Poland's Tusk says Russian hackers attacked party websites before election
WARSAW, Poland — Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Russian hackers attacked the websites of parties in his ruling coalition on Friday, two days before a presidential election.
The frontrunner in Sunday's election is a high-ranking member of Tusk's Civic Platform party, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.
'Two days before the elections, a group of Russian hackers operating on Telegram attacked the websites of the Civic Platform,' Tusk wrote on X on Friday afternoon.
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Hamilton Spectator
23 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Russia launches another large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine, killing 3 and wounding 13
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia attacked two Ukrainian cities with waves of drones and missiles early Tuesday, killing three people and wounding at least 13 in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called 'one of the biggest' strikes in the 3-year-old war. The attack struck Kyiv and the southern port city of Odesa. In an online statement, Zelenskyy said that Moscow's forces fired over 315 drones, most of them Shaheds, and seven missiles overnight. 'Russian missile and Shahed strikes are louder than the efforts of the United States and others around the world to force Russia into peace,' Zelenskyy wrote, urging 'concrete action' from the U.S. and Europe in response to the attack. A maternity hospital and residential buildings in the southern port of Odesa were damaged in the attack, regional head Oleh Kiper said. Two people were killed and nine injured, according to the regional prosecutor's office. Another person was killed in Kyiv's Obolon district, regional head Tymur Tkachenko wrote on Telegram. 'Russian strikes are once again hitting not military targets but the lives of ordinary people. This once again shows the true nature of what we are dealing with,' he said. Explosions and the buzzing of drones were heard around the city for hours. Attacks continue despite talks but POWs swapped The fresh attacks came a day after Moscow launched almost 500 drones at Ukraine in the biggest overnight drone bombardment in the war. Ukrainian and Western officials have been anticipating a Russian response to Kyiv's audacious June 1 drone attack on distant Russian air bases. Russia has been launching a record-breaking number of drones and missiles in recent days, despite both sides trading memoranda during direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2 that set out conditions for a potential ceasefire. However, the inclusion of clauses that both sides see as nonstarters make any quick deal unlikely, and a ceasefire, long sought by Kyiv, remains elusive. The only tangible outcome of the talks has been in the exchange of prisoners of war, with a swap that began Monday for soldiers aged between 18 and 25. Amina Ivanchenko was reunited Monday with her husband, a POW for 18 months, and she thanked Ukrainian officials for supporting her. 'My struggle was much easier thanks to them. Our country will definitely return everyone. Glory to Ukraine! Thank you!' Anastasia Nahorna waited in the Chernyhiv region to see if her husband, who has been missing for eight months, was among those being released in the latest swap. 'This pain is more unbearable every day,' she said. 'I really want to hear some news, because since the moment of his disappearance, unfortunately, there has been no information. Is he alive? or maybe in captivity? Has someone seen him?' she asked. Anna Rodionova, the wife of another Ukrainian POW, also was waiting. 'I just want him to come back soon and for this to all be over,' she said. 'We are tired of waiting, we come every exchange and he is not there.' A similar exchange also was announced for the bodies of fallen soldiers held by both sides, although no schedule has been released. Asked to comment on the exchange of bodies with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was unclear when it could take place and how many bodies Ukraine would hand over. He again accused Kyiv of dragging its feet on the exchange. 'There is one unarguable fact, we have had trucks with bodies standing ready for it on the border for several days,' he told reporters. Kyiv residents seek shelter Plumes of smoke rose in Kyiv as air defense forces worked to shoot down drones and missiles Tuesday. Meanwhile, residents took shelter and slept in metro stations during the long attack. Nina Nosivets, 32, and her 8-month-old son, Levko, were among them. 'I just try not to think about all this, silently curled up like a mouse, wait until it all passes, the attacks. Distract the child somehow because it's probably the hardest thing for him to bear,' she said. Krystyna Semak, 37, said the explosions frightened her and she ran to the metro at 2 a.m., carrying a rug. Fires broke out in at least four Kyiv districts after debris from downed drones fell onto residential buildings and warehouses, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. 'I was lying in bed, as always hoping that these Shaheds would fly past me, and I heard that Shahed (that hit the house),' said Vasyl Pesenko, 25, standing in his damaged kitchen. 'I thought that it would fly away, but it flew closer and closer and everything blew away.' The attack sparked 19 fires across Ukraine, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on Telegram. 'Russia must answer for every crime it commits. Until there is justice, there will be no security. For Ukraine. And for the world,' he said. Death toll from recent attacks rises The Russian Defense Ministry said an attack early Tuesday targeted arms plants in Kyiv, as well as military headquarters, troops locations, air bases and arms depots across Ukraine. 'The goals of the strikes have been achieved, all the designated targets have been hit,' it said in a statement. The death toll from previous Russian strikes also rose Tuesday. In Kharkiv, rescuers found a body under the rubble of a building that was hit in an attack Saturday, Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram. The discovery brought the number of casualties there to five, with five others potentially under the debris, Terekhov said. Meanwhile, in the northern city of Sumy, a 17-year-old boy died of his injuries Tuesday after a June 3 attack, acting Mayor Artem Kobzar wrote on Telegram. It brought the number killed in the attack to six. Airports close amid strikes on Russia The Russian Defense Ministry reported downing 102 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The drones were downed both over regions on the border with Ukraine and deeper inside Russia, including central Moscow and Leningrad regions, according to the Defense Ministry. Because of the drone attack, flights were temporarily restricted at multiple Russian airports, including all four in Moscow and the Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg, the country's second-largest city. —— AP journalist Illia Novikov contributed. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? 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Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Woman killed in Russian nighttime attack on Kyiv
One person has been killed following a Russian combined strike against Kyiv on the night of 9-10 June. Source: Tymur Tkachenko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration; Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram Quote from Tkachenko: "Today's attack on Kyiv took the life of a woman in the Obolonskyi district." Details: Earlier, the mayor of Kyiv reported that a total of six people had sustained injuries due to the Russian strike. "Two people are in city hospitals. Four were treated on an outpatient basis," Klitschko said. Background: The Air Force reported that Russia mobilised 315 Shahed-type strike UAVs, various types of decoy drones, two KN-23 ballistic missiles and five Iskander-K cruise missiles in the attack last night. Kyiv was the main target. It is noted that the air defence units shot down two KN-23 ballistic missiles and five Iskander-K cruise missiles. Moreover, they shot down 213 UAVs with fire weapons, and 64 more disappeared from radar or were suppressed by electronic warfare. Strikes were recorded in 11 locations, with debris from downed UAVs found in 16 locations. It was reported that four people were injured following a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of 9-10 June. In addition, residential buildings, a business centre, warehouses and a railway were damaged, cars were destroyed, and approximately 10 fires broke out. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Time Business News
an hour ago
- Time Business News
Avoiding the Scam: Amicus Warns Against Buying Diplomatic Titles
VANCOUVER, Canada – In 2025, the underground market for fake or improperly issued diplomatic titles is thriving—fueled by promises of borderless travel, tax-free imports, and immunity from arrest. With scams operating out of West Africa, Southeast Asia, and even parts of Eastern Europe, desperate or misinformed individuals are paying tens of thousands of dollars for diplomatic credentials that are either meaningless or outright illegal. Amicus International Consulting, a recognized authority in legal identity transformation, second citizenship, and strategic diplomatic consulting, is issuing a global warning: Buying a diplomatic title is not only a scam—it's a criminal trap. In a world increasingly governed by biometric controls, AI-driven watchlists, and international regulatory coordination, fake diplomatic claims now often lead to prison rather than privilege. This release examines the anatomy of modern diplomatic scams, highlights the distinctions between legitimate honorary appointments and fraudulent schemes, and explains how Amicus assists qualified professionals in navigating the only legal route to consular service, without shortcuts, criminal exposure, or reputational damage. Diplomatic Titles for Sale: The Promise vs. the Danger Fraudulent promoters of 'diplomatic titles' offer compelling benefits: A diplomatic passport that supposedly ensures visa-free access to dozens of countries that supposedly ensures visa-free access to dozens of countries Immunity from prosecution or police detention or police detention Tax exemptions on vehicles, imports, or financial transactions on vehicles, imports, or financial transactions Recognition as an ambassador or consul general The right to use diplomatic license plates and consular credentials These scams typically operate through: Fake embassies and consulates hosted on slick websites with little verifiable government connection hosted on slick websites with little verifiable government connection 'Diplomatic consultancy firms' offering honorary consulships in exchange for 'donations' or 'consular fees' offering honorary consulships in exchange for 'donations' or 'consular fees' Social media ads targeting high-net-worth individuals, businesspeople, and dual citizens targeting high-net-worth individuals, businesspeople, and dual citizens WhatsApp or Telegram outreach promising fast-track ambassador status within weeks The catch? These titles are either fabricated, issued by unrecognized entities, or granted without approval from the host country, making them invalid under international law. The Reality: What Buying a Title Gets You Amicus' investigations and legal cases across 17 jurisdictions show that the aftermath of fake diplomatic appointments includes: Immediate detention at ports of entry for false impersonation of a public official at ports of entry for false impersonation of a public official Vehicle seizures and criminal prosecution for misuse of diplomatic plates for misuse of diplomatic plates Blocklisting by border control systems , especially in the EU, the U.S., and Canada , especially in the EU, the U.S., and Canada Revocation of second passports in countries that detect misuse in countries that detect misuse Lifetime bans from legitimate diplomatic service In short: claiming diplomatic status without lawful backing doesn't protect you—it exposes you. Case Study 1: The Bogus Ambassador of Belize In 2023, a British national was arrested in Frankfurt for presenting himself as Belize's ambassador-at-large to the EU. His 'credentials' were purchased online for $35,000 from a company based in Panama that claimed to represent the Central American nation. Belize's foreign ministry denied ever issuing the title. German prosecutors charged him with fraud, impersonation, and attempted abuse of diplomatic privilege. He served an 18-month prison sentence and was blacklisted from the Schengen travel area for 10 years. Case Study 2: The Caribbean Diplomat That Never Was An Australian entrepreneur paid a consultant in the Philippines $50,000 for a consular post to a Caribbean microstate. He received what appeared to be real credentials—including an ID card, flag, plaque, and diplomatic plate for his Rolls-Royce. Upon entering Singapore with the car, authorities flagged his documentation and traced the issuing 'consulate' to an unregistered apartment office in Manila. He was deported and fined for customs violations. The Caribbean country later revoked all unverified consular appointments made in Southeast Asia. Case Study 3: The Forged Exequatur in Serbia A South African businessman operating in the Balkans was caught using a forged exequatur—the host country recognition document required to validate any diplomatic appointment. He had paid €60,000 to a local fixer who claimed to have ties to government officials. When stopped at a border checkpoint, biometric records showed he had no consular recognition. He was arrested, and a large sum of cash and crypto wallets were seized under anti-money laundering statutes. Understanding Diplomatic Immunity: What It Is—and Isn't According to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), diplomatic immunity exists to protect official acts carried out by lawfully appointed representatives of recognized states. Key limitations: Honorary consuls do not enjoy complete immunity . They are not protected from arrest unless they are acting directly in an official capacity. do not enjoy . They are not protected from arrest unless they are acting directly in an official capacity. The sending country can waive diplomatic immunity . . Fake credentials carry no immunity whatsoever, and claiming them can constitute criminal fraud. Immunity is not a license to break the law. It is a narrowly defined legal framework upheld by international agreements and subject to revocation at any time. How the Scams Operate: Red Flags to Watch For Amicus outlines the most common warning signs associated with fraudulent diplomatic title schemes: Red Flag What It Means 'No vetting required.' A scam—legitimate appointments require background checks 'Donation-based fast-track' Bribery disguised as service 'Issued by a diplomatic consultancy' No consultancy can legally issue government credentials 'Use this to open accounts.' Potential financial fraud or money laundering 'Keep it quiet to avoid interference.' A classic con tactic to avoid external scrutiny These schemes often rely on status-seeking clients and low-regulation environments. Once exposed, both the issuer and the client can be prosecuted, especially if financial crime is involved. Global Crackdowns in Progress International authorities have intensified enforcement: In 2024, Interpol launched Operation Red Plague , arresting over 70 individuals using fake diplomatic titles. , arresting over 70 individuals using fake diplomatic titles. The European Commission published new guidelines requiring verification of all honorary appointments across member states. published new guidelines requiring verification of all honorary appointments across member states. The FATF added false diplomatic credentialing to its list of red-flag indicators for financial institutions. added false diplomatic credentialing to its list of red-flag indicators for financial institutions. The United States State Department issued formal advisories warning against 'honorary title sales.' These moves signal a clear trend: zero tolerance for diplomatic impersonation and credential fraud. Amicus International's Legal Warning Amicus International Consulting advises: Never accept or pay for a diplomatic title unless appointed directly by a recognized sovereign state Always verify your appointment includes an exequatur or host-country approval Avoid any entity promising immunity, diplomatic passports, or title upgrades for cash Consult legal counsel before engaging in any consular role or representation Report suspected scams to authorities—fraudsters rely on silence and confusion The Legal Pathway: How Amicus Supports Legitimate Diplomatic Engagement Amicus International does not sell diplomatic titles. The firm provides strategic diplomatic consultancy services to: Vet and prepare eligible candidates for legal honorary consul consideration Assist in matching philanthropic or professional credentials with national interest Coordinate directly with the ministries of foreign affairs for official submission Secure host-country approval via exequatur Provide compliance training on ethical representation and Vienna Convention limitations Clients served by Amicus include: Humanitarian leaders International lawyers Trade and infrastructure developers Cultural and academic diplomats High-net-worth individuals involved in cross-border charity or mediation Every step is conducted transparently, legally, and with government oversight. Case Study 4: The Legal Honorary Consul A Canadian citizen with decades of humanitarian work in the Middle East was recommended for honorary consular service by a foreign ministry. Amicus helped facilitate a fully recognized appointment with the host country's consent. She now represents her adopted country in Western Canada, promoting refugee integration, trade, and cultural outreach. Her documentation is publicly listed, internationally recognized, and supported by diplomatic immunity, provided it is used solely for lawful, consular functions. The Price of Doing It Right vs. Doing It Illegally Approach Legality Risk Recognition Outcome Buying a title Illegal Arrest, blacklisting, prosecution None Reputation destroyed Legal diplomatic pathway Lawful Low (if compliant) Recognized globally Access, prestige, legitimacy Amicus reinforces: There are no shortcuts. Every step must involve government authority and due diligence. Recommendations to Governments and Clients Amicus urges: Governments to create public registries of all diplomatic appointments to create public registries of all diplomatic appointments Banks and airlines to verify consular credentials before issuing privileges to verify consular credentials before issuing privileges NGOs and charities should avoid partnerships with individuals claiming 'diplomatic cover' without credentials should avoid partnerships with individuals claiming 'diplomatic cover' without credentials Clients to treat all diplomatic services like high-stakes legal engagements, not vanity projects Conclusion: Avoid the Scam, Protect Your Future In today's high-surveillance world, there is no room for fakery. False claims of diplomatic status won't just fail—they will follow you for life. Amicus International Consulting is committed to providing legal, secure, and reputable pathways to international service for those who are truly qualified to serve. With global partnerships, deep legal expertise, and a record of compliance, Amicus builds diplomacy on law, not illusion. Don't buy a lie. Build your future—legally. Contact InformationPhone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:
