Iran confirms arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala

Reuters
Mon, December 30, 2024 




Italian journalist Cecilia Sala who was arrested by police in Tehran

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran confirmed the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala for "violating the laws of the Islamic Republic", Iran's official IRNA news agency reported on Monday.

Sala, 29, who works for the newspaper Il Foglio and the podcast company Chora Media, was detained in Tehran on Dec. 19, according to the Italian foreign ministry.

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Saturday declined to say whether the case might be linked to the arrest of an Iranian in Italy this month at the request of the United Sttates.

The case of the Italian journalist being held in Iran is "complicated", but Rome hopes to bring Sala home quickly, Tajani said.

"Italian national Cecilia Sala traveled to Iran on Dec. 13 with a journalist visa and was detained on Dec. 19... for violating the laws of the Islamic Republic," a statement by Iran's Culture Ministry said, according to IRNA.

Chora Media said Sala had left Rome for Iran on Dec. 12 with a valid journalist visa and had conducted several interviews and produced three episodes of her "Stories" podcast. She had been due to fly back to Rome on Dec. 20.

Sala has been in contact by phone with her family and the Italian embassy in Tehran was notified of her detention, the statement said.

In recent years, Iran's security forces have arrested dozens of foreigners and dual nationals, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Iran denies taking prisoners to gain diplomatic leverage.

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi and Elwely Elwelly; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Louise Heavens)

Owner seeks release of oil tanker seized in Finland cable probe

Reuters
Mon, December 30, 2024

Seized oil tanker Eagle S in Porvoo


HELSINKI (Reuters) - The owner of an oil tanker seized by Finland on suspicion of breaking an undersea power line and four telecoms cables in the Baltic Sea last week is seeking the release of the ship, a lawyer representing the company said on Monday.

Finnish police and coast guard officials boarded the Cook Islands-registered Eagle S on Thursday and brought it to a location near a Finnish port where crew members are being questioned.

Baltic Sea nations have been on high alert after a string of outages of power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. NATO said on Friday it would boost its presence in the region.

Investigators said they believed the Eagle S on Dec. 25 broke the Estlink 2 undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, and severed or damaged four fibre optic lines by dragging its anchor across the seabed for dozens of kilometres.

Finland's president last week said he believed further damage would have occurred on the seabed had the ship not been stopped.

Finland's customs service has said it believes the Eagle S is part of a shadow fleet of ageing tankers being used to evade sanctions on the sale of Russian oil, and has formally impounded its cargo although it is still on board the ship.

The owner of the Eagle S, United Arab Emirates-based Caravella LLC FZ, filed a request with the Helsinki District Court on Monday to cancel the seizure of the ship.

Finnish lawyer Herman Ljungberg, who filed the documents on behalf of the company, said authorities had not provided any explanation of the legal basis for taking the vessel into custody and boarding it.

"The Finns have hijacked a vessel," Ljungberg told Reuters.

He said the crew had been interrogated by investigators without any legal assistance and that they had been deprived of sleep.

A police spokesperson said the seizure of the vessel had taken place according to Finnish law and that crew members had been informed of their rights, including that of legal assistance.

They had not been deprived of sleep, the spokesperson added.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto in Helsinki, Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen and Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, writing by Terje Solsvik, editing by Andrew Heavens)

Drugmakers to raise US prices on over 250 medicines starting Jan. 1

Michael Erman
Tue, December 31, 2024

Illustration shows U.S. dollar banknotes and medicines

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Drugmakers plan to raise U.S. prices on at least 250 branded medications including Pfizer COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid, Bristol Myers Squibb's cancer cell therapies and vaccines from France's Sanofi at the start of 2025, according to data analyzed by healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors.

Nearly all of the drug price increases are below 10% - most well below. The median price increase of the drugs being hiked Jan. 1 is 4.5%, which is in line with the median for all price increases last year.

The increases are to list prices, which do not include rebates to pharmacy benefit managers and other discounts.

Larger drug price increases were once far more common in the U.S. but in recent years drugmakers have scaled them back after price hikes drew sharp criticism in the middle of the last decade.

"Drugmakers don't have much real estate any longer to increase prices over time, which means taking greater liberties on launch prices is really the only option they have in the face of expanded penalties for year-over-year price increases," 3 Axis President Antonio Ciaccia said.

A Reuters analysis of prices for new drugs found that pharmaceutical companies launched new U.S. drugs in 2023 at prices 35% higher than in 2022.

The over 250 drug hikes represent an increase from Dec. 29 last year when drugmakers unveiled plans to raise prices on more than 140 brands of drugs.

Drug companies are also reducing some prices on Jan. 1. Merck & Co plans to cut the list price of its heavily discounted diabetes drugs Januvia and Janumet "to align the list price more closely to the net price."

U.S. PAYS MOST

The U.S. pays more for prescription medicines than any other country, and incoming President Donald Trump has vowed to lower drug costs by focusing on middlemen in the U.S. healthcare system.

More drug price increases are likely to be announced by other drugmakers over the course of January - historically the biggest month for drugmakers to raise prices.

Pfizer raised prices of the most drugs on the latest list - more than 60 drugs. As well as a 3% hike on Paxlovid, the company raised prices on medicines including migraine treatment Nurtec and cancer drugs Adcetris, Ibrance and Xeljanz between 3% and 5%.

"Pfizer has adjusted the average list prices of our medicines and vaccines for 2025 below the overall rate of inflation – approximately 2.4% – across many products in our diverse product portfolio," Pfizer spokesperson Amy Rose said in an email. She said the increases help support investments in drug development and offset costs.

Bristol Myers raised the price of its expensive cancer cell therapies Abecma and Breyanzi by 6% and 9%, respectively. The personalized blood cancer treatments can already cost close to half a million dollars.

A BMS spokesperson said in an email that the company is "committed to achieving unfettered patient access" to its medicines. She said the price of Breyanzi in particular "is reflective of the potentially transformative, individualized treatment in a one-time infusion."

Sanofi raised prices on around a dozen of its vaccines between 2.9% and 9%.

The largest brand price increases according to the 3 Axis analysis were from Leadiant Pharmaceuticals, a unit of Italy's Essetifin. The company raised prices around 15% on its Hodgkin's disease treatment Matulane and about 20% on Cystaran, eye drops to help patients with symptoms from a rare condition called cystinosis.

Spokespeople from Leadiant and Sanofi did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Michael Erman; Editing by David Gregorio)

Putin Hands Local Company Control of AB InBev’s Russian Unit

Mon, December 30, 2024 

(Bloomberg) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a local company control of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s joint venture, upending the brewer’s plans to exit the country via a deal with a Turkish partner.

All the shares of AB InBev Efes Russia, a tie-up between the Belgian brewer and Anadolu Efes of Turkey, are now under the temporary control of the Vmeste group of companies, a presidential decree published Monday said, without giving any details on Vmeste.

In October, Anadolu Efes and AB InBev agreed to swap stakes in their businesses in Russia and Ukraine. Under the deal, the Turkish brewer would become the sole owner of the Russian business, while AB InBev would acquire the Ukrainian unit. AB InBev had previously wanted to sell control of both operations to Anadolu Efes, but Russia objected to that plan.

After Moscow’s latest intervention, it isn’t clear whether AB InBev will eventually be able to exit the country, as other Western companies have managed to do after running into similar hurdles. Also unclear is the status of the Ukrainian part of the deal, which was conditional on regulatory approvals, including a green light from the Kremlin.

Shares of AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer, fell 1.5%. Anadolu Efes shares closed down 10%.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, western multinationals have either been scrambling to exit the country with minimal writedowns or looking for ways to continue operating there, while protecting their assets, profits and staff.

Russia has made it harder for companies to get out. Those that want to quit now have to accept a 60% haircut on the sale value. Moscow also seized subsidiaries of companies trying to leave, including Carlsberg A/S and Danone.

The Danish brewer and French yogurt maker were eventually able to regain control of their subsidiaries ahead of sales to buyers approved by the Kremlin. Earlier this month, Carlsberg agreed to sell its Russian business unit Baltika Breweries, one day after Putin signed a decree ending government control of the division.

AB InBev, which has taken a $1.1 billion impairment on the asset, will continue to work with its joint-venture partner, a spokesman said.

“We will comprehensively assess this situation and take all necessary steps in response, together with our JV partner,” Anadolu Efes said in a statement late Monday.

--With assistance from Beril Akman.


(Adds Anadolu Efes statement in final paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

UK

Lawyers are the new bankers as £1m salaries become the norm

Maria Ward-Brennan
Tue 31 December 2024 

The City of London

US law firms have started to dominate London’s legal market, bringing with them the aggressive hiring practices that dominate their home market.

Competition between the US law firms and their UK peers has become increasingly intense in recent years as the former continues to invest heavily in the London market.

According to recent data provided by legal recruiter Edwards Gibson, there were 546 partner moves recorded over 2024, up seven per cent on 2023 and 14 per cent on 2022 as US companies poached talent.

In the report, Edwards Gibson stated, “The reason… is in large part due to the continued huge investment bets by US law firms”.

Neel Sachdev, the biggest legal name in deal-making, who was poached by US firm Paul, Weiss from US rival Kirkland & Ellis for $20m in 2023, has pushed Weiss into making some of the most aggressive moves in the market. The private equity lawyer has recruited heavily, attracting 200 lawyers to the London office of Paul, Weiss.

Speaking to City AM, Christopher Clark, director at Definitum Search said: “This year has seen a surge in partner recruitment, mergers and acquisitions have picked up significantly, with litigation and investigations also keeping pace.”

“Law firms have been very proactive with their lateral growth strategies including a pick up in speculative hires,” he added.

Legal Cheek, the UK’s most-read legal website, noted the London offices of top US firms topped its overall profit per equity partner (PEP) tables.

Some equity partners at Kirkland & Ellis have earnings of as much as £6.1m a year, followed by Paul, Weiss at £5.1m.

“Compensation has significantly increased as the war for talent heats up, if you’re not paying top of market you’ll be left behind,” stated Clark.

The legal market is essential for London. TheCityUK revealed earlier this month that in 2023, the legal sector contributed £37bn to the UK economy, equivalent to 1.6 per cent of the real gross value added.
Cash is king

Even at the junior end US firms are flexing the cash. Earlier this year, the newly-qualified (NQ) pay war kicked off again after US firm Quinn Emanuel upped its starting salary for London lawyers to £180,000.

Speaking to City AM as part of Eyes on the Law earlier this month, Ria Karnik, managing director at Major, Lindsey & Africa stated that the salary battle shows no signs of slowing.

“We could potentially be heading into what may turn out to be another busy year, or an even busier one,” she said, adding that if the market follows this trajectory, it will “spark another pay war, which US firms are well positioned to handle—perhaps even better than others,” she explained.

Karnik also said, “It’s become increasingly clear that lawyers are the new bankers”.

In December, lawyers across the US law firms in the City received big bonuses ranging from $10,000 (£8,000) to $15,000 (£12,000) for first-year associates, rising to as much as $90,000 (£72,000) for those in their fifth year.
English lawyers push into US market

While the US firms continue to dominate the UK legal market, some UK firms are looking to the other side of the Atlantic.

The most highly anticipated merger in the legal sector completed back in May, as UK magic circle firm Allen & Overy (A&O) and US firm Shearman & Sterling became one mega-firm.

Earlier this month, London-based law firm DAC Beachcroft announced it was launching into the US with offices planned in New York and Los Angeles.

Magic circle firm Linklaters credited its US expansion into New York and Washington DC for its latest results, which saw its revenue surpass the £2bn mark for the first time.

RIGHT TO LIFE

Zimbabwe abolishes the death penalty

Amnesty International said in a statement welcoming the new act as an "historic moment".

AFP
Tue 31 December 2024 

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed a law that commutes the death sentences of some 60 prisoners (Anton Vaganov) (Anton Vaganov/POOL/AFP)


Zimbabwe officially abolished the death penalty Tuesday after President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law an act that will commute to jail time the sentences of about 60 prisoners on death row.

There has been a moratorium on executions in the southern African country since 2005 although courts have continued to hand down the death sentence for crimes including murder, treason and terrorism.

The Death Penalty Abolition Act, published in Government Gazette Tuesday, says courts can no longer deliver a sentence of capital punishment for any offence and any existing death sentences would need to be commuted to jail time.

However, one provision says the suspension of the death penalty may be lifted during a state of emergency.

At least 59 people were known to be under a death sentence in Zimbabwe at the end of 2023, Amnesty International said in a statement welcoming the new act as an "historic moment".

"We urge the authorities to now swiftly move to a full abolition of the death penalty by removing the clause included in the amendments to the Bill allowing for the use of the death penalty for the duration of any state of public emergency," the international rights group said.

The local The Herald newspaper reported in February that there were 63 death row inmates who would likely have to return to court for resentencing once the death penalty was scrapped.

Twenty-four countries across sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes while two additional countries have abolished it for ordinary crimes only, Amnesty said.

Mnangagwa has been a vocal opponent of capital punishment since he was sentenced to death in the 1960s for blowing up a train during the guerrilla war for independence. The sentence was later commuted.

Of the 16 countries known to have carried out executions in 2023, only one -- Somalia -- was in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Amnesty.

str-br/phz

How two crew members survived deadly South Korea plane crash

Samuel Montgomery
Tue 31 December 2024 

THE TELEGRAPH

The two surviving flight attendants had reportedly been seated in the rear section of the aircraft that separated in the collision - Yonhap/AFP

Two crew members may have survived the Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea thanks to sitting backwards with a harness on in the safest part of the cabin, according to aviation experts.

The Boeing 737-800 belly-landed and skidded down the runway at Muan International Airport on Sunday before hitting a structure beyond the Tarmac and bursting into flames. Of the 181 on board, 179 were killed.

The two surviving flight attendants, who had reportedly been seated in the rear section of the aircraft that separated in the collision, were rescued from the plane’s tail, which pictures showed ended up upside down.

Lee Jung-hyun, the chief of the Muan fire department, said: “Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of [the plane] looks almost impossible to recognise.”

It follows the survival of two crew members in the tail of a plane that crashed in Kazakhstan last week, killing most of its passengers and crew.

Experts have suggested that the crew members’ positioning within the South Korean aircraft, as well as them probably wearing a four-point harness, may have saved their lives.

Lee Mo, 33, who was in charge of passenger service at the back of the plane according to local media, suffered a fractured left shoulder and head injuries before waking disorientated at the intensive care unit in Ewha Womans University Hospital in Seoul.

He repeatedly asked “what happened?” and “why am I here?”, before recalling wearing his seat belt before the crash, The Korea Times reported.

Ju Woong, the director of Ewha Womans University Hospital, said Lee was “fully able to communicate” and there was “no indication yet of memory loss or such”, but the flight attendant was being kept under special care because of the possibility of full-body paralysis.

Sitting in a rear-facing seat and wearing a safety harness, as shown in this file photo, may have saved the lives of the two cabin crew - Creative Credit/iStockphoto

Another crew member known only by her surname, Koo, 25, was reportedly taken to the Asan Medical Center in Seoul with a scalp laceration, a fractured ankle and abdominal pain.

She reportedly said in her initial statements: “Smoke came out of one of the plane’s engines and then it exploded.”

Officials said that the crash came after the plane was struck by birds at about 9am local time (midnight GMT).

Jay Robert, a former senior cabin crew member for Emirates, said that crew at the rear of a Boeing 737-800 conventionally sit in backward facing seats and wear a harness.

“The 737-800s I have been on all have seats facing backwards at the rear,” he told The Telegraph, adding: “It is a better position for impact and you wear a four-point hardness.

“The airplane usually breaks apart on impact and passengers in the rear tend to have a better chance of survival.”

A police forensics team examines parts of the wreckage of the crash at Muan International Airport - Yonhap/AFP

Shem Malmquist, an air safety and accident investigator, pilot and professor of aeronautics at Florida Institute of Technology, said both the harness and backward facing seats would have improved the chance of survival.

“They definitely would have been wearing harnesses, that would possibly have helped, and if they were sitting backwards that would keep them somewhat safer,” he told The Telegraph.

Mr Malmquist, who has flown Boeing 777s for the best part of 35 years, said that harnesses would not necessarily improve safety in most accidents and so their rollout would depend on return on investment.

“It would be safer but people don’t like to wear the harnesses and of course it is the cost,” he said, adding that airlines would be cautious to accept changes to seats and seat belts for the added weight which would increase fuel consumption.

A report by Naval Aviation News in 1952 suggested passengers in transport planes were 10 times more likely to survive a crash in a backward facing seat, while Richard Snyder, a scientist at the University of Michigan, concluded in a 1983 paper that “data appears to overwhelmingly substantiate that the seated occupant can tolerate much higher crash forces when oriented in the rearward-facing position”.

Mr Malmquist said: “It should be looked at. Nobody is talking about this. There is a lot we can do and it is virtually untapped.”

On Christmas Day, two crew members also survived after an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 went down in Kazakhstan after it was allegedly hit by a Russian ground-to-air missile, killing 38 people.

The Boeing 737-800 belly-landed and skidded down the runway at Muan International Airport on Sunday - Lee Geun-young/via Reuters

Zulfugar Asadov and Aidan Rahimli had been stationed at the back of the plane when the aircraft split, with the tail remaining intact, while the front caught fire.

“In these two crashes, the impact was from the front,” said Mr Robert, adding: “In South Korea, the crew at the back would possibly have been shielded from the explosion.

“I would assume it would have been a bit more protected than everyone else.”

The rear of a commercial aircraft is statistically the safest place in a crash, according to an analysis of 35 years of data by Time magazine in 2015.

The study found those at the rear of a plane had a fatality rate of 32 per cent, which rose 38 per cent at the front and 39 per cent in the middle. The wings of a plane store fuel, which carries a risk of explosion.

Middle seats, which have the benefit of fellow passengers acting as buffers, in the rear had the best outcomes at 28 per cent, compared with the worst faring aisle seats in the middle of the plane at 44 per cent.

Steven Green, a retired Boeing 737-800 pilot from Vermont, said it was “no surprise” that people in the tail have a better chance of surviving because the area is “structurally very strong”.

Mr Green, who flew commercial airlines for over 40 years, said there was a safety argument to be had for rolling out harnesses and backward facing seats to passengers.

“From a safety standpoint, it makes sense,” he told The Telegraph, adding: “The British tried rear-facing seats on Trident [jets] but nobody liked them, it doesn’t feel right.“

UK Women soldiers to get annual £50 sports bra vouchers for first time

IT'S ALSO A WORKPLACE ISSUE

“Our breasts change constantly, through puberty, through pregnancy, through breastfeeding, through age, through menopause, through weight gain, weight loss. They fluctuate in size during our menstrual cycle."

Danielle Sheridan
Tue 31 December 2024


Cleaning rifle on exercise in Belize - Corporal Danielle Dawson, RLC/Army

When Corporal Natasha Day joined the British Army 10 years ago she never thought that her time in service thus far would be defined by her role as a mother.

However, after having her son, Charlie, now five, Cpl Day spearheaded the Defence Breastfeeding Network, which made it easier, more comfortable and crucially more hygienic for breastfeeding Army mums to express milk while at work, allowing them to carry on with their daily duties.

So it was only natural that Cpl Day, 30, a paramedic with 1 Armoured Medical Regiment, would become the face of the Ministry of Defence’s decision to give women an annual £50 allowance to get properly fitted sports bras, as part of their military uniform.

It is the first time that all female service personnel, who make up 11.7 per cent of the UK regular forces, have been granted the allowance, although all female Army recruits have been individually fitted, and issued, free sports bras during basic training since 2019.

It comes after recent research by the Army Recruit Health and Performance Research Team and University of Portsmouth found that more than 85 per cent of new recruits experience breast health problems relating to inadequate breast support and poor bra fitting during basic training.

Female member of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery - Sgt Rob Kane/Army

It forms part of a wider push to boost female recruitment and retention in the military which is facing a recruitment crisis.

In the past year, 16,140 people left the military, while only 10,680 joined.

It follows an announcement in 2021 that female personnel serving abroad would be supplied with tampons and sanitary towels in the way other personal care items such as sun cream and toilet roll were easily available for their male counterparts.

The following year the Ministry of Defence announced that it was rolling out updated combat clothing and body armour to better fit female bodies.

Speaking in an interview with The Telegraph, Cpl Day says the MoD’s recent decision shows that bras are being viewed as an “essential piece” of uniform and not just underwear.

Cpl Day explained how the initiative came about when a friend met someone at the London Marathon Expo selling sports bras for breastfeeding women.

“They got talking about boobs,” Cpl Day said, and naturally the women were sent in her direction.

“This is the work of a multitude of women that have come together to do this,” she said.

“Hopefully with the work that all of these incredible women are doing, they make it better for the next generation.”

Female personnel were encouraged to attend a fitting at a number of sites at barracks to accurately buy the right size.


REME soldier on exercise in Cumbria - Sgt Benjamin Maher, RLC/MoD

The act of holding a fitting in work time was a major plus for working mothers, who Cpl Day said do not have time to squeeze in a bra fitting around all the numerous tasks they are juggling


“I haven’t been fitted for a bra since before I had my baby and my breasts have absolutely changed,” she said.

“I’m not the bra that I’m squeezing myself into. I split my time doing shift work and my army work. I’m a busy mother. My worst nightmare is going into M&S and getting fitted and my five-year-old running off. So I absolutely haven’t been fitted.”

That is until earlier this month, when a bra fitting service came to Tidworth Garrison in Wiltshire.

“I think I am absolutely guilty of being a mum that neglects herself for the benefit of everyone else,” Cpl Day said.

“To have had that done in working time so that I could pop down to the gym, get measured, buy my sports bra and claim it back in the space of an hour, was fantastic.”

Another important aspect of the fitting was being educated on the importance of wearing properly supported bras.

She said: “Our breasts change constantly, through puberty, through pregnancy, through breastfeeding, through age, through menopause, through weight gain, weight loss. They fluctuate in size during our menstrual cycle.

“I know my breasts have changed but I’ve done nothing about it. I’ve done nothing to support myself or to make sure that I’m in the right kit to actually prevent injury.

“People take a smack to the chest in a contact sport and think nothing of it and actually, we need to protect our bodies. And whilst, you know, a sports bra is not a plate of armour, a well fitting sports bra can reduce injury, and that’s so important in the work that we do.”

UK special forces troops face prosecution over alleged war crimes in Syria

Gregor Young
Tue 31 December 2024

The Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA), is considering one case related to one individual and another involving eight

NINE UK special forces troops could be prosecuted over alleged war crimes in Syria, Ministry of Defence (MoD) figures show.

The Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA), is considering one case related to one individual and another involving eight.

The body, the military equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service, is also considering a case involving another member of the armed forces over their actions in Afghanistan.

It comes after a request for information by The Times newspaper, though the MoD gave no further details on the alleged war crimes.

READ MORE: Vast majority of Scots back ending all arms exports to Israel – new poll

A case may relate to one or more incidents.

Earlier this year, the Daily Mail reported that five serving SAS soldiers were facing a murder investigation over the death of a suspected jihadist in Syria two years ago.

The newspaper said that special forces chiefs believe troops used excessive force and should have arrested the suspect, who was shot dead.

It has been reported that the Royal Military Police is investigating whether the man’s shooting was a war crime.

Soldiers allegedly believed the suspect was wearing a suicide vest and was intent on attacking British troops.

The Daily Mail reported that a primed bomb vest was later found in a nearby building.

Military bosses reportedly sent files to the SPA recommending murder charges against the five soldiers, according to the newspaper.

The report said the soldiers were watching a suspect jihadi compound at night, when suspects allegedly ran from the property shortly before a planned raid.

The newspaper said a jihadist was seen lying motionless behind a bush and he was shot several times at point-blank range.

An MoD spokesperson said: “Our UK personnel are respected worldwide for the highest standards and action will be taken against anyone that fails to meet these standards, including dismissal from service, where appropriate.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further on ongoing investigations.”

Kremlin supporters tout Trump takeover threats as aiding Putin’s expansionist goals

Gustaf Kilander
Tue 31 December 2024 

President-elect Donald Trump has boasted on social media about taking over Greenland, making Canada the 51st state, and wresting control of the Panama Canal.

His expansionist rhetoric has worried allies but elated enemies, with Russians viewing the statements as evidence that Trump isn’t opposed to foreign wars of conquest, as is the Kremlin, despite what he has otherwise stated.

To Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top propagandists, Trump’s statements have revealed that he would blithely invade a country unable to fight back, according to Julia Davis, an observer of Russian media and columnist at The Daily Beast.

The president-elect would expect a victory parade, like after Russia’s 2014 seizure of Crimea from Ukraine, which Trump called “genius” and “savvy.” Putin tried and failed to take the whole of Ukraine in 2022, with Kremlin insiders believing that Trump only disapproved of the war because it grew in length and cost.

The top Kremlin supporters in Russia believe that Trump can be convinced to back Russia’s expansionist goals if Putin gets a chance to influence him. They’re strongly opposed to the notion of negotiating with Trump’s Ukraine envoy, retired Lieutenant-General Keith Kellogg. The ultimate scenario for them would be to make the Russian invasion of Ukraine appear legitimate, and the recognition of their territorial requirements.

They view Trump’s statements about Greenland, Canada, and Panama as validating Russia’s current and future acquisitions.

Host Dmitry Kiselyov of Vesti Nedeli, or The Weekly News, used part of his Sunday broadcast to outline American expansionism under Trump.

“Trump isn’t joking. He is determined to expand American territorial possessions. Personally, I am convinced that he will succeed,” said Kiselyov, according to a translation by Davis.

“Trump will grab strategically important parts of the world for America ... What is funny is to see whether anyone in the Old World will try to sanction the United States in response to its territorial expansion. This is when we will find out how principled the lovers of sanctions truly are,” he added.

“Think about it. If Trump gets away with all of this, inspired by his success, he might look at the rest of the globe, focus on vulnerable spots, and keep going. Where will he stop? Doesn’t it mean that others can do the same?” Kiselyov asked.

Pundits on The Evening With Vladimir Solovyov spent most of last Thursday’s broadcast celebrating how the world will change under Trump.

“Trump politely announced that the U.S. will be expanding its borders,” Soloyov pointed out, though many in the U.S. would take issue with “politely.”

Andrey Lugovoy is a member of the State Duma and was involved in the lethal poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko.

He noted on the program: “It feels like we spent the last four years in Biden’s madhouse and now we’re gradually transitioning to Trump’s circus,” though he added that it’s unclear if Trump is “joking” when he speaks about Canada, Greenland, and Panama.

“These are awesome statements! No, he is not joking ... of course he isn’t joking!” Solovyov responded. “Do you think I’m kidding when I say that Finland, Warsaw, the Baltics, Moldova, and Tallinn should come back home? Do you think I’m joking? No! They should all rejoin the Russian Empire. Followed by Alaska, by the way. Give it back.”

The “way he is rationalizing it is tremendous. We should follow his example and quietly take everything back,” he added.

Lugovoy indicated how Trump’s takeover threats should embolden Russia’s violent aggression in the Ukraine. “My friends, Trump’s insane statements show that there should not be any ceasefire. Why would we need a ceasefire when we’re confidently moving forward?” Lugovoy asked.

Solyov added: “By taking Canada, Trump is basically saying, ‘Russians, you can take the Baltics.”

He underscored: “I believe that what Trump is doing benefits us greatly. Trump is totally destroying any illusions that anyone might have still had about the summit of democracies, about respecting the opinions of NATO allies.”

Professor Dmitry Evstafiev argued that “with his approach of geographical enlargement” Trump has “buried the entire collective West. There is no collective West, and it will never be united again.”

Military expert Mikhail Khodaryonok said in the wake of Trump’s statements about Canada, Greenland, and Panama, “we can now consider special military operations as the norm for resolving arguments between countries.”



Kremlin Insiders Reveal How Trump Is Already Secretly Helping Putin

Julia Davis
Mon 30 December 2024 


Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

President-elect Donald Trump’s social media posts about annexing Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal startled America’s allies and delighted foreign foes. In Russia, the statements were interpreted to mean that Trump isn’t really opposed to foreign wars of conquest after all.

To them, Trump’s tirades revealed that—just like Russian President Vladimir Putin—Trump would be delighted to invade any country that couldn’t fight back. He would expect accolades and a lavish victory parade after seizing foreign territories, just like the fallout from Russia stealing Crimea in 2014.

Trump infamously described the annexation of Crimea as a “genius” and “savvy” move.

Putin tried to repeat the trick and take the rest of Ukraine in three days in 2022, and the Kremlin insiders believe Trump only disapproves of the war because it turned out to be lengthy and costly.

Russia’s premier propagandists and experts already believe that Trump can be persuaded to go along with Moscow’s wish list if Putin gets to influence him, tête-à-tête personally. They are vehemently opposed to the idea of negotiating with retired Lieutenant-General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Ukraine envoy. The dream scenario that they envision would include legitimizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and recognizing Moscow’s territorial demands.

In the meantime, Trump’s stated intentions towards Greenland, Canada, and Panama are being celebrated as implicit validation for Russia’s current and future land grabs. During Sunday’s broadcast of Vesti Nedeli (The Weekly News), host Dmitry Kiselyov devoted an entire segment to America’s planned expansion under Trump. He pointed out, “Trump isn’t joking. He is determined to expand American territorial possessions. Personally, I am convinced that he will succeed.” Kiselyov predicted, “Trump will grab strategically important parts of the world for America. It isn’t funny. What is funny is to see whether anyone in the Old World will try to sanction the United States in response to its territorial expansion. This is when we will find out how principled the lovers of sanctions truly are.”

Vladimir Putin Dmitry Kiselyov are close. / Mikhail Svetlov / Getty Images

He added, “Think about it. If Trump gets away with all of this, inspired by his success, he might look at the rest of the globe, focus on vulnerable spots, and keep going. Where will he stop? Doesn’t it mean that others can do the same?”

Last Thursday, pundits on the state TV show The Evening With Vladimir Solovyov spent most of the broadcast rejoicing about the way the world will change during Trump’s presidency. Host Vladimir Solovyov said, “Trump politely announced that the U.S. will be expanding its borders.”

State Duma member Andrey Lugovoy, notorious for his involvement in the deadly poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, noted, “It feels like we spent the last four years in Biden’s madhouse and now we’re gradually transitioning to Trump’s circus.” He speculated that the incoming president will resort to the madman theory as his political strategy, akin to the foreign policy of former U.S. President Richard Nixon. Lugovoy said that no one knows whether Trump is joking when he is making statements about Greenland, Panama, and Canada.

Host Vladimir Solovyov vehemently disagreed. He said, “These are awesome statements! No, he is not joking... of course he isn’t joking! Do you think I’m kidding when I say that Finland, Warsaw, the Baltics, Moldova, and Tallinn should come back home? Do you think I’m joking? No! They should all rejoin the Russian Empire. Followed by Alaska, by the way. Give it back.”

Solovyov added, “The way he is rationalizing it is tremendous. We should follow his example and quietly take everything back.” Echoing the statements of Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Putin’s top propagandist argued that Russia should now take more than the four Ukrainian regions it has already constitutionally decreed to be Russian.

Vladimir Solovyov is one of Russia's most high-profile news hosts. / OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP via Getty Images

Lugovoy stated, “My friends, Trump’s insane statements show that there should not be any ceasefire. Why would we need a ceasefire when we’re confidently moving forward?”

Solovyov surmised, “I believe that what Trump is doing benefits us greatly. Trump is totally destroying any illusions that anyone might have still had about the summit of democracies, about respecting opinions of NATO allies. It’s like he’s saying, “Who are all of you? You’re all nobodies! I will talk to Putin and Xi Jinping... He is a great guy, an awesome guy!”

Professor Dmitry Evstafiev said, “Trump did something fantastic for Russia and for the whole world... He clearly answered a question, “Leadership or hegemony?” and chose hegemony. With his approach of geographical enlargement, he buried the entire collective West. There is no collective West, and it will never be united again.”

America expert Dmitry Drobnitsky emphasized, “Based on the team Trump is bringing along and who he is himself, it’s clear that he is certainly not a builder of a new world order. He is a destroyer. He will tear down the old world order.” Solovyov added, “By taking Canada, Trump is basically saying, “Russians, you can take the Baltics.””

Military expert Mikhail Khodaryonok noted, “After the statement of President-elect Donald Trump about Canada, Greenland, and Panama, in my opinion, we can now consider special military operations as the norm for resolving arguments between countries. The silence of European leaders clearly confirms this.”

Political scientist Dmitry Kulikov added the era of nation-states is over and that the world will return to the era of empires. He confidently said, “The new world is dawning.” Solovyov agreed, “This is the era of the strong.”


Former Trump adviser finally admits climate change exists to justify threatened Greenland takeover

Gustaf Kilander
Mon 30 December 2024 

Former Trump adviser finally admits climate change exists to justify threatened Greenland takeover


A former national security adviser to Donald Trump has finally acknowledged the existence of climate change, unlike his former boss, to justify a takeover of Greenland, as threatened by the president-elect.

Robert O’Brien appeared on Sunday Morning Futures on Fox News, suggesting that the U.S. could limit its use of the Panama Canal “as the climate gets warmer” and turn instead to opening waterways in the Arctic along Greenland.

“Greenland is a highway from the Arctic all the way to North America, to the United States,” O’Brien said. “It’s strategically very important to the Arctic, which is going to be the critical battleground of the future because as the climate gets warmer, the Arctic is going to be a pathway that maybe cuts down on the usage of the Panama Canal.”

He added: “The Russians and the Chinese are all over the Arctic. Now the Danes ... own Greenland. And they’ve got an obligation to defend Greenland, and so President Trump said ‘If you don’t defend Greenland, we’ll buy it and we’ll defend it, but we’re not going to defend it for free and let you not develop Greenland and not extract the minerals and oil and resources of Greenland.’”

O’Brien went on to say that Denmark is “on the frontlines of the war against Russia and China.”

“They’re like the Baltic states, they’re like Poland because of their vast territory in Greenland,” he argued. “And so they’ve got to defend Greenland, and if they can’t defend it, we’re going to have to, and we’re not gonna do it for free.”

In the weeks after winning the election, Trump has suggested making Canada the 51st U.S. state and he has said he is prepared to take over the Panama Canal.

Trump has also threatened America’s closest neighbors with trade wars, and to take over Greenland, which has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark for 600 years. Trump claimed American ownership of Greenland was an “absolute necessity” for world “security” and “freedom.”. This threats come despite Trump’s vow to end foreign wars and despite that he made “peace through strength” a central part of his campaign.

But his threat is unlikely to lead to any major changes as leader after leader of the areas in question has staunchly rejected Trump’s advances. José Raúl Mulino, the president of Panama, shot back: “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone belongs to Panama and will remain so.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Múte Egede said, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.




Taking back Panama Canal would require war: Former ambassador

Sarah Fortinsky
Mon 30 December 2024 

Former U.S. Ambassador to Panama John Feeley on Sunday said it would take a war for the United States to take back the Panama Canal.

“To attempt to take it back today, I’d like to ask you, go find the MAGA constituency that’s going to support another foreign war because that is what it would take to get the canal back,” Feeley said during an interview on CNN.

President-elect Trump has broached the subject of the U.S. taking back the canal.

A week ago, Trump suggested to a conference of his supporters that the Panama Canal be returned to U.S. control, vowing swift action over the matter after he takes office in less than one month.

“It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions. You got to treat us fairly, and they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump said at Turning Point USA’s “American Fest.”

“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question,” Trump added.

When an audience member yelled, “Take it back,” Trump replied, “That’s a good idea.”

Feeley, who was ambassador under former President Obama and Trump, said the late President Carter was not alone in thinking it was wise to turn over the canal to Panama in the 1970s, noting even conservative leaders had similar instincts.

“Let’s not forget, Jimmy Carter wasn’t the only one who thought it was a good idea. No one less than Henry Kissinger in 1975 told then-President Nixon, if we don’t return this canal, we’re going to lose in every international forum, and we’re going to have riots all over Latin America,” Feeley said in an interview conducted shortly after Carter died on Sunday.

“Carter simply read correctly the decolonization moment, capitalized on it, and then … he paid the political price for that. But it was a principled move,” Feeley continued.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.