SIU's Mothibi flags increasing threats against investigators probing corruption
With the support of the French embassy, the SIU has been able to turn its training offering into a formal academy to hone the skills of civil servants across the continent.
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Daily Maverick
4 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Kremlin on new EU sanctions: Russia has built up a certain immunity to such measures
The package aims to lower the G7's price cap for buying Russian crude oil to $47.6 per barrel, diplomats told Reuters. Asked about the new EU measures, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described them as one-sided and illegal, saying they were in line with what he called Europe's 'consistently anti-Russian stance.' 'But at the same time, of course, we have already acquired a certain immunity from sanctions, we have adapted to life under sanctions,' Peskov told reporters. 'Of course, we will have to analyse the new package in order to minimise its consequences. But, in addition, each new sanctions package brings a negative effect for the countries that back it. This is a double-edged weapon,' Peskov said. Russian government and trading sources played down the impact of the new restrictions, doubting they would significantly disrupt Russian oil trade.
eNCA
6 hours ago
- eNCA
Serbian youth pumps up protest at last EXIT festival
NOVI SAD - Serbia's youthful anti-graft protesters have celebrated what may prove to be the country's last ever EXIT music festival, but hope the energy it generated will still boost their fight for change. Long a symbol of youth-led resistance, the four-day dance party came to an end this week and hundreds of thousands of festival-goers headed home re-energised to continue their struggle. Within the walls of the festival's iconic fortress venue, and on the streets of Novi Sad, where the student-led movement began in November, symbols of resistance were everywhere. An image of a bloodied red hand, a stark symbol of the protests, beamed down from screens onto heaving mosh pits throughout screaming punk sets, while the protest's rallying cry bounced over thumping techno. The movement is nine months old and, for many, EXIT was a chance to renew their protest under a more international spotlight. "This is basically about keeping the fire alive and responding to this regime," Srdan Kovacevic told AFP at on the bridge into the festival. AFP | Nenad MIHAJLOVIC Festival-goers streamed past signs memorialising the 16 people killed in a train station roof collapse -- a tragedy that sparked anti-graft demonstrations against the country's right-wing government. "I think it is very important to stand on this side and raise awareness not only domestically but internationally," said Vanja Manic-Matic, a French language teacher. This could be the last time Serbian protest chants are heard at the festival's iconic Serbian site, after organisers announced a decision to leave their home country. First launched 25 years ago in opposition to strongman Slobodan Milosevic's rule, organisers now accuse President Aleksandar Vucic's government of pressuring it to pull out of the Balkan nation. Following their backing of the anti-corruption movement, the festival claims the government cut funding and sponsors were pressured to withdraw. - 'Pumpaj' punks - Since November, massive rallies, some drawing hundreds of thousands, have gripped Serbia -- triggering the collapse of a government faced with accusations of deep-rooted corruption. But Vucic, in power since 2012, remains at the head of a reshuffled administration and refuses to hold new elections, a key demand of the protesters. Instead, the government has trained its sights on EXIT, one of the country's most significant international tourism draws. "This is a great thing because it shows how crooked everything is in Serbia," Filip Ubovic, a 23-year-old Belgrade student, told a press conference during EXIT. On festival fences, rally photos were hung alongside protest banners, while crowds screamed the movement's chant: "Pumpaj!", or "Pump it up!" in English. Local bands were joined by international artists, including punk legends the Sex Pistols, in encouraging the crowd to chant the protest slogan. "Stand up for your rights, show that the people have power. Pump it!" shouted Italian singer Gala. - 'Inevitable' - "It's a great sign to Europe, to the world, that we are here. We are ready for the fight until we win," 22-year-old student protester Aleksa Savic said during the festival. AFP | Nenad MIHAJLOVIC Following a massive rally in Belgrade in late June, major roads and public squares have been frequently blocked by roaming protesters in cities around the country. Vucic has responded by calling for the arrest of demonstrators he alleged are "paid by foreign interests". Dozens have been detained in recent weeks. As summer holidays begin and the cities empty, Kovacevic admitted turning out large numbers against the government was becoming difficult, but he nevertheless believed fresh elections were "inevitable". "It's not just that it must happen, but it will happen," the 53-year-old lawyer said. - Making an EXIT - EXIT plans to move abroad, reportedly to the foot of the Giza Pyramid outside Cairo. "This is the hardest decision in our 25-year history, but we believe freedom has no price," festival founder and director Dusan Kovacevic said. AFP | Sasa Djordjevic It is part of a larger cultural exodus from Serbia. Several theatre and film festivals have been cancelled or defunded without explanation in recent months. In June, a former paramilitary unit leader was installed as head of the national theatre company, triggering an outcry from artists. "I think it will have a big cultural impact on both Serbia and Novi Sad. I'm simply sad that this is the last EXIT," 25-year-old Veljko said as he arrived for the festival's last day. In the closing hours of EXIT, organisers issued an emotional farewell to the crowd. "Thank you all for being brave enough to come this year -- to send a message to the whole world that love and light are unstoppable," EXIT's founder declared.
TimesLIVE
9 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Equatorial Guinea asks UN court to stop sale of Paris mansion linked to leader's son
Representatives of Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday asked the UN's highest court to issue an emergency halt on the sale of a luxury Paris mansion seized from the son of the African country's ruler while judges rule on the long-running dispute. The building was seized after a French court convicted Teodoro Obiang Mangue, known as Teodorin, for embezzlement. He is the 57-year-old son of octogenarian President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Equatorial Guinea argues that France must give back the mansion and other assets, telling the International Court of Justice on Tuesday that France would be violating a United Nations anti-corruption treaty by not returning the property. It argues that the seized assets are part of the public funds that were embezzled from Equatorial Guinea and should be returned to the state under the treaty. It has not said who embezzled the funds. "It has become clear that France is determined to sell the building," Equatorial Guinea's representative at the court, Carmelo Nvono-Nca, told judges. France's attitude was paternalistic and neo-colonial, he added.
