Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, currently imprisoned on corruption charges, was transported to the city’s main courthouse on Sunday for questioning in a newly initiated espionage investigation. The probe, launched two days prior, focuses on alleged connections between Imamoglu’s political campaign and an individual arrested in July for suspected intelligence activities on behalf of foreign states. Imamoglu’s former campaign manager, Necati Ozkan, and journalist Merdan Yanardag are also under scrutiny as part of the investigation. This marks the first time Imamoglu has left Istanbul’s Marmara Prison, where he has been held in pretrial detention since March, in seven months. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the courthouse to demonstrate solidarity with the opposition leader, who is widely seen as a political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Critics argue that the investigation is part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, particularly following significant gains by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in last year’s local elections. CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel addressed the crowd, vowing to continue democratic resistance against what he described as oppression and injustice. Faruk Kılıç, a 26-year-old electrician, expressed his determination to support Imamoglu, stating, ‘I believe these injustices will never cease, so I will offer my support till the very end.’ Erdogan’s government maintains that the judiciary operates independently and that the investigations are solely focused on corruption.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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Georgia arrests three for trying to illegally buy 2kg of uranium
Three Chinese nationals have been apprehended in Georgia on charges of attempting to illegally acquire 2 kilograms of uranium, according to the country’s State Security Service (SSG). The suspects allegedly planned to pay $400,000 for the nuclear material in Tbilisi, the capital, with intentions to transport it to China via Russia. The operation was uncovered by intelligence agents when one of the individuals attempted to purchase the radioactive substance on the black market. The trio pleaded not guilty in a Tbilisi court and have been detained to prevent their escape. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison under Georgian law, which prohibits the purchase of nuclear materials. Lasha Maghradze, deputy head of the SSG, revealed that the operation was allegedly coordinated by other members of the group in China. Footage released by the SSG shows armed soldiers detaining the suspects and discovering two glass jars containing a yellow substance in a car boot, later identified as uranium. The specific isotope of uranium involved remains unclear, as does the intended purpose of the material. Georgia, a former Soviet nation, has faced ongoing challenges in securing its nuclear materials since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. This incident follows a similar case in July, where the SSG arrested a Georgian and a Turkish national for attempting to trade $3 million worth of uranium.
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Irish President Higgins congratulates his successor Connolly
Catherine Connolly, an independent member of the Irish parliament (TD), has been elected as the 10th President of the Republic of Ireland following a historic landslide victory. Connolly secured an unprecedented 914,143 first preference votes, accounting for 63% of the total votes cast, the highest in Irish presidential election history. Her triumph was officially announced on Saturday evening at Dublin Castle, where she defeated Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys. Outgoing President Michael D. Higgins congratulated Connolly, describing the day as “momentous” and pledging his office’s “full support” ahead of her inauguration on November 11. However, the election also saw a record 213,738 spoiled votes, nearly 13% of the total, prompting calls for reflection on voter dissatisfaction and the limited candidate choices. Humphreys garnered 29% of first preference votes, while Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin, who withdrew from the race but remained on the ballot, secured 7%. BBC NI’s Dublin correspondent, Gabija Gataveckaite, noted that the high number of spoiled ballots sends a clear message to the government about the electorate’s discontent. Tánaiste Simon Harris acknowledged the issue, emphasizing the need for “soul searching” after a 46% voter turnout. Connolly, a TD since 2016, was supported by major left-wing parties, including Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and the Greens. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald expressed confidence that Connolly’s victory could pave the way for a left-wing coalition in the next general election. During her campaign, Connolly positioned herself as a proponent of a united Ireland, advocating for a border poll during her seven-year presidency. McDonald echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism that Connolly’s tenure would see significant progress toward this goal.
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Russia has tested a new nuclear-capable missile, Putin and top general say
MOSCOW, Russia — In a significant development for Russia’s military capabilities, President Vladimir Putin announced the successful testing of a new nuclear-capable cruise missile, the Burevestnik, which is designed to evade existing defense systems. The announcement was made during a meeting with senior military officials, as shown in a Kremlin-released video on Sunday. Dressed in camouflage fatigues, Putin was briefed by General Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s Chief of General Staff, who revealed that the missile had traveled 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) during a critical test on Tuesday. The Burevestnik, also known as the Storm Petrel, remained airborne for 15 hours, with Gerasimov noting that this was not its maximum capability. Putin emphasized the need to finalize the missile’s testing and prepare the necessary infrastructure for its deployment, asserting that its nearly unlimited range and unpredictable flight path render it invulnerable to current and future missile defenses. The announcement coincided with Russia’s strategic nuclear forces conducting drills on Wednesday, which included practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles from northwestern Russia and a submarine in the Barents Sea, as well as long-range cruise missile firings by Tu-95 strategic bombers. The Kremlin stated that the exercises aimed to evaluate the proficiency of military command structures.
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Suspects arrested over the theft of crown jewels from Paris’ Louvre museum
Paris authorities have apprehended suspects linked to the audacious theft of crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, as confirmed by the Paris prosecutor on Sunday. The arrests, made on Saturday evening, included one individual attempting to depart from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. While French media outlets BFM TV and Le Parisien reported two arrests, the prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, refrained from confirming the exact number or disclosing whether any stolen jewels had been recovered. The heist, which occurred last Sunday morning, saw thieves execute a meticulously planned operation in under eight minutes, making off with jewels valued at €88 million ($102 million). Utilizing a basket lift to scale the museum’s façade, the intruders forced open a window, shattered display cases, and fled with priceless Napoleonic-era treasures. The Louvre’s director lamented the incident as a “terrible failure.” Investigators from a specialized police unit dedicated to armed robberies, serious burglaries, and art thefts spearheaded the arrests. Beccuau expressed concern over premature information leaks, which could impede the efforts of over 100 investigators working to recover the stolen artifacts and apprehend all perpetrators. The Louvre has since reopened, but the theft has left a cultural wound likened to the 2019 Notre Dame Cathedral fire. Among the stolen items were a sapphire diadem, necklaces, earrings, and a reliquary brooch tied to 19th-century French royalty. One piece, Empress Eugénie’s emerald-set imperial crown, was discovered damaged but repairable outside the museum. The arrests have brought a sense of relief to Louvre visitors, though concerns remain about the recovery of the stolen jewels.
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London police arrest a sex offender and asylum-seeker mistakenly released from prison
In a significant lapse that has drawn widespread criticism, London police have re-arrested Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a convicted sex offender and asylum-seeker who was erroneously released from prison. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was apprehended in the Finsbury Park area of north London and will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service. This incident has sparked outrage, particularly given Kebatu’s prior notoriety for a sexual assault case earlier this year that fueled anti-migrant protests across the UK. Authorities were alerted on Friday afternoon that Kebatu, 38, had been mistakenly released from a prison in Chelmsford, Essex, and was seen boarding a train to London. Reports indicate he was incorrectly categorized as a prisoner due for release rather than being transferred to an immigration detention center. Kebatu had been sentenced in September to 12 months in prison for multiple offenses, including the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in Epping, just weeks after arriving in the UK by boat. His case has reignited debates over migration policies, with the government’s practice of housing asylum-seekers in hotels facing heavy scrutiny. The Prison Service has launched an investigation, and a prison officer involved in the error has been suspended. Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the incident as a ‘serious failure,’ emphasizing that Kebatu should have been deported rather than left at large. The episode has further intensified the already heated discourse on unauthorized migration in the UK.
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Two arrested over theft of jewels at Louvre, French media report
In a shocking incident that has left France reeling, two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the audacious theft of priceless crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris. According to reports from French media outlet Le Parisien, the individuals hail from Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, with one of them reportedly attempting to flee via Charles de Gaulle Airport. The heist, which unfolded last Sunday, saw four thieves armed with power tools infiltrate the museum during daylight hours, making off with treasures of incalculable value. The French Justice Minister has since acknowledged a significant lapse in security protocols, describing the incident as a stain on the nation’s reputation. The thieves, who arrived at 09:30 local time, utilized a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon via a balcony near the Seine. Surveillance footage revealed a ladder leading to a first-floor window, through which two of the intruders gained entry using power tools. Once inside, they threatened guards, prompting an evacuation, and proceeded to breach two display cases containing the jewels. A preliminary investigation has uncovered that one-third of the rooms in the targeted area lacked CCTV coverage. The entire operation lasted a mere four minutes, with the thieves escaping on two scooters at 09:38. In response, French authorities have heightened security measures around the country’s cultural institutions. This story is still developing, with further updates expected shortly.
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Kurdish rebel group PKK says it is withdrawing its fighters from Turkey to Iraq
In a significant development toward peace, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a militant Kurdish group, declared on Sunday its decision to withdraw its fighters from Turkey to Iraq. The announcement, made in northern Iraq, marks a pivotal step in the ongoing peace process between the PKK and Turkey. This move follows a symbolic ceremony months earlier where PKK fighters began laying down their weapons, signaling a commitment to de-escalation. The PKK, which has been engaged in a decades-long insurgency against Turkey since the 1980s, has been responsible for tens of thousands of deaths. The group’s statement, issued by Sabri Ok, emphasized the withdrawal of all forces to the Medya Defense Area in northern Iraq, a term frequently used by the PKK to describe its strongholds. The decision was made with the approval of Abdullah Ocalan, the group’s imprisoned leader, who has long advocated for peace. The statement also called for legal and political concessions to ensure the successful implementation of the peace process. Ocalan, imprisoned since 1999, had urged the PKK in February to convene a congress and formally disband and disarm, a move the group agreed to in May. Initially, the PKK’s insurgency aimed to establish an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey, but its objectives later shifted to advocating for Kurdish autonomy and rights within Turkey. Despite the PKK’s efforts toward peace, it remains designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
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Russia targets Kyiv with drones, killing 3 and wounding 29
In a devastating escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a barrage of drone strikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early Sunday, resulting in the deaths of three civilians and injuring at least 29 others, including seven children. This marked the second consecutive night of attacks targeting the city, underscoring the intensifying conflict. Among the victims were a 19-year-old woman and her 46-year-old mother, as confirmed by Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko. The assault caused significant damage, igniting fires in two residential buildings in the Desnianskyi district. Emergency teams worked tirelessly to evacuate residents from a nine-story and a 16-story building affected by the blazes. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russian forces deployed 101 drones overnight, with Ukrainian defenses successfully intercepting and neutralizing 90 of them. However, five strike drones managed to hit four locations, while debris from downed drones caused additional damage in five other areas. The attack followed a massive Russian missile and drone assault on Saturday, which claimed four lives, including two in Kyiv. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his urgent appeal for advanced Western air defense systems to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from relentless Russian aggression.
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The musician with 14 aliases and millions of listeners
Liam McCay, a 20-year-old musician from County Donegal, Ireland, has transformed from a part-time restaurant worker to a globally recognized artist with millions of monthly listeners on streaming platforms. Known primarily by his alias Sign Crushes Motorist, McCay has released music under 14 different names, each representing a unique creative endeavor. His journey began in his childhood bedroom, where he crafted songs under the name Moon Water while still in school. Over time, he expanded his repertoire, exploring genres like slowcore, acoustic, and even rap. Despite his success, McCay initially kept his music a secret, sharing it only on online forums and servers for new musicians. By 2023, several of his tracks had gained significant traction, with one peaking at number three on Billboard’s now-defunct TikTok Top 50 chart. After completing his school exams, McCay briefly pursued a degree in computer science at the University of Belfast but ultimately decided to focus on music full-time following a series of collaborations with other artists in the US. Now based in Los Angeles, McCay continues to release music independently, recently dropping an album under the name Dead Calm. While industry professionals have advised him to consolidate his work under a single alias, McCay remains committed to his diverse creative identities, believing it adds an element of discovery for his fans.