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Sources

Why The New York Times Could Get Swept Up In BBC Sex Scandal

NEW YORK TIMES (US), THE TELEGRAPH (UK), REUTERS

Worldcrunch

An unfolding sex abuse scandal at the BBC risks spilling over to another premier global news source across the Atlantic.

The New York Times' public editor, Margaret Sullivan, has questioned whether former BBC chief, Mark Thompson, who has been tapped to be the new Times CEO is still an appropriate choice, after claims of sex abuse and a cover-up involving one of the British broadcaster's most famous entertainers, Jimmy Savile.

In a blog post on Tuesday, Sullivan questioned how likely it was that Thompson knew about the alleged sexual abuse claims. "His integrity and decision-making are bound to affect The Times and its journalism -- profoundly. It's worth considering now whether he is the right person for the job, given this turn of events," she wrote.

Reuters is reporting that one Wall Street analyst has also called for the New York Times Co. to delay Thompson's taking over the company.

Over the course of the last month, hundreds of sex abuse allegations have been made about the late Jimmy Savile, who died last year at the age of 84. He was previously one of the broadcaster's biggest personalities, presenting "Top of the Pops" and "Jim'll Fix It", where children would write in to have their wishes granted.

Saville in 1982 (William Starkey)

The BBC has been accused of covering up Savile's abuse, amidst continuing rumors of claims against him over the years. The allegations against the former television presenter have snowballed after the BBC's rival broadcaster ITV decided to air an investigative report on Savile, after the BBC dropped a similar investigation by its "Newsnight" programme last year.

Thompson, who was director general at the BBC from 2004 until last month, said in a statement: "I was not notified or briefed about the Newsnight investigation, nor was I involved in any way in the decision not to complete and air the investigation."

Women across the country have come out to testify against Savile, claiming that he molested them as teenagers during the 1960s and 1970s. Allegations have been made about Savile's activities in hospitals around the country that he would visit as part of his charity work.

The Telegraph reported on October 11 that one woman recalled being molested by Savile when she was 13-years-old in a hospital in Buckinghamshire in 1971. Other claims include the TV personality sexually abusing a brain-damaged child in Leeds infirmary.

The current BBC director general has appeared before Parliament this week, following the criticism. He told the Commons culture committee that the "culture and practices of the BBC seemed to allow Jimmy Savile to do what he did." British police have now launched an investigation.

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Economy

First It Was Poland's Farmers — Now Truckers Are Protesting Ukraine's Special Status

For the past month, Poland has been blocking off its border checkpoints to Ukrainian trucks, leaving many in days-long lines. It's a commercial and economic showdown, but it's about much more.

Photogrqph of a line of trucks queued in the  Korczowa - border crossing​

November 27, 2023, Medyka: Trucks stand in a queue to cross the border in Korczowa as Polish farmers strike and block truck transport in Korczowa - border crossing

Dominika Zarzycka/ZUMA
Katarzyna Skiba

Since November 6, Polish truckers have blocked border crossing points with Ukraine, citing unfair advantages given to the Ukrainian market, and demanding greater support from the European Union.

With lines that now stretch for up to 40 kilometers (25 miles), thousands of Ukrainian truckers must now wait an average of about four days in ever colder weather to cross the border, sometimes with the help of the Polish police. At least two Ukrainian truck drivers have died while waiting for passage into Poland.

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The round-the-clock blockade is being manned by Polish trucking unions who claim that Ukrainian trucking companies, which offer a cheaper rate, have been transporting goods across Europe, rather than between Poland and Ukraine. Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian truckers have been exempt from the permits once required to cross the border.

Now, Polish truckers are demanding that their government reintroduce entry permits for Ukrainian lorries, with exceptions for military and humanitarian aid from Europe. For the moment, those trucks are being let through the blockade, which currently affects four out of Ukraine’s eight border crossings with Poland.

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