Poll finds Americans blame insurance companies and Luigi Mangione for CEO’s death

By Linley Sanders, Tom Murphy and Amelia Thomson-Deveaux
December 29, 2024 — AP

Washington: Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO – although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger, according to a new poll.

In the survey from NORC at the University of Chicago, about eight in 10 US adults said the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the December 4 shooting of Brian Thompson.

Luigi Mangione, centre, is escorted from Manhattan Criminal Court after his arraignment where he pleaded not guilty to state murder and terror charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.CREDIT:AP

Despite that, some have cast Luigi Mangione – the 26-year-old suspect charged with Thompson’s murder – as a heroic figure in the aftermath of his arrest, which gave rise to an outpouring of grievances about insurance companies. Police say the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition investigators found at the scene, echoing a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.

UnitedHealthcare has said Mangione was not a client.



About seven in 10 adults said denials for health care coverage by insurance companies, or the profits made by health insurance companies, also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Younger Americans were particularly likely to see the murder as the result of a confluence of forces rather than just one person’s action.

Most Americans get health coverage through their job or by purchasing individual policies. Separate government-funded programs provide coverage for people with low incomes or those who are aged 65 and over or have severe illnesses or disabilities.

Americans saw a wide range of factors contributing to UHC CEO’s killing and the poll found that the story of the slaying is being followed widely. About seven in 10 said they had heard or read “a lot” or “some” about Thompson’s death.

Multiple factors were seen as responsible. About half in the poll believed that at least “a moderate amount” of blame is rooted in wealth or income inequality, although they did not think other factors like political divisions in the US held the same level of responsibility.

Patients and doctors often complain about coverage denials and other complications interfering with care, especially for serious illnesses like cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Insurance industry critics frequently point to company profits in questioning whether the interests of patients are their top focus.

UnitedHealthcare made more than $US16 billion in profit last year, before interest and taxes, on $US281 billion in revenue. Insurers frequently note that most of the revenue they bring in goes back out the door to pay for care. UnitedHealthcare said this month that it pays about 90 per cent of medical claims upon submission. The insurer has not provided details on the number of claims involved.

Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty following terror and murder charges for the killing of a healthcare CEO.

Among young people, blame was spread equally between insurers and the killer. Americans under 30 were especially likely to think a mix of factors was to blame for Thompson’s death. They say that insurance company denials and profits are about as responsible as Thompson’s killer for his death.

About 7 in 10 US adults between 18 and 29 say “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility falls on profits made by health insurance companies, denials for health care coverage by health insurance companies or the person who committed the killing.


‘An insult’: UnitedHealth murder suspect has outburst outside hearing

Young people are also the least likely age group to say “a great deal” of responsibility fell on the person who committed the killing. Only about four in 10 say that, compared with about 6 in 10 between 30 and 59. Roughly eight in 10 adults over 60 say that person deserved “a great deal” of responsibility.

About two-thirds of young people placed at least a moderate level of blame on wealth or income inequality, in general.

Frustrations with health insurers, coverage and the complicated US healthcare system have been simmering for years among patients.

About three in 10 Americans said they had problems getting coverage from their health insurer in the [ast year, whether those involved problems finding a suitable provider in-network, a claim getting denied or issues getting prior authorisation or insurer approval before care happens. These struggles were more prevalent among Americans under 60.


Brian earned $15m a year at a billion-dollar company. No one knew him – till he was shot dead

The poll of 1001 adults was conducted from December 12 to 16 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the US population.

The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.

Egypt’s billionaires: We’re all losing money

BY  Libyan Express 

Dec 29, 2024 -

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly

The Egyptian government has been forced to establish an advisory panel to address mounting concerns from the business community, following an extraordinary public meeting where leading industrialists delivered stinging criticism of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s economic stewardship.

In unprecedented scenes broadcast live on Wednesday, Egypt’s business elite laid bare their frustrations with government policies amidst spiralling inflation, mounting foreign debt and dwindling currency reserves. The confrontation has sent shockwaves through Cairo’s political establishment.

‘We’re shouldering the burden for decisions we didn’t make’, declared property magnate Hisham Talaat Mostafa, pointing to crippling interest rates of 32 per cent. His sentiments were swiftly endorsed by industrial tycoon Naguib Sawiris, who wrote on social media that firms are ‘haemorrhaging money, particularly in construction and property development’.

The remarkable meeting shattered the typically carefully managed façade of government-business relations. Ahmed Ezz, an industrialist associated with former President Hosni Mubarak’s regime, highlighted record lows in construction sector growth and criticised ‘unjustified’ building restrictions that have effectively barred most Egyptians from construction activities.

City analysts note that scores of major firms have decamped to neighbouring Arab nations, contradicting the government’s rosy portrayal of the investment climate. The exodus comes as Egypt seeks fresh support from the International Monetary Fund amid an acute foreign currency shortage.

‘The government has dug its own grave’, remarked Talaat Khalil, secretary-general of the Conservative Party. Speaking to Al-Arab newspaper, he attributed the economic turmoil to inadequate parliamentary oversight and the administration’s refusal to acknowledge fundamental political challenges.

Mr Madbouly appeared wrong-footed during the encounter, struggling to mount a convincing defence of his economic strategy. His assertions about declining debt levels failed to convince an increasingly sceptical public.

The extraordinary public airing of grievances comes at a precarious moment for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s administration, which faces mounting pressure to address economic woes. The decision to broadcast the confrontation live—unusual in Egypt’s tightly controlled media landscape—suggests a potential shift in the regime’s approach to economic governance.

Some political observers view the meeting as a calculated move to demonstrate reform credentials, particularly to international financial institutions. Others interpret it as a sign of desperation, indicating the government has exhausted conventional solutions to the economic downturn.

The re-emergence of Mubarak-era business figures in public discourse has sparked fierce debate. Whilst some welcome their crisis management experience, opposition figures have expressed concern about the concentration of economic and political influence.

Despite the criticism, the administration’s willingness to engage with dissenting voices marks a notable departure from its typically rigid stance. The government has notably refrained from reprisals against executives who spoke out, suggesting a possible thaw in private sector relations.

Market Impact
The Egyptian pound continued its slide against sterling in offshore trading following the meeting, whilst yields on government bonds climbed, reflecting mounting investor concerns about economic policy direction.

Giant waves kill at least 1 in Ecuador, close ports in Peru

A fishing boat remains stranded after strong waves hit in Lobitos, Talara Province, Peru, on Dec. 27, 2024. 

NICOLAS LANDA TAMI/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

December 28, 2024

 AFP

One person died in Ecuador and ports closed across Peru as massive waves up to 13 feet high pummeled the region, officials said Saturday.

Many beaches along the central and northern stretches of the Peruvian coastline were closed to prevent risk to human life, local authorities said.

Waves there submerged jetties and public squares, sending residents fleeing to higher ground, according to images on local media.

In neighboring Ecuador, the National Secretariat for Risk Management said a body was recovered in the coastal city of Manta.

"The Manta Fire Department reported that, at 6:00 am, the body of a missing person was found lifeless in the Barbasquillo sector," the agency announced on social media.

Peru closed 91 of its 121 ports until Jan. 1, the National Emergency Operations Center wrote on social media.

The municipality of Callao, close to the capital Lima and the location of the country's main port, closed several beaches and barred tourist and fishing boats from venturing out.

"These waves are being generated thousands of kilometers away from Peru, off the coast of the United States," navy Captain Enrique Varea told Channel N television.

"They are waves generated by a persistent wind on the surface of the ocean that is approaching our coasts," he said.

Dozens of small fishing boats and businesses near the sea were affected, according to images broadcast on television and social networks.

Large waves wreak havoc on coastal communities and fisheries in northern Peru

Watch terrifying moment massive freak waves smash into boats & swamp seaside town in Peru

From disaster to detection: The global push for tsunami preparedness

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami exposed the world's lack of a warning and detection system. Since then, a host of measures have been taken to detect the deadly surge of water after a quake.


The first-ever "DART" buoy sits aboard a research vessel in Phuket, Thailand. 

/ Photo: AP Archive


Two decades after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami killed over 220,000 people across 14 countries, significant advancements have been made in tsunami detection and early warning systems, transforming global disaster preparedness.

Before the tragedy, the Indian Ocean region lacked a formal tsunami warning system, leaving coastal communities vulnerable to such disasters.

“Apart from the Pacific, there was almost no exchange of real-time data for tsunami warnings, and no deep-ocean monitoring systems in place,” said Denis Chang Seng, Programme Specialist for the Tsunami Resilience Section at UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO).

In the following years, the international and regional community acted decisively, with significant efforts to ensure such a disaster would never happen again.

A tsunami of advancements

Today, several measures are in place across the world’s oceans, with regional Tsunami Warning Systems in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North-East Atlantic.

According to Rick Bailey, Head of the Secretariat for the IOC/UNESCO’s Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, there are now 11 Tsunami Service Providers giving critical threat advice to Tsunami Warning Centres in each country.

These systems issue warnings within 10 to 20 minutes after a potentially tsunami-generating earthquake is detected.

However, the challenges remain. “It’s still technically difficult to generate a timely and accurate warning, especially when the earthquake epicentre is close to the coast,” said UNESCO’s Chang Seng.

In such cases, the amount of time available for evacuation is limited, requiring highly precise, real-time data for effective response.

From seismic sensors to AI

A cornerstone of modern tsunami detection is the deployment of technologies like the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) buoys.

These ocean sensors track tsunami waves in real-time, providing invaluable data to refine warnings.

The Indian Ocean now boasts an extensive network of sensors, including wave rider buoys, pressure recorders, and tide gauges, which contribute to a comprehensive understanding of tsunami behaviour and lead to faster alerts.

In addition to these tools, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a critical innovation in tsunami detection.

Scientists at Cardiff University have developed an AI-powered system to monitor tectonic plate movements in real-time. By combining underwater microphones, called hydrophones, with AI computational models, the system can triangulate the source of a tectonic event—even thousands of kilometres away.

This method has already been used to detect over 200 earthquakes in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, further enhancing the ability to predict and monitor potential tsunami threats.

This integration of AI offers an unprecedented ability to analyse seismic data and ocean behaviour more quickly and accurately, leading to better-informed tsunami warnings and faster responses.

Here's how various countries with vast shorelines have geared up to detect tsunamis.

India

The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) in Hyderabad is now equipped with a sophisticated network of seismic sensors, satellite communication systems, and deep-ocean pressure recorders.

The system monitors seismic activity in real-time, simulates tsunami propagation, and disseminates warnings to affected regions.

Indonesia

Indonesia, which bore the brunt of the 2004 tsunami, has significantly strengthened its tsunami detection capabilities.

The Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System (INA-TEWS), launched in 2008, integrates seismic sensors, GPS instruments, tide gauges, and ocean-bottom pressure sensors to monitor seismic activity and detect tsunami threats.

The country also relies on Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) buoys to track ocean movements and provide real-time tsunami data.

However, challenges persist. Muksin, a coordinator at the Tsunami and Disaster-Mitigation Research Center in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, said some monitoring equipment, including sea-level buoys, has been damaged.

Despite these issues, Indonesia’s core tsunami detection system remains operational, and the country has continued to upgrade its technology.

Furthermore, Muksin, who goes by one name, highlighted that Indonesia’s tsunami preparedness is strongly supported by local awareness, with coastal communities adopting better building practices and disaster responses compared to other parts of Indonesia.



Thailand


Thailand has also made notable progress in tsunami detection since the 2004 disaster.


The Thai government established two tsunami detection stations after the event: one in 2006, located about 965 km (600 miles) from Phuket, and another in 2017, about 340 km (211 miles) from Phuket within Thailand’s exclusive economic zone.


These stations are crucial in detecting potential tsunami-generating earthquakes in the region.


Despite this, concerns remain about the public response to warnings. As some officials have pointed out, there are instances where tsunami warnings may be ignored by local populations due to complacency or a lack of awareness of the full extent of the threat.


This underscores the importance of continuous education and evacuation drills to ensure the public takes the threat seriously and knows how to respond when warnings are issued.


Malaysia


Malaysia has implemented the National Tsunami Early Warning System (MATEWS), which integrates data from international sources such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the Japan Meteorological Agency.


The system includes seismic sensors, tide gauges, and DART buoys, and it activates 83 tsunami sirens across the country when a threat is detected.


The alerts are further disseminated through SMS messages, media broadcasts, and television notifications.


In addition to technological infrastructure, Malaysia has conducted regular tsunami drills since 2006, enhancing public preparedness.


According to Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, Director-General of METMalaysia, these drills have helped improve the country’s response to tsunami threats.


However, as with other nations, ongoing public education is crucial to ensure that communities understand the risks and know how to respond when a tsunami warning is issued.


Preparing for the worst


UNESCO's Tsunami Ready programme, launched in 2015, aims to go beyond issuing warnings by fostering community preparedness.


The programme recognises communities that meet 12 preparedness standards, including hazard mapping, evacuation drills, and public education. To date, over 30 countries have communities that are officially "Tsunami Ready."


“We’ve moved beyond just providing alerts to ensuring communities are equipped to act when a tsunami is imminent,” said Bernardo Aliaga, Head of Tsunami Resilience at UNESCO.


"This approach has saved countless lives by preparing communities for a disaster before it strikes.”


The importance of human judgment in response cannot be overstated. While technology has advanced dramatically, as Muksin notes, “even the most advanced technology cannot replace human action.”


The future of tsunami preparedness


Looking ahead, UNESCO has ambitious goals, with plans to make all at-risk communities "Tsunami Ready" by 2030 and to map 100 percent of the seabed—a critical step for improving tsunami forecasting and risk assessment.


Machine learning and artificial intelligence are also being integrated into tsunami modelling, allowing for more accurate and targeted warnings.


In addition to technological advancements, experts emphasise the importance of public outreach and education.


A 2023 test of the US tsunami warning system demonstrated the challenges in issuing location-specific alerts.


While millions received warnings after a minor tsunami off the coast of Northern California, confusion arose due to the lack of tailored information for different locales.


Experts stress the need for improved communication, including real-time updates and detailed evacuation instructions for affected areas.


The Mediterranean region, where tsunami risk is substantial but detection systems remain underdeveloped, highlights the need for continued improvement.


Only 10 tidal gauges currently monitor tsunami activity in the Aegean Sea, despite the region's vulnerability.

 

SNHR reports over 112,000 individuals remain forcibly disappeared due to Assad regime in Syria

Arnav Laroia | The West Bengal National U. of Juridical Sciences, IN

DECEMBER 28, 2024 

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reported on Saturday that at least 112,414 individuals remain forcibly disappeared due to the actions of the Assad regime in Syria, despite the recent releases of thousands of detainees.

The SNHR emphasized that these disappearances are not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy employed by the Assad government to instill fear and maintain control over the population. The organization underlined that the families of the missing individuals are left in a state of profound uncertainty and distress, frequently without any information regarding the fate of their loved ones. 

The reported statistic underscores the ongoing human rights crisis in Syria, where the government has employed systematic tactics to silence dissent and eliminate opposition. International human rights organizations have widely condemned the Assad regime, which they claim employed practices of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances.

Internationally, there has been mounting pressure to hold the Assad regime accountable for those who have disappeared. Various governments and organizations have called for investigations into human rights abuses in Syria, yet tangible actions remain limited. The situation is further complicated by geopolitical dynamics, and critics claim conflicting interests among global powers often overshadow humanitarian concerns.

The Syrian conflict began in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring protests but quickly escalated into a civil war. The Assad regime has faced accusations of widespread human rights violations, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and chemical weapon attacks against civilians. The United Nations has documented numerous instances of enforced disappearances and has called for those responsible to be held accountable.

The Assad regime ruled Syria for nearly 50 years until the government was overthrown in 2024. Hafez al-Assad ruled the country from 1971 to 2000, and his son Bashar al-Assad was the president for the next 24 years. With the fall of the Assad regime, international organizations have expressed a critical need for reconstruction, the rule of law, and humanitarian assistance in Syria.

WHO chief recounts narrow escape at Yemen airport hit by Israeli missile

December 28, 2024
By Scott Neuman

NPR


WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus looks on during a press conference with the Association of Accredited Correspondents at the United Nations (ACANU) at the World Health Organization's headquarters in Geneva, on December 10, 2024.FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images/AFP

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says he and his United Nations colleagues "escaped death narrowly" at Yemen's main airport when Israeli airstrikes targeted the facility.

Speaking with the BBC, Tedros described the scene at the airport during the Thursday attack as "very chaotic."

"People were in disarray and running everywhere," he told Radio 4's Today program on Saturday.

The WHO chief said he and his team were "completely exposed" and that it was "a matter of luck, otherwise if the missile deviated just slightly it could have been on our heads."
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Tedros had been waiting to board a flight in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, when the Israeli missile struck. When the airport came under attack, one of the U.N. plane's crew was injured. At least three others at the airport were reported killed.

Video of the airport shows U.N. officials trying to spirit Tedros to safety.

Israel's military said the attack was aimed at infrastructure used by Yemen's Houthi rebels and Iran. Israel said it wasn't aware that the U.N. delegation was at Sanaa airport at the time of the strike.

‘Matter of principle’: World chess champion quits tournament after jeans row

ByWill Bolton
December 29, 2024 — 1

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has quit a major tournament after being told he could not carry on playing while wearing jeans.

The 34-year-old was defending his titles at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York when officials informed him of the dress code breach.

Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen in 2022.

He claimed he offered to change into different trousers for the next day, but was told he needed to remove them immediately.

Carlsen said he then decided to quit the tournament “as a matter of principle”.

FIDE, the chess federation, said its dress code regulations were designed to “ensure fairness and professionalism for all participants”. The organisation said it issued the grandmaster a $200 (£159) fine for the breach.

Carlsen, who was world champion between 2013 and 2023, was embroiled in a row last year after accusing an American rival of using a vibrating sex toy to cheat.


Explaining why he was wearing jeans at the tournament in New York, he said he had a lunch meeting before the round and had to change quickly.

“I put on a shirt, jacket and honestly like I didn’t even think about jeans, even changed my shoes,” Carlsen told the chess news website Take Take Take.

“I didn’t even think about it ... first of all, I got a fine, which is fine, and then I got a warning that I would not be paired if I didn’t go change my clothes. They said that I could do it after the third round today.

“I said: ‘I’ll change tomorrow if that’s OK, I didn’t even realise it today’, but they said: ‘Well you have to change now.’ At that point, it became a bit of a matter of principle for me.”

Carlsen said he would not appeal the decision, adding: “Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much, if this is what they want to do.

“I guess it goes both ways, right – nobody wants to back down – and this is where we are.

“It’s fine by me. I’ll probably head off to somewhere where the weather is a bit nicer.”

Carlsen is a five-time world chess champion and retains the top ranking in the sport. The Norwegian became grandmaster – the top title in chess – at the age of 13.

In a now-settled dispute with opponent Hans Niemann, Carlsen quit a tournament in 2022 after Niemann beat him, before going on to accuse his American rival of cheating by using anal beads.

Niemann categorically denied allegations that he used a vibrating sex toy to receive outside instructions and even said he would “strip fully naked” to prove his innocence.

The pair went on to settle a $100 million (£79 million) lawsuit in August last year.


Telegraph, London

 10 Times Faster Than A Bullet: Mastering Of Orbital Alignment Dynamics For SpaDEx Docking – Analysis

SpaDEx Chaser (SDX01) and Target (SDX02) spacecrafts during testing. Photo Credit: Indian Space Research Organisation (GODL-India), Wikipedia Commons

 December 29, 2024

By Girish Linganna

India is gearing up for an important step in its space journey. On December 30 this year, ISRO will launch the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx) using the PSLV-C60 rocket. The launch is scheduled from Sriharikota for 9:58 PM (IST). This mission is a significant milestone, as it will demonstrate India’s ability to dock two spacecraft in orbit, a key technology for future space missions.

Docking is the process of connecting two satellites in space after carefully aligning them. This technology is essential for future missions that ISRO plans to undertake—such as Chandrayaan–4 and building India’s own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. 

Mission Overview and Goals

In the SpaDEx mission, two satellites—SDX01 (called Chaser) and SDX02 (called Target)—will perform a series of important tasks. First, they will align themselves in the same orbit and then, gradually, move closer to each other. Once close enough, they will connect, share electrical power and then separate again. After separating, the payload on both satellites will continue to operate for the next two years.

A payload is the main equipment, or set of instruments, on a satellite or spacecraft that performs the mission’s purpose, such as cameras, sensors, or communication devices used for research or specific tasks.

India’s reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) will carry the SDX01 and the SDX02, each weighing 220 kilograms. These satellites will be placed in a 470-kilometre low-Earth (circular) orbit (LEO). After being placed in the targeted orbit, the rocket will give the two satellites a slight difference in speed. This difference will cause the satellites to gradually move apart, creating a distance of about 10 to 20 kilometres between them within a day.

The propulsion system on the Target satellite will be used to stop the two satellites from moving farther away from each other. This means both satellites will keep moving at the same speed while staying 20 kilometres apart. This phase is called the ‘far rendezvous’. Rendezvous means two objects meeting—or coming close together—in space, often after starting from different positions or paths.

Coming to speed, the two satellites will be traveling at an incredible 28,800 kilometres per hour—about 36 times faster than a commercial airplane or 10 times faster than a bullet. To safely dock, the Chaser satellite will slowly approach the Target satellite, step by step, carefully reducing the distance between them. The approach will follow a sequence, closing in gradually from 5 kilometres to 1.5 kilometres, then to 500 metres, 225 metres, 15 metres, 3 metres—finally docking.

Using special  thrusters and advanced sensors, their relative speed will also be reduced to almost zero—around 0.036 kilometres per hour, or just 10 millimeters per second—ensuring a smooth and safe connection. After the satellites connect, they will test transfering electrical power between them. They will also show how both satellites can be controlled as a single unit. Once these tests are complete, the satellites will separate and begin working on their individual tasks using their onboard equipment.

The Chaser satellite is equipped with a high-resolution camera, which is like a smaller version of a surveillance camera. The Target satellite has a multi-spectral device to monitor natural resources and natural vegetation. It also has a radiation monitor to study space radiation and collect data for future use.

Since the satellites are small and lightweight, docking them is more difficult. It needs much greater precision compared to docking larger spacecraft because even tiny mistakes can have a bigger impact.

Mission Wants to Achieve…

This mission, happening at year-end, will achieve many things for the first time. The satellites will use advanced new technologies, including a special docking system and a set of sensors that help them move closer carefully and connect without colliding. They will also use a unique navigation system that calculates their positions and movements in orbit with high accuracy, ensuring everything works smoothly.

So far, only Russia, the US and China have successfully developed this advanced technology and none of them shares the detailed process behind it.

Apart from the docking experiment, the PSLV-C60 rocket will also carry 24 small payloads on its fourth stage, known as PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM-4). These will be activated after the two main satellites are released into space. Of the 24 payloads, 14 are developed by ISRO’s own teams. The remaining 10 come from non-government organizations, including universities and start-ups.

Karnataka’s Role in SpaDEx:

Blend of Academia/Startups

The SpaDEx mission highlights Karnataka’s significant contributions to space technology, with three of the 10 non-government payloads provisioned from the state. These payloads, developed by academic institutions and start-ups, showcase innovation and a commitment to advancing space exploration.

1. RVSat-1: Created by students and researchers at RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, this experiment studies how a gut bacterium—Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron—grows in space. Understanding this can help improve astronaut health, developing better antibiotics and creating recycling systems for future long-duration space missions.

2. BGS ARPIT: Designed by SJC Institute of Technology, Chickballapur, this payload works as a transmitter that sends messages, including audio, text and images, from the satellite to Earth using FM signals and the VHF band. This technology supports amateur radio services across the globe.

• SJC Institute of Technology is a renowned engineering college established in 1986. Located near Bengaluru, it is managed by the Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust (R.), which operates under the blessings of Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Dr Balagangadharanatha Maha Swamiji and the guidance of Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Dr Nirmalanandanatha Maha Swamiji.

3. RUDRA 1.0 HPGP Payload: Developed by Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt. Ltd, Bengaluru, this payload demonstrates a cutting-edge green propulsion system that is both efficient and environment-friendly.

Contributions from these Karnataka-based institutions and start-ups underscore the state’s growing prominence in India’s space exploration efforts. The combination of academic research and entrepreneurial innovation is helping push the boundaries of what is possible in space technology.

Girish Linganna is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com

US attorney general wanted to stop Gerry Adams fundraising trip


US president Bill Clinton and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams (Paul Faith/PA)

By Cillian Sherlock, 

PAToday

The United States attorney general attempted to block Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams from fundraising there in 1995, newly released records show.

Papers contained in the annual release of documents from the National Archives in Dublin show that Janet Reno, the attorney general at the time, wanted to stop Mr Adams from fundraising because of a belief the IRA was still trying to source weapons.

Ms Reno had previously opposed then-US president Bill Clinton’s decision to grant visas to Mr Adams and the former IRA chief of staff Joe Cahill in January 1994, but her continuing opposition is revealed in the records.

At the time, Mr Adams was president of Sinn Fein which was regarded as the political wing of the IRA paramilitary group. Mr Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA.

MY GAWD HE GOES ON AND ON AND ON...

Bill Clinton with John Major in 1994 (Adam Butler/PA)

Months after the IRA declared a ceasefire in 1994, the chief legal adviser to the US president still did not want to grant the Sinn Fein leader a visa.

Mr Clinton overruled her by giving Mr Adams a three-month visa that included permission to raise funds for the party – provoking anger from UK prime minister John Major.

In a letter dated February 1995 to Mr Clinton’s national security adviser Tony Lake, Ms Reno expressed frustration “by the latest effort” to modify restrictions that stopped Mr Adams raising money from Irish-American donors.

She said she had looked at the matter “barely six weeks” earlier in January and had then decided that the fundraising restriction should stay because conditions had not changed sufficiently.

“No evidence has been brought to my attention (since) that suggests progress has been made towards the disarmament and demobilisation of the IRA,” she told Mr Lake.

She added: “In addition, I am aware of evidence that suggests that (the IRA) has continued to identify potential sources for arms procurement and to make inquiries concerning availability and terms of purchase.”

The State Department, the US Treasury and the US Department of Justice had “recently intensified their efforts and public commitments to combatting international terrorism”, she went on.


Ms Reno said these collective efforts “could be undermined by removing the Adams visa restriction at this time”.

In the interim, Sean O hUiginn, head of the Anglo-Irish division of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, met Mr Adams on February 7 1995.



Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams (Haydn West/PA)

A separate note contained in the files says that Mr Adams then expressed worries about his situation in the US, hoping that a renewed visa would waive restrictions on fundraising.

According to the documents, he made the comments in a meeting where he also expressed concerns that political instability could lead to a return to violence.

The Sinn Fein leader applied for a visa that included fundraising permission on February 22, which Mr Clinton granted because of the progress he felt had been made.


“We have made clear our expectation that all and any funds raised will be used for legitimate political party purposes which serve to reinforce Sinn Fein’s commitment to the peace process,” a US note held in the Irish state papers shows.

However, Mr Clinton’s decision and a subsequent invitation for Mr Adams to visit the White House for St Patrick’s Day celebrations angered London, Mr Lake told Mr O hUiginn.

In a note to Dublin after spending an evening with Mr Lake at a Chieftains’ concert, Mr O hUiginn said the US security adviser had expressed “strong surprise” at “the over-the-top British reaction”, including Mr Major refusing to take a call from Mr Clinton.

Meeting with Ulster Unionists in Washington in February after the publication of the Anglo-Irish framework document agreed by Mr Major and then-taoiseach John Bruton, Mr Lake was also warned “that crowds might take to the street” in Northern Ireland.

– This article is based on documents in 2024/28/38 and 2024/28/10.

US attorney general tried to block Gerry Adams fundraising in 1995 over IRA weapons fears, unearthed records reveal

Bill Clinton had granted Gerry Adams a three-month visa in a move that angered then UK prime minister John Major.


Sunday 29 December 2024
SKY NEWS

Gerry Adams with Bill Clinton in 2000. Pic: PA


The US attorney general tried to block Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams from fundraising in the country in 1995 over a belief the IRA was still trying to source weapons, newly released records show.

Janet Reno, the attorney general at the time, had previously opposed then-US president Bill Clinton's decision to grant visas for Mr Adams and former IRA chief Joe Cahill in 1994 - months after the IRA declared a ceasefire.
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Mr Adams was president of Sinn Fein, which was regarded as the political wing of the IRA paramilitary group, between 1983 and 2018, but has always denied being a member of the IRA.

Mr Clinton overruled Ms Reno by giving him a three-month visa, which included permission to raise funds for the party - a move that provoked anger from then-UK prime minister John Major.

The US attorney general's continuing opposition is revealed by the annual release of documents from the National Archives in Dublin.

In a February 1995 letter to Mr Clinton's national security advisor Tony Lake, she expressed frustration "by the latest effort" to modify restrictions that stopped Mr Adams raising money from Irish American donors, having looked at the matter "barely six weeks" earlier.

"No evidence has been brought to my attention (since) that suggests progress has been made towards the disarmament and demobilisation of the IRA," she told Mr Lake.



"In addition, I am aware of evidence that suggests that (the IRA) has continued to identify potential sources for arms procurement and to make inquiries concerning availability and terms of purchase."

She also said the State Department, the US Treasury and the US Department of Justice had "recently intensified their efforts and public commitments to combatting international terrorism", which "could be undermined by removing the Adams visa restriction at this time".


The Sinn Fein leader applied for a visa that included fundraising permission on 22 February 1995, which Mr Clinton granted because of the progress he felt had been made.

"We have made clear our expectation that all and any funds raised will be used for legitimate political party purposes which serve to reinforce Sinn Fein's commitment to the peace process," a US note held in the Irish state papers shows.

According to other newly-released documents: Tony Blair effectively told then UUP leader David Trimble to "get lost" over a plan to hold a referendum on Irish reunification in 2002.

Diplomatic delays tied up the return of a portrait of Daniel O'Connell - an Irish nationalist campaigner known as The Liberator - for more than two years, after concerns that the Irish parliament was only receiving a copy of the original.

The Irish government took a dim view of some of the proposed candidates to lead key negotiations leading into the Good Friday Agreement, describing some as ineffective politicians, bad lawyers and in one case having a "bitchy temperament".

Netanyahu visited Ireland in 1990

Netanyahu's visit to establish diplomatic ties

Separate files shed new light on then deputy foreign minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Dublin in 1990, years before he became Israeli prime minister, in a bid to establish a diplomatic presence.

In a meeting with then Irish foreign affairs minister Gerry Collins, he suggested there was a "natural feeling of sympathy towards Israel among the Irish people".

But he said relations had not been helped by Irish soldiers who had been killed in Lebanon while serving with UN peacekeeping forces - many of which had been blamed on Lebanese militias supported by Israel.

An Israeli embassy in Ireland was opened in December 1993, but Israel recently announced its closure.

The Israeli foreign minister accused Ireland of "antisemitic rhetoric" and of crossing "every red line in its relations with Israel".

Ireland has recognised Palestinian statehood and announced an intention to intervene in South Africa's case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Irish premier Simon Harris has rejected the claims and accused Israel of "distracting" from the deaths of children in the Gaza conflict.

WHITE NATIONALIST

Presidential Elections In Croatia 2024: The Favorite Abstains From Election Campaign – Analysis

Croatia's Zoran Milanović. Photo Credit: Damir Sencar/HINA/POOL/PIXSELL/Social Democratic Party of Croatia, Wikipedia Commons

 December 29, 2024

By IFIMES

Croatia’s presidential election is scheduled for 29 December 2024, with 3.8 million eligible voters. The president is elected through universal and equal suffrage, via direct elections and a secret ballot, for a mandate lasting five years. The entire territory of Croatia, including polling stations abroad, forms a single electoral constituency.

Eight candidates, five men and three women are competing for the presidency.

The candidates running for president of Croatia are: ● Zoran Milanović (Social Democratic Party of Croatia – SDP and allies), ● Dragan Primorac (Croatian Democratic Union – HDZ and allies), ● Miro Bulj (Most – The Bridge) ● Ivana Kekin (Možemo – We Can!), ● Branka Lozo (Dom i Nacionalno okupljanje – Domino – Home and National Gathering – Domino), ● Tomislav Jonjić (independent), ● Marija Selak Raspudić(independent), and ● Niko Tokić Kartelo (independent).

The presidential candidates have primarily focused their election campaigns on healthcare, education, the fight against corruption, and the migrant crisis—issues that essentially do not fall within the president’s remit—rather than addressing foreign policy topics and challenges (relations with neighbours, the EU, NATO) and the Croatian military, which do fall under the president’s competencies.

The intriguing legacy of Croatian presidents

Franjo Tuđman, the first president of the Republic of Croatia (1991–1999), is widely recognized for his pivotal role in establishing an independent and sovereign Croatian state. However, he is also criticised for numerous shortcomings, particularly his autocratic governance, with repercussions still evident today, especially in terms of organised crime, corruption, and the controversial process of “tycoonisation” of the Croatian economy.

Stjepan Mesić, who succeeded Tuđman as Croatia’s second president (2000–2010), faced the challenging task of addressing the political baggage left by his predecessor. Mesić demonstrated both vision and political courage, making significant strides in affirming Croatia’s position within the region and globally. He also championed the fight against organised crime and corruption, “declaring war” on the influential intelligence underworld still present in Croatia. He managed to end Croatia’s isolation, steer it back on the path towards EU and NATO integration, and reaffirm antifascism as one of the fundamental values of modern Croatia. However, he was unable to fully eliminate the effects of Tuđman’s legacy, as many of Tuđman’s key figures remained entrenched in Croatian politics, government, economy, and the security and defence sectors, often prioritising personal or party (HDZ) agendas over national interests. Since independence, Croatia has grappled persistently with the issues of the criminalisation of politics and the politicisation of crime.

The third president, Ivo Josipović (2010–2015), sought to remain non-partisan during his term in office. He avoided strategic missteps. Like other Croatian officials, Josipović was criticised for insufficiently utilising the potential of Croatia’s NATO and EU membership and for neglecting the country’s economic recovery. Nevertheless, Josipović made significant contributions to regional stability and Croatia’s reputation on the global stage.

Kolinda Grabar Kitarović served as Croatia’s fourth president (2015–2020), becoming the first woman to hold the office. She strictly adhered to HDZ policies and sought to reaffirm Tuđman’s concept of Croatia as the “bulwark of Christianity,” warning—or more accurately, fabricating—the so-called Islamic threat allegedly emanating from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her term can be described as “frivolous” and brought more harm than benefit to Croatia’s standing in regional and international affairs.

The fifth and current president, Zoran Milanović (2020–2025), is widely regarded as the most unconventional president in the history of the young Croatian state. He will be remembered as a “headstrong” president who challenged dominant Western global trends, particularly the prevailing EU and NATO policies on key international issues. A defining feature of his term is his constant confrontation with Prime Minister and HDZ leader Andrej Plenković. Milanović’s role as the sole counterbalance to the autocratic governance of Plenković and HDZ can be seen as a positive contribution to Croatian statehood and society.

The election favourite abstains from the campaign

Zoran Milanović is the frontrunner in the presidential election. This time, he has adopted a different strategy compared to the parliamentary elections in April, where he ran as a prime ministerial candidate despite warnings from Croatia’s Constitutional Court, while constantly at odds with Prime Minister Plenković and his cabinet.

Throughout the presidential campaign, Milanović has quietly carried out his presidential duties, largely refraining from engaging in day-to-day political events and avoiding confrontations through the media and social networks. In effect, Milanović is abstaining from the campaign. A similar situation occurred in Slovenia in 1997, when Milan Kučan, the favourite in the election, was re-elected as president of Slovenia despite effectively staying out of the campaign.

Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election stripped Plenković of his sole leverage against Milanović. Trump’s election signalled a period where European policy would need to align with his approach to the war in Ukraine. While the Milanović-Plenković rivalry initially worked in Plenković’s favour, this dynamic shifted with Trump’s election as the new US president.

According to analysts, Plenković had no choice but to step back from the election campaign due to the impending changes in US foreign policy, effectively ending any prospects of victory for his candidate, Dragan Primorac. So far, Primorac has struggled to emerge from Plenković’s shadow, with most Croatians viewing him not as a legitimate presidential contender but as a mere stand-in for the true candidate, Andrej Plenković.

Furthermore, Plenković knowingly chose a mediocre presidential candidate, believing he could not defeat Milanović. Even in the unlikely event of a Primorac victory, Plenković’s priority was to ensure that his leadership within HDZ would remain unchallenged. This decision has frustrated HDZ members, especially the so-called intellectual wing, who argue that far better and more competent candidates, capable of defeating Milanović, were overlooked because Plenković prioritised his personal ambitions over the party’s interests. Many believe that Plenković’s self-serving and autocratic approach will ultimately secure Milanović’s re-election.

Public opinion surveys suggest that Milanović is set to win more than a third of the votes in the first round of the election, with the second round expected to take place on 12 January 2025. Unlike Primorac, the other presidential candidates entered the race fully aware of their slim chances of winning, each motivated by different reasons.

Ivana Kekin’s candidacy aims to strengthen support for the Možemo party, while Marija Selak Raspudić is running to regain political visibility after parting ways with Most. Without a party of her own, she seeks broader public recognition and may even consider founding her own political organisation. Conversely, Miro Bulj is running to ensure that Most does not allow Selak Raspudić to dominate their political space following her departure from the party.

Public support for Ivana Kekin and Marija Selak Raspudić stands at around ten per cent, while Miro Bulj is backed by less than four per cent of voters, according to polls. Selak Raspudić was the only candidate analysts considered capable of advancing to the second round instead of Primorac, but she failed to build a strong campaign or expand her voter base to significantly boost her support.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) reveals Croatia’s struggles with corruption

In the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, Croatia ranks at the bottom of the EU, placing 57th out of 180 countries.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), headed by Laura Codruța Kövesi, is currently investigating the misappropriation of over 300 million euros in EU funds in Croatia, placing the country proportionally among Europe’s top offenders. Nataša Novaković[2], former head of the Conflict of Interest Commission, remarked, “Croatia loses 10 billion dollars annually to corruption. Just imagine how much money that is and the profound impact corruption has on all of us.” During his two terms as prime minister, Andrej Plenković has dismissed more than 30 ministers, predominantly over corruption allegations, yet he has failed to take accountability for the conduct of his closest associates, whom he personally appointed.

The latest “non-paper” concerns Croatia

Croatia was the last country to join the EU and is expected to be a genuine partner to all Western Balkan countries, which, in practice, is not the case.

Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, revealed that Slovenia and Germany have drafted a non-paper stipulating the exclusion of vetoes and blockades tied to unresolved bilateral disputes from the pre-accession process.

Analysts argue that the new non-paper is a response to Croatia’s detrimental role in the region, especially in its relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, and that the EU is aware of this.  Consequently, the latest non-paper seeks to mitigate the harmful impacts of Croatia’s actions in the Western Balkans, as the country frequently exploits its EU membership to address bilateral disputes. A parallel can be drawn with Bulgaria’s approach to North Macedonia. The proposed non-paper aims to eliminate the use of vetoes and blockades against neighbouring states over unresolved bilateral issues.

Qualified majority voting (QMV) will need to be employed in decision-making throughout the EU accession process to avoid obstructions by current EU member states in the integration process of candidate countries.

Croatia is haunted by the ghosts of its past

Croatia’s political spectrum is defined by two extremes: HDZ and SDP. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) bases its ideology on anti-communism, the independence process, and the so-called Serbian threat in Croatia. However, communism is long gone, Croatia achieved independence in 1991, and Serbs have become a stabilising factor and a litmus test for Croatia’s democracy. The greatest credit for independence belongs to the Croatian people, who overwhelmingly chose to declare an independent and sovereign state. HDZ is clearly attempting to claim sole credit for Croatia’s independence, ignoring that it stemmed from the Croatian people’s aspiration for independence, as well as historical international circumstances and context—most notably the fall of the Berlin Wall. The party must confront internal criminalisation and abandon its idealisation of Franjo Tuđman. Although Croatia is now an independent and sovereign state, HDZ continues to “search for enemies”, be it Serbs, Yugonostalgists, and more recently, the so-called Muslim threat, perceived as a danger not only to Croatia but to Europe. The projection of alleged threats has become a means of political survival. Over the past decade, HDZ has increasingly aligned itself with a Christian identity, despite being conceived as a national movement without a specifically Christian orientation. The most recent example is the warning about the so-called Hungarian (Orbán) threat, issued by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Serbia remain a persistent topic in Croatian politics. Presidential candidate Ivana Kekin has gone as far as to claim that Croatia’s strategic interest is the removal of Vučić from power, with widespread support in Croatia for the protests unfolding in Serbia.

The Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP), the successor to the former League of Communists of Croatia, has been in a prolonged state of crisis. It failed to transform into a modern left-wing political party during the transition period and remains burdened by remnants of the past. Croatia and the countries of the region need robust social democratic parties, but not in the mould of the current Croatian SDP. Similar challenges are evident in other regional countries with social democratic movements.

HDZ and SDP stand as two radical examples on Croatia’s political stage, benefiting most from the ideological divide that continues to fracture the country, hinder societal healing, and prevent the state from functioning at its full capacity.

Croatia is a sovereign, independent, and internationally recognised state, a full member of the UN, EU, NATO, the Eurozone, Schengen, and other international organisations. These significant achievements, accomplished in a relatively short timeframe, are deserving of respect. But does this exceptional success translate into the progress of Croatian society? The development of Croatian society has been marred by numerous challenges and does not fully reflect these accomplishments. Additional efforts are needed to foster an open, democratic society rooted in civil liberties and the rights of every Croatian citizen, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, political, or other identity.

[1] IFIMES – International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has a special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council ECOSOC/UN in New York since 2018, and it is the publisher of the international scientific journal “European Perspectives”, link: https://www.europeanperspectives.org/en .

[2] Večernji list, an interview with Nataša Novaković: ‘Hrvatska gubi 10 milijardi dolara godišnje na korupciju. Zamislite koliki je to novac i koliko korupcija utječe na sve nas’. Available at:  https://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/hrvatska-gubi-10-milijardi-dolara-godisnje-na-korupciju-zamislite-koliki-je-to-novac-i-koliko-korupcija-utjece-na-sve-nas-1761270 

IFIMES

IFIMES – International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan studies, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council ECOSOC/UN since 2018. IFIMES is also the publisher of the biannual international scientific journal European Perspectives. IFIMES gathers and selects various information and sources on key conflict areas in the world. The Institute analyses mutual relations among parties with an aim to promote the importance of reconciliation, early prevention/preventive diplomacy and disarmament/ confidence building measures in the regional or global conflict resolution of the existing conflicts and the role of preventive actions against new global disputes.

Croatia’s Outspoken Milanovic Tipped To Win Second Presidential Term – Analysis



Croatia's Zoran Milanovic. Photo Credit: Croatia Presidential Press Service

December 29, 2024 
By Balkan Insight
By Vuk Tesija

Zoran Milanovic is the frontrunner in Croatia’s presidential election on Sunday but will likely face a run-off against the governing party’s candidate to secure a second term as head of state.

Milanovic, 58, is polling at almost 39 per cent, two percentage points more than a month ago and well ahead of Dragan Primorac of the governing Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, on almost 23 per cent.

The incumbent’s first five-year term was marked by frequent and often fiery criticism of the HDZ-led government of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, as well as a string of controversial statements by Milanovic that seemed designed to appeal to the political right. He is backed by the opposition Social Democratic Party, SDP, which he led between 2007 and 2016.

Trailing behind Milanovic and Primorac are six other candidates, including independent Marija Selak Raspudic and Ivana Kekin, a party ally of Zagreb mayor Tomislav Tomasevic, who are both polling at around nine per cent.

Sunday’s vote is the third this year following a parliamentary election won by the HDZ in April and European elections in June; local elections are also due early next year.

Nada Zgrabljic Rotar, a former professor of journalism and communication studies at the University of Zagreb, said the campaign had been “lukewarm”.

“We should also keep in mind that people are tired of the elections and rhetoric that is similar and repeated,” Zgrabljic Rotar told BIRN.

That rhetoric frequently revolves around the issue of Croatian soldiers being deployed abroad as part of NATO operations, notably concerning Ukraine; immigration; the rights of Croats in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina; and what conditions to set of Serbia in exchange for voting in favour of its accession to the European Union at some unknown point in the future.

In debates, Milanovic has taken a softer line than Primorac and some of the other candidates; he has ruled out sending the army to secure Croatia’s borders, deporting migrants, or setting any particularly radical conditions on Serbia.

Political analyst Jaroslav Pecnik said the incumbent is the clear frontrunner, but the HDZ “must not allow itself the catastrophe” of Primorac not making the run-off on January 12.

Observers are also watching closely how Kekin performs on behalf of Mozemo! [We Can!], the party that holds power in the capital, Zagreb. “Her participation should be seen as preparation and profiling for the local elections in May,” said Pecnik.
Milanovic the best orator

Primorac has taken a significantly tougher line than Milanovic on the key issues of the campaign.

On Croatia’s public broadcaster on Monday, the 59-year-old doctor said he would deport “every illegal migrant” on Croatian territory and condition Serbia’s EU accession on it declassifying Yugoslav People’s Army papers on the fall of Vukovar and the killing of wounded Croatian fighters and civilians taken from the city hospital in 1991.

He also ruled out sending Croatian soldiers to Ukraine, but criticised Milanovic’s opposition to the participation of two Croatian army officers in the NATO training of Ukrainian soldiers in Germany.

Zgrabljic Rotar, however, noted Primorac’s failure to make much of public concern over the state of the public health service, given his medical expertise. Primorac’s chances have possibly been hurt by a scandal involving his HDZ colleague Vili Beros, who was dismissed as health minister in November over allegations of graft in the procurement of medical equipment.

Most analysts agree that Milanovic is the best orator in the race.

“His style can sometimes be a bit over the top, but at least he has the ‘taste and smell’of a politician,” said Pecnik.

“He is not attacking anyone in the campaign for now because he doesn’t need to, because he is the favourite, and no one dares to touch him too much because they know he has a sharp tongue.”

Zgrabljic Rotar similarly cited Milanovic’s speaking skills.

“He has a rhetoric that is sometimes poetic, sometimes rough; he is a good speaker, which we don’t have many opportunities to hear,” she told BIRN.

“In general, our politicians don’t work hard enough on themselves. In politics, it is not enoughjust to be smart, you have to know how to speak.”
Second term the time for ‘decisive steps’

Pecnik said Milanovic should seize the opportunity offered by a second term to cement his legacy, with his “greatest potential” in the field of foreign policy.

“If he wants to be remembered in history – and I believe he is sufficiently narcissistic and ambitious to aspire to that – he must take decisive steps. The second term is the time for such actions,” Pecnik told BIRN.

“He should launch a series of initiatives aimed at Prime Minister Plenkovic and the government, putting them in a position where they are compelled to respond. Plenkovic may not need to accept these initiatives, but he cannot ignore them. If Milanovic achieves that, he will have accomplished a great deal.”

Pecnik said regional initiatives, involving Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro, would be “crucial”.

“A balanced approach toward these countries is necessary, alongside a clear commitment to supporting their EU accession,” he said.“Of course, this does not depend solely on Milanovic but also on the government and these countries themselves. It’s essential to approach them as equals, demonstrating a willingness to help while maintaining clear criteria.”

Alluding to some of the most controversial of Milanovic’s public pronouncements, Pecnik said Milanovic should “move away from pandering to Tudjman’s politics and instead establish his own authentic policies”, a reference to Croatia’s first president, the nationalist Franjo Tudjman.

Political analyst Davor Gjenero said the only potential for surprise on Sunday is in possibility of Milanovic taking enough votes to win outright, a feat no one has managed since Tudjman. He would then be protected against ideas, aired now and then by some in the media, about trimming the powers of the presidency.

“In that case, everything that was said about limiting the powers of the president of the republic is hardly an option,” Gjenero said.

Balkan Insight

The Balkan Insight (formerly the Balkin Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN) is a close group of editors and trainers that enables journalists in the region to produce in-depth analytical and investigative journalism on complex political, economic and social themes. BIRN emerged from the Balkan programme of the Institute for War & Peace Reporting, IWPR, in 2005. The original IWPR Balkans team was mandated to localise that programme and make it sustainable, in light of changing realities in the region and the maturity of the IWPR intervention. Since then, its work in publishing, media training and public debate activities has become synonymous with quality, reliability and impartiality. A fully-independent and local network, it is now developing as an efficient and self-sustainable regional institution to enhance the capacity for journalism that pushes for public debate on European-oriented political and economic reform.