News

Seven-Year-Old Killed, Eight Injured in Knife Attack at Zagreb School

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

RTX

A seven-year-old girl was killed, and eight others were injured in a knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia, on Friday morning.

The 19-year-old suspect, reportedly a former student of Prečko Elementary School, entered a first-grade classroom and launched the attack on the teacher and several children, according to CNN affiliate N1.

Victims and Medical Response

Emergency services responded swiftly, with helicopters transporting the injured to hospitals across the city. The teacher, who sustained life-threatening injuries, is in critical condition at Sveti Duh Hospital.

“The attacker is under police custody. The injured persons are receiving medical treatment,” Zagreb police confirmed in a statement.

Scenes of Chaos and Shock

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as ambulances arrived at the school and people fled the premises. Videos circulating on social media showed crowds running across the school’s sports fields as authorities worked to secure the area.

City officials, including Mayor Tomislav Tomašević and Interior Minister Davor Božinović, were present at the site, coordinating the emergency response.

National Mourning and Condemnation

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed his shock and sorrow, calling the incident a “tragedy” that has appalled the nation. He also confirmed that Health Minister Irena Hristić would visit the hospitals treating the injured.

“This is a devastating and unprecedented event in our community,” Plenković said, emphasizing the need for support for the victims and their families.

Rare Incident in the Region

School attacks are uncommon in Croatia and the wider Balkan region. However, the tragedy has evoked memories of last year’s mass shootings in neighboring Serbia, one of which targeted a school in Belgrade.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the attack, which has left the community in shock. Security measures at schools across the country are expected to be reviewed in the aftermath of the incident.

This attack has shaken the tight-knit Zagreb community, with residents expressing grief and disbelief. As the nation mourns, officials have pledged to do everything possible to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

News

Swedish Police Board Chinese Vessel in Baltic Sea Cable Investigation

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2024

RTX

Swedish authorities have boarded the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, a vessel under investigation for its potential involvement in the breaches of two undersea fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea last month. The operation was carried out with the cooperation of Chinese authorities, Swedish police announced on Thursday.

The Yi Peng 3 has been stationary in the Kattegat strait, between Denmark and Sweden, for over a month while diplomatic discussions between Stockholm and Beijing unfolded. Swedish investigators suspect the vessel’s involvement in the November cable breaches, which occurred in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone.

MarineTraffic data analyzed by Reuters indicates the ship’s coordinates matched the time and location of the incidents. The vessel had departed the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15, just days before the damage occurred on November 17 and 18.

Swedish Police Act as Observers

Swedish police clarified that their participation on board the Yi Peng 3 was observational while Chinese authorities led the investigation. “The preliminary investigation into sabotage in connection with two cable breaks in the Baltic Sea is continuing in parallel,” Swedish police said in a statement. They emphasized that the actions taken on Thursday were not directly part of their Swedish-led investigation.

Danish authorities facilitated the visit to the bulk carrier, which remains anchored in the Kattegat strait.

Cable Breaches Prompt Sabotage Concerns

The damaged cables are critical infrastructure, with one linking Finland and Germany and the other connecting Sweden to Lithuania. The breaches prompted concerns across the region, with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stating that sabotage was the likely cause. Swedish prosecutors are leading the investigation into the suspected sabotage.

Western intelligence officials have reportedly pointed to the Yi Peng 3 as the cause of the cable cuts. However, opinions differ on whether the breaches were accidental or intentional. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has urged the vessel to return to Sweden to support the ongoing investigation.

Chinese Authorities Silent

As of Thursday, there was no immediate comment from China’s foreign ministry regarding the situation. The incident has added strain to Sweden-China relations, with the case drawing significant international attention due to its implications for regional security.

Investigations continue as authorities seek to determine the circumstances surrounding the cable breaches and whether sabotage was indeed at play.

News

Romanian Pro-European Parties Unite for Presidential Election Rerun Amid Far-Right Gains

Published

2 weeks ago

December 11, 2024

RTX

Romanian Pro-European Parties Unite for Presidential Election Rerun Amid Far-Right Gains

Romania’s pro-European political parties have agreed to form a governing coalition and potentially endorse a single candidate for upcoming presidential elections after the annulment of the first round’s results last week.

The annulled election results followed allegations of Russian interference, creating a political crisis in the Eastern European nation. Far-right nationalist candidate Călin Georgescu had unexpectedly topped the polls, despite earlier predictions showing minimal support. The Romanian intelligence service revealed that a foreign “state actor,” presumed to be Russia, influenced the outcome through a TikTok campaign that artificially boosted Georgescu’s popularity.

The coalition includes the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD), which secured the most parliamentary seats in the December 1 elections, alongside the centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL), the Save Romania Union (USR), and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR). Together, the alliance effectively counters the rising influence of far-right nationalist parties, which now hold over 30% of parliamentary seats.

In a joint statement, the coalition emphasized their commitment to “good governance, transparency in public spending, and respect for citizens,” aiming to rebuild public trust in Romania’s political institutions. USR leader Elena Lasconi described the current political climate as a “difficult period” and pledged to prioritize reducing state spending and bureaucracy.

Romania’s economic challenges further complicate the situation. The country’s budget deficit has soared to 8% of GDP, the highest in the European Union, underscoring the need for swift and decisive governance.

Presidential Election Rerun

The coalition also plans to nominate a new pro-European candidate for the presidential election rerun, expected in the first half of 2025. The rerun follows the annulment of the first round, which was marred by allegations of foreign meddling.

The initial results shocked the nation, as Georgescu, whose pre-election support was estimated at just 5%, emerged victorious. His sudden rise was attributed to a viral TikTok campaign in the days leading up to the vote, garnering tens of millions of views.

Prosecutors are now investigating whether Georgescu’s campaign violated funding laws, raising questions about his eligibility to run again.

The coalition aims to prevent a repeat of the far-right’s success and ensure a transparent election process. Political analysts view the alliance as a significant step toward stabilizing Romania’s democratic institutions and countering external interference.

As Romania moves toward new elections, the coalition’s ability to maintain unity and address pressing economic and political issues will be crucial in determining the nation’s path forward.

News

Syrian Refugees Prepare to Return Home as Turkey Opens Additional Border Crossings

Published

2 weeks ago

December 10, 2024

RTX

Hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at Turkey’s southern border crossings on Monday, preparing to return home in the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s government collapse. The movement, which comes amid plans for increased border access, signals hope for stability in war-torn Syria.

At the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar crossings, corresponding to Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salameh gates on the Syrian side, refugees arrived with belongings packed into suitcases and sacks. Many braved the cold overnight, camping near the gates as they waited to cross.

Muhammed Zin, 28, who fled Damascus in 2016, expressed relief and optimism. “Assad was shooting us, killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over,” he told the Associated Press.

The fall of Assad has sparked celebrations among the 3 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey, some of whom replaced the Syrian Consulate’s flag with that of the opposition. Mustafa Sultan, 29, prepared to cross the border to reunite with his older brother, imprisoned under Assad’s rule. “I haven’t seen him for 13 years. The prisons have been emptied, so I am going to see whether he’s alive,” he said.

To ease the crowding, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced plans to open a third border crossing. He predicted that improved stability in Syria would lead to more voluntary returns.

“As Syria gains more stability, God willing, voluntary, safe, and honourable returns will increase,” Erdoğan stated. Turkey, which accepted hundreds of thousands of refugees at the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011, has faced growing domestic pressure to address the refugee crisis amid economic challenges. Erdoğan’s government has emphasized creating conditions for the safe and voluntary return of Syrians.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reaffirmed this commitment, saying, “We will continue our efforts to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and to rebuild the country.”

At Cilvegozu, only refugees with proper documentation were allowed to proceed. Zakariya Mori al-Shami, 31, who arrived in Turkey in 2019, was among those awaiting passage with his family. He plans to rebuild his home in Aleppo, destroyed during the conflict.

Sami Abdel-Latif, a construction worker from Hama, expressed hope for a new beginning as he prepared to reunite with his family. “Anything is better than Bashar,” he said.

For others, the return symbolizes freedom and renewal. Malak Matar, heading to Damascus, described the moment as transformative. “You feel yourself psychologically free — you can express yourself,” he said. “It’s a new phase. Syrians have to create a state that is well-organized and takes care of their country.”