<p>Belgian investigators on Wednesday (May 29) searched the home and offices of a European Parliament staffer, who they suspect may have played a role in spreading Russian propaganda ahead of the election for the EU assembly.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Search and investigation</strong></h2>

<p>According to Reuters, investigators searched his residence as well as his office at the European Parliament in Brussels. French judicial authorities also&nbsp;searched his office at the European Union's assembly in Strasbourg.</p>

<p>The searches, as per prosecutors, were part of an investigation into possible Russian interference.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, the prosecutor's office said the "searches are part of an investigation into interference, passive corruption and membership in a criminal organisation".</p>

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<p>They "concern evidence of Russian interference, indicating that members of the European Parliament were approached and paid to promote Russian propaganda via the news site Voice of Europe," it added.</p>

<p>It also stated that "evidence suggests that the European Parliament staffer in question played an important role in this case."</p>

<h2><strong>Who is the staffer under investigation?</strong></h2>

<p>While the prosecutor's office did not disclose the name of the staffer under investigation, AFP citing sources has identified the source of the investigation as Guillaume Pradoura.</p>

<p>Pradoura, as per the report, is a former assistant to Maximilian Krah, embattled EU lawmaker of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and now works for Dutch far-right lawmaker Marcel de Graaff.</p>

<p>On social media platform X, de Graaff expressed his surprise and said that he has learned from media reports that the home and offices of an assistant had been searched.</p>

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<p>"For me, this all comes as a total surprise," he wrote, adding "By the way, I have no involvement whatsoever in any so-called Russian disinformation operation. I have my own political beliefs and I proclaim them. That is my job as a MEP."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="nl">Vandaag vernam ik via de media dat de woning en kantoor van mijn medewerker dhr. Pradoura zijn doorzocht.<br />
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Ik heb mijn medewerker gesproken en die bleek daar niet van op de hoogte.<br />
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De autoriteiten hebben geen contact met mij noch met hem opgenomen. Voor mij komt dit alles als…</p>
— Marcel de Graaff🇳🇱 (@MJRLdeGraaff) <a href="https://twitter.com/MJRLdeGraaff/status/1795770019227283674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The search comes under a probe opened by Belgian prosecutors last month, into meddling allegations after Czech intelligence exposed a network suspected of using EU lawmakers to spread Russian propaganda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Belgium intelligence also found evidence that some lawmakers were paid to promote Kremlin propaganda.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Belgian investigators on Wednesday (May 29) searched the home and offices of a European Parliament staffer, who they suspect may have played a role in spreading Russian propaganda ahead of the election for the EU assembly.

Belgian investigators on Wednesday (May 29) searched the home and offices of a European Parliament staffer, who they suspect may have played a role in spreading Russian propaganda ahead of the election for the EU assembly. Search and investigation According to Reuters, investigators searched his residence as well as his office at the European Parliament in Brussels. French judicial authorities also searched his office at the European Union's assembly in Strasbourg. The searches, as per prosecutors, were part of an investigation into possible Russian interference. In a statement, the prosecutor's office said the "searches are part of an investigation into interference, passive corruption and membership in a criminal organisation". Also read | 'Oh, my God': US man drives while appearing for suspended licence hearing; judge's reaction goes viral They "concern evidence of Russian interference, indicating that members of the European Parliament were approached and paid to promote Russian propaganda via the news site Voice of Europe," it added. It also stated that "evidence suggests that the European Parliament staffer in question played an important role in this case." Who is the staffer under investigation? While the prosecutor's office did not disclose the name of the staffer under investigation, AFP citing sources has identified the source of the investigation as Guillaume Pradoura. Pradoura, as per the report, is a former assistant to Maximilian Krah, embattled EU lawmaker of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and now works for Dutch far-right lawmaker Marcel de Graaff. On social media platform X, de Graaff expressed his surprise and said that he has learned from media reports that the home and offices of an assistant had been searched. Also read | Former intelligence chief Dick Schoof proposed as Dutch PM "For me, this all comes as a total surprise," he wrote, adding "By the way, I have no involvement whatsoever in any so-called Russian disinformation operation. I have my own political beliefs and I proclaim them. That is my job as a MEP." Vandaag vernam ik via de media dat de woning en kantoor van mijn medewerker dhr. Pradoura zijn doorzocht. Ik heb mijn medewerker gesproken en die bleek daar niet van op de hoogte. De autoriteiten hebben geen contact met mij noch met hem opgenomen. Voor mij komt dit alles als… — Marcel de Graaff🇳🇱 (@MJRLdeGraaff) May 29, 2024 × The search comes under a probe opened by Belgian prosecutors last month, into meddling allegations after Czech intelligence exposed a network suspected of using EU lawmakers to spread Russian propaganda. Belgium intelligence also found evidence that some lawmakers were paid to promote Kremlin propaganda. (With inputs from agencies)

Belgian police search office and residence of EU staffer on Russia propaganda suspicions

<p>In an effort to recruit more troops to fight in Ukraine, the Russian military has released a video ad that challenges anyone who is interested in joining the Ukraine conflict to prove they are "a real man" by leaving behind what it says is a humdrum civilian life.&nbsp;Major Russian social networking sites have already started to run the recruitment advertisement.</p>

<p>The dramatic advertisement comes after reports from Russian media and British military intelligence that Moscow is looking to reinforce its forces in Ukraine by enlisting up to 400,000 more soldiers.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-hits-back-at-g7-says-position-as-nuclear-state-final-and-irreversible-584618">North Korea hits back at G7, says position as nuclear state 'final and irreversible'</a></p>

<p>The recruitment of Russian men in the Ukraine war is marred with controversy at a time when the casuality data for soldiers is yet not ascertained. A recent estimate from the US Defence Intelligence Agency claims that up to 43,000 Russians have died in the conflict thus far. It also estimated that up to 17,500 Ukrainians also died.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH the Russian ad here:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>The advertisement features a guy at a supermarket holding a large machine gun while asking men to sign a contract with the Russian Defence Ministry for pay that begins at 204,000 roubles ($2,495) per month. He is then seen wearing a security guard uniform. A question then appears.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"Is this the kind of defender you dreamt of becoming?"</p>

<p>The next scene in the video shows a guy among other soldiers on what seems to be a battlefield. Then, he appears assisting a client to lift weights while acting as a gym teacher.</p>

<p>"Is this really where your strength lies?" the video asks. Then it cuts to a taxi driver taking a client's fare who then transforms into a soldier on the battlefield.</p>

<p>"You're a real man. Be one," says the ad.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Have British schools become breeding grounds for Anti-Hindu hate?</strong></p>

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<p>A couple of days back reports suggested that Russia introduced an electronic call-up plan to crack down on dodgers who don't want to serve in the military. This comes amid reports that many refuse to pick up mail at their official address to escape service. But with this bill approved now, electronic notifications will be sent too. &nbsp;</p>

<p>If people do not report at their military enlistment office within 20 days of receiving the summons, without a good cause, temporary limits will be placed on them.</p>

<p>They might not be allowed to register as entrepreneurs, register their cars and houses and other properties, have their licences cancelled, and have their loan requests denied.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Russian authorities have been downplaying the possibility of a second mobilisation call after launching a partial mobilisation drive in September.</p>

<p>The earlier drive forced tens of thousands of Russian men to flee the country to avoid being drafted. Recruitment posters for professional troops have appeared across the Russian capital with the message, "Our Profession is to defend the Motherland."</p>

<p>As the Ukraine conflict wages on, the Russian army is seeking gunners, military doctors, drivers, and tank commanders, according to the ads. In return, they are promising the prospective recruits "respect, an honourable profession, and decent pay."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


In an effort to recruit more troops to fight in Ukraine, the Russian military has released a video ad that challenges anyone who is interested in joining the Ukraine conflict to prove they are "a real man" by leaving behind what it says is a humdrum civilian life.

In an effort to recruit more troops to fight in Ukraine, the Russian military has released a video ad that challenges anyone who is interested in joining the Ukraine conflict to prove they are "a real man" by leaving behind what it says is a humdrum civilian life. Major Russian social networking sites have already started to run the recruitment advertisement. The dramatic advertisement comes after reports from Russian media and British military intelligence that Moscow is looking to reinforce its forces in Ukraine by enlisting up to 400,000 more soldiers. Also Read | North Korea hits back at G7, says position as nuclear state 'final and irreversible' The recruitment of Russian men in the Ukraine war is marred with controversy at a time when the casuality data for soldiers is yet not ascertained. A recent estimate from the US Defence Intelligence Agency claims that up to 43,000 Russians have died in the conflict thus far. It also estimated that up to 17,500 Ukrainians also died. WATCH the Russian ad here: × The advertisement features a guy at a supermarket holding a large machine gun while asking men to sign a contract with the Russian Defence Ministry for pay that begins at 204,000 roubles ($2,495) per month. He is then seen wearing a security guard uniform. A question then appears. Also Read | Gold heist at Canada's Toronto airport could be country's biggest robbery in years "Is this the kind of defender you dreamt of becoming?" The next scene in the video shows a guy among other soldiers on what seems to be a battlefield. Then, he appears assisting a client to lift weights while acting as a gym teacher. "Is this really where your strength lies?" the video asks. Then it cuts to a taxi driver taking a client's fare who then transforms into a soldier on the battlefield. "You're a real man. Be one," says the ad. Watch | Have British schools become breeding grounds for Anti-Hindu hate? × A couple of days back reports suggested that Russia introduced an electronic call-up plan to crack down on dodgers who don't want to serve in the military. This comes amid reports that many refuse to pick up mail at their official address to escape service. But with this bill approved now, electronic notifications will be sent too. If people do not report at their military enlistment office within 20 days of receiving the summons, without a good cause, temporary limits will be placed on them. They might not be allowed to register as entrepreneurs, register their cars and houses and other properties, have their licences cancelled, and have their loan requests denied. The Russian authorities have been downplaying the possibility of a second mobilisation call after launching a partial mobilisation drive in September. The earlier drive forced tens of thousands of Russian men to flee the country to avoid being drafted. Recruitment posters for professional troops have appeared across the Russian capital with the message, "Our Profession is to defend the Motherland." As the Ukraine conflict wages on, the Russian army is seeking gunners, military doctors, drivers, and tank commanders, according to the ads. In return, they are promising the prospective recruits "respect, an honourable profession, and decent pay." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | Russian recruitment ad calling for 'real men' to fight in Ukraine

<p>Equipping its fighters with army uniform and gear, Taliban have released a propaganda video on social media platforms. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The video appears to show Taliban's 'Badri 313' soldiers with special forces military helmets along with mounts for night vision goggles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the tweet, the group says the 'Badri 313' units have been deployed in Kabul for "security". The fighters are being portrayed to be world-class. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, Taliban media Manba al-Jihad Studio seems to have released a whole new photoset of new graduates from its Salahuddin Ayubi military training camp in Afghanistan. &nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the group, these new graduates were to be a part of Badri 313 battalion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Taliban has banned co-education in government and private universities in Herat, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Khaama Press news agency reported the decision was taken after a meeting between professors, owners of private institutions and Taliban leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports said women lecturers would be allowed to teach only female students and not male students. Taliban's representative and head of higher education in the country Mullah Farid reportedly said co-education was the "root of all evils in society".&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Equipping its fighters with army uniform and gear, Taliban have released a propaganda video on social media platforms. The video appears to show Taliban's 'Badri 313' soldiers with special forces military helmets along with mounts for night vision goggles.

Equipping its fighters with army uniform and gear, Taliban have released a propaganda video on social media platforms. The video appears to show Taliban's 'Badri 313' soldiers with special forces military helmets along with mounts for night vision goggles. In the tweet, the group says the 'Badri 313' units have been deployed in Kabul for "security". The fighters are being portrayed to be world-class. Earlier, Taliban media Manba al-Jihad Studio seems to have released a whole new photoset of new graduates from its Salahuddin Ayubi military training camp in Afghanistan. As per the group, these new graduates were to be a part of Badri 313 battalion. Meanwhile, the Taliban has banned co-education in government and private universities in Herat, reports said. Khaama Press news agency reported the decision was taken after a meeting between professors, owners of private institutions and Taliban leaders. Reports said women lecturers would be allowed to teach only female students and not male students. Taliban's representative and head of higher education in the country Mullah Farid reportedly said co-education was the "root of all evils in society". (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban releases propaganda video showing fighters in army uniform, gear

<p>China is consistently using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook to attack the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in a state-backed disinformation campaign to undermine critical reporting by Western media of the human rights abuse of Uighur minorities in Xinjiang province.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-bans-bbc-world-news-for-its-reporting-on-uighur-genocide-covid-19-363002"><strong>Also read: China bans BBC World News for its reporting on Uighur genocide, Covid-19</strong></a><br />
<br />
An Australian research group has said that China’s attempts to discredit the BBC show an increased sophistication in tailoring propaganda for Western audiences.</p>

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<p>The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been actively running a social media campaign against the BBC after it aired a report on February 2 featuring Uighur women who alleged that detainees in camps in the province of Xinjiang were systematically raped, sexually abused and tortured. China’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegations and accused the BBC of making a “false report.”</p>

<p>According to a report published by a think tank — Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) provides a snapshot of the CCP’s ongoing coordinated response targeting the BBC, which leveraged YouTube, Twitter and Facebook and was broadly framed around three prominent narratives:</p>

<ol>
	<li>That the BBC spreads disinformation and is biased against China</li>
	<li>That the BBC’s domestic audiences think that it’s biased and not to be trusted</li>
	<li>That the BBC’s reporting on China is instigated by foreign actors and intelligence agencies.</li>
</ol>

<p>The report says that "to contest and blunt criticism of the CCP’s systematic surveillance and control of minority ethnic groups, the party will continue to aggressively deploy its propaganda and disinformation apparatus."</p>

<p>International rights groups estimate that over one million Uighurs and other Turkic-speaking minority groups in Xinjiang have been held in internment camps since early 2017.</p>

<p>Uighurs who were once detained in internment camps in China’s Xinjiang region say they have been sexually abused and raped during interrogations by Chinese authorities, while also witnessing other fellow detainees being raped.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


China is consistently using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook to attack the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in a state-backed disinformation campaign to undermine critical reporting by Western media of the human rights abuse of Uighur minorities in Xinjiang province.

China is consistently using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook to attack the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in a state-backed disinformation campaign to undermine critical reporting by Western media of the human rights abuse of Uighur minorities in Xinjiang province. Also read: China bans BBC World News for its reporting on Uighur genocide, Covid-19 An Australian research group has said that China’s attempts to discredit the BBC show an increased sophistication in tailoring propaganda for Western audiences. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been actively running a social media campaign against the BBC after it aired a report on February 2 featuring Uighur women who alleged that detainees in camps in the province of Xinjiang were systematically raped, sexually abused and tortured. China’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegations and accused the BBC of making a “false report.” According to a report published by a think tank — Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) provides a snapshot of the CCP’s ongoing coordinated response targeting the BBC, which leveraged YouTube, Twitter and Facebook and was broadly framed around three prominent narratives: That the BBC spreads disinformation and is biased against China That the BBC’s domestic audiences think that it’s biased and not to be trusted That the BBC’s reporting on China is instigated by foreign actors and intelligence agencies. The report says that "to contest and blunt criticism of the CCP’s systematic surveillance and control of minority ethnic groups, the party will continue to aggressively deploy its propaganda and disinformation apparatus." International rights groups estimate that over one million Uighurs and other Turkic-speaking minority groups in Xinjiang have been held in internment camps since early 2017. Uighurs who were once detained in internment camps in China’s Xinjiang region say they have been sexually abused and raped during interrogations by Chinese authorities, while also witnessing other fellow detainees being raped. (With inputs from agencies)

China using social media to discredit BBC in state propaganda campaign, says Australian think tank

Here's Pakistan's latest 'Khalistan' Propaganda. Posters at the shrine say India dropped a bomb in 1971.

Pakistan's Kartarpur Design: Hate posters put up at Kartarpur

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