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Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruling that former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto did not receive a fair trial in his 1979 murder case, takes the centerstage among all global events which has happened over this week.
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On Monday, workers at Argentine state news agency Telam found the office doors barred and were told to halt work for a week after President Javier Milei announced plans to close the agency. Telam's website went offline for reconstruction, and an internal memo excused workers for seven days. Police barred entry to the offices. This highlights Milei's campaign against public institutions he deems inefficient or corrupt, including Telam, which he called a Peronist propaganda tool.
Monday, 4 March, 2024
Hungary's President Tamás Sulyok signed a bill on Tuesday approving Sweden's NATO bid, ending 18 months of delays. The bill, passed by Hungary’s parliament last month, marks a key step in NATO's expansion amid Russia's war in Ukraine. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson hailed the decision, emphasizing its significance for Sweden's safety and NATO's strength. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius welcomed Sweden to NATO, celebrating the new alliance. Hungary's parliament had stalled the approval despite initial submission in July 2022.
Tuesday, 5 March, 2024
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto did not receive a fair trial in his 1979 murder case. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa stated that fair trial and due process requirements were not met. Bhutto, founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party, was hanged after being found guilty of orchestrating a rival's murder. The ruling concludes a 12-year-old presidential reference filed by Asif Ali Zardari, questioning the trial's fairness.
Wednesday, 6 March, 2024
Lithuania has revoked the citizenship of Russian ballerina Ilze Liepa after she openly praised President Vladimir Putin and supported Russia's actions in Ukraine, Delfi reported. President Gitanas Nauseda signed the decree to strip Liepa, who gained Lithuanian citizenship in 2000. Liepa's comments in a November 2022 interview praising Putin and criticizing Western policies prompted the decision. Lithuania's Interior Ministry requested the intelligence agency review the citizenship status of 800 naturalized Lithuanians for potential national security threats and support for Russia.
Thursday, 7 March, 2024
Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $8 million by a US judge for drug trafficking offenses. Despite his insistence on innocence, a New York jury found him guilty in March on three charges. Extradited in 2022, Hernandez was accused of conspiring with cartels to move over 400 tons of cocaine through Honduras, receiving millions in bribes to bolster his political career. US Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned Hernandez's abuse of power.
Friday, 8 March, 2024
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar admitted defeat as early vote counts showed the rejection of two constitutional amendments he supported. These amendments aimed to broaden the definition of family and remove outdated language about women's roles at home. Varadkar acknowledged that his campaign failed to convince voters. Opponents argued the changes were poorly worded, causing confusion. The vote is part of Ireland's shift from a conservative, predominantly Catholic society to a more diverse and liberal one.
Saturday, 9 March, 2024
Cillian Murphy became the first Irish-born actor to win the Best Actor award as "Oppenheimer" swept the Oscars. The film won Best Picture, Best Director for Christopher Nolan, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. Murphy, honored for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, expressed pride in his heritage and gratitude to the cast and crew. "Oppenheimer" won seven awards overall, while "Poor Things" and "The Zone of Interest" also garnered multiple awards. Downey Jr humorously thanked his troubled past and credited his wife for his Hollywood comeback.
Sunday, 10 March, 2024