NEWS OF THE DAY
Journalists protest: Italy’s leaders sought to affirm their commitment to a free press Tuesday after journalists protested around the country against insults emanating from prominent figures in the governing 5-Star Movement. Journalists gathered in piazzas in regional capitals to protest statements by 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio and another prominent official labeling journalists “prostitutes,” “jackals” and “intellectually and morally corrupt,” in reaction to coverage of a long corruption inquiry against Rome’s mayor that ended with an acquittal last weekend. The trial, in which Mayor Virginia Raggi of the 5-Star Movement was accused of lying to anti-corruption officials, threatened to unseat her and risked the reputation of the 5-Star Movement itself. Protesters called the attacks a threat to democracy and said they aimed to sound the alarm over “a political philosophy that is emerging around the globe,” scapegoating journalists.
Venezuelan refugees: Colombian authorities moved homeless Venezuelan migrants to a soccer field filled with yellow tents and cots Tuesday, as the number of migrants fleeing their nation’s economic and humanitarian calamity has risen. The first migrant camp for Venezuelans in Colombia’s capital sparked a protest from residents who said they feared their new neighbors would bring crime and disease — the latest hint of escalating tensions throughout the region over the spillover of Venezuela’s crisis. “They want to ruin our communities!” a man cried out from his balcony overlooking the field of tents, later switching to English and yelling, “Welcome to the jungle!” Authorities fear camps could become permanent fixtures and hinder Venezuelans from integrating into society. But with over 1 million Venezuelans now living in Colombia, officials said they had no choice but to offer tents to destitute migrants.
Pricey diamond: Christie’s sold the “Pink Legacy” diamond at auction Tuesday for more than $50 million including fees, saying it’s a new world record price per carat for a pink diamond. Christie’s said that renowned jeweler Harry Winston was the buyer. The auction house in Geneva had expected to fetch $30 million to $50 million for the nearly 19-carat, rectangular-cut stone, the largest fancy vivid pink diamond that it has ever auctioned. The stone once belonged to the Oppenheimer diamond family, and Christie’s says it’s among the most chemically pure gems.
Einstein letter: A handwritten letter written by Albert Einstein warning of the dangers of growing nationalism and anti-Semitism years before the Nazis rose to power has been sold for nearly $40,000 in Jerusalem Tuesday night. The Einstein wrote the letter to his sister after going into hiding in 1922 following the assassination of Germany’s Jewish foreign minister by right-wing extremists. Police had warned the Jewish scientist that his life could be in danger, too.
Sri Lanka crisis: Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked the president from dissolving Parliament, raising the possibility that the former prime minister could reclaim the post after weeks of unnerving political drama. Sri Lanka has been in crisis since late last month, when President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, accusing him of being inept and corrupt. He then swore in a new prime minister. Many lawmakers and government ministers denounced the move. Protests erupted.