The vice-president of the European Parliament, Greek politician Eva Kaili and five others were arrested in Brussels by the investigating judge leading an investigation into alleged corruption:

🗣 "They are charged with participating in a criminal organization, money-laundering and corruption. Two people were released by the investigating judge," the Belgian federal prosecutor's office said in a statement.

The prosecutor added that the officers were investigating corruption allegations in the European Parliament because they believed that the Gulf country had resorted to bribes and gifts to influence decision-making among the officials

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⚡️European Parliament VP Eva Kaili assets were frozen by Athens

🥶 Weather forecasters in Yakut region registered a temperature of minus 59 degrees in Oymyakon, Russia, according to the website of the Yakut Department for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring

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‼️ A loud explosion and gunfire heard in 🇦🇫Kabul near a guest house reportedly popular with Chinese business visitors — media reports

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen confirmed that Washington is determined to see the Kiev crisis out to the end, and said that Washington's support would continue for "as long as it takes". Her statement came after President Biden announced that the US would be sending another package of military aid to Ukraine.

Check out: What other questions did Janet Yellen raise?

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❗️ Russia’s MoD report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️The Russian Army eliminated up to 70 Ukrainian servicemen, three armored combat vehicles, and five cars in the Kupyansk and Krasny Liman directions;

▪️Russian troops eliminated up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles, and three pickup trucks in the Donetsk direction;

▪️Ukrainian forces suffered losses in manpower and equipment in 156 districts;

▪️Russian troops destroyed a Ukrainian ammunition depot in the Zaporozhye region;

▪️The Russian Army destroyed a Smerch MLRS in the Kharkov region and a Grad MLRS in the DPR;

▪️Russia air defense systems shot down two Ukrainian MiG-29 jets and two Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters;

▪️Russian troops destroyed six UAVs;

▪️Russian forces intercepted two Ukrainian Tochka-U missiles and two HIMARS shells.

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⚡️Belgrade trying to avoid military scenario in Kosovo, but Pristina seeking escalation, Russian Ambassador to Belgrade says

❗️The latest statements from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

▪️Russia's reply to the introduction of a price cap on oil by the West will be finalized and institutionalized by decree in the next few days;

▪️Russia supports ensuring the rights of Kosovo Serbs and a peaceful settlement of issue through diplomatic means;

▪️Vucic did not appeal to Putin for help to reduce tensions in Kosovo, Russia is interested in solving the issue as soon as possible;

▪️Putin has not had a conversation with Macron, there were no initiatives on the French side;

▪️The Kremlin answers rumors that Narendra Modi refused to meet with Russia at the highest level: no meetings had been planned until year-end;

▪️Kremlin on Sandu's possible participation in informal CIS summit: Moldova prefers to withdraw from all CIS agreements, does not participate in summits

▪️Kremlin on whether Griner wrote request for pardon to Putin: all necessary procedures were carried out

▪️Moscow has seen reports about Russia's invitation to APEC forum, but no information has been passed through official channels

▪️Kremlin on Kiev's idea to hold international peace summit: we haven't heard anything, including about Zelensky's peace-making efforts

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🥶 Fascinating footage has surfaced on social media of ships being “trapped” in ice due to a storm on Russia’s Lake Baikal.

According to eyewitnesses, the winds have knocked down fences and ripped roofs off camp sites. Wind gusts reach up to 31-36 meters per second.

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A decorated ex-Navy SEAL who was popularized as the first trans soldier in the US is now telling America to “wake up" to the harm that he believes transgender health services are inflicting upon kids.

Christopher Todd Beck, whose interview back in 2013 gained public attention when the combat veteran with 13 deployments opened up about transitioning to become a woman, has now revealed he is detransitioning. Beck warned of how “queer” identities are being deliberately popularized and even foisted upon children.

The ex-Navy SEAL recalled that after a meeting at Veterans Affairs that lasted no more than an hour, he was offered hormones, without any further ado. “I walked into a psychologist’s office [and] in one day I have a letter in my hand saying I was transgender,” he said.

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⚡️⚡️Multiple Indian, Chinese troops reportedly injured in flare-up of fighting in disputed zone

Mobilized Russian Troops Recall Close Encounter Fighting Off Foreign Mercs

“One yelled ‘Russians, give up!’ So we opened fire on them”: Russian servicemen mobilized to fight in the special military operation in Ukraine had a close encounter with foreign mercenaries in the Svatovsk direction of the front in the Lugansk People’s Republic, and told a Sputnik correspondent the details.

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🇰🇪Kenya’s two-time Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha survived a plane crash in Kajiado on Saturday, according to local media

▪️The plane, carrying Rudisha and five others, crashed in the Imbirikana area, Kajiado county, in southeast Kenya. There were no fatalities reported. Rudisha was returning from the Annual Maasai Olympics event at the Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary.

🗣“It was a scary episode where you hold your heart in your hand as you pray to God. The pilot did an incredible job to keep the plane afloat and stable for long,” said Rudisha, after the survivors were transported to Makindu Hospital for treatment.

▪️Later, he shared photos of him posing next to the plane’s wreckage. Social media users and his fans expressed relief, saying that the champion “definitely has a cheat code out of death,” referring to a car accident in August 2019, when he also escaped with minor injuries.

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⚡️ Beijing files lawsuit to WTO over introduction of US export control measures against China on chips, other products - Ministry of Commerce

⚡️ US judge dismisses Trump lawsuit challenging Mar-a-Lago documents search – ruling

European Parliament Launches 'Internal' Probe Amid Corruption Charges, President Says

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced Monday that she would be spearheading an "internal investigation" into the facts into suspected corruption, money laundering, bribery and fraud in her legislature.

Four officials including European Parliament vice-president Eva Kaili were detained and questioned late last week in an inquiry into suspected palm-greasing in the body said to be linked to the decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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Lionel Messi on Cusp of Special World Cup Treble as Argentina Face Croatia in Semis

⚽️ Lionel Messi's dream of lifting his maiden World Cup noscript is still alive with Argentina being dubbed as the frontrunner to claim the trophy in Qatar by the pundits.

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