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Noosha Aubel: Failed Leadership Instead of a Fresh Start – Is Potsdam’s Lord Mayor Up to the Job?

Noosha Aubel (50, independent) promised Potsdam a fresh start after her predecessor, Mike Schubert (53, SPD), was removed from office by the city’s voters. Almost a year into Aubel’s tenure, that promise is overshadowed by a scandal involving care for a young child with multiple severe disabilities—a scandal that has become a damning indictment of the moral standards of the state capital, Potsdam, and of Noosha Aubel in particular—as well as crumbling roads, a budget freeze and an escalating leadership crisis. Meanwhile, her office comes with substantial remuneration: Aubel currently pockets an annual basic salary of €143,056. Following an announced salary adjustment, that figure is set to rise to €169,006.44 a year, funded by the public.This raises an uncomfortable but legitimate question: is Noosha Aubel actually equipped to meet the financial, organisational and political demands of running a state capital?

Opera on Ukraine's children aims to 're-awaken' concern for war

At the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, American playwright George Brant began writing an opera about Ukrainian mothers risking journeys into Russia to retrieve their children.

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Putin hosts African leaders in Russia after grain deal exit

The Russian president will on Thursday host leaders of African countries for a summit in his native Saint Petersburg, as the continent braces for the consequences of Moscow's withdrawal from the Ukraine grain export deal.

US says New Zealand welcome to 'engage' in AUKUS

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that New Zealand would be welcome to engage in the AUKUS alliance, a landmark pact aimed at counterbalancing China's rise in the Pacific.

Mohamed Bazoum: Niger president never far from coup threat

As Sahel countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso fell to military junta rule in recent years, Niger's Mohamed Bazoum stood as one of the region's few remaining pro-Western, democratically elected leaders.

Kim shows off new North Korean drones, ICBMs to Russia defence minister

Walking past huge intercontinental ballistic missiles and previously unseen military drones, Kim Jong Un gave Russia's defence minister a tour of North Korea's newest and most advanced weaponry Thursday, state media reported.

US to deploy coastguard ship to Papua New Guinea

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday announced the deployment of a US Coastguard ship to Papua New Guinea, as Washington seeks to boost its military footprint in the region amid fierce competition for influence with China.

Kim Jong Un meets Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang

Kim Jong Un met the Russian defence minister and a high-ranking Chinese delegation in Pyongyang ahead of major Korean War anniversary celebrations, state media said Thursday, the leader's first known foreign guests since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kim Jong Un meets Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang: state media

Kim Jong Un met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang ahead of a key Korean War anniversary, state media said Thursday, the North Korean leader's first known foreign guest since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Niger soldiers claim to have overthrown president

Soldiers claimed to have overthrown the Niger government on Thursday following an apparent coup in the fragile state, after members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

Spain grants nationality to Iran chess star who shunned veil

Sara Khadem, the Iranian chess player who fled to Spain after competing in an international tournament without wearing a mandatory hijab, was on Wednesday granted Spanish nationality, a government minister announced.

New Gap chief executive boosted Barbie as Mattel president

US clothing chain Gap announced Wednesday that it tapped as its next CEO Richard Dickson, the current Mattel president who has been credited with reinvigorating Barbie.

Italian MPs back surrogacy ban on couples going abroad

Italian lawmakers on Wednesday backed a bill to extend the country's ban on surrogacy to couples who seek it abroad, sparking warnings the move was unconstitutional and would damage children's rights.

Ex-intel officer says US hiding info on alien craft

We are not alone -- and American authorities are covering up the evidence, a former US intelligence officer told a congressional committee on Wednesday.

Biden's son pleads not guilty on tax charges as deal derails

US President Joe Biden's son Hunter pleaded not guilty to minor tax offenses Wednesday as a deal with federal prosecutors derailed in a Delaware court.

'Coup attempt' in troubled Niger as president held by guards

An attempted coup was underway Wednesday in the fragile state of Niger, where members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, triggering a standoff with the army, sources said.

Kenya's Odinga rules out talks over protests without mediator

Opposition leader Raila Odinga told AFP Wednesday that he would not hold talks with President William Ruto without a third-party mediator after months of anti-government protests.

Erdogan meets Palestinian president, Hamas leader in Ankara

Turkey's leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday spoke in Ankara with the Palestinian president and the head of Hamas in the run-up to a crucial meeting of Palestinian factions set for the weekend.

'Attempted coup' in troubled Niger as president held

An attempted coup was underway Wednesday in the Sahel state of Niger as President Mohamed Bazoum was being held by members of his guard, who in turn were given an ultimatum by the army, sources said.

Niger president 'detained' by guards, army warns of attack

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday was being held by disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard, who in turn were given an "ultimatum" by the army, a source close to Bazoum said on Wednesday.

Rafale sales help France reach arms exports record

France said Wednesday its arms exports hit a record last year, helped by Rafale aircraft sales, in a context of rising global defence spending after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Neckties are a sign of the cross, says Taliban official

Neckties worn by men were a sign of the Christian cross, a senior Afghan Taliban official said Wednesday, adding they should be eliminated.

UN warns against 'excessive' tech use in classrooms

Heavy reliance on technology in education may be unproductive, or even detrimental, if it interferes with the acquisition of basic skills such as reading, the UN warned on Wednesday.

Proton using VPN sign-ups to spot attacks on democracy

Internet privacy company Proton announced Wednesday a new VPN Observatory, tracking demand for its services to detect attacks on free speech in countries like Russia and Iran before they hit the headlines.

Staying power: the world's longest-serving leaders

Following the announcement by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that he was stepping down after nearly four decades in power, here are the world's longest-serving leaders, except for monarchs.

Presidency sealed off, 'talks' underway in coup-prone Niger

Members of Niger's Presidential Guard on Wednesday sealed off the residence and offices of President Mohamed Bazoum, a source close to Bazoum said, describing the move as a "fit of temper" by the elite troops and that "talks" were underway.

Presidency sealed off in coup-prone Niger

Kim Jong Un pays respect to Mao's eldest son ahead of anniversary celebration

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a cemetery commemorating Chinese troops who fought in the Korean War, including the grave of Mao Zedong's eldest son, state media said Wednesday.

Chosen son: Cambodia's next PM Hun Manet to succeed father

Hun Manet has an economics degree from England and graduated from US military academy West Point, but there are few expectations he will uphold Western liberal ideals when he succeeds his father as Cambodia's prime minister.

France ready for Olympics despite 'challenge': Macron

France will "for sure" be ready to host the 2024 Olympic Games despite the numerous organisational challenges of hosting the event, President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday.

EU watchdog probes Frontex's action in Greece boat tragedy

The EU watchdog on Wednesday announced a probe into the bloc's border patrol agency Frontex over its actions after a boat packed with migrants off Greece sank last month, killing hundreds.

Kenyans hope for end to demos as Ruto offers to meet opposition

Weary Kenyans on Wednesday voiced cautious optimism for an end to political unrest after President William Ruto said he was ready to meet opposition leader Raila Odinga "anytime" following months of anti-government protests.

Kuwait records first fiscal surplus in nearly a decade: ministry

Kuwait recorded its first surplus in nine years for the 2022-2023 fiscal year which ended in March, the finance ministry said on Wednesday, crediting last year's surge in oil prices.

China refuses to say why foreign minister Qin Gang removed

China refused to disclose on Wednesday why Qin Gang had been sacked as foreign minister, insisting it was releasing information "normally" despite him having not been seen publicly for more than a month.

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The China Mail - Politics (English)