Russia jails major general for six years over fraud at military theme park
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Leaders
an hour ago
- Leaders
Moscow Downplays Expectations for Upcoming Ukraine Peace Talks
Moscow on Tuesday once again tempered expectations for the upcoming peace talks with Ukraine as the Kremlin did not confirm the date for a meeting in Istanbul, which Ukraine had scheduled for Wednesday. This announcement follows the Kremlin's statement on Monday, indicating that both sides remain far apart in their visions for resolving the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for over three years. As tensions escalate, both nations continue to exchange drone and missile strikes. During a regular briefing, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed skepticism about the talks. He stated, 'We don't have any reason to hope for some miraculous breakthroughs,' reflecting the Kremlin's cautious outlook regarding the negotiations. Ukraine's Proposed Discussion Topics In contrast, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined potential topics for discussion, who emphasized Kyiv's readiness to secure the release of captives, return abducted children, halt the killings, and prepare for a leaders' meeting. These proposals highlight Ukraine's commitment to finding common ground despite the ongoing hostilities. Moscow acknowledged that 'a lot of work lies ahead' before any meaningful discussions could occur between Putin and Zelensky, who last met in 2019, and the Kremlin's recent comments suggest that significant obstacles remain. Ukraine announced that its ex-defence minister and current secretary of the security council, Rustem Umerov, will lead Kyiv's delegation during the talks on Wednesday. The Kremlin has only stated that it hopes talks could occur 'this week.' Peskov added, 'As soon as we are ready, we will make an announcement regarding the dates.' This ambiguity leaves many questions about the future of the negotiations. Previous Talks Yielded Little Progress In the last round of talks, Moscow's delegation was led by Vladimir Medinsky, a hawkish historian and head of the Russian Union of Writers, whom was criticized by Ukraine, describing him as a puppet with no real authority. Previous meetings in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2 yielded no breakthroughs, only agreements to exchange prisoners and soldiers' bodies. While diplomatic efforts continue, the brutal conflict rages on at the frontline as both Moscow and Kyiv reported intercepting dozens of drones launched at each other. The Russian army claimed to have captured the village of Novotoretskoye in the Donetsk region, marking a significant advance as Moscow intensifies its ground offensive. Casualties from Recent Strikes Furthermore, recent attacks have resulted in tragic casualties after a Ukrainian drone strike on a private bus in the Russian-occupied Kherson region killed three people and injured three others, according to a Moscow-installed official. Additionally, a man died in Russia's Belgorod region following a Ukrainian attack, as reported by the local governor. In Ukraine, a Russian drone and missile strike killed a 10-year-old boy in Kramatorsk and injured more than a dozen others across the country. Kyiv's authorities noted that Russia has recently launched a record number of drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities. This escalation raises concerns that Moscow is not serious about halting its all-out offensive, which began in February 2022. Short link :
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
What to know about Bryan Kohberger's sentencing hearing for killing four Idaho students
For many University of Idaho students, a shelter-in-place text message from the school was the first indication that something had gone horribly wrong at the rental house near campus on November 13, 2022. Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Ethan Chapin were found stabbed to death in the Moscow, Idaho, home on King Road. The killer, Bryan Kohberger, pleaded guilty to the crimes earlier this month and is expected to be sentenced to four consecutive life sentences, but there are still more questions than answers in the disturbing case. Here are some things to know for Kohberger's sentencing hearing on Wednesday. A plea deal was reached before a trial. Bryan Kohberger, 30, was arrested roughly six weeks after the killings and charged with four counts of first-degree murder. He initially exercised his constitutional right to remain silent when asked to enter a plea, so a judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson announced early on that he would seek the death penalty if Kohberger was convicted. Investigators said Kohberger's DNA was found on a knife sheath at the home, surveillance video showed a car matching Kohberger's nearby at the time of the killings, and cell phone data showed him near the house multiple times before the attack. Kohberger's defense attorneys got the trial moved to Boise after expressing concerns that the court wouldn't be able to find enough unbiased jurors in the rural farming community of Moscow. But they were unsuccessful in their efforts to get the death penalty taken off the table, and they weren't able to prevent critical evidence like the DNA from being admitted in trial. Both sides reached a plea deal earlier this month. In exchange for Kohberger admitting guilt and waiving his right to appeal, prosecutors agreed not to seek his execution. Instead, both sides agreed to recommend that he serve four consecutive life sentences without parole for the killings. During the plea hearing on July 2, Judge Steven Hippler explained that he doesn't have much leeway when it comes to plea deals like this one. The court can't require a prosecutor to seek the death penalty, and a judge's primary role in plea hearings is to determine if the defendant is making the plea freely, voluntarily, and intelligently. Hippler determined that was the case for Kohberger and accepted his guilty plea. The victims' families were split on how they felt about the plea deal. Kohberger's motive and many other details are unknown. Investigators have not revealed what they think may have motivated Kohberger's actions. At the time of the killings, Kohberger was a criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University, and Thompson has said he used his knowledge about forensic investigations to attempt to cover his tracks by deep cleaning his vehicle after the crime. Police say Kohberger's Amazon purchase history shows he bought a military-style knife as well as the knife sheath found at the home, but the knife itself was never found. The case drew widespread interest, and judges feared the publicity could harm Kohberger's right to a fair trial. A sweeping gag order was imposed, and hundreds of court documents were sealed from public view. After Kohberger pleaded guilty, Hippler agreed to lift the gag order. The documents will be unsealed after the sentencing hearing, but that will take time. It's not clear how many answers they might contain. Kohberger can speak at sentencing or refuse. The families and surviving roommates of the victims will have the opportunity during the sentencing hearing to describe the damage the killings have done to them. Because there are so many of them, the hearing could stretch into Thursday. Kohberger will also have the opportunity to speak–a process called the right of allocution. Defendants might use their statement to express remorse, ask for mercy, or to say whatever else they think the court should hear before sentencing. But because the US Constitution's 5th Amendment guarantee of the right to remain silent remains in effect during sentencing hearings, they also might choose not to speak at all. Kohberger doesn't have to say anything–and the judge can't force him to. Many, including President Donald Trump, have urged the judge to somehow make Kohberger explain himself. 'I hope the Judge makes Kohberger at a minimum explain why he did these horrible murders,' Trump wrote online on Monday. 'There are no explanations there is no NOTHING.' Foundations honor Kaylee, Maddie, Xana, and Ethan. Friends and family members have sought to commemorate the victims' lives by raising money for scholarships and other initiatives. Ethan's Smile Foundation, started by Chapin's family, honors his love of life, people, and new adventures by providing scholarships that enable others to follow their dreams, its website says. The Made With Kindness Foundation honors the legacy of Mogen, Goncalves, and Kernodle through scholarships, wellness support, and empowerment initiatives. 'Our mission is to inspire and uplift the next generation, turning their dreams into realities in a world that values compassion and community,' its website says. The University of Idaho built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial in memory of all students who passed away while enrolled at the school.
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Fugitive Moldovan oligarch implicated in $1 billion bank fraud detained in Greece
CHISINAU: A fugitive Moldovan oligarch implicated in a $1 billion bank fraud and other illicit schemes was detained Tuesday in Greece, Moldova's national police said. Vladimir Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019 as he faced a series of corruption charges including allegations of complicity in a scheme that led to $1 billion disappearing from a Moldovan bank in 2014, which at the time was equivalent to about an eighth of Moldova's annual GDP. Plahotniuc has denied any wrongdoing. Moldovan police said in a statement they were informed by Interpol's office in Athens that two Moldovan citizens had been detained, including Plahotniuc, who was placed on Interpol's international wanted list in February. Authorities did not name the other detainee. The Greek police unit tackling organized crime said Interpol was seeking Plahotniuc on suspicion of participating in a criminal organization, fraud and money laundering. Moldova's Ministry of Justice and Prosecutor's Office are in the process of exchanging information to begin seeking extradition of Plahotniuc and the other detainee, a government official told The Associated Press. Plahotniuc, one of Moldova's wealthiest men, fled to the US from Moldova in June 2019 after failing to form a government with his Democratic Party. The US declared him persona non grata in 2020 and his whereabouts were unknown for years. The powerful businessman and politician was added to a US State Department sanctions list in 2022 for alleged corruption. The charges included controlling the country's law enforcement to target political and business rivals and meddling in Moldova's elections. He was added to a UK sanctions list in 2022 and barred from entering the country. His assets were frozen in the UK and its overseas territories.
