Latest news with #Vovk
Calgary Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
King Charles's throne speech, deconstructed: 'Not a single word was accidental'
Article content The unusual situation of the monarch, the official head of state of Canada as well as the United Kingdom, travelling to Canada to deliver the speech seems tied to the annexations threat to Canada's sovereignty from Trump, and many were looking for some defiance from Charles. Article content Article content As a piece of theatre, the traditions of the monarchy usually deliver rich pageantry in formal settings, and this didn't disappoint. Wearing a formal pinstripe suit bearing a dense row of medals, leading with his Canadian insignias, Charles sat on a throne carved during his mother's reign, beside Queen Camilla, and flanked by two large Canadian flags. Article content 'My jaw hit the floor because he is wearing a pinstripe suit and not an admiral's uniform,' said Vovk. When Charles opened the British Parliament he wore the uniform of the British navy, and Vovk thought he might wear an admiral's uniform of the Canadian navy. Article content Article content 'It was the right move to wear civilian clothing because I think if he would have worn the military uniform that would have been perceived as being too militaristic. He's our constitutional defender, he's not the embodiment of our military defence.' Article content Article content 'Even Donald Trump, with all his supposed money, can't buy what we just saw — that took 1,000 years of history and a hundred years of Canadian history. That's the magic of monarchy and that's what we just saw.' Article content At Charles's feet, almost literally, sat Carney, and a throng of parliamentarians, former prime ministers, Indigenous leaders, Supreme Court judges and special guests crammed inside the chamber and outside at the door. Article content Robert Danisch, a University of Waterloo professor who studies political communication and persuasion said that arrangement was poor: 'I thought Mark Carney looked quite small and like he was supplicating himself to the king. I don't think that was a good visual for a new prime minister.' Article content Article content The proceedings reflected the now-strange traditions that stem from the sometimes-bloody development of the monarchy and democratic parliamentary traditions inherited from the British. Article content Article content Charles' voice was strong, his enunciation clear. Article content 'His delivery was excellent in the sense that this is a man who's 76 plus he's suffering and in treatment for cancer,' said Milnes. Danisch said the delivery was clear but a bit boring and flat. Article content Charles spoke alternatively in English and French. His French was good. Article content The speech also specifically praised the French contribution, always a thorny part of the monarch's relationship with Quebec, saying: 'The French language and the Quebec culture are at the heart of the Canadian identity. They define the country that Canadians and I love so much.' Article content THE SPEECH Article content The words should matter the most, although when the King rolls into town, that might be debated. The speech itself reflected the awkward hybrid of the government's messaging to the voters and the high-minded ideals espoused, at least nominally, by the sovereign.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Notorious judge dismissed amid accusations of criminal activity, power grab
The High Council of Justice has dismissed Judge Pavlo Vovk, the head of the liquidated Kyiv District Administrative Court (OASK), who has been charged with creating a criminal organization and attempting to seize power, according to an official announcement published on March 18. Vovk was held responsible for "committing a significant disciplinary offense, gross or systematic neglect of duties that is incompatible with the status of a judge or revealed his incompatibility with the position he holds." The Anti-Corruption Action Center reported that Vovk failed to appear before the High Council of Justice and instead submitted multiple appeals, including requests for the recusal of council members and postponement of the proceedings. The speaker at the meeting, High Council of Justice member Oksana Kvasha, proposed dismissing Vovk. All 14 council members supported the proposal. Vovk has become a symbol of systemic corruption and judicial impunity in Ukraine. He and other judges from his court face charges of usurpation of power, obstruction of justice, organized crime, and abuse of authority. In December 2022, Ukraine's parliament voted to dissolve the Kyiv District Administrative Court, which had been mired in corruption scandals under Vovk's leadership. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the decree, making it law. On Dec. 9, 2022, the U.S. Department of State sanctioned Vovk to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, imposing visa restrictions and potentially freezing his assets. Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court is hearing the criminal case against Vovk and his accomplices. For years, prosecutors, investigators, and courts have obstructed and delayed cases against him. Read also: Russia sees US aid halt during Ukraine truce as its 'minimum' goal, Bloomberg reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
