Here is the situation as it stands on Saturday, March 25, 2023: Conflict The United Nations has said it is “deeply concerned” by what it decried as summary executions of prisoners of war by both Russian and Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia wants to create demilitarised buffer zones around areas of Ukraine it has annexed, which he added may require pushing deeper into Ukraine if such zones cannot be established. An estimated 10,000 Ukrainians, many elderly and with disabilities, are clinging to life in horrific conditions in and around the besieged city of Bakhmut,…
Author: National Tone
Rodolphe Jaar faces charges of conspiring to murder or kidnap President Jovenal Moise and providing support to the plot.A dual Haitian and Chilean citizen has pleaded guilty to three charges related to a plot to assassinate former Haitian President Jovenel Moise, marking the first guilty plea in a United States investigation into the 2021 killing. Rodolphe Jaar, 50, appeared in court on Friday to face criminal charges in Moise’s shooting, including conspiracy to commit murder or kidnap and conspiracy to provide material support to carry out the assassination plot. Moise was killed in his home in July 2021. Jaar is…
More than 500 firefighters battle blaze that has forced 1,500 residents from their homes.Spain’s first major wildfire of the year has destroyed more than 30sq km (11.5sq miles) of forest and forced 1,500 residents to abandon their homes, authorities said. The evacuations took place in eastern Valencia on Thursday and Friday, state television RTVE reported, citing officials. More than 500 firefighters supported by 18 planes and helicopters worked throughout the night and on Friday to tackle the blaze near the village of Villanueva de Viver. Emergency services evacuated eight communities, said Gabriela Bravo, the regional head of interior affairs. Power…
Crowds have protested plans to overhaul Israel’s judiciary as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited his British counterpart, Rishi Sunak, in London. Hundreds of demonstrators shouted “shame” in Hebrew and waved signs calling for the defence of Israeli democracy as Netanyahu arrived at 10 Downing Street on Friday for discussions that focused on the war in Ukraine and concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. One placard in London read: “We are Israelis and Jews living in the UK demonstrating against Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is leading a judicial coup turning Israel into a dictatorship.” Some women wore red robes and white caps…
A United Nations independent commission of inquiry has held a second series of public hearings as part of its mandate to investigate human rights violations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The five-day hearings in Geneva, which ended on Friday, focused on the shrinking space for civil society and on attacks against human rights defenders, activists, lawyers and journalists. Among those who gave their testimonies to the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, were the colleagues and relatives of slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. The 51-year-old veteran TV reporter was…
The Premier League has referred Everton to an independent commission for an alleged breach of its profitability and sustainability rules.The alleged breach is in relation to the period ending with the 2021-22 season. In a club statement, Everton said they were “disappointed to hear of the Premier League’s decision.”The club strongly contests the allegation of non-compliance and together with its independent team of experts is entirely confident that it remains compliant with all financial rules and regulations.”Everton is prepared to robustly defend its position to the commission. The club has, over several years, provided information to the Premier League in…
Claressa Shields will not face Savannah Marshall or Natasha Jonas in her next fight, promoter Ben Shalom confirmed.Shields became undisputed middleweight champion after she won her spectacular fight with Savannah Marshall in October of last year. “We offered her a rematch in the UK, she doesn’t want to fight in the UK which is fair enough,” promoter Ben Shalom told Sky Sports.Shields has also been linked with a move down to super-welterweight to return to Britain to box unified 154lb champion Natasha Jonas. But that will not be Shields’ next fight.”I think that they’re looking at an option in the…
DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY, Rusesabagina, who was serving a 25-year sentence in Rwanda on ‘terrorism’ charges, is expected to be released on Saturday.Paul Rusesabagina, who was portrayed as a hero in the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda and was serving a 25-year sentence in Rwanda on “terrorism” charges, has had his sentence commuted by presidential order. A governnment spokesperson told Al Jazeera on Friday that the decision came after a request from Rusesabagina for clemency. “No one should be under any illusion about what this means, as there is consensus that serious crimes were committed, for which they were convicted,” the spokesperson…
For Jose Guerra Ferrer, a Havana-based industrial engineer, “the economic situation in Cuba is bad”. “I hope it can be addressed by the new parliament,” he says, with reference to national assembly elections this weekend. In recent years, Cuba’s parliament has implemented gradual policy adjustments to try and ease economic constraints and that is Guerra Ferrer’s hope with the country’s upcoming elections. The country’s highest political body is assembled through committees such as trade unions and student organisations. Once candidates, most of whom are members of the Communist Party of Cuba, or PCC, are nominated, they can confirm their choice…
SANDVIKEN, Sweden — Canada’s Kerri Einarson scored a 10-4 decision over Turkey’s Dilsat Yildiz to move one step closer to the playoff round at the women’s world curling championship on Friday. The Manitoba-based team of Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard and Briane Harris ended the match against Turkey (5-6) with a double takeout that scored four in the eighth end. Canada improved to 7-4 with the victory and moved into a third place tied with Norway at the 13-team tournament. Canada was set to close out round-robin play later Friday against Denmark’s Madeleine Dupont. A win over Demark (3-7) would…