Early bird: A German artist was sentenced to 8 years in prison for mocking Putin. Fuel prices have dropped.
A German artist who created carnival floats mocking Russian President Vladimir Putin was sentenced in absentia to 8.5 years in prison by a Moscow court on Thursday. Between Wednesday and Thursday, prices at gas stations dropped.
8 Years in Prison for Mocking Putin
A German artist who created carnival floats satirizing Russian President Vladimir Putin was sentenced in absentia to 8.5 years in prison by a Moscow court on Thursday. Jacques Tilly was found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian army and insulting religious feelings.
Carnival parades in Germany are famous for their floats that poke fun at various domestic and world political figures, and Putin has been a frequent target. The 62-year-old Tilly has been designing and building floats for the Düsseldorf carnival parade, one of the most famous in Germany, since 1984, according to the agency AP.
Fuel prices in the Czech Republic unexpectedly dropped
Between Wednesday and Thursday, prices at gas stations decreased. The average price of the best-selling Natural 95 gasoline fell by 24 halers to 41.36 crowns per liter, and diesel decreased by 17 halers to 48.16 CZK/l. Prices remain the highest in the past 3.5 years. Diesel is on average 14 crowns more expensive than a year ago, reported ČTK.
United Kingdom Leads Coalition of Forty States Pressing to Open Hormuz
On Thursday, the United Kingdom accused Iran of holding the world economy hostage as diplomats from more than 40 countries discussed ways to persuade Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil route that has been blocked due to the US-Israel war against Iran.
The US did not participate in this virtual meeting after President Donald Trump made it clear that securing this maritime route is not America's responsibility. Trump also criticized America's European allies for not supporting the war and renewed his threats to withdraw the US from NATO, according to AP, indicating the US's ambiguous approach to the issue.
World Cup Tickets Surge Over $10,000
FIFA increased the highest ticket price for the World Cup final to $10,990 during Wednesday's sales reopening, which was accompanied by technical issues, after the composition of the 48 participating teams in this year's tournament was finalized. The price was $8,680 when FIFA sold tickets after the tournament draw in December.
Category 2 FIFA tickets for the July 19 match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were priced at $7,380 — up from $5,575 — and category 3 tickets were priced at $5,785, up from $4,185. As of Wednesday evening, tickets were available for 17 out of 72 group stage matches and none of the knockout phase matches, reported CNN.
Stolen Helmet from Museum in the Netherlands Returns
Dutch authorities announced on Thursday that they have found a rare ancient gold helmet from Romania, which was stolen from a museum in the Netherlands last year. Accompanied by heavily armed police officers in balaclavas, prosecutors presented the 2,500-year-old Cotofenești helmet, one of Romania's most esteemed national treasures from the Dacian civilization, during a press conference in the eastern Dutch city of Assen, AP reported.
Sources: AP, CNN, ČTK
