Month: October 2023

French Authorities Link School Stabbing That Killed Teacher To Islamic Extremism

A man of Chechen origin who was under surveillance by French security services over suspected Islamic radicalization stabbed a teacher to death at his former high school and wounded three other people Friday in northern France, authorities said. France raised its threat alert to its highest level, and the attack was being investigated by anti-terrorism prosecutors amid soaring global tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas. It also happened almost three years after another teacher, Samuel Paty, was beheaded by a radicalized Chechen near a Paris area school. The suspected attacker had been under surveillance since the summer on …

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Russian Authorities Detain Lawyers for Navalny; Pressure Mounts on Political Prisoners

Russian authorities on Friday detained three lawyers representing imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny after searching their homes, his allies said, a step that comes amid increasing pressure on the Kremlin’s critics. The move was an attempt to “completely isolate Navalny,” his ally Ivan Zhdanov said on social media. Navalny, 47, has been behind bars since January 2021, serving a 19-year prison sentence but has been able to get messages out regularly and keep up with the news. The raids targeting Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser are part of a criminal case on charges of participating in an extremist …

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Zelenskyy, Dutch PM Agree, in Odesa, to Boost Air Defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, visiting the Black Sea port of Odesa, vowed on Friday to improve Ukraine’s air defenses and to increase the security of a “humanitarian corridor” for grain exports. Zelenskyy said Kyiv was working to strengthen its position in the Black Sea so that it can continue grain exports, which are vital to ensuring budget revenues following a surge in defense spending after Russia’s invasion last year. “We are working with partners to protect properly these corridors, and strengthen our positions in the Black Sea, and it also applies to the protection …

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Russia’s Official Take on Israel-Hamas War: A Media Dilemma

With a history of supporting Hamas but cautiously warming relations with Israel, Russia has been left with some tough choices by the Palestinian group’s terrorist assault on the Jewish state and Israel’s unsparing response. Its rhetoric so far suggests that Moscow is looking for a middle ground while seeking ways to turn the war to its diplomatic advantage. VOA’s Ksenia Turkova has the story.  …

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Italian Journalist Found Guilty of Libeling Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

An Italian journalist was found guilty of libel Thursday for insulting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a television interview and received a sentence that has alarmed some free speech advocates. Roberto Saviano, a prominent anti-mafia author, was handed a suspended fine of 1,000 euros, which he will have to pay if he repeats the offense. The prosecution had asked for a 10,000-euro penalty. Saviano’s legal team said they would appeal the verdict. In December 2020, before Meloni became prime minister, Saviano criticized the politician and her fellow far-right leader Matteo Salvini for their comments on migrant rescue charity vessels, referring …

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UK: Lull in Strikes Likely Means Russia is Saving Missiles for Winter

The British Defense Ministry said Friday that it has been 21 days since Russian Air Force Long Range Aviation launched a strike against Ukraine. There was a similar lull in strikes earlier this year, from March 9 to April 28. That 51-day break in strikes was “likely” due to a depleted stock of capable munitions after a winter campaign against Ukraine’s national infrastructure, the ministry said. However, the current break, according to the British ministry, is likely due to Russia “preserving existing stocks” of AS-23 missiles and using the time to increase “useable stocks” before heavy winter strikes against Ukraine. …

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7 Die in Suspected Migrant Smuggling Crash in Germany

German officials say seven people died, while several others were injured after a van, believed to have been driven by a suspected people-smuggler, overturned while trying to avoid being stopped by federal police.  Authorities say the driver lost control of the vehicle near Ampfing, east of Munich on the A94 highway, headed toward the Austrian border. The A94 is a known smuggling route.   More than 20 people, including children, were in the van. The Associated Press reported Syrians and Turks were in the van, and the driver was a stateless resident of Austria.  Europe has experienced a rise in migrant …

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