Today the trial started against Christian Nellemann in the association Rhipto, which is accused of gross fraud of 47.8 million in aid money from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoD) and the Ministry of Climate and Environment (KLD). When the indictment was read out this morning, both Nellemann and Rhipto partner Rune Henriksen – who is only charged with complicity – pleaded not guilty. They also do not accept the confiscation of a cabin on the mountain in the interior that Rhipto bought for 3.8 million in grant funds without the ministries’ knowledge. “Absolutely not”Nellemann answered the question.
While Økokrim states that Nellemann pretended that all the money was spent on real project costs in order to be paid more and more, Nellemann’s defender described the delivery from the two men as “an enormous piece of work”. – These are scientists, explorers and visionary people who put in everything they have in terms of labour, knowledge and experience and all their waking hours for five years according to wishes, needs and orders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN system and eventually KLDsaid the lawyer Fredrik Berg i Fend law firm in court today.
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BOMB RAFAH: Israel has launched airstrikes on areas on the outskirts of Rafah that were ordered to be evacuated this morning, Hamas-controlled media in Gaza claim, according to NRK. At the time of writing, the information has not been confirmed by Israel.
It was early today that Israel ordered the immediate evacuation of parts of Rafah, the city in the very south of the Gaza Strip where 1.4 million refugees are located, and which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is adamant that he will send soldiers into despite repeated warnings from both the United Nations and the United States. In the first instance, around 100,000 people living in the eastern outskirts of the city have been told to leave, according to AP and Haaretz. They are said to have been shown to a so-called “extended humanitarian area” in the neighboring town of Khan Younis.
Presumably, the announcement means that a ground invasion of Rafah is imminent. This is how it sticks in the wheel of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations that international mediators are keeping alive. Hamas has made it clear that an invasion of Rafah would derail the process.
NOT SATISFIED: This year’s agricultural negotiations are underway. The state, currently governed by a government that includes the Center Party, offers the farmers NOK 2.6 billion, most of which is covered by the state budget (as opposed to higher food prices). The offer corresponds to a wage increase of NOK 70,000 per man-year, but the Norwegian Farmers’ Association believes that the gap to the farmers’ original demand – NOK 3.9 billion – is too large: – Revenue must be raised faster than the government plans. If we are to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency, the farmer’s income is absolutely crucialsays the manager Bjorn Gimming to VG (we are led to believe he is talking about increased, not full self-sufficiency). In the agricultural settlement last year, the farmers received a total of NOK 4.15 billion, but since then, of course, all costs have increased for them as for everyone else. The average income gap between farmers and other occupational groups is still NOK 136,000 per year.
BIG LOSS IN AP TEAM: A local politician for the Labor Party in Lier in Buskerud has been reported for embezzling around NOK two million from the local team. In addition, the man has been reported for embezzlement of around one million kroner by a local organization in LO, writes VG. He must have laid all his cards on the table. – This case is rooted in very difficult personal relationships, but my client understands the seriousness of the case and is prepared to accept the consequences of his actions. The client is very distraught at having abused the trust that has been shown to him over many years in both LO and the Labor Partysays the reported man’s lawyer..
It is only two weeks since an employee of the Christian People’s Party was reported for having stolen around one million. It was referred to in Vårt Land as one of the biggest embezzlements ever in a Norwegian political party.
