53 mins. ago
Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 - 1997) attends a dinner at the British Embassy in Washington, DC, November 1985. She is wearing an evening dress by Murray Arbeid and the Queen Mary tiara. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
I was in the eighth grade, preparing to enter high school, when Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles.
Some of the girls from my junior high softball team spent the night at our house because we had the big television—the kind not every family had in 1981. My mother woke us at around five o'clock in the morning so we could watch the royal wedding live from London.
She made tea and crumpets, little tea sandwiches and all kinds of treats. We gathered around that television, sleepy and excited, waiting to see the prince, the carriage and the beautiful young woman in the enormous ivory dress.
There were no smartphones, no social media, and no livestreams we could replay later. There was simply the television and the shared experience of watching a real-life fairy tale unfold before our eyes.
#diana #around #wales #embassy
I was in the eighth grade, preparing to enter high school, when Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles.
Some of the girls from my junior high softball team spent the night at our house because we had the big television—the kind not every family had in 1981. My mother woke us at around five o'clock in the morning so we could watch the royal wedding live from London.
She made tea and crumpets, little tea sandwiches and all kinds of treats. We gathered around that television, sleepy and excited, waiting to see the prince, the carriage and the beautiful young woman in the enormous ivory dress.
There were no smartphones, no social media, and no livestreams we could replay later. There was simply the television and the shared experience of watching a real-life fairy tale unfold before our eyes.
#diana #around #wales #embassy
6 days ago
By Timothy Gardner
WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump has sent Congress a proposed agreement with Saudi Arabia on civil nuclear energy while insisting the pact will only go into effect if the kingdom normalizes relations with Israel, a U.S. administration official told Reuters on Tuesday.
The agreement, which was reached in July and would allow U.S. companies to export civilian nuclear technology to the kingdom, was sent to Congress on Monday, according to the U.S. official, who declined to be identified.
The Saudi embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It was not clear how Trump expects sending the nuclear deal to Congress, which has 90 session days to consider it, will advance his objectives.
#reuters #agreement #official
WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump has sent Congress a proposed agreement with Saudi Arabia on civil nuclear energy while insisting the pact will only go into effect if the kingdom normalizes relations with Israel, a U.S. administration official told Reuters on Tuesday.
The agreement, which was reached in July and would allow U.S. companies to export civilian nuclear technology to the kingdom, was sent to Congress on Monday, according to the U.S. official, who declined to be identified.
The Saudi embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It was not clear how Trump expects sending the nuclear deal to Congress, which has 90 session days to consider it, will advance his objectives.
#reuters #agreement #official
8 days ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to visit Ireland next month to attend the Irish Open golf tournament at his golf course in Doonbeg in County Clare on the country's Atlantic coast, according to a White House official.
The trip is the most recent example of how the president blurs the line between official business and travel in ways that can benefit his family business. His sons have taken over day-to-day control of the Trump Organization, but the September trip once again lays bare how Trump has leveraged his second term to pad his family's profits in a variety of ways.
Trump is scheduled to be in Ireland on Sept. 12 and 13 and will join an event with U.S. embassy workers and business officials before attending the golf tournament at Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg, according to the White House official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Trump's course in Bedminster, New Jersey, hosted a LIV golf tournament in August. Another Trump course at Doral in South Florida is scheduled to host a PGA event, the Cadillac Championship, in March 2028, and Trump has talked about his course in Turnberry, Scotland, hosting the British Open, which it last did in 2009, before Trump bought the resort. A return of the British Open to that property continues to face major logistical hurdles.
Last summer, Trump went to Scotland for five days to golf at Turnberry and later inaugurated a new Trump golf course in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. The White House refused to call that midsummer jaunt a vacation, but insisted it was a working trip — and Trump found time between games to talk about trade with then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
#ireland #british
The trip is the most recent example of how the president blurs the line between official business and travel in ways that can benefit his family business. His sons have taken over day-to-day control of the Trump Organization, but the September trip once again lays bare how Trump has leveraged his second term to pad his family's profits in a variety of ways.
Trump is scheduled to be in Ireland on Sept. 12 and 13 and will join an event with U.S. embassy workers and business officials before attending the golf tournament at Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg, according to the White House official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Trump's course in Bedminster, New Jersey, hosted a LIV golf tournament in August. Another Trump course at Doral in South Florida is scheduled to host a PGA event, the Cadillac Championship, in March 2028, and Trump has talked about his course in Turnberry, Scotland, hosting the British Open, which it last did in 2009, before Trump bought the resort. A return of the British Open to that property continues to face major logistical hurdles.
Last summer, Trump went to Scotland for five days to golf at Turnberry and later inaugurated a new Trump golf course in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. The White House refused to call that midsummer jaunt a vacation, but insisted it was a working trip — and Trump found time between games to talk about trade with then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
#ireland #british
23 days ago
Reality television personality Sidney Starr was arrested on Sunday, August 2, after police responded to an alleged ***** ual ***** ault involving a juvenile at a hotel near Atlanta. Starr, whose legal name is Sidney Favors, faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated child molestation, sodomy and ***** ual battery against a child under 16.
The Hapeville Police Department told Fox 5 Atlanta that the incident occurred at the Embassy Suites in the 3400 block of International Boulevard. "As a result of the investigation, Sidney Favors (Sidney Starr), a reality television celebrity, was arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses related to an alleged ***** ual ***** ault involving a juvenile," the department said in a statement.
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Starr was transported to the Fulton County Jail following her arrest and remained in custody as authorities moved the case forward.
Authorities have released few details about what allegedly happened inside the hotel, including the circumstances leading up to Starr's arrest. "Because this case involves a juvenile, no additional information will be released from our agency," the Hapeville Police Department told FoX 5 Atlanta.
#starr
The Hapeville Police Department told Fox 5 Atlanta that the incident occurred at the Embassy Suites in the 3400 block of International Boulevard. "As a result of the investigation, Sidney Favors (Sidney Starr), a reality television celebrity, was arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses related to an alleged ***** ual ***** ault involving a juvenile," the department said in a statement.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
Starr was transported to the Fulton County Jail following her arrest and remained in custody as authorities moved the case forward.
Authorities have released few details about what allegedly happened inside the hotel, including the circumstances leading up to Starr's arrest. "Because this case involves a juvenile, no additional information will be released from our agency," the Hapeville Police Department told FoX 5 Atlanta.
#starr
26 days ago
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The United States announced Wednesday that it had suspended all government operations in the Mexican state of Michoacan because of a "threat to U.S. interests," including a halt to the inspections of avocados required for their export.
While the U.S. Embassy did not specify the nature of the threat in its security alert, Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said on social media that the temporary halt to inspections was intended to safeguard workers following recent arrests linked to extortion. The inspections are necessary for avocados to be shipped to the United States and their suspension could disrupt exports.
The western state of Michoacan is the leading exporter of avocados to the U.S. and has a high level of organized crime activity with at least four cartels — designated as terrorist organizations by the Trump administration — operating in the region. Besides trafficking drugs, cartels also make money through extortion, including of the avocado industry.
Michoacan State Security Secretary Antonio Cruz told The **** ociated Press that one of the arrests mentioned by the governor was of "El Poncho," the alias of Alfonso Fernández Magallón, leader of a local cartel operating in the avocado-growing region around Los Reyes.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson welcomed the arrest, which came over the weekend. The U.S. government had offered a $5 million reward for Fernández Magallón's arrest.
#united
While the U.S. Embassy did not specify the nature of the threat in its security alert, Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said on social media that the temporary halt to inspections was intended to safeguard workers following recent arrests linked to extortion. The inspections are necessary for avocados to be shipped to the United States and their suspension could disrupt exports.
The western state of Michoacan is the leading exporter of avocados to the U.S. and has a high level of organized crime activity with at least four cartels — designated as terrorist organizations by the Trump administration — operating in the region. Besides trafficking drugs, cartels also make money through extortion, including of the avocado industry.
Michoacan State Security Secretary Antonio Cruz told The **** ociated Press that one of the arrests mentioned by the governor was of "El Poncho," the alias of Alfonso Fernández Magallón, leader of a local cartel operating in the avocado-growing region around Los Reyes.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson welcomed the arrest, which came over the weekend. The U.S. government had offered a $5 million reward for Fernández Magallón's arrest.
#united
1 month ago
By Jonathan Landay, Gram Slattery and Timour Azhari
WASHINGTON/RIYADH, July 22 (Reuters) - Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted U.S. intelligence **** ysts to investigate whether Russia **** isted by providing targeting information or advanced drone technology, said four people familiar with U.S. intelligence.
These people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters, said U.S. intelligence officials have not yet reached firm conclusions about the possible Russian involvement in the attacks on CIA facilities. But they cited the strikes' effectiveness and apparent precision, as well as Russia's broader technical support for Iran, as possible evidence.
Reuters and other media have reported — and U.S. officials have acknowledged — that Russia has provided targeting and other support for Iran in its strikes on U.S. targets in the Gulf region generally, but the intelligence community's investigation of possible Russian involvement in supporting the CIA facility attacks has not been previously disclosed.
At least two CIA sites were struck in March, Reuters and other outlets have reported. One of the facilities was the CIA station in Saudi Arabia, which is located in the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, and a separate site was located in eastern Iraq. Some of the sources said additional CIA sites had been hit, but they did not disclose details.
#intelligence #possible #riyadh #russian
WASHINGTON/RIYADH, July 22 (Reuters) - Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted U.S. intelligence **** ysts to investigate whether Russia **** isted by providing targeting information or advanced drone technology, said four people familiar with U.S. intelligence.
These people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters, said U.S. intelligence officials have not yet reached firm conclusions about the possible Russian involvement in the attacks on CIA facilities. But they cited the strikes' effectiveness and apparent precision, as well as Russia's broader technical support for Iran, as possible evidence.
Reuters and other media have reported — and U.S. officials have acknowledged — that Russia has provided targeting and other support for Iran in its strikes on U.S. targets in the Gulf region generally, but the intelligence community's investigation of possible Russian involvement in supporting the CIA facility attacks has not been previously disclosed.
At least two CIA sites were struck in March, Reuters and other outlets have reported. One of the facilities was the CIA station in Saudi Arabia, which is located in the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, and a separate site was located in eastern Iraq. Some of the sources said additional CIA sites had been hit, but they did not disclose details.
#intelligence #possible #riyadh #russian
1 month ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has informed Congress that it plans to move ahead with the potential reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Libya, proposing to allocate nearly $41 million to restore America's formal diplomatic presence in the North African nation after a near 14-year absence.
The department told lawmakers on Monday that the money would cover "a range of security-related activities ***** ociated with plans for the potential phased resumption of embassy operations in Libya," according to a copy of the notification obtained by The ***** ociated Press.
The move to reopen the embassy "is essential to advancing U.S. national security interests," it said. "The United States must remain engaged in regions where near-peer competitors and other adversarial actors are actively expanding their influence."
"Libya's strategic location on the Mediterranean and its role in regional security, energy markets, and migration flows make it vital to U.S. interests," it said. "The country's instability has drawn increased involvement from near-peer competitors, notably Russia, which threatens U.S. and allied objectives in North Africa."
Libyan officials representing both the western and eastern regions of the country that have been in conflict for more than a decade have recently met with top Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos.
#africa #associated
The department told lawmakers on Monday that the money would cover "a range of security-related activities ***** ociated with plans for the potential phased resumption of embassy operations in Libya," according to a copy of the notification obtained by The ***** ociated Press.
The move to reopen the embassy "is essential to advancing U.S. national security interests," it said. "The United States must remain engaged in regions where near-peer competitors and other adversarial actors are actively expanding their influence."
"Libya's strategic location on the Mediterranean and its role in regional security, energy markets, and migration flows make it vital to U.S. interests," it said. "The country's instability has drawn increased involvement from near-peer competitors, notably Russia, which threatens U.S. and allied objectives in North Africa."
Libyan officials representing both the western and eastern regions of the country that have been in conflict for more than a decade have recently met with top Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos.
#africa #associated
2 months ago
Vice President JD Vance spoke to podcaster Joe Rogan Wednesday about how California has declined under Gov. Gavin Newsom to the point it gave him flashbacks to visiting a "Third World country."
Vance recalled driving through a rough neighborhood in Los Angeles on his way to an elite Christmas party and was struck by the contrast between the two settings.
"And I realized when I was there, you know what this reminds me of? This reminds me of going to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti," he said, as Rogan chuckled. "Like super security, crazy wealth and privilege and status on the inside and squalor and misery on the outside.
"It's the first time I'd ever thought America, like this part of America, is actually more like a Third World country than anything that I thought we'd ever become."
Joe Rogan Mocks Gavin Newsom For Dismissing Growing State Problems As La Film Production Craters
Vance recalled driving through a rough neighborhood in Los Angeles on his way to an elite Christmas party and was struck by the contrast between the two settings.
"And I realized when I was there, you know what this reminds me of? This reminds me of going to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti," he said, as Rogan chuckled. "Like super security, crazy wealth and privilege and status on the inside and squalor and misery on the outside.
"It's the first time I'd ever thought America, like this part of America, is actually more like a Third World country than anything that I thought we'd ever become."
Joe Rogan Mocks Gavin Newsom For Dismissing Growing State Problems As La Film Production Craters
2 months ago
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Christian parents whose two daughters were seized by the Swedish government more than three years ago brought their custody battle to Washington, D.C., on Friday.
A crowd of Romanian Americans gathered outside the Swedish Embassy in Washington on Friday morning to show their support for Daniel and Bianca Samson, Christian parents who have been separated from their daughters, Sara and Tiana, since December 2022.
The years-long battle began after Sara, then 11, made a false abuse allegation against her parents, stemming from an argument over not being allowed to wear makeup or have a smartphone. Despite Sara quickly admitting she had lied, Swedish social services removed the girls from the home.
Brazil Parents Face Prison Sentence For Homeschooling After Court Accuses Them Of 'Intellectual Neglect'
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Christian parents whose two daughters were seized by the Swedish government more than three years ago brought their custody battle to Washington, D.C., on Friday.
A crowd of Romanian Americans gathered outside the Swedish Embassy in Washington on Friday morning to show their support for Daniel and Bianca Samson, Christian parents who have been separated from their daughters, Sara and Tiana, since December 2022.
The years-long battle began after Sara, then 11, made a false abuse allegation against her parents, stemming from an argument over not being allowed to wear makeup or have a smartphone. Despite Sara quickly admitting she had lied, Swedish social services removed the girls from the home.
Brazil Parents Face Prison Sentence For Homeschooling After Court Accuses Them Of 'Intellectual Neglect'
2 months ago
Prospective signing Camilo Duran, 24, has been pictured training with Celtic in Portugal, with the Qarabag winger expected to complete a move to Martin O'Neill's side soon. (The Herald - subscription required)
The embassy of Azerbaijan in London has congratulated Qarabag on the record transfer of Camilo Duran to Celtic, with the Scottish champions yet to confirm the signing. (Scottish Sun)
The embassy of Azerbaijan in London has congratulated Qarabag on the record transfer of Camilo Duran to Celtic, with the Scottish champions yet to confirm the signing. (Scottish Sun)
2 months ago
A manhunt is under way in southern France after a parcel bomb exploded at a residential building in neighbouring Monaco, injuring a wealthy Ukrainian businessman and two others.
Vadym Yermolaiev and two others are believed to have been injured in the attack on Monday evening, according to French media reports. Their identities have not been officially announced.
Two are in a critical condition in hospital in Nice, Monaco public prosecutor Stéphane Thibault said, adding that a woman was the most seriously hurt.
The blast occurred shortly before 21:00 (19:00 GMT) at an apartment building on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla, near the border with France.
Ukraine's foreign ministry said its embassy in France was in touch with Monaco's authorities and was working to officially identify those reported injured in the blast.
Vadym Yermolaiev and two others are believed to have been injured in the attack on Monday evening, according to French media reports. Their identities have not been officially announced.
Two are in a critical condition in hospital in Nice, Monaco public prosecutor Stéphane Thibault said, adding that a woman was the most seriously hurt.
The blast occurred shortly before 21:00 (19:00 GMT) at an apartment building on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla, near the border with France.
Ukraine's foreign ministry said its embassy in France was in touch with Monaco's authorities and was working to officially identify those reported injured in the blast.
2 months ago
TAIPEI, June 25 (Reuters) - China has been contacting U.S. states and private firms to discourage engagement with Taiwan and mischaracterising U.S. policy, but links with Taiwan should be expanded, three U.S. government departments said in joint letters.
The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, to the constant anger of Beijing, which claims the independently ruled island as its territory.
The two letters from U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture and Commerce, one addressed to governor's offices and one to CEOs and business leaders, are dated June 16 but were released by the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan late on Wednesday.
Similarly worded, the letters say that China's embassy and consulates regularly contact local government offices or private business in the U.S. to "discourage engagement with Taiwan".
"In doing so, they often mischaracterise U.S. policy by, for example, falsely claiming that Washington has previously accepted Beijing's specific position on Taiwan," both the letters say.
The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, to the constant anger of Beijing, which claims the independently ruled island as its territory.
The two letters from U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture and Commerce, one addressed to governor's offices and one to CEOs and business leaders, are dated June 16 but were released by the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan late on Wednesday.
Similarly worded, the letters say that China's embassy and consulates regularly contact local government offices or private business in the U.S. to "discourage engagement with Taiwan".
"In doing so, they often mischaracterise U.S. policy by, for example, falsely claiming that Washington has previously accepted Beijing's specific position on Taiwan," both the letters say.
3 months ago
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has made it official: He’s a Slovenian citizen.
Hayes, 26, took the oath of Slovenian citizenship and got his passport at the European country’s embassy in Washington, D.C., Tuesday morning, the Basketball Federation of Slovenia said on social media.
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Officials clarified that Hayes won’t be able to immediately join the Slovenian squad alongside his Lakers teammate Luka Dončić, but he will be eligible starting next year.
Hayes, 26, took the oath of Slovenian citizenship and got his passport at the European country’s embassy in Washington, D.C., Tuesday morning, the Basketball Federation of Slovenia said on social media.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by LA Sports Report (lasportsreport)
Officials clarified that Hayes won’t be able to immediately join the Slovenian squad alongside his Lakers teammate Luka Dončić, but he will be eligible starting next year.
3 months ago
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently cut from the tournament by FIFA was set to make history for his country.
Omar Artan was going to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament, which was announced two months ago. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over “vetting concerns,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement without giving details of those concerns. Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Tuesday the referee was denied admittance for “very good reason” but also declined to go into details.
Later Tuesday, a U.S. official said the referee was refused admission due to “association with suspected members of terror organizations.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that is covered by visa privacy laws.
Omar Artan was going to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament, which was announced two months ago. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.
He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over “vetting concerns,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement without giving details of those concerns. Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Tuesday the referee was denied admittance for “very good reason” but also declined to go into details.
Later Tuesday, a U.S. official said the referee was refused admission due to “association with suspected members of terror organizations.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that is covered by visa privacy laws.
3 months ago
Iran’s plans for the World Cup are in disarray after claims that the national team will only be able to enter the United States on the day of their matches, with the host nation being accused of “discriminatory treatment” over visa denials.
Key members of Iran’s coaching staff have had their visas denied due to the country’s ongoing conflict with the US, with the country’s embassy in Turkey lambasting the US government for “the worst possible form of politically-biased interference in sport”.
“Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?” the Iranian embassy posted on X, referring to an earlier announcement by the US envoy Tom Barrack that visas had been granted to players.
“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level.”
The US State Department claimed that the “visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup” had been issued and ***** erted: “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences.”
Key members of Iran’s coaching staff have had their visas denied due to the country’s ongoing conflict with the US, with the country’s embassy in Turkey lambasting the US government for “the worst possible form of politically-biased interference in sport”.
“Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?” the Iranian embassy posted on X, referring to an earlier announcement by the US envoy Tom Barrack that visas had been granted to players.
“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level.”
The US State Department claimed that the “visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup” had been issued and ***** erted: “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences.”
3 months ago
June 5 (Reuters) - New Zealand will directly raise China's "entirely inappropriate" ban on four lawmakers who visited Taiwan with Beijing, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Friday.
Three backbenchers from New Zealand's centre-right coalition, Laura McClure, David Wilson and Maureen Pugh, along with Duncan Webb from the Labour party, visited Taipei last month for five days.
The Chinese embassy informed lawmakers the group had been banned from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau for a year, according to an email from the Office of the Clerk, which administers New Zealand's parliament.
Luxon said the backbenchers did not represent the executive government in Taiwan and should be "free to see who they want to see".
"We think it's entirely inappropriate, the reaction that we've seen from the Chinese. We will raise that with them ourselves," he told reporters during a visit to Australia, where he will meet his counterpart Anthony Albanese.
Three backbenchers from New Zealand's centre-right coalition, Laura McClure, David Wilson and Maureen Pugh, along with Duncan Webb from the Labour party, visited Taipei last month for five days.
The Chinese embassy informed lawmakers the group had been banned from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau for a year, according to an email from the Office of the Clerk, which administers New Zealand's parliament.
Luxon said the backbenchers did not represent the executive government in Taiwan and should be "free to see who they want to see".
"We think it's entirely inappropriate, the reaction that we've seen from the Chinese. We will raise that with them ourselves," he told reporters during a visit to Australia, where he will meet his counterpart Anthony Albanese.
3 months ago
Iran has accused the US of denying visas to "integral" members of its national football team's backroom staff, hours after Washington confirmed Iranian players had been given permission to travel to the upcoming World Cup.
US officials said visas had been issued to players and "necessary support staff" on Friday, 10 days before Iran's opening fixture in Los Angeles on 15 June.
It also said Iran would not be allowed to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences".
Iran's embassy in Turkey accused the US of "politically biased interference in sport" by denying further visas to a "large portion of the managerial and executive staff" and "technical advisers".
A statement described the US announcement as a "whitewash", adding: "You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran's national football team to its highest level."
US officials said visas had been issued to players and "necessary support staff" on Friday, 10 days before Iran's opening fixture in Los Angeles on 15 June.
It also said Iran would not be allowed to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences".
Iran's embassy in Turkey accused the US of "politically biased interference in sport" by denying further visas to a "large portion of the managerial and executive staff" and "technical advisers".
A statement described the US announcement as a "whitewash", adding: "You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran's national football team to its highest level."
3 months ago
In a last-minute policy change, FIFA is banning reusable water bottles from stadiums hosting the World Cup.
FIFA announced the change on Thursday, exactly one week before matches start. The original rules allowed water bottles if the weather was hot enough.
Soccer’s governing body said in a statement to Reuters that the water bottle ban is to prevent injuries.
“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” the statement said. “FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.”
Free Lions, the English national team’s traveling fan embassy, shared in a post on X a graphic previously released by FIFA, which stated that plastic reusable water bottles with a capacity up to one liter would be allowed.
FIFA announced the change on Thursday, exactly one week before matches start. The original rules allowed water bottles if the weather was hot enough.
Soccer’s governing body said in a statement to Reuters that the water bottle ban is to prevent injuries.
“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” the statement said. “FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.”
Free Lions, the English national team’s traveling fan embassy, shared in a post on X a graphic previously released by FIFA, which stated that plastic reusable water bottles with a capacity up to one liter would be allowed.
6 months ago
Israel says Iran war entering 'decisive phase'
Israel said the war against Iran was entering its "decisive phase" on Saturday, as explosions rocked cities across the Middle East, with strikes on the US embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility.
Washington's embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, security sources told AFP, the second time it has been targeted since February 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran and plunged the Gulf into a conflict that has sent shockwaves through the global economy.
Millions have been displaced by waves of drone, missile and aerial
Israel said the war against Iran was entering its "decisive phase" on Saturday, as explosions rocked cities across the Middle East, with strikes on the US embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility.
Washington's embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, security sources told AFP, the second time it has been targeted since February 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran and plunged the Gulf into a conflict that has sent shockwaves through the global economy.
Millions have been displaced by waves of drone, missile and aerial
1 yr. ago
The US ordered some staff to leave its embassy in Baghdad as tensions rise ahead of nuclear talks: Here's your Evening Briefing Europe https://bloomberg.com/news...
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1 yr. ago
In a country that refuses to shore up its gun laws and is actively selling weapons to a genocidal colony, the Israeli embassy shooting just feels like the normal course of business. I give it 72 hours before it disappears from the news cycle entirely.
