Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a bill that raises income taxes for the rich, part of efforts to help fill government coffers depleted by the war in Ukraine. The tax hikes were being presented domestically as “systemic reforms”. Issued on: 12/07/2024 – 18:12 2 min Advertising Read more Russian President Vladimir Putin on … Read more
Fact: Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime on Thursday when a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.
Tens of thousands of Russians who fled to Turkey after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine have been leaving due to residency issues and soaring costs. The number of Russians with Turkish resident permits fell to 96,000, down by more than a third from 154,000 at the end of 2022. Many have headed to Serbia and Montenegro. Turkish inflation hit 70% last month, and basic banking has become difficult due to sanctions. Some Russians have also left due to struggles to get residence permits since early 2023.
The Soviet Union influenced Akel to reject a solution plan proposed by the US, UK, and Canada for the Cyprus problem in 1976. The Soviet Union did not want the Cyprus problem to be solved by a US initiative, as it would strengthen the US’s prestige in the region and maintain tension in Greece-Turkey relations.
Georgia’s parliament passed a “foreign agents” bill in its final reading, which now goes to President Salome Zourabichvili for approval. The bill requires organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. Critics have compared the bill to Russian legislation and have called for further protests. The European Union has warned that the bill could hinder Georgia’s integration with the bloc. Despite opposition, the ruling party in Georgia insists that the bill is necessary for transparency and to combat foreign influence.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that a planned military exercise involving the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in southern Russia and Belarus is not unusual and is part of regular training. This exercise was announced in response to perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko mentioned that this is the third such training exercise between the two countries. Russia and the United States hold the majority of the world’s nuclear warheads, with Russia having around 1,558 non-strategic nuclear warheads. There is uncertainty about the exact nature of the weapons supplied to Belarus and how they are stored. The Pentagon noted that there has been no change in Russia’s strategic nuclear forces despite the rhetoric surrounding the exercises.
Putin was honored like a Russian tsar at his swearing-in for a new six-year presidential term. He indicated that Russia is prepared for victory in Ukraine and is willing to engage in dialogue with the West, but only if there is no arrogance from the United States and its allies. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has strained relations between Russia and the West, with the West viewing Putin as an autocrat and war criminal. Despite criticism of the election process, Putin remains popular in Russia, winning 88% of the vote in the March election. The West boycotted his swearing-in ceremony, but Russian officials dismissed this as insignificant. Putin’s allies praise him for bringing stability to Russia, and there is no clear successor to him.
French right-wing lawmaker Jean-Paul Garraud expects nationalist and eurosceptic parties to gain influence in the upcoming EU assembly election. Polls predict radical right parties will increase their seats across the EU, including France, Germany, and Italy. Garraud anticipates far-right parties could have positions in committees or even hold key roles in the European Parliament, allowing them to influence policies related to green initiatives, free trade, and immigration. The rise of radical right parties is fueled by a growing gap between mainstream parties and distrustful voters, as well as concerns over issues such as the cost of living, illegal migration, and changing geopolitical dynamics. Critics warn that the influence of the hard right could weaken Europe and potentially lead to closer ties with China and Russia.
Ukraine will eventually need to enter into talks with Russia to end their more than two-year-old war, according to Major-General Vadym Skibitsky. Both sides are preparing for potential negotiations, with the earliest possible start in the second half of 2025. Ukraine is planning a peace summit in Switzerland in June, with the goal of uniting countries before potentially including Russia in talks. Russian President Putin believes Ukraine is blocking a settlement, while Ukrainian President Zelenskiy sees the June meeting as a chance to begin restoring peace.
Roberto Carnero, an Italian literature professor, was shocked when his critical essay on Pier Paolo Pasolini was heavily censored by a Russian publisher. The publisher, AST, removed about 70 pages out of 400 from the book, citing anti-gay propaganda laws. Despite concerns, the publisher defended the redactions as an “artistic statement” and the book sold out its initial print run. The censorship highlights the crackdown on LGBT rights in Russia under Putin’s rule, with activists facing serious consequences for their advocacy. Carnero, reflecting on the irony of the situation, noted that Pasolini, known for his outspoken activism, would have likely opposed such censorship.