German prosecutors have searched a home as part of an investigation into the sabotaging of Russian-controlled gas pipelines.
The search was linked to a theory suggesting operatives with connections to Ukraine were behind underwater explosions that knocked the Nord Stream pipelines out of action.
Local broadcasters said a potential witness, believed to be a partner of a Ukrainian suspect, was interviewed and had her phone seized at her home near the Polish border.
The woman had DNA samples taken to compare them to those found on a yacht at the centre of the investigation, according to reports.
Leaks from the German investigation have suggested the yacht Andromeda could have been used by divers to reach the Nord Stream pipelines or as a decoy.
Federal prosecutors also confirmed they had searched the home of a woman who was not a suspect.
The explosions affected the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September last year, seven months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The blasts, in Danish and Swedish waters, were picked up by seismic monitors before coast guards saw leaked gas bubbling to the surface of the Baltic Sea.
Nord Stream theories
Several theories have circulated as investigators in Germany, Sweden and Denmark try to unravel the underwater explosions.
Ukrainian officials have denied involvement amid speculation that a “pro-Ukrainian group” may have sabotaged the pipelines that were built to carry gas from Russia to Europe.
Kyiv had lobbied against the opening of Nord Stream 2 on the grounds that it would circumvent Ukrainian transit routes and tighten Moscow’s economic hold over the continent.
US officials dismissed suggested claims from Moscow that it was behind the high-risk act of sabotage.
Another theory suggested that Russia carried out the attacks to permanently cut off gas supplies and send a warning to western infrastructure.
The Danish military reported in April that it had spotted a Russian submarine rescue ship in the Baltic a few days before the blasts.
The Kremlin branded claims that their own forces blew up pipelines to a major revenue stream as “stupid”.
Neither pipeline was functioning at the time of the explosions, after Russian exporter Gazprom cut off gas through Nord Stream 1 in August.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended the Nord Stream 2 project shortly before Russia’s invasion, with the pipeline never going into operation.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
'Midnights'
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
SPECS
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