BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaPutin gifts luxury Aurus car to North Korea’s KimPublished32 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The carmaker’s website describes the Aurus as Russia’s first full-size luxury sedanBy Robert GreenallBBC NewsRussian President Vladimir Putin has given North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a luxury Russian-made car.Pyongyang’s state media said the limousine was delivered to Mr Kim’s top aides on Sunday.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later confirmed the gift, saying it was an Aurus, a full-sized luxury sedan of the type used by Mr Putin himself.The two internationally isolated countries have forged close relations since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.North Korea is thought to be supplying Russia with artillery, rockets and ballistic missiles for the war, despite international sanctions on both countries. Both sides deny breaching sanctions.Mr Putin welcomed Mr Kim to the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Russian Far East last September, in what was his first trip abroad in four years.Image source, ReutersImage caption, President Putin (left) and Kim Jong Un met in September for their first face-to-face in four yearsDuring that visit, the North Korean leader inspected Mr Putin’s own Aurus Senat limousine and was invited to get in the back seat. They also swapped guns as gifts.Kim Jong-un is believed to be a car enthusiast and to have a collection of luxury foreign vehicles.Kim’s sister Yo Jong said the “gift serves as a clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the top leaders” of the two countries, in remarks quoted by North Korean state news agency KCNA.But South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the gift breached UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea, which prohibit supplies of certain categories of vehicle including luxury cars.Kim and Putin go public – but is it all a show? Putin and Kim: Friends in need (of ammunition)Inside Kim Jong Un’s luxury bulletproof trainThe BBC’s Steve Rosenberg in Moscow says that while the two leaders’ personal relationship is hardly a bromance – unlike that between Mr Kim and former US President Donald Trump – they both see the benefits of closer ties.Both Russia and North Korea have indicated that Mr Putin will visit Pyongyang in the near future.Related TopicsKim Jong UnRussiaVladimir PutinNorth KoreaMore on this storyKim and Putin go public – but is it all a show?Published15 September 2023Kim Jong Un extends Russia visit by several daysPublished14 September 2023The US wants to talk to North Korea but doesn’t know howPublished14 September 2023Kim and Putin discuss possible military cooperationPublished14 September 2023Putin and Kim: Friends in need (of ammunition)Published12 September 2023Top StoriesCameron government knew Post Office ditched Horizon IT investigationPublished10 hours agoStrictly dancer Robin Windsor dies aged 44Published54 minutes agoNavalny’s widow is strong but return to Russia would be highly riskyPublished6 hours agoFeatures’Evacuating was a mistake’: Israelis push to return to border homesHow Russia has rebranded Wagner in AfricaOne of UK’s ‘most advanced’ vertical farms opensWho is Julian Assange and why is he facing extradition?Boarders: ‘We all have to code switch to survive in life’Navalny’s widow faces daunting challengeThe Papers: Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensiveHow an asbestos scare has sent Sydney scramblingLyse Doucet: Rafah deadline raises stakes as Ramadan nearsElsewhere on the BBCA dream holiday turns into a nightmareEverything changes for Karl Williams when he is busted with a kilo of drugsAttributioniPlayerCan dental chews really clean your dog’s teeth?Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who’s an expert in dental careAttributionSoundsEveryone has something to hide…When Sabine’s body is found beneath the cliffs, her sister is convinced she was murderedAttributionSoundsGet to know Cillian Murphy through musicThe Golden Globes and BAFTA-winning actor shares what he’d take with him to a desert islandAttributionSoundsMost Read1Strictly dancer Robin Windsor dies aged 442Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine ‘shot dead’3Government knew Post Office ditched Horizon probe4Brightest and hungriest black hole ever detected5Putin gifts luxury car to North Korea’s Kim6TV presenter’s rail rant leads to apology7Navalny’s widow faces daunting challenge8Probe after ‘Israel’ crossed out on birth certificate9’Too high’ baby milk prices to be investigated10Germany World Cup winner Brehme dies aged 63AttributionSport

[ad_1] The Kremlin says it was an Aurus, a full-sized sedan of the type used by the Russian president himself.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaRussian pilot Maxim Kuzminov who defected to Ukraine ‘shot dead’ in SpainPublished5 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, EPAImage caption, Maxim Kuzminov defected from Russia in August 2023 by flying his helicopter over the border with UkraineBy Laura GozziBBC NewsThe body of a man who was shot dead in Spain is believed to be that of a Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine last year.In August, Maxim Kuzminov flew a helicopter into Ukrainian territory, where he handed himself in.Spanish police have not publicly confirmed the identity of the man, who was killed near Alicante last week.However, Ukrainian intelligence confirmed Mr Kuzminov’s death on Monday. A spokesperson told the Ukrainian outlet Ukrayinska Pravda: “We confirm the fact of his death… He decided to move to Spain rather than remain here. “What we know is that he invited his ex-spouse to join him and then he was found shot to death.”Spanish authorities told the BBC that the victim may have been living under a false identity.According to Spanish news agency Efe, Mr Kuzminov’s body was found near a property in the town of Villajoyosa on Spain’s eastern coast alongside documentation matching his nationality, but with a different name.A burnt-out car apparently used by the attackers was found near the scene of the crime, the intelligence agency’s press service told the outlet.Mr Kuzminov reportedly contacted the Ukrainian secret service to inform them of his decision to defect sometime last year.”Operation Synytsia” eventually saw him fly his Mi-8 helicopter over the border and land it in eastern Ukraine on 9 August. Two other people on board, who had been unaware of Mr Kuzminov’s plans, were shot dead when they started running back towards the border after the helicopter landed. Mr Kuzminov, who was also shot in the leg, blamed Russian forces for the killings. During a news conference in September, Mr Kuzminov said he switched sides because he opposed Russia’s war on Ukraine. He also said that Ukraine promised him $500,000 (£397,000) in state payments, new documents and protection for his family.Ukrainian authorities said they had offered Mr Kuzminov the opportunity to stay in Ukraine. The secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, said: “He would definitely have been protected here. And I don’t think that they have behaved as disgracefully here as they did in Spain,” he said.There has been no official comment from Russian authorities, although on Tuesday, Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, said: “That traitor and criminal was a moral corpse.”A few months after Mr Kuzminov defected, Russian state TV showed a man said to be a Russian intelligence officer saying: “I don’t think he’ll live long enough to face trial.”Related TopicsWar in UkraineSpainMore on this storyRussian defector who fled on foot speaks to BBCPublished12 June 2023Top StoriesCameron government knew Post Office ditched Horizon IT investigationPublished9 hours agoStrictly dancer Robin Windsor dies aged 44Published38 minutes agoNavalny’s widow is strong but return to Russia would be highly riskyPublished5 hours agoFeatures’Evacuating was a mistake’: Israelis push to return to border homesHow Russia has rebranded Wagner in AfricaOne of UK’s ‘most advanced’ vertical farms opensWho is Julian Assange and why is he facing extradition?Boarders: ‘We all have to code switch to survive in life’Navalny’s widow faces daunting challengeThe Papers: Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensiveHow an asbestos scare has sent Sydney scramblingLyse Doucet: Rafah deadline raises stakes as Ramadan nearsElsewhere on the BBCA dream holiday turns into a nightmareEverything changes for Karl Williams when he is busted with a kilo of drugsAttributioniPlayerCan dental chews really clean your dog’s teeth?Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who’s an expert in dental careAttributionSoundsEveryone has something to hide…When Sabine’s body is found beneath the cliffs, her sister is convinced she was murderedAttributionSoundsGet to know Cillian Murphy through musicThe Golden Globes and BAFTA-winning actor shares what he’d take with him to a desert islandAttributionSoundsMost Read1Strictly dancer Robin Windsor dies aged 442Government knew Post Office ditched Horizon probe3Probe after ‘Israel’ crossed out on birth certificate4Lion kills zookeeper at Nigerian university5Navalny’s widow faces daunting challenge6Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensive7Brightest and hungriest black hole ever detected8Bowel cancer checks for anyone with inherited risk9Russia detains US-Russian woman on treason charge10LGBT veteran in ‘last battle’ for navy ban compensation

[ad_1] Maxim Kuzminov – who fled Russia on a military helicopter – was found dead in Spain, according to reports.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaChina coast guard caused ‘panic’ by boarding tourist boat, says TaiwanPublished39 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Kinmen lies just 3km away from China’s south-eastern coast, placing it on the frontline of tensions between China and Taiwan.By Kelly NgBBC NewsTaiwan has accused China’s coast guard of triggering “panic”, after six Chinese officials briefly boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat.They checked the ship’s route plan, certificate and crew licenses, and left half an hour later.It comes less than a week after a Chinese fishing boat was pursued by Taiwan’s coast guard in the same area. The boat later capsized, killing two. Beijing later said it would step up patrols in the Kinmen archipelago.Kinmen lies just 3km(1.86 mi) away from China’s south-eastern coast, placing it on the frontline of tensions between China and Taiwan.China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually, be part of the country, and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this. But Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland. “We think it has harmed our people’s feelings and triggered people’s panic. That was also not in line with the interest of the people across the strait,” Kuan Bi-ling, head of Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, said of the incident, which happened late afternoon on Monday. The sightseeing vessel was carrying 11 crew members and 23 passengers, some of whom said they were nervous and worried they “would not be able to return to Taiwan”. “I was quite shocked and very anxious,” said a female passenger in a video posted on China Times.Ms Kuan said it was common for Chinese and Taiwanese tourist boats to enter the other side’s waters by accident, adding that: “Boats like these are not illegal at all.”The military will not “actively intervene” in the incident to avoid escalating tensions, Taiwan’s Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told reporters in parliament on Tuesday.”Let’s handle the matter peacefully,” he said. Last week, two Chinese fishermen drowned while being chased by the Taiwanese coastguard off Kinmen.Taipei said the fishing boat trespassed into Taiwanese waters and the four fishermen on board resisted an inspection. Their boat capsized when authorities gave chase.Chinese state media said the families of the two survivors had arrived on Kinmen on Tuesday to bring them home. Beijing “strongly condemned” the incident, saying it “seriously hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait”.Related TopicsAsiaChinaTaiwanFishing industryMore on this storyTwo Chinese fishermen die in sea chase by TaiwanPublished5 days agoLove and longing across the Taiwan Strait: The view from ChinaPublished11 JanuaryThe dark rumours trying to destroy Taiwan’s trust in USPublished8 JanuaryTop StoriesCameron government knew Post Office ditched Horizon IT investigationPublished8 hours agoStrictly dancer Robin Windsor dies aged 44Published6 minutes agoRussia accused of executing prisoners of war in AvdiivkaPublished7 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensive’Evacuating was a mistake’: Israelis push to return to border homesHow Russia has rebranded Wagner in AfricaNavalny’s widow faces daunting challengeOne of UK’s ‘most advanced’ vertical farm opensWho is Julian Assange and why is he facing extradition?Boarders: ‘We all have to code switch to survive in life’Lyse Doucet: Rafah deadline raises stakes as Ramadan nearsThe unprecedented case of a migrant manslaughter trialElsewhere on the BBCA dream holiday turns into a nightmareEverything changes for Karl Williams when he is busted with a kilo of drugsAttributioniPlayerCan dental chews really clean your dog’s teeth?Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who’s an expert in dental careAttributionSoundsEveryone has something to hide…When Sabine’s body is found beneath the cliffs, her sister is convinced she was murderedAttributionSoundsGet to know Cillian Murphy through musicThe Golden Globes and BAFTA-winning actor shares what he’d take with him to a desert islandAttributionSoundsMost Read1Strictly dancer Robin Windsor dies aged 442Government knew Post Office ditched Horizon probe3Probe after ‘Israel’ crossed out on birth certificate4Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensive5Russia accused of executing prisoners of war in Avdiivka6Lion kills zookeeper at Nigerian university7Bowel cancer checks for anyone with inherited risk8LGBT veteran in ‘last battle’ for navy ban compensation9Navalny’s widow faces daunting challenge10US zoo extracts 70 coins from white alligator

[ad_1] “We think it has harmed our people’s feelings and triggered people’s panic. That was also not in line with the interest of the people across the strait,” Kuan Bi-ling,…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaLion kills zookeeper at Nigeria’s Obafemi Awolowo UniversityPublished37 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinarian technologist, had been taking care of the university’s lions for nine years (file photo)By Basillioh RukangaBBC NewsA zookeeper at a Nigerian university has been killed by one of the lions he had been looking after for close to a decade.Olabode Olawuyi, who was in charge of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) zoo, was attacked as he was feeding the lions, the OAU said. His colleagues were unable to save him as “the wild cat had already caused severe fatalities”, the university added in a statement.The lion has since been put down.The zookeeper, a veterinary technologist, had been “taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about nine years ago”.”But, tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them,” the OAU said.Nigerians on social media have been sharing graphic images of the incident at the federal government-owned university in Osun state, in the south-west.The news of the incident is said to have sent the university community into mourning.The university sent a team to the family of the deceased to console them.Its vice-chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, said he was “saddened” by the incident and ordered a thorough investigation “into the immediate and remote causes of the incident”.The university students’ union leader, Abbas Akinremi, told Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper that the attack was caused by “human error” after the zookeeper had forgotten to lock the door after feeding.He described the incident as unfortunate, while paying tribute to the deceased zookeeper as a “good and humble man, who attended to us nicely whenever we went to the zoo”.Read more on this topic:Animals fear human voices more than lions – study’One of the world’s oldest wild lions’ killedGhana zoo: Lions maul man to death in AccraRelated TopicsNigeriaTop StoriesCameron government knew Post Office ditched Horizon IT investigationPublished7 hours agoRussia accused of executing prisoners of war in AvdiivkaPublished6 hours agoNavalny’s widow faces daunting challengePublished3 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensive’Evacuating was a mistake’: Israelis push to return to border homesHow Russia has rebranded Wagner in AfricaNavalny’s widow faces daunting challengeOne of UK’s ‘most advanced’ vertical farm opensWho is Julian Assange and why is he facing extradition?Boarders: ‘We all have to code switch to survive in life’Lyse Doucet: Rafah deadline raises stakes as Ramadan nearsThe unprecedented case of a migrant manslaughter trialElsewhere on the BBCA dream holiday turns into a nightmareEverything changes for Karl Williams when he is busted with a kilo of drugsAttributioniPlayerCan dental chews really clean your dog’s teeth?Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who’s an expert in dental careAttributionSoundsEveryone has something to hide…When Sabine’s body is found beneath the cliffs, her sister is convinced she was murderedAttributionSoundsGet to know Cillian Murphy through musicThe Golden Globes and BAFTA-winning actor shares what he’d take with him to a desert islandAttributionSoundsMost Read1Government knew Post Office ditched Horizon probe2Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensive3US zoo extracts 70 coins from white alligator4Probe after ‘Israel’ crossed out on birth certificate5Bowel cancer checks for anyone with inherited risk6Russia accused of executing prisoners of war in Avdiivka7LGBT veteran in ‘last battle’ for army ban compensation8Navalny’s widow faces daunting challenge9Hacker group’s site taken over by law enforcement10Lion kills zookeeper at Nigerian university

[ad_1] The veterinarian technologist had been taking care of the university’s lions for nine years.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaWagner in Africa: How the Russian mercenary group has rebrandedPublished50 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, AFPBy Joe Inwood & Jake TacchiBBC Newsnight & BBC Eye InvestigationsRussia is offering governments in Africa a “regime survival package” in exchange for access to strategically important natural resources, a major new report has found. Internal Russian government documents, seen by the BBC, also detail how it is working to change mining laws in West Africa, with the ambition of dislodging Western companies from an area of strategic importance. This is part of the process of the Russian government taking over the businesses of the Wagner mercenary group, broken up after a failed coup in June 2023. The multibillion dollar operations are now mostly being run as the Russian “Expeditionary Corps”, managed by the man accused of being behind the attempt to murder Sergei Skripal using the Novichok nerve agent on the streets of the UK – a charge Russia has denied.”This is the Russian state coming out of the shadows in its Africa policy,” says Jack Watling, land warfare specialist at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) and one of the report’s authors.Back in June 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin was probably the most feared and famous mercenary in the world. His Wagner Group was in control of billions of dollars’ worth of companies and projects, while his fighters were central to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Then, he decided to march on Moscow, ostensibly calling for the removal of the defence minister and head of the general staff, but in reality threatening President Vladimir Putin in a way no-one had before.Within weeks he had died in a highly suspicious plane crash, along with much of the Wagner leadership. There was widespread speculation at the time about what would happen to the Wagner Group. Now, we have the answer. According to Dr Watling, “there was a meeting in the Kremlin fairly shortly after Prigozhin’s mutiny, in which it was decided that Wagner’s Africa operations would fall directly under the control of Russian military intelligence, the GRU”.Control was to be handed to Gen Andrey Averyanov, head of Unit 29155, a secretive operation specialising in targeting killings and destabilising foreign governments.But it seems Gen Averyanov’s new business was not destabilising governments, but rather securing their future, as long as they paid by signing away their mineral rights. In early September, accompanied by deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Gen Averyanov began a tour of former Wagner operations in Africa. They started in Libya, meeting warlord Gen Khalifa Haftar. Their next stop was Burkina Faso where they were greeted by 35-year-old coup leader Ibrahim Traoré.After that, they landed in the Central African Republic, possibly the most well-established Wagner operation on the continent, before heading to Mali to meet the leaders of the junta there.Image source, AFPImage caption, This banner in the Central African Republic reads: Russia is Wagner, we love Russia and we love WagnerOn a subsequent trip they also met General Salifou Modi, one of the military men who seized power in Niger last year.Readouts of the various meetings demonstrate that the two men were reassuring Wagner’s partners on the continent that the demise of Prigozhin did not mean the end of his business deals. Reports of the meeting with Capt Traoré of Burkina Faso confirmed cooperation would continue in “the military domain, including the training of Burkinabe officer cadets and officers at all levels, including pilots in Russia”.In short, the death of Prigozhin did not mean the end for the junta’s relationship with Russia. In some ways, it would become deeper still.The three West African states with close links to Wagner – Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso – have all experienced military takeovers in recent years. They have since announced their withdrawal from the regional bloc Ecowas, and the creation of their own “Alliance of Sahel States”. Maybe the most entwined with the mercenaries was Mali, where an ongoing Islamist insurgency, combined with multiple coups, had left an essentially failed state. Previously, security assistance had come in the form of the UN mission known as Minusma, alongside the French military’s long-running counter-insurgency operation.But there was no particular fondness for France, the former colonial power, and so when the Wagner group offered to replace their security operations with Russian backing, the offer was accepted. “The French were tolerated, rather than welcomed,” says Edwige Sorgho-Depagne, an analyst of African politics who works for Amber Advisers. “The French mandate to help in the terror crisis in the Sahel was always regarded as limited in time. So, the fact that the French stayed for that long – over 10 years – without finding a way to end the crisis didn’t help”.Image source, TelegramImage caption, These flowers commemorating Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin were laid at a monument to Russian mercenaries in CARBeyond pragmatism, there was also nostalgia. “In these countries, Russia is not a new ally. Russia was there before in the 1970s and 1980s.” “There’s this dream of getting back to a better time, which is often associated with the relationship with Russia.”But for the military juntas running these countries, Russia’s military presence has obvious benefits.”Initially, these juntas were transitional leaders. They were supposed to organise elections and bring about a return to democratic institutions.””But now Russian paramilitaries are brought in to protect the military junta, allowing them to stay as long as they want.”The junta ordered the French forces to leave and Mali is now largely dependent on Wagner for its internal security, a change that is having an immediate impact on ordinary Malians. “What the Russians have provided is a strike force, with helicopters with advanced capabilities and a lot of firepower,” says Dr Watling. “They are using pretty traditional Soviet anti-partisan methods. You see fighters who were executed, as well as civilians targeted for enabling or being associated with fighters.”There have been multiple claims that Wagner forces carried out human rights abuses on the African continent, as well as in Ukraine and Syria, where Prigozhin’s organisation previously held a commanding presence. One of the most well-documented incidents took place in the central Malian town of Moura where, according to a UN report, at least 500 people are believed to have been summarily executed by Malian troops and “armed white men”, who eyewitnesses described as speaking an “unknown language”.While independent verification has not been possible, Human Rights Watch identified the unknown white attackers as Russian mercenaries. Image source, TelegramImage caption, A hundred Russian military specialists arrived in Burkina Faso, along with equipment and weapons last month, with more expected soonIn exchange for considerable, if brutal, security assistance, Wagner required something in return.Mali, like many African nations, is rich in natural resources – from timber and gold to uranium and lithium. Some are simply valuable, while others have strategic importance as well.According to Dr Watling, Wagner was operating in a well-established tradition: “There is a standard Russian modus operandi, which is that you cover the operational costs with parallel business activity. In Africa, that is primarily through mining concessions.”In every country in which it operates, Wagner was reported to have secured valuable natural resources using these to not only cover costs, but also extract significant revenue. Russia has extracted $2.5bn (£2bn) worth of gold from Africa in the past two years, which is likely to have helped fund its war in Ukraine, according to the Blood Gold Report.This month, Russian fighters – formerly Wagner mercenaries – took control of Mali’s Intahaka gold mine, close to the border with Burkina Faso. The artisanal mine, the largest in northern Mali, had been disputed for many years by various armed groups active in the region. But there is something else, with potential geopolitical significance. “We are now observing the Russians attempting to strategically displace Western control of access to critical minerals and resources,” says Dr Watling. In Mali, the mining code was recently re-written to give the junta greater control over natural resources. That process has already seen an Australian lithium mine suspend trading on its shares, citing uncertainty over the implementation of the code.While lithium and gold mines are clearly important, according to Dr Watling there is possibly an even greater strategic headache around the corner: “In Niger the Russians are endeavouring to gain a similar set of concessions that would strip French access to the uranium mines in the country.”Image source, AFPImage caption, Many Malians earn their living by mining goldThe report details internal Russian memos focussed on trying to achieve in Niger what was done in Mali. If Russia managed to gain control of West Africa’s uranium mines, Europe could be left exposed once again to what has often been called Russian “energy blackmail”.France is more dependent on nuclear power than any other country in the world, with 56 reactors producing almost two-thirds of the country’s energy. About a fifth of its uranium is imported from Niger. There have previously been complaints about the terms of trade, with suggestions that the former colonial power exploits nations like Niger.”The narrative that Russia is pushing is that Western states remain fundamentally colonial in their attitude,” says Dr Watling. “It’s very ironic because the Russian approach, which is to isolate these regimes, capture their elites and to extract their natural resources, is quite colonial.”In reality, the “Expeditionary Corps” appears more as “Wagner 2.0”, than a radical departure for Russian foreign policy. Prigozhin had built deep political, economic and military ties on the African continent – dismantling this complex web would have been difficult and ultimately counter-productive.The “Expeditionary Corps” is operating in the same countries, with the same equipment and – it seems – with the same ultimate goal. According to Dr Watling, the fundamental change lies in “the overtness with which Russia is pursuing its policy”. Prigozhin’s Wagner Group had always provided Russia with a level of plausible deniability in operations and influence abroad. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many in the Western security apparatus say that Russia’s mask has slipped. “What they are looking to do is to exacerbate our crises internationally. They are trying to start fires elsewhere, and expand those that already exist, making a less safe world,” Dr Watling. “Ultimately, it weakens us in the global competition that we are currently facing. So the impact is not immediately felt, but over time, it is a serious threat.”You may also be interested in:Inside Wagner’s African ‘success story’What is Russia’s Wagner mercenary group? ‘France takes us for idiots’ – Inside coup-hit NigerWhy young Africans are celebrating military takeoversWas Prigozhin a dead man walking? Related TopicsCentral African RepublicRussiaLibyaBurkina FasoMaliAround the BBCBBC Focus on Africa podcastTop StoriesCameron government knew Post Office ditched Horizon IT investigationPublished6 hours agoRussia accused of executing prisoners of war in AvdiivkaPublished5 hours agoNavalny’s body ‘to be held for two weeks’Published6 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensive’Evacuating was a mistake’: Israelis push to return to border homesHow Russia has rebranded Wagner in AfricaNavalny’s widow faces daunting challengeOne of UK’s ‘most advanced’ vertical farm opensWho is Julian Assange and why is he facing extradition?Boarders: ‘We all have to code switch to survive in life’Lyse Doucet: Rafah deadline raises stakes as Ramadan nearsThe unprecedented case of a migrant manslaughter trialElsewhere on the BBCA dream holiday turns into a nightmareEverything changes for Karl Williams when he is busted with a kilo of drugsAttributioniPlayerCan dental chews really clean your dog’s teeth?Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who’s an expert in dental careAttributionSoundsEveryone has something to hide…When Sabine’s body is found beneath the cliffs, her sister is convinced she was murderedAttributionSoundsGet to know Cillian Murphy through musicThe Golden Globes and BAFTA-winning actor shares what he’d take with him to a desert islandAttributionSoundsMost Read1Government knew Post Office ditched Horizon probe2US zoo extracts 70 coins from white alligator3Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensive4Navalny’s body ‘to be held for two weeks’5Probe after ‘Israel crossed out on birth certificate’6Bowel cancer checks for anyone with inherited risk7Russia accused of executing prisoners of war in Avdiivka8LGBT veteran in ‘last battle’ for army ban compensation9Illegal abortion investigations rising, BBC told10Hacker group’s site taken over by law enforcement

[ad_1] Russia has taken the mercenary group into its intelligence services, using it to destabilise Africa.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaLionel Messi defends HK absence as China backlash continuesPublished21 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Messi responds to ‘false stories’ amid China backlashBy Nicholas YongBBC News, SingaporeLionel Messi has highlighted his “special” ties with China, as he continues to face anger from Chinese fans for missing a game in Hong Kong.In a video on social media site Weibo, Messi maintained an injury had led him to sit out the match on 4 February.Messi played in Japan just days after that Hong Kong friendly, enraging fans in China, where he is hugely popular.The backlash against the 36-year-old Argentine superstar has dragged on for weeks.Chinese officials have cancelled two Argentina friendlies due to take place in the country in March.The world champions were set to face Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing. But football authorities in the Chinese capital said: “Beijing does not plan, for the moment, to organise the match in which Lionel Messi was to participate,” The Hangzhou sports bureau also said the match it was hosting had been called off for “the reasons that everyone knows”.Messi mania grips crowd at China’s Workers’ StadiumMessi remained on the bench throughout the match held in Hong Kong, citing injury. State media outlet Global Times accused the footballer and his club Inter Miami of “political motives” with the aim of “embarrassing” the Chinese Special Administrative Region.But in the Weibo video posted on Monday, the Argentine rejected claims that he skipped play for “political reasons” as “totally untrue”. Stressing his “special affection” for the people of China, he added: “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even travelled to Japan or visited China as many times as I have.”He repeated his claim that he could not play in Hong Kong due to an inflamed adductor muscle. “I tried to train and made an effort for all those who’d come to watch training,” he said. “I did all I could. I also went along to the football clinic with all the kids. But I really couldn’t play. I felt discomfort and there was a risk it’d get worse.”Messi’s Weibo post, his second attempt at explaining his absence from the match, has so far attracted some 55,000 comments. Some were sceptical. One comment read: “Sorry is indeed a very difficult word to say”.Still some were supportive. One comment read: “I know you love China, I will always support you for what you have done for us”.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Messi enraged Chinese fans when he failed to take to the field during a friendly in Hong KongSome 38,000 fans at the Hong Kong Stadium booed and demanded refunds when Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham addressed the crowd at the end of the match. They had paid up to HK$4,880 (£494; $624) to watch Messi. They have since been promised a 50% refund by match organisers Tatler Asia.The territory’s chief executive John Lee said he was extremely disappointed by Messi’s absence and called for an explanation from match organisers. Other officials like Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip also reacted with fury, claiming that “Hong Kong people hate Messi, Inter-Miami, and the black hand behind them” for the “deliberate and calculated snub”.Just last year, Messi received a rock star welcome in Beijing when he played for his country in a friendly against Australia. Some 68,000 fans paid up to $680 for the chance to see him in action. He is also a spokesperson for big Chinese brands such as Huawei, Chery, Tencent, Mengniu, Chishui River Wine and J&T Express.Related TopicsAsiaChinaHong KongMore on this storyChina cancels Argentina games amid Messi backlashAttributionSportPublished10 FebruaryChina fury as Messi plays after missing Hong Kong gamePublished8 FebruaryTop StoriesCameron government knew Post Office ditched Horizon IT investigationPublished5 hours agoRussia accused of executing prisoners of war in AvdiivkaPublished4 hours agoNavalny’s body ‘to be held for two weeks’Published5 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensiveLyse Doucet: Rafah deadline raises stakes as Ramadan nearsThe unprecedented case of a migrant manslaughter trialWatch Baftas 2024 best bits… in two minutes. VideoWatch Baftas 2024 best bits… in two minutesWho is Julian Assange and why is he facing extradition?Boarders: ‘We all have to code switch to survive in life’Michael J Fox brings audience to tears at BaftasDo half of schools ban mobile phones?’Hearing my children’s laughter is like torture’Elsewhere on the BBCA dream holiday turns into a nightmareEverything changes for Karl Williams when he is busted with a kilo of drugsAttributioniPlayerCan dental chews really clean your dog’s teeth?Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who’s an expert in dental careAttributionSoundsEveryone has something to hide…When Sabine’s body is found beneath the cliffs, her sister is convinced she was murderedAttributionSoundsGet to know Cillian Murphy through musicThe Golden Globes and BAFTA-winning actor shares what he’d take with him to a desert islandAttributionSoundsMost Read1Government knew Post Office ditched Horizon probe2Navalny wife blames Putin and US’s move to block Rafah offensive3US zoo extracts 70 coins from white alligator4Navalny’s body ‘to be held for two weeks’5Bowel cancer checks for anyone with inherited risk6Russia accused of executing prisoners of war in Avdiivka7LGBT veteran in ‘last battle’ for army ban compensation8Row deepens between Badenoch and ex-Post Office chair9US man sues lottery after being told $340m win is error10Hacker group’s site taken over by law enforcement

[ad_1] Just last year, Messi received a rock star welcome in Beijing when he played for his country in a friendly against Australia. Some 68,000 fans paid up to $680…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaTrump faces a $370m fine in New York fraud trial. How would he pay it?Published3 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Former President Donald Trump speaks to the press before closing arguments at his civil fraud trial in New YorkBy Nada Tawfik, Madeline Halpert, & Kayla EpsteinBBC News, New YorkThe future of Donald Trump’s family business may be decided on Friday when a New York judge is expected to deliver a verdict in his civil fraud trial. The former president, his adult sons and his namesake company have already been found liable for fraudulently inflating the value of assets in statements to lenders. Prosecutors have asked the judge to fine Mr Trump $370m (£291m) and to put restrictions on his ability to conduct business in the state. That’s a lot of money, even for a billionaire. Legal experts told the BBC that a penalty that large, coupled with a potential final verdict that may greatly impact his real estate empire, could deliver a serious blow to Mr Trump’s finances.”He’s not going to suddenly become working class,” said former federal prosecutor Diana Florence. “But it’s just going to be a lot of cash. His fortune will be significantly reduced.”Why could Trump be fined $370 million?The New York Attorney General Letitia James told the court that $370m was the appropriate amount the Trumps should pay in disgorgement, a financial penalty that involves paying back the money gained through fraudulent means.She calculated the sum based on three factors: money Mr Trump allegedly earned in interest rate savings on loans due to misstating his assets; “bonuses” paid to Trump Organization employees who participated in the scheme; and profit realised from two property deals that Ms James alleges were obtained fraudulently.It is up to Judge Arthur Engoron to determine the financial penalties when he delivers his ruling. A guide to Trump’s four criminal casesWhatever the amount, Mr Trump would also have to pay annual interest on that fine, dating back several years to when the alleged offences took place. New York’s 9% interest rate means Mr Trump might have to pay an additional nine-figure sum on top of the penalty.Mr Trump denies committing fraud and says there was no crime because the banks made money on his investments. He is expected to launch an appeal, which would put the verdict on hold until a higher court reviews the case. But if he wants to avoid paying the fine or have personal assets seized while the appeal process plays out, he still has to deposit the full amount to be held by the court within 30 days.A punishing amount – but not a ruinous oneOne calculation from Forbes Magazine put Mr Trump’s total net worth at $2.6bn. The New York Attorney General’s Office estimated his annual net worth at $2bn in 2021. Based on those estimates, a penalty of $370m would cost Mr Trump roughly 15-18% of his wealth. On top of this looming penalty, however, he already owes the writer E Jean Carroll $83.3 million in damages from a separate defamation case that concluded in January. His legal fees are also mounting as he battles four criminal cases at the federal and state level.These combined financial burdens may constitute more cash than Mr Trump has available. Legal experts say he has several potential options.Image source, Shannon Stapleton-Pool/Getty ImagesImage caption, Judge Arthur EngoronTrump could secure a bond, but it will cost himTo avoid paying everything upfront, Mr Trump could try to secure a bond – a third-party guarantee that he can pay the full fine. That would cost him many more millions, with added interest and fees. He would also likely be required to put up collateral.To secure a bond from a bonding company, a person typically needs to put up about 10% of the total amount owed, Steven Cohen of the New York Law School explained. So if Mr Trump owed $370m in disgorgement, he might have to pay a bond company $37m (£29m) to issue the bond. And he will not get that fee back.Trump could sell assets to raise enough cashIn a deposition in this case, Mr Trump said he had $400m in cash on hand (the BBC could not verify that sum independently). With his other legal liabilities and fees, however, that would not be enough to cover a new $370m fine.”He’s got to think about what to do with his assets, how to perhaps liquidate businesses to come up with that money,” said Sarah Kristoff, a former federal prosecutor. Much of Mr Trump’s fortune is tied to his real estate ventures. Forbes found his New York real estate empire to be valued at $490m (£384m) including his flagship condominium skyscraper, Trump Tower, worth $56m (£44m) by the outlet’s count. The many lives of Trump TowerHis portfolio includes many other properties around the country, with golf courses, condominium towers, hotels and even a winery. His stake in the Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the Truth Social messaging platform and is pursuing a public listing, is estimated to be worth almost $4bn. But how investors value that firm has swung wildly in recent months; and under the terms of the deal, he would not be allowed to sell shares to raise money right away. “Something is going to have to be sold or realised in order to get the money to pay for that kind of cost,” said William Thomas, a professor at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.Image source, Seth Wenig-Pool/Getty ImagesImage caption, New York Attorney General Letitia James sits behind Donald Trump in court during closing argumentsTrump could ask his loyal supporters for the moneyMr Trump may also turn to the massive fundraising engine he uses to pay his tens of millions in legal fees. According to the New York Times, 10% of every dollar that is raised from his supporters goes to pay for his defence in his civil and criminal trials.He has used two political action committees – Save America, which has been his primary vehicle for legal fees, and Make America Great Again, which funds his presidential bid – to raise money to cover the costs of these trials, even though such structures are typically used for political purposes. These entities are separate from his official presidential campaign account.Between his first indictment in March of 2023 to the end of the year, his Save America political action committee spent nearly $40m on lawyers and other related fees, Forbes calculated.Under federal campaign finance rules, Mr Trump could potentially use Save America to pay a court-ordered penalty, said Shanna Ports, a senior counsel at the Campaign Legal Center. He would not be allowed to make this payment with official campaign funds, she added.But fundraising might not be practical in Mr Trump’s case anyway, attorneys told the BBC.A large penalty would “create a real cash-flow crunch for him to come up with nine figures in cash in very short order,” said former federal prosecutor Michel Epner. He added it would be an extraordinary amount to fundraise from his supporters in a brief time period.According to filings with the Federal Election Commission, his Save America PAC started the new year with $5m in cash on hand. Mr Trump will only get a clearer picture of what this means for his business and personal fortune when Judge Engoron delivers his final ruling. But no matter how he chooses to pay, any major penalty will likely cause serious financial headaches for the former president.”Trump, for all of his misrepresentations and lies about his wealth, really is a wealthy person,” said Mr Thomas, the business professor. “But most people don’t have $400m lying around.”If you’re in the UK, sign up here.And if you’re anywhere else, sign up here.Related TopicsDonald TrumpMore on this storyA guide to Trump’s four criminal casesPublished1 day agoThe many lives of Trump TowerPublished4 JanuaryTrump blasts judge as New York fraud trial nears endPublished11 JanuaryTop StoriesLive. Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny dead, says prison serviceJob not done despite huge poll wins over Tories, says StarmerPublished19 minutes agoChris Mason: Tory gloom deepens after double poll blowPublished1 hour agoFeaturesAlexei Navalny, Russia’s most vociferous Putin criticAlexei Navalny jokes in January video from penal colony. VideoAlexei Navalny jokes in January video from penal colonyWeekly quiz: Who could join Sinéad in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?John Curtice: By-elections leave Tories ‘with mountain to climb’ London Fashion Week celebrates 40 years of posingMillions of donkeys killed each year to make medicineXbox games on Nintendo and PlayStation: Is the console war over?Trump faces a $370m fine. How would he pay it?Will TikTok help take Saltburn from bathtubs to Baftas?Elsewhere on the BBCCutting through the headlines…Inside the real world of drug users and dealers in the UK todayAttributioniPlayerCan dental chews really clean your dog’s teeth?Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who’s an expert in dental careAttributionSoundsTime-travelling back to 1984 through the BBC archivesHits from Wham!, U2, Madonna, Lionel Richie and moreAttributioniPlayerThe Swedish furniture king’s billionaire lifestyleDeconstructing IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad and his eccentric way of livingAttributionSoundsMost Read1Harry speaks for the first time about King’s cancer2Amy Schumer hits back at comments about her face3Tory gloom deepens after double poll blow4Brian Wilson’s family seeks conservatorship5Shephard and Deeley named This Morning hosts6Six taken to hospital as migrants found in lorry7Jury told Emma Caldwell accused committed ‘appalling’ crimes8Methane mega-leak exposed in Kazakhstan9Putin critic Navalny, 47, dies in Arctic Circle jail10Millions of donkeys killed each year to make medicine

[ad_1] A New York judge is expected to rule in a civil fraud trial that threatens his family’s business empire.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaCambodia jails Taiwanese YouTuber for fake kidnapPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Cambodian National PoliceImage caption, The two men were paraded in front of the media along with props found in their room.By George WrightBBC NewsA Taiwanese YouTuber has been jailed in Cambodia for attempting to stage his own abduction with a friend.Chen Neng-chuan was arrested with his friend, Lu Tsu-hsien, after posting a video of them apparently being detained and beaten up by security guards in the port city of Sihanoukville. The area has become notorious for gangs kidnapping people and then forcing them to carry out online scams.Both men have been sentenced to two years in prison.The pair were arrested after Chen – known online as Goodnight Chicken – posted videos on Monday, in which they claimed they had been kidnapped and needed help. The following day, Chen’s wife announced on social media that her husband had gone missing. He then posted another video claiming they were fleeing the kidnappers and said he had been injured in the ordeal, with part of his head shaved.But online sleuths quickly started casting doubt on the story.Online influencer Liu Yu managed to pinpoint Chen’s location using the footage he had posted, and showed that Chen appeared to have circled an area instead of running away as he claimed. He also questioned why his abductors would have allowed him to keep his equipment for live streaming. Soon after, the pair were arrested in their hotel room. They were then paraded in front of the media along with props found in their room. The provincial court said on Friday that they had been found guilty on charges of “incitement to cause chaos to social security”.The provincial government said the men produced videos with “fake content that affects the honour, order, and security” of the province.They were both handed two-year sentences and ordered to pay a combined fine of around $2,000 (£1,590).Lured and trapped into scam slavery in South East AsiaOnline scam-related human trafficking is a huge problem in Cambodia, and Sihanoukville is one of the worst areas for it. A UN report released last year estimated that around 100,000 people had been forced into working these scams in the country. Most victims are men from Asia, but some have come from further afield such as Africa and Latin America.Related TopicsCambodiaTaiwanMore on this storyLured and trapped into scam slavery in South East AsiaPublished21 September 2022Hundreds of thousands forced to scam in SE Asia: UNPublished30 August 2023Top StoriesLive. Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny dead, says prison serviceLive. Tories suffer two by-election defeats with big swings to LabourChris Mason: Tory gloom deepens after double poll blowPublished57 minutes agoFeaturesAlexei Navalny, Russia’s most vociferous Putin criticAlexei Navalny jokes in January video from penal colony. VideoAlexei Navalny jokes in January video from penal colonyWeekly quiz: Who could join Sinéad in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?John Curtice: By-elections leave Tories ‘with mountain to climb’ London Fashion Week celebrates 40 years of posingMillions of donkeys killed each year to make medicineXbox games on Nintendo and PlayStation: Is the console war over?Trump faces a $370m fine. How would he pay it?Will TikTok help take Saltburn from bathtubs to Baftas?Elsewhere on the BBCCutting through the headlines…Inside the real world of drug users and dealers in the UK todayAttributioniPlayerCan dental chews really clean your dog’s teeth?Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who’s an expert in dental careAttributionSoundsTime-travelling back to 1984 through the BBC archivesHits from Wham!, U2, Madonna, Lionel Richie and moreAttributioniPlayerThe Swedish furniture king’s billionaire lifestyleDeconstructing IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad and his eccentric way of livingAttributionSoundsMost Read1Harry speaks for the first time about King’s cancer2Amy Schumer hits back at comments about her face3Six taken to hospital as migrants found in lorry4Brian Wilson’s family seeks conservatorship5Tory gloom deepens after double poll blow6Shephard and Deeley named This Morning hosts7Jury told Emma accused committed ‘appalling’ crimes8Putin critic Navalny, 47, dies in Arctic Circle jail9Methane mega-leak exposed in Kazakhstan10Millions of donkeys killed each year to make medicine

[ad_1] The influencer was detained after claiming to have been abducted in the port city of Sihanoukville.

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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaCould you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Could you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersCloseJury selection is under way in Donald Trump’s New York City hush-money trial, with hundreds of people selected as potential jurors.They must answer a questionnaire to determine, among other things, if they can be impartial about the former president.The BBC asked some of those questions to Manhattan residents.SubsectionUS & CanadaPublished50 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreCould you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New Yorkers. Video, 00:02:16Could you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished50 minutes ago2:16Up Next. A view from inside court for Trump’s blockbuster trial. Video, 00:01:15A view from inside court for Trump’s blockbuster trialSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished19 hours agoUp Next1:15Press, police and protesters: Outside Trump courthouse. Video, 00:01:12Press, police and protesters: Outside Trump courthouseSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished1 day ago1:12Trump’s ‘perp walk’ moment explained in 60 seconds. Video, 00:01:00Trump’s ‘perp walk’ moment explained in 60 secondsSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished31 March 20231:00Editor’s recommendationsCopenhagen stock exchange engulfed by huge fire. Video, 00:01:03Copenhagen stock exchange engulfed by huge fireSubsectionEuropePublished12 hours ago1:03Moment spire collapses at Copenhagen stock exchange. Video, 00:00:43Moment spire collapses at Copenhagen stock exchangeSubsectionEuropePublished11 hours ago0:43Dormice ladders built in the Forest of Dean. Video, 00:00:51Dormice ladders built in the Forest of DeanSubsectionGloucestershirePublished1 day ago0:51Liz Truss: The world was safer under Trump. Video, 00:00:35Liz Truss: The world was safer under TrumpSubsectionUK PoliticsPublished22 hours ago0:35Huge fires blaze along Miami highway. Video, 00:00:33Huge fires blaze along Miami highwaySubsectionUS & CanadaPublished12 hours ago0:33Watch: Georgia opposition leader punches MP during debate. Video, 00:00:34Watch: Georgia opposition leader punches MP during debateSubsectionEuropePublished21 hours ago0:34Wheelie bins fly and a caravan overturns in strong wind. Video, 00:00:24Wheelie bins fly and a caravan overturns in strong windSubsectionStoke & StaffordshirePublished1 day ago0:24Hannah Waddingham calls out demanding paparazzi. Video, 00:00:28Hannah Waddingham calls out demanding paparazziSubsectionEntertainment & ArtsPublished1 day ago0:28Endangered California condor chicks hatched in LA. Video, 00:01:28Endangered California condor chicks hatched in LASubsectionUS & CanadaPublished1 day ago1:28

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityUKEnglandN. IrelandScotlandAlbaWalesCymruIsle of ManGuernseyJerseyLocal NewsFirst product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealedPublished11 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Meghan pictured at a polo match in Florida last weekBy Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondentA first glimpse of the new business venture from the Duchess of Sussex has been teased on social media, with pictures of a jar of strawberry jam.In a bid to preserve a sense of mystery, the jam from the new American Riviera Orchard brand seemed to be spread among friends and influencers.Fashion designer Tracy Robbins posted a picture of the jam on Instagram.It was numbered “17 of 50”, suggesting the number of recipients of this first fruit of the new business.The arrival of Meghan’s new California-based lifestyle brand had been signalled on social media last month and this suggests that it will be selling food products.What do we know about Meghan’s new brand?Five things about Harry and Meghan’s brand revampWhy did Harry and Meghan leave the Royal Family?There seemed to be have been something of a re-launch for Meghan and husband Prince Harry’s brands and businesses this year, beginning with the overhaul of their regal-looking website under the sussex.com label.Their latest projects seem to be moving away from a previous focus on their time as working royals, such as their Netflix film Harry and Meghan and Prince Harry’s memoir Spare.The hint about the strawberry jam from Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard brand seems to fit with the couple’s latest Netflix plans.Meghan is going to launch a Netflix show which will “celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining, and friendship”.Prince Harry will be involved in another Netflix venture showing the inside track on the world of polo. That’s the equestrian sport, not the mints.Delfina Blaquier, married to Prince Harry’s polo-playing friend Nacho Figueras, also posted a picture of the new jam, with hers labelled “10 of 50”.The social media trail for American Riviera Orchard evokes a sense of the couple’s home in California – and this soft launch for the jam show pictures of the jars in a sunny basket of lemons.It’s not known how much items from the new lifestyle brand will cost. Although there are already plenty of other royals getting into jams. Visitors to the gift shops in royal palaces can get a Buckingham Palace Strawberry Preserve for £3.95 or Windsor Castle Fine Cut Seville Orange Marmalade, also for £3.95.On both sides of the Atlantic they seem to be conserving their finances.Related TopicsUK Royal FamilyMeghan, Duchess of SussexMore on this storyWhat we know about Meghan’s regal lifestyle brandPublished16 MarchMeghan launches surprise new lifestyle brandPublished14 MarchTop StoriesMPs back smoking ban for those born after 2009Published8 minutes agoMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished2 hours agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished7 hours agoFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlinePlaying Coachella after cancer emotional, says DJHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Nursery boss ‘killed baby she strapped to beanbag’2Birmingham Airport flights disrupted by incident3Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge4First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed5MPs back smoking ban for those born after 20096Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference7Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames8Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline9Marten a ‘lioness’ who ‘loved her cubs’, court told10Sons of McCartney and Lennon release joint single

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSupreme Court hears 6 Jan case that may hit Trump trialPublished2 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS Capitol riotsImage source, Brent StirtonImage caption, Hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol after holding a “Stop the Steal” rally on 6 January, 2021By Nadine YousifBBC NewsThe US Supreme Court have begun hearing a case that could undo charges for those who stormed the Capitol in 2021. It focuses on whether a 2002 federal law created to prevent corporate misconduct could apply to individuals involved in the 6 January riots. More than 350 people have been charged in the incident under that law, which carries a 20-year prison penalty.Donald Trump faces the same charge in the pending federal case accusing him of election interference. The law makes it a crime to “corruptly” obstruct or impede an official proceeding. On Tuesday, Supreme Court Justices heard two hours of arguments over the law’s interpretation. However, it remained unclear how they would rule. A lawyer for a man who stormed the Capitol and was prosecuted under the law argued before the Justices that “a host of felony and misdemeanour” crimes already exist to prosecute his clients actions.The 2002 law passed in the wake of the Enron accounting scandal, Jeffrey Green said, was not one of them. US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar counterargued that rioters deliberately attempted “to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the election,” therefore obstructing an official proceeding. Both fielded sceptical questions from the Justices. At one point, Mr Green argued that there is no historical precedent in which the law was used to prosecute demonstrators.Justice Sonia Sotomayor replied: “We’ve never had a situation before where (there was an attempt) to stop a proceeding violently, so I am not sure what a lack of history proves.”On the other hand, Ms Prelogar fielded questions from Justice Neil Gorusch on whether the law could then be stretched to apply to a “sit-in that disrupts a trial” or “a heckler” at the State of the Union Address. “Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in federal prison?” he asked, appearing to reference an incident in which Jamaal Bowman, Democrat House representative, pressed a fire alarm in the Capitol.How the top court rules could have wide-ranging effects on the hundreds of people charged, convicted or sentenced under the law, as well as the prosecution of Mr Trump. Here is a breakdown of the key players and the law being argued: What is the 2002 federal law at the centre of the trial?The law is called the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. It was passed in response to the Enron scandal in the early 2000s, after it was exposed that those involved had engaged in massive fraud and shredding documents. It criminalizes the destruction of evidence – like records or documents. But it also penalises anyone who “otherwise obstructs, influences or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.” How has it been used in response to the 6 January riots?Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) has brought obstruction charges against those who participated in the storming of the Capitol. Federal prosecutors argue they did so to impede Congress’ certification of the presidential electoral vote count to cement Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election. Therefore, the latter portion of the law that deals with obstructing an “official proceeding” would apply, the DoJ says. Who is challenging the law’s use in this case, and why? The Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to the law’s application brought forward by a former Pennsylvania police officer.Joseph Fischer was charged under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with obstruction of a congressional proceeding on 6 January, as well as assaulting a police officer and disorderly conduct. His lawyers argue that prosecutors overreached with applying the Act, which they say deals explicitly with destroying or tampering with evidence integral to an investigation. Those who challenge the law’s application in 6 January cases also argue that a broad interpretation of the law would allow the prosecution of lobbyists or protestors who disrupt matters in Congress.How could the Supreme Court ruling impact Trump?The former president is charged under the very same law in a federal case accusing him of working to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Mr Biden.If Supreme Court justices rule that the law does not apply to the 6 January rioters, Mr Trump could seek dismissal of half the charges he faces in that case.It also could be seen as a political win for the former president, who is seeking re-election in November, as he repeatedly has accused prosecutors of overreach. A final ruling is not expected until June. Related TopicsUS Capitol riotsDonald TrumpMore on this storySupreme Court to hear appeal over Capitol riot chargePublished13 December 2023A very simple guide to Trump’s indictmentsPublished25 August 2023Supreme Court asked to rule on Trump’s immunityPublished12 December 2023Top StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished1 hour agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished5 hours agoNo liberty in addiction, says health secretary on smoking banPublished4 minutes agoFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? 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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaNational Conservatism Conference: Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels eventPublished4 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Nigel Farage said the decision to shut the conference down was as an attempt to stifle free speechBy Nick Beake in Brussels and Laura GozziBBC NewsBrussels police have been ordered to shut down a conference attended by right-wing politicians across Europe, including Nigel Farage and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.Organisers say the National Conservatism Conference in the Belgian capital is continuing, but guests are no longer allowed to enter. Local authorities had raised concerns over public safety.A UK spokeswoman called reports of police action “extremely disturbing”. She said that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was a “strong supporter and advocator for free speech” and that he was “very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result”.Alexander De Croo, the Belgian prime minister, said that the shutting down of the conference was “unacceptable”.Referring to the fact that it was the local mayor, Emir Kir, who opposed the conference, Mr De Croo added that while municipal autonomy was a cornerstone of Belgium’s democracy it could “never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech”. “Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop,” Mr De Croo wrote on X.In a message to organisers, Mr Kir had said some of the attendees of Tuesday’s conference held anti-gay and anti-abortion views. “Among these personalities there are several particularly from the right-conservative, religious right and European extreme right,” his statement said.Mr Kir also wrote on X: “The far right is not welcome.”Nigel Farage, who took to the stage this morning, told the BBC the decision to close down the conference because there were homophobes in the audience was “cobblers”, and that he condemned the decision as an attempt to stifle free speech. “Thank God For Brexit”, he said.Organised by a think-tank called the Edmund Burke Foundation, the National Conservatism Conference is a global movement which espouses what it describes as traditional values, which it claims are being “undermined and overthrown”. It also opposes further European integration.The conference said it aimed to bring together “public figures, journalists, scholars and students” who understood the connection between conservatism and the idea of nationhood and national traditions. French far-right politician Eric Zemmour, arriving for the conference after police had blocked the entrance, told journalists that Mr Kir was “using the police as a private militia to prevent… Europeans from taking part freely”.Organisers said Mr Zemmour was not allowed into the venue and that his address would be postponed.Former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and far-right French politician Eric Zemmour were listed as keynote speakers. The National Conservatism Conference reportedly started around 08:00 (06:00 GMT) on Tuesday and carried on for three hours until police showed up and asked the organisers to make attendees leave.Later, organisers wrote on X: “The police are not letting anyone in. People can leave, but they cannot return. Delegates have limited access to food and water, which are being prevented from delivery. Is this what city mayor Emir Kir is aiming for?”Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki were due to speak tomorrow. Earlier, the organisers said on X that they would challenge the order to shut the conference down. “The police entered the venue on our invitation, saw the proceedings and the press corps, and quickly withdrew. Is it possible they witnessed how peaceful the event is?,” they wrote on X.The Claridge event space – located near Brussels’s European Quarter – can host up to 850 people. Around 250 people were in attendance on Tuesday afternoon.Mohamed Nemri, the owner of Claridge, told the BBC he had decided to host the event because “we don’t reject any party…. even if we don’t have the same opinion. That’s normal”.”I am Muslim and people have different opinion and that’s it. We are living in a freedom country. I’d like to people to talk freely,” he added.It is the third venue that was supposed to hold the event, after the previous two fell through. Belgian media reported that one venue pulled out after pressure by a group called the “Antifascist coordination of Belgium”.Related TopicsBelgiumTop StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished43 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished5 hours agoLive. US expects to impose further sanctions on Iran ‘in the coming days’FeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed3Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference4Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline5Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9Sons of McCartney and Lennon release joint single10Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaNasa says part of International Space Station crashed into Florida homePublished40 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, NASAImage caption, The recovered object was part of a stanchion used to mount batteries to a cargo palletBy Max MatzaBBC NewsUS space agency Nasa confirmed that an object that crashed into a home in Florida earlier this month was part of the International Space Station (ISS). The metal object was jettisoned from the orbiting outpost in March 2021, Nasa said on Monday after analysing the sample at the Kennedy Space Center.The 1.6lb (0.7kg) metal object tore through two layers of ceiling after re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Homeowner Alejandro Otero said his son was nearly injured by the impact. Nasa said the object was part of some 5,800lbs of hardware that was dumped by the station after it had new lithium-ion batteries installed. “The hardware was expected to fully burn up during entry through Earth’s atmosphere on March 8, 2024. However, a piece of hardware survived and impacted a home in Naples, Florida,” the agency said.The debris was determined to be part of a stanchion used to mount batteries on a cargo pallet. The object, made from metal alloy Inconel, has dimensions of 4in by 1.6in (10.1cm by 4cm).Mr Otero told CBS affiliate Wink-TV that the device created a “tremendous sound” as it blasted into his home.”It almost hit my son. He was two rooms over and heard it all,” he said.”I was shaking. I was completely in disbelief. What are the chances of something landing on my house with such force to cause so much damage,” Mr Otero continued.”I’m super grateful that nobody got hurt.”According to Nasa, the ISS will “perform a detailed investigation” on how the debris survived burn-up.What’s the risk of being hit by falling space debris?Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s more space junkSpace junk has been a growing a problem. Earlier this month, sky watchers in California watched mysterious golden streaks moving through the night sky.US officials later determined that the light show was caused by burning debris from a Chinese rocket re-entering earth’s orbit.In February, a Chinese satellite known as “Object K” burned up as it re-entered the atmosphere over Hawaii.Last year, a barnacle-covered giant metal dome found on a Western Australian beach was identified as a component of an Indian rocket. There are plans to display it alongside chunks of Nasa’s Skylab, which crashed in Australia in 1979. This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Object thought to be a satellite burns up on re-entering Earth’s atmosphereRelated TopicsSpace debrisNasaFloridaUnited StatesMore on this storyIs it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s more space junkPublished3 AprilRobot dog trains to walk on Moon in Oregon trialsPublished3 days agoTop StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished50 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished4 hours agoLive. US expects to impose further sanctions on Iran ‘in the coming days’FeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed3Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference4Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline5Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care10Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice forever

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaFormer Marine jailed for nine years for bombing abortion clinicPublished7 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS abortion debateImage source, CBSBy Max MatzaBBC NewsA former US Marine has been jailed for nine years for firebombing a California Planned Parenthood clinic and plotting other attacks to spark a “race war”.Chance Brannon, 24, pleaded guilty to the March 2022 attack on the healthcare clinic, which provides abortions in some of its locations.He also plotted to attack Jewish people and an LGBT pride event taking place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. At the time of his arrest, he was an active duty member of the US Marines. Prosecutors said Brannon was a neo-Nazi who frequently spoke of “cleansing” the US of “particular ethnic groups”. In November, Brannon pleaded guilty to conspiracy, destruction of property, possession of an explosive and intentionally damaging a reproductive health services facility.Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, said the attack “was designed to terrorise patients seeking reproductive healthcare and the people who provide it”.The explosion damaged the front entrance to the clinic in Costa Mesa, Orange County. No one was injured.However, Mehtab Syed, of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said Brannon’s “deep-rooted hatred and extremist views… could have killed innocent people”. Mr Syed added that Brannon plotted to rob Jewish residents in the Hollywood Hills, and had also discussed plans to attack the power grid. Further to this, in 2022, Mr Syed said Brannon, of San Juan Capistrano, placed calls to two US “adversaries” hoping to offer himself as a “mole” providing US intelligence.Two co-defendants, Tibet Ergul and Xavier Batten, have pleaded guilty to similar charges and will be sentenced next month.According to the National Abortion Federation, a group representing US abortion providers, there was a “sharp increase” in violence against clinics in 2022. Related TopicsAbortionUS abortion debateUnited StatesCaliforniaMore on this storyWhat is Planned Parenthood?Published25 September 2015Top StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished53 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished3 hours agoLive. Israel demands sanctions on Iranian missile projectFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference3Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism4First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed5Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9William to return to duties after Kate diagnosis10Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care