Page 30 - bon-dia-aruba-20220928

A30 world news
Diaranson 28 september 2022

Officials say 98,000 Russians enter Kazakhstan after call-up

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) 300,000 people with prior less they are on an interna-
— About 98,000 Russians combat or other military ser- tional wanted list for criminal
have crossed into Kazakh- vice would be called up, but charges.
stan in the week since reports have emerged from
President Vladimir Putin various Russian regions that Kazakh President Kassym-
announced a partial mo- recruiters were rounding up Jomart Tokayev ordered his
bilization of reservists to men outside that description. government to assist Rus-
fight in Ukraine, Kazakh That fueled fears of a much sians entering his country
officials said Tuesday, as broader call-up, sending "because of the current hope-
men seeking to avoid the droves of men of all ages and less situation."
call-up continued to flee backgrounds to airports and
by land and air into neigh- border crossings. "We must take care of them
boring countries. and ensure their safety. It is
In announcing the num- a political and a humanitar-
Kazakhstan and Georgia, ber of Russians crossing the ian issue. I tasked the gov-
both part of the former Sovi- border, Kazakhstan Interior ernment to take the neces-
et Union, appeared to be the Those with visas for Finland quickly despite steep prices. Minister Marat Akhmetzha- sary measures," Tokayev said,
most popular destinations for or Norway also have been nov said authorities will not adding that Kazakhstan will
those crossing by car, bicycle coming in by land. Plane Russia's Defense Minis- send those who are avoiding hold talks with Russia on the
or on foot. tickets abroad had sold out try has said that only about the call-up back home, un- situation.

Italy gets new tranche of EU funds as dust settles from vote

ROME (AP) — The Euro- lyst at the Economist Intelli-
pean Commission signed gence Unit, said she expected
off Tuesday on the next a Meloni-led government
21-billion-euro ($20.2 bil- would do what it takes to get
lion) tranche of Italy's the next tranche, of 19 billion
pandemic recovery funds, euros ($18.3 billion).
a welcome infusion that
comes amid questions "Despite some internal dis-
about whether Giorgia agreements, the right-wing
Meloni and her euroskep- coalition committed to ad-
tic party, which won the here to the NRRP in its elec-
national election, will be toral manifesto, with some
able to keep the funding revisions to adapt the plan to
coming. the new economic context of
the energy and cost-of-living
The outgoing government of crises," she said in a note, re-
Premier Mario Draghi, a for- ferring to the National Re-
mer European Central Bank covery and Resilience Plan.
chief, secured the funds af- Meloni's political opponents
ter having achieved 45 mile- have protested her plans to
stones required by Brussels to reallocate some of the EU's
receive the money earmarked Next Generation euro funds,
to help EU nations recover but analysts are less alarmed.
from pandemic lockdowns
and other setbacks. The Ital- "This is par for the course,"
ian benchmarks reached in- dustry. Draghi made hitting mier Silvio Berlusconi. of inflation and high energy said Holger Schmieding,
cluded enacting reforms of the EU-mandated milestones costs. chief economist at Beren-
public administration, educa- a hallmark of his 18-month Meloni's victory lurched berg. "The EU may be open
tion and health care, and in- national unity government, Italy, a founding member of "Obviously, paying the debt is to some changes as to how
vestments in technology, re- which collapsed in July when the EU and its third-largest the priority, but mostly now the money is used as long
search, tourism and culture. key allies boycotted a confi- economy, sharply to the far- the focus is going to be to- as Meloni implements the
A first allotment of 21 billion dence vote. right, and was cheered by ward this next generation EU modest pro-growth reforms
euros, also tied to reforms other euroskeptic leaders in plan, whether Italy is going to the EU demands as a precon-
and investments, was trans- Meloni's Brothers of Italy, France and Spain who have fulfill the plan and all the re- dition."
ferred to Italy in April. which has its roots in a neo- also made electoral gains in forms," said Pierpaolo Benig-
fascist party and campaigned recent months. no, professor of Economics European Commission Pres-
Italy received the largest share on a nationalist program, at University of Bern. "The ident Ursula von der Leyen
of the European Union's re- won 26% of the vote in Sun- Italy has in the past failed to market is going to watch all said the new approved fund-
covery fund, around 191.5 day's parliamentary election. capture all EU funding allo- the progress towards this ful- ing was evidence that Brus-
billion euros ($185 billion), It is poised to lead a conser- cated to it, raising concerns fillment." sels believed Italy had made
since it was the European vative coalition government over whether Meloni's in- Meloni has said it was legiti- good progress in its promised
country hardest hit finan- alongside the anti-immigrant experience in government mate for a new government reforms. Von der Leyen, who
cially by the pandemic's first League with roots in Italy's would hamper Italy going to reallocate the EU funds in recent days issued a veiled
wave, when the government productive north and the forward, especially given that depending on new govern- warning against any demo-
shuttered nonessential in- Forza Italia party of ex-Pre- Draghi's solid reputation in ment priorities. She didn't cratic backsliding in Italy
Brussels was so crucial to the comment Tuesday on the under a far-right leadership,
country being awarded so latest approval — in fact she encouraged further work.
much. hasn't made any public ap-
pearances or comments since "So congratulations, Italia,
The EU funds helped propel her election victory speech and keep up the good work!
Italy to 6% growth last year, early Monday. The Commission stands by
which is slowing to around you on your way to recovery,"
3% this year with the impact Agnese Ortolani, senior ana- she said in a statement.