Results for: World

A staffer working for a German Member of the European Parliament (MEP) has been arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of espionage for China. The accused, identified as Jian G., was detained in Dresden. The identity of the MEP remains undisclosed, but Der Spiegel magazine has linked the suspect to Maximilian Krah of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. The suspect allegedly worked with Krah since 2019 and resided in both Brussels and Dresden. The accused is scheduled to appear before a judge at Germany’s Federal Court of Justice, where a decision will be made on an arrest warrant and pre-trial detention. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has labeled the allegations as ‘extremely serious,’ asserting that such acts are an assault on European democracy. The AfD party has expressed concern, calling for patience in the ongoing investigation. The arrest comes amidst heightened scrutiny of espionage activities and follows the detention of three German nationals for alleged collaboration with China’s MSS.

At least five individuals perished in an attempt to cross the English Channel, according to French media reports. This tragic incident occurred just hours after the UK Parliament granted approval to the controversial migrant deportation bill. The victims’ bodies were discovered on Wimereaux beach in northern France on Tuesday. Human rights organizations have condemned the legislation as cruel and inhumane, expressing concerns that it will only exacerbate the risks faced by migrants resorting to desperate measures to escape persecution or poverty.

A new study by Apple, the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the American Heart Association has revealed a surge in marathon participation around the world. Over 1,500 runners participated in a total of 2,623 marathons between November 2019 and January 2024, with October and November being the most popular months for races. The study highlights the growing interest in long-distance running and analyzes training habits, with half of the participants completing the marathon distance in 90 days or less.

A Russian man, Ruslan Khammatov, has accused Russian soldiers of torturing him after mistaking him for a Ukrainian spy. The incident took place near a key airbase, and Khammatov was subjected to horrific treatment, including physical assault, threats of sexual violence, and false accusations. Despite his protests of innocence and evidence on his phone indicating his pro-Russian stance, the soldiers continued their violent interrogation, leaving him battered and bloodied. The situation took a bizarre turn when the soldiers realized their mistake but chose to cover it up by coercing Khammatov to lie to the traffic police about the circumstances of his injuries. The police, complicit in the deception, fined him for a minor offense instead of addressing the human rights violations he had suffered.

Former Manchester United and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho suggests that the increase in physicality in Manchester City’s team was a significant factor in their Champions League triumph last season. Despite domestic success under Pep Guardiola, City had consistently failed to secure the Champions League trophy. However, in the 2022/23 season, they defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the final, completing a remarkable treble-winning campaign. Mourinho points to the presence of multiple central defenders in City’s lineup, a tactic that has also been adopted by Arsenal in their Premier League title challenge.

Former US President Donald Trump’s criminal trial commenced today, with opening statements delivered to the jury. The highly-anticipated trial stems from allegations of incitement to riot during the January 6th, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

A New York judge has ruled that prosecutors can cross-examine former President Donald Trump on prior judgments and gag order violations in the hush money trial. The ruling comes as a setback for Trump, who has repeatedly claimed he will testify, but his legal team may now reconsider after the new ruling.

The UK Parliament has passed the Rwanda Bill, a landmark migration legislation that aims to deter illegal immigration and break the business model of people smugglers. Under the bill, asylum seekers arriving in the UK after January 1, 2022, could be deported to Rwanda while their claims are processed. The proposal has sparked controversy and legal battles, with rights groups accusing Rwanda of human rights abuses. Despite the legal challenges, the UK has already paid Rwanda £240 million. The bill also includes provisions to disregard certain human rights laws, raising concerns among legal experts.

Manchester City and Manchester United’s U18 teams will face off in the Premier League Cup final on Tuesday, following City’s defeat in the league title race to United. While the players are seeking revenge, coaches aim to focus on delivering a strong performance and potentially securing millions in transfer fees through cup victories.

European companies operating in Russia face challenges as the EU eliminates an exemption allowing professional services to be provided to their Russian subsidiaries. This measure aims to limit Kremlin funding for military efforts. The new sanctions may force companies to seek Russian providers or relocate services outside the EU.