0

Arman Soldin, a video journalist for Agence France-Presse (AFP) who was killed in Ukraine, has been posthumously awarded the highest honor of France, the Legion of Honour.

Soldin, 32, died in a rocket attack near Bakhmut in May. French President Emmanuel Macron commended his bravery and sent a letter praising his dedication to journalism. Soldin is one of the many journalists who have lost their lives in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.

The honor was bestowed through a presidential decree, alongside 357 other individuals from various sectors of French society. Soldin’s death is being investigated as a potential war crime by France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office. He was born in Bosnia but held French nationality and had been living in Ukraine since September 2021.

The Legion of Honour is a prestigious award established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to recognize outstanding civilian or military achievements.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending War

Ukraine war: French journalist killed near Bakhmut

By 191 0

A French journalist, 32-year-old Arman Soldin, was fatally struck by rocket fire while reporting in the war-torn region of eastern Ukraine. He was working for the AFP news agency and was killed near Chasiv Yar, just west of Bakhmut.

Soldin was part of a group of journalists accompanying Ukrainian soldiers when they came under attack at around 16:30 local time. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and praised Soldin’s work on the front lines of the conflict. The chairman of AFP, Fabrice Fries, described the news agency as “devastated” by the journalist’s death, emphasizing the risks faced by journalists covering the Ukrainian conflict.

Soldin had been living in Ukraine since September, having joined the first AFP team to report from the country after Russia’s invasion in February of the previous year. Tributes were paid to Soldin in France’s National Assembly, and Ukraine’s defense ministry offered its condolences, acknowledging his dedication to uncovering the truth.

The Kremlin expressed sadness and called for an investigation into the circumstances of Soldin’s death. The White House also honored the journalist and acknowledged the sacrifices made by journalists exposing the realities of Russia’s invasion.

Soldin, who was born in Bosnia, is the 15th journalist to be killed while reporting on the Ukrainian war since February 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Bakhmut has been a focal point of the conflict in eastern Ukraine for several months.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright