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☆ Montenegro police arrest suspected former CEO of Terraform labs - interior minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PODGORICA/SEOUL, March 23 (Reuters) - Police in Montenegro have detained a person thought to be Do Kwon, an international fugitive accused of defrauding investors in a multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency scheme, the country's interior minister said on Thursday. "The person is suspected of being one of the most wanted fugitives, South Korean national Do Kwon, a co-founder and CEO of the Singapore-based Terraform Labs," Filip Adzic, the Montenegrin interior minister wrote on Twitter. loadingSouth Korean police said a suspect thought to be Do Kwon and another person thought to be an individual named Han Chang-joon had been arrested in Montenegro. In February, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit against Kwon and Terraform Labs in Manhattan federal court, accusing them of defrauding investors in what the regulator deemed a multibillion-dollar scheme. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Justice Department was investigating the 2022 collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin and had questioned former team members of Terraform Labs, which was behind the stablecoin.

Seoul/Atlanta CNN —Interpol says a man arrested in Montenegro is Kwon Do-hyeong, also known as Do Kwon, the disgraced founder of a collapsed crypto company who is wanted in South Korea and the United States on fraud and other charges. Kwon, a South Korean national, founded the blockchain platform behind the TerraUSD stablecoin and its sister coin Luna. Kwon’s identity was confirmed through a fingerprint match, Interpol’s national central bureau in Seoul told CNN on Friday. Seoul prosecutors told CNN in December that the crypto entrepreneur was believed to be in Serbia, where he was in hiding after leaving Singapore via Dubai. Kwon has been charged with fraud and breaches of South Korea’s capital markets law.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMontenegro officials announce Do Kwon arrest, and Coinbase's potential SEC charges: CNBC Crypto WorldCNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what's ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today's show, James Lavish, managing partner at The Bitcoin Opportunity Fund, discusses crypto price moves following the Fed's latest rate hike.

Online searches by Americans for flights to Europe trips are surging despite soaring air fares, a worsening economic outlook and risks of gridlock at some of the airports in Europe. The travel boom is promising record profit margins at some U.S. carriers, which are ramping up transatlantic capacity to cash in on Americans' thirst for travel to Europe. Travel website Kayak said searches for travel to Europe this summer are up 77% from last year. There is still untapped travel demand for Europe even after a busy summer last year, said Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper. Average fare for a round-trip flight to Europe, meanwhile, has risen 31% from last year, Hopper data shows.

☆ Fact Check-A video clip does not show John McCain confronting Rand Paul for opposing Ukraine joining NATO
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A video from 2017 shows U.S. senator John McCain characterizing fellow senator Rand Paul as “working for” Russian President Vladimir Putin, after Paul said he objected to Montenegro joining NATO. The clip was shared on social media (here), (here), (here) with captions such as: “The late Sen. John McCain called out Rand Paul for objecting to the proposal for Ukraine join NATO. So, I repeat again, the senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin.”But McCain and Paul were referring to the possibility of Montenegro, not Ukraine, joining NATO. A second video (here) from March 27 shows Paul saying that he opposed the U.S. committing to defend “yet another country” (at timecode 02:08:17). A clip shows John McCain confronting Rand Paul about his objection to Montenegro, not Ukraine, joining NATO.

[1/6] Milo Djukanovic, President of Montenegro and a candidate from the Democratic Party of Socialists, visits a polling station during the presidential elections in Podgorica, Montenegro, March 19, 2023. Milatovic described his result as a victory of "a beautiful, better, just ... and European Montenegro." Djukanovic has served as president or prime minister for 33 years. "We are content with this level of support, it is a good foundation ... that will carry us to the victory in the run-off," Djukanovic said. A victory in the run-off would bolster the chances of his DPS party in the parliamentary vote.

[1/5] Milo Djukanovic, President of Montenegro and a candidate from the Democratic Party of Socialists, speaks to the media at a polling station during the presidential elections in Podgorica, Montenegro, March 19, 2023. REUTERS/Stevo VasiljevicPODGORICA, March 19 (Reuters) - Montenegro's veteran President Milo Djukanovic will face a run-off on April 2 against a pro-Western former economy minister, after no candidate secured a 50% majority in a first round election on Sunday, according to a vote projection. The Center for Monitoring and Research polling group (CEMI) projected Djukanovic would end up with the most votes, with 35.5%, based on results tabulated from a statistical sample of votes cast. Djukanovic has served as president or prime minister for 33 years. A victory in the presidential election would bolster the chances of his DPS party in the parliamentary vote.

☆ Montenegro votes in presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

First unofficial results by pollsters, based on a sample of the electorate, are expected about two hours later. If no candidate secures more than 50% of votes, a second round of voting between the top two is scheduled for April 2. A victory in the presidential election would bolster the chances of the winner's party in the parliamentary vote. Following the invasion of Ukraine last year, Montenegro joined EU sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin has placed Montenegro on its list of unfriendly states.

☆ Sri Lanka needs institutional changes for long-term debt sustainability, says professor
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Buddhika Weerasinghe | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesSri Lanka needs institutional reforms in order to achieve long-term debt sustainability, said Steve Hanke, who played a key role in establishing new currency regimes in emerging markets like Argentina and Montenegro. "In fact, most of the personalities involved in Sri Lanka at the high level are exactly the same as they've been for years. In September, the IMF outlined a series of steps that it wanted Sri Lanka's government to implement prior to loan approval, which included major tax reforms. "Debt relief from Sri Lanka's creditors and additional financing from multilateral partners will be required to help ensure debt sustainability and close financing gaps," the fund said at the time. "The Secretary welcomed Sri Lanka's commitments to transparency and comparable treatment for all bilateral official and private creditors."

☆ They wined, dined and fled - but law finally catches up with Spain wine thieves
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, March 6 (Reuters) - A former Mexican beauty queen and her partner enjoyed a 14-course dinner at Atrio's Michelin-starred restaurant and hotel in western Spain followed by a guided tour of its wine cellar. They were also ordered to pay damages to insurers worth over 750,000 euros ($799,000), the court said in a statement. They had a 14-course dinner at the hotel's restaurant and were then taken on tour of the wine cellar. The couple left the hotel before dawn and quickly fled Spain, but after a nine-month hunt across Europe, they were detained by border guards while crossing from Montenegro into Croatia. ($1 = 0.9386 euros)Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ A major investigation in Arizona yielded $13 million worth of drugs, including 30 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

About 30 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl were found during an Arizona police investigation. A picture of the seized drugs was also released by the authorities. The seized drugs included 4.5 million fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl, 145 pounds of fentanyl powder, 304 pounds of cocaine, 3,100 pounds of methamphetamine, and 77 pounds of heroin. Currently, it is one of the top substances leading to lethal drug overdose in the United States. Last year, the DEA in Arizona seized over $22 million in fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills and about 1,100 pounds of fentanyl powder, the press release said.

☆ Montenegro's long-ruling Djukanovic launches bid for third presidential term
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SARAJEVO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Milo Djukanovic, Montenegro's incumbent president who has held high-ranking political posts in the Adriatic country for the last 30 years, launched his bid on Saturday to run for a third term in a presidential election next month. The office of president is largely ceremonial in Montenegro, but a Djukanovic victory could trigger an early parliamentary election after the presidential vote because he has so far rejected proposed candidates for the prime minister's job. "I am entering the election race with the intention to win quickly and convincingly," Djukanovic, who heads the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), said on Saturday as he submitted his bid with electoral authorities. Opponents accuse Djukanovic and the DPS of corruption, links to organised crime and of running the country of some 620,000 people as their personal fiefdom - charges Djukanovic and his party deny. The state election commission has already approved two other presidential candidates - Andrija Mandic from the ethnic Serb party New Serb Democracy and Draginja Vuksanovic Stankovic of the Social Democratic Party.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the West formed what looked like an overwhelming global coalition: 141 countries supported a United Nations measure demanding that Russia unconditionally withdraw. South Korea Indonesia Israel Thailand Japan Saudi Arabia Philippines Afghanistan CambodiaBy contrast, Russia seemed isolated. Eritrea “Russian actions are being distorted” North Korea Russia Belarus Syria Eritrea “Russian actions are being distorted” North Korea Russia Belarus SyriaBut the West never won over as much of the world as it initially seemed. But like many other African countries, South Africa appears careful to balance its growing ties with Russia against maintaining a relationship with the West. Others that provided Ukraine with military support have declined to impose economic sanctions on Russia.

☆ Supreme Court Reverses Death Sentence for Arizona Defendant
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Jess Bravin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Supreme Court ruled that Arizona courts made mistakes in the case of a man convicted in the shooting death of a police officer. WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court set aside an Arizona inmate’s death sentence Wednesday, finding by 5-4 that state courts violated his constitutional rights by denying him and his lawyers the chance to inform jurors that he would receive life imprisonment without parole were they to vote against his execution. For nearly three decades, Supreme Court precedent has required trial courts to afford capital defendants the opportunity to tell jurors when a life sentence included no chance of parole. But the Arizona Supreme Court, citing procedural reasons, said John Montenegro Cruz wasn’t entitled to make those points and denied appeals of his death sentence.

☆ One year on, Russia's war in Ukraine ramps up fears over Europe's next security 'soft spot'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski said that, aside from Kyiv, he believed that the Western Balkan region was the "soft spot" of Europe's security architecture. For sure, the Western Balkans is a second battleground for Russia in terms of foreign interference and information manipulation. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesĆerimagić said Russia's war in Ukraine provides Europe with a clear opportunity to cement stability in the Western Balkans. "For sure, the Western Balkans is a second battleground for Russia in terms of foreign interference and information manipulation. watch nowNorth Macedonia's Pendarovski last month described the U.S. as a "key player" in supporting Western Balkan countries through Russia's war in Ukraine.

☆ What is happening in Moldova, Ukraine's tiny European neighbor with a pro-Russian movement?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

President Maia Sandu on Monday accused Russia of plotting a coup to overthrow her pro-European Union government using "foreign saboteurs." Until now, Ukraine's defense forces and Western allies have estimated that Russia's renewed offensive would be concentrated in the east of the country. "President Sandu has been warning about these risks for months now," said Orr. Moldova, a landlocked European country on Ukraine's western border, has been battling political and economic instability following Russia's invasion of its neighbor. The attack came days before Moldova temporarily closed its airspace on Tuesday over what authorities say was a suspected Russian drone.

☆ Turkey rages at shoddy construction after 'earthquake-proof' homes topple
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Ali Kucukgocmen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/5] A cat stands on a destroyed street, in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, in Antakya, Turkey February 17, 2023. It was said to be earthquake safe, but you can see the result," said 47-year-old jeweller Hamza Alpaslan. Turkey's Urbanisation Ministry estimates 84,700 buildings have collapsed or are severely damaged. The Urbanisation Ministry said documents would be moved to the ministry archive in the city and were stored digitally. BUILDING AMNESTYSector officials have said some 50% of the total 20 million buildings in Turkey contravene building codes.

ANTAKYA, Turkey—Marketed as “a little piece of heaven,” the 12-storey Ronesans Residence apartment complex opened in 2013 and stood until last week as a symbol of this southern city’s rapid urbanization and the two-decade expansion of Turkey’s middle class. Now the 249-unit development is a tomb and a crime scene after toppling over sideways in a devastating earthquake and trapping hundreds of bodies below. Its developer, Mehmet Coskun, is under arrest. Mr. Coskun, who was detained at Istanbul airport en route to Montenegro, said he obtained all necessary permits and inspections and denied that the building collapsed, telling a prosecutor: “Our building just laid on its side.”

☆ Moldovan president warns of Russian plot to topple leadership
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Moldova's president accused Russia on Monday of planning to use foreign saboteurs to bring down her tiny country's leadership, stop it joining the European Union and use it in the war against Ukraine. President Maia Sandu made her comments after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week his country had uncovered a Russian intelligence plan "for the destruction of Moldova", and days after the country's government resigned. Sandu, whose country borders Ukraine, has repeatedly expressed concern about Moscow's intentions towards the former Soviet republic and about the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway Transdniestria region. Our goal is peace and public order in the country," Sandu told a news briefing. Russia denied last year wanting to intervene in Moldova after authorities in Transdniestria said they had been targeted by a series of attacks.

☆ Turkey orders arrests over collapsed buildings in earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Daren Butler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/7] Rescuers carry survivor Muzeyyen Ofkeli in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Hatay, Turkey February 12, 2023. Environment Minister Murat Kurum said that 24,921 buildings across the region had collapsed or were heavily damaged in the quake, based on assessments of more than 170,000 buildings. Rescuers were still looking for survivors in the earthquake rubble six days after the disaster, which hit parts of Syria and Turkey. The upmarket 12-storey residential complex was completed a decade ago and contained 249 apartments. The arrested man told prosecutors he did not know why the complex collapsed and that his desire to go to Montenegro was unrelated, Anadolu reported.

☆ Snow and winter storms cut power, disrupt traffic across the Balkans
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SARAJEVO, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Gale-force winds and snow storms closed roads and left more than 25,000 households in Serbia without power on Sunday, while fallen trees disrupted traffic in neighbouring Croatia and Montenegro. In Croatia, a red alert was issued for the regions along the Adriatic coast due to north winds estimated to reach 130 km per hour. More than 250 km of local roads in mountainous southeastern Serbia were closed due to snowdrifts reaching two metres, local media reported. Bosnian authorities banned the use of heavy lorries in mountainous regions due to snowdrifts and icy roads. Meteorologists have announced freezing temperatures and snow storms across the Balkans will continue in the days to come.

☆ Factbox: How long will it take Ukraine to join EU?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

While the EU backs Ukraine and supports democratic and economic reforms there, Kyiv's hopes to quickly join the 27-nation EU are set to be dashed. Ukraine applied to join shortly after the Feb. 24, 2022, invasion and last June received a formal candidate status from the EU, which cast it as a bold geo-political move. Ukraine will have to transpose its national law to extensive EU legal standards from climate to labour to health, among others. Beyond that, the EU highlights reforms necessary to ensure that courts are free from political meddling and the rights of minorities respected in Ukraine. With some 44 million people, Ukraine would be the fifth-biggest EU country after Germany, France, Italy and Spain, giving it large influence on the bloc's decisions.

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Race to find survivors after deadly Kramatorsk attack; Russia preparing for offensive in Donbas
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Kyiv is preparing new reforms as it prepares for a summit with top EU officials at the end of the week. "We are preparing new reforms in Ukraine. "This week will be a week of European integration in every sense of the word," Zelenskyy said. Ukraine applied to join the 27-member political and economic bloc last year, just days after Russia invaded last February, and wants its application fast-tracked. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said earlier this week that Kyiv hopes it can join the EU within two years.

☆ Ukraine war live updates: U.S. reportedly readying $2 billion aid package for Ukraine; Kyiv signals reforms ahead of EU summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine will host European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other top EU officials on Friday, with hopes high in Kyiv that its application to join the EU will continue to progress. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Kyiv is preparing new reforms as it prepares for a summit with top EU officials at the end of the week. Reforms that will change the social, legal and political reality in many ways, making it more human, transparent and effective. "This week will be a week of European integration in every sense of the word," Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said earlier this week that Kyiv hopes it can join the EU within two years.

☆ Crimea will never again be part of Ukraine - Croatian president
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SARAJEVO, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, will never again be part of Ukraine, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said on Monday in remarks detailing his objection to Zagreb providing military aid to Kyiv. read moreA vocal critic of Western policy in Ukraine, Milanovic has said he does not want his country, the EU's newest member state, to face what he has called potentially disastrous consequences over the 11-month-old war in Ukraine. He added that the arrival of German tanks in Ukraine would only serve to drive Russia closer to China. "It is clear that Crimea will never again be part of Ukraine," Milanovic added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed to restore Ukrainian rule over Crimea, seized and annexed by Russia in 2014 in a move not recognised by most other countries.

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