Russia Dismisses European Assessment on Navalny Death as 'Biased and Baseless'
The Kremlin has issued a firm rejection of a joint statement from five European countries regarding the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. In a briefing on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled the accusations as "biased and baseless," strongly denying any involvement by the Russian state.
European Allegations and Russian Response
Britain, Sweden, France, Germany, and the Netherlands released a statement over the weekend asserting that Navalny died from poisoning with epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs. They claimed the Russian state had the "means, motive and opportunity" to administer it. Navalny, a prominent anti-corruption activist and fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, died in an Arctic prison colony in February 2024 while serving a 19-year sentence for extremism, a charge he and his supporters argue was politically motivated.
Peskov responded by stating, "We naturally do not accept such accusations. We disagree with them. In fact, we strongly reject them." This comes as supporters marked the anniversary of Navalny's death, highlighting ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations over human rights and political freedoms.
Legendary Actor Robert Duvall Passes Away at 95
Academy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall has died at the age of 95, as confirmed by his wife Luciana Duvall. Known for iconic roles in films like "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," Duvall passed away peacefully at home on Sunday.
A Storied Career and Personal Tributes
Duvall's career spanned over six decades, during which he won an Oscar for Best Actor in 1983 for his role in "Tender Mercies" and received six other nominations. His wife Luciana shared a heartfelt message, saying, "Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything." Duvall was celebrated for his versatility, taking on both lead and supporting roles, and continued acting into his 90s, leaving a lasting legacy in Hollywood.
Other Key Global Updates
French Former Minister Raided Over Epstein Links
French investigators raided the offices of former culture minister Jack Lang on Monday as part of a probe into his financial ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lang, 86, who recently stepped down as head of the Arab World Institute, denied any wrongdoing, stating he was "shocked" to be linked to an offshore company founded by Epstein in 2016. His daughter Caroline has resigned from related positions. Lang expressed cooperation with the investigation, saying, "I'm delighted because I have nothing to hide."
Firing Outside Rohit Shetty's Residence: Accused Sent to Police Remand
In Mumbai, a court has sent six accused arrested from Rajasthan to police remand until February 25 in connection with a shooting incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch reported that a total of 11 people have been arrested, with the weapon still unrecovered. The accused had been on the run for 16 days and coordinated through various apps. The main suspect, Deepak Chandra, was apprehended from Haryana.
Iran Foreign Minister Meets UN Nuclear Watchdog Ahead of US Talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in Geneva ahead of a second round of negotiations with the United States over Tehran's nuclear program. Araghchi emphasized seeking a "fair and equitable deal" without submission to threats. Concurrently, Iran conducted naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz amid a US military buildup in the region.
Indian Delegation to Visit US for Interim Trade Pact
An Indian delegation led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain will visit the US next week to finalize the legal text for an interim trade agreement, expected to be signed in March. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated that virtual talks are ongoing to translate the framework into a formal agreement, with the visit likely starting from February 23.
