
Ukrainian MPs Under Investigation for Vote-Buying and Corruption
Ukraine's anti-corruption agency was blocked during an investigation into a bribery scheme involving MPs, highlighting ongoing challenges in tackling corruption within the country.
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Ukraine's anti-corruption agency was blocked during an investigation into a bribery scheme involving MPs, highlighting ongoing challenges in tackling corruption within the country.

Finland's Prime Minister apologized to Japan, China, and South Korea after MPs from the Finns Party posted racist gestures on social media, which were widely condemned. The government emphasized that the MPs' actions do not reflect Finland's values of equality and inclusion, and discussions on sanctions are underway.

Kim Leadbeater, the MP behind the assisted dying bill, is confident it will pass the final vote in the House of Commons, which is a crucial step before it moves to the House of Lords. The bill, which allows terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical assistance under strict conditions, has received mixed support and undergone amendments. The outcome of the vote on Friday will determine whether the legislation advances or is halted for potentially another decade.

Polish President Andrzej Duda has pledged to pardon two jailed members of parliament from the Law and Justice party, who were facing two years in prison for abuse of power. This decision comes after Duda's earlier pardon in 2015 was deemed improper by the Supreme Court, and their imprisonment has become a major political issue, leading to protests and accusations of trampling on the rule of law by the new government. The situation has also prompted appeals to the EU for involvement, but so far, the EU has not taken action.

Polish police arrested two MPs who were hiding in the presidential palace under the protection of President Andrzej Duda after being sentenced to prison terms for abuse of power, escalating the battle between Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The arrests highlight the struggle to restore the country's justice system and align with EU democratic rules. The MPs' disputed verdict and refusal to acknowledge their convictions have led to a constitutional crisis, with the new government seeking to take control of institutions previously held by the nationalist Law and Justice Party.

Two Polish lawmakers, previously ordered by a court to go to prison, were arrested at the presidential palace, sparking a conflict between the nationalist president and the new pro-European government. Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused President Andrzej Duda of obstructing justice, escalating tensions in a period of cohabitation where the government and president are from different political camps. The accusations against the lawmakers, Mariusz Kaminski and Maciej Wasik, are the latest in a series of conflicts, with Kaminski previously pardoned by Duda in 2015 before being convicted of abuse of power.

Members of Parliament have expressed concerns over the government's choice of Samir Shah as the next BBC chair, questioning his ability to challenge the leadership of the organization. MPs were disappointed with Shah's lack of opinion on fundamental principles such as board-level interference and political impartiality. They also criticized his failure to provide views on changes to local radio and cuts to BBC Newsnight. While the MPs deemed Shah "appointable," they requested further clarification from him in January. Shah, a former non-executive director at the BBC, was announced as the preferred candidate by the culture secretary last week. The government will now consider whether to proceed with the appointment.

MPs have expressed "serious reservations" about Samir Shah, the government's preferred candidate for the position of BBC chairman. While acknowledging that he is "appointable," the MPs questioned whether Shah has the necessary "strength and character" to challenge BBC executives and provide the robust challenge required at this time. They were disappointed that Shah declined to express opinions on fundamental issues such as board level interference, political impartiality, and changes to local radio and Newsnight. The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which operates separately from the government, questioned Shah ahead of his formal appointment.

Rishi Sunak, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, is facing opposition within his own Conservative Party over the proposed Rwanda scheme to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. The fate of the scheme depends on the passage of the Safety of Rwanda Bill, but MPs from different factions of the party, including the centrist One Nation group and the right-wing European Research Group (ERG), are divided on the issue. Legal advice is being sought, and rebellion looms as MPs consider whether to back the bill or amend it. Sunak's attempt to rally support through a news conference has not calmed tensions among MPs, reminiscent of the challenges faced by previous Tory prime ministers.

Many elderly people who do not have Parkinson’s disease nonetheless experience some Parkinson’s-like symptoms, especially slowness of movement, a new study from Sweden highlights. These symptoms, while reported to impact quality of life, typically are not enough to warrant a formal Parkinson’s diagnosis. Instead, they’re often referred to as mild parkinsonian signs, or MPS. The study suggests that health problems may explain the greater occurrence of MPS among older people, but also note that these symptoms might just be a normal part of aging.