1 hr. ago
By Georgina McCartney
HOUSTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled up by more than $3 a barrel on Thursday on news an Iranian parliament committee is reviewing a bill that would ban U.S. and Israeli vessels from the Strait of Hormuz and fine violators up to a fifth of the value of their cargo.
Brent crude futures settled up $3.04, or 3.83%, to $82.49 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures settled up $2.07, or 2.75%, to $77.29.
An Iranian lawmaker said a parliament committee is reviewing a preliminary bill to ban U.S., Israeli and other vessels deemed hostile from the Strait of Hormuz, and fine violators of the proposed restrictions up to 20% of cargo value, according to Fars news agency.
"Crude traders remain focused on the U.S./Iran agreements, and the longer the delays, the more prices will fade back to the upside," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial.
#settled #parliament #committee
HOUSTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled up by more than $3 a barrel on Thursday on news an Iranian parliament committee is reviewing a bill that would ban U.S. and Israeli vessels from the Strait of Hormuz and fine violators up to a fifth of the value of their cargo.
Brent crude futures settled up $3.04, or 3.83%, to $82.49 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures settled up $2.07, or 2.75%, to $77.29.
An Iranian lawmaker said a parliament committee is reviewing a preliminary bill to ban U.S., Israeli and other vessels deemed hostile from the Strait of Hormuz, and fine violators of the proposed restrictions up to 20% of cargo value, according to Fars news agency.
"Crude traders remain focused on the U.S./Iran agreements, and the longer the delays, the more prices will fade back to the upside," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial.
#settled #parliament #committee
2 days ago
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Police raided the Korea Football ****** ociation's offices Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2024 appointment of Hong Myung-bo as South Korea's national team coach.
Investigators searched the KFA headquarters in Cheonan, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Seoul, and the KFA House in central Seoul, looking for evidence that officials improperly intervened in the hiring process.
A police investigation began shortly after Hong's appointment but had stalled this summer after nearly two years without a conclusion. It gained renewed attention amid public anger after South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Hong, who had also led the team at the 2014 World Cup, stepped down after the tournament, as did Chung Mong-gyu as federation president. Both appeared before a parliamentary hearing at the National ****** embly in Seoul in July.
Former KFA technical director Lee Lim-saeng reportedly offered Hong the job at a bakery near the coach's home.
#national #investigation #appointment
Investigators searched the KFA headquarters in Cheonan, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Seoul, and the KFA House in central Seoul, looking for evidence that officials improperly intervened in the hiring process.
A police investigation began shortly after Hong's appointment but had stalled this summer after nearly two years without a conclusion. It gained renewed attention amid public anger after South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Hong, who had also led the team at the 2014 World Cup, stepped down after the tournament, as did Chung Mong-gyu as federation president. Both appeared before a parliamentary hearing at the National ****** embly in Seoul in July.
Former KFA technical director Lee Lim-saeng reportedly offered Hong the job at a bakery near the coach's home.
#national #investigation #appointment
2 days ago
By Alasdair Pal and Lucy Craymer
WELLINGTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Thursday he was open to a referendum on whether to change the country's electoral system, opening another split in his centre-right coalition months ahead of a general election.
New Zealand adopted the German-style Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system in 1996 after an inquiry found smaller parties were being shut out of parliament under the previous first-past-the-post system.
Luxon said in an interview with radio station Newstalk ZB that a referendum is "something we should consider", and could be held as early as 2027 if he returns to power following a general election scheduled for November 7.
"I think I would because I actually think that it is quite right to check in constitutionally and say, is this the system, New Zealand, you still want?" he said.
#lucy
WELLINGTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Thursday he was open to a referendum on whether to change the country's electoral system, opening another split in his centre-right coalition months ahead of a general election.
New Zealand adopted the German-style Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system in 1996 after an inquiry found smaller parties were being shut out of parliament under the previous first-past-the-post system.
Luxon said in an interview with radio station Newstalk ZB that a referendum is "something we should consider", and could be held as early as 2027 if he returns to power following a general election scheduled for November 7.
"I think I would because I actually think that it is quite right to check in constitutionally and say, is this the system, New Zealand, you still want?" he said.
#lucy
2 days ago
DHAKA, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Windows were smashed and petrol bombs hurled at former Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan's residence after he joined ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first public media interaction since her 2024 removal from power, in which she vowed to return in December.
Police said a group of people attacked Shakib's ancestral home in Magura town, about 170 km (105 miles) southwest of the capital Dhaka on Wednesday, causing a fire on the upper floor of the residence. The property was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
Reuters was unable to reach Shakib for comment on the attack.
The attack came hours after Shakib, a former Awami League lawmaker, joined a virtual event organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi. During the audio address, Hasina reiterated that she would return to Bangladesh, where she has been sentenced to death.
Shakib, who was elected to parliament as an Awami League candidate in January 2024, has remained outside Bangladesh since the student-led uprising that toppled Hasina's government. He faces multiple investigations, including over allegations of murder, embezzlement, fraud and money laundering.
#since
Police said a group of people attacked Shakib's ancestral home in Magura town, about 170 km (105 miles) southwest of the capital Dhaka on Wednesday, causing a fire on the upper floor of the residence. The property was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
Reuters was unable to reach Shakib for comment on the attack.
The attack came hours after Shakib, a former Awami League lawmaker, joined a virtual event organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi. During the audio address, Hasina reiterated that she would return to Bangladesh, where she has been sentenced to death.
Shakib, who was elected to parliament as an Awami League candidate in January 2024, has remained outside Bangladesh since the student-led uprising that toppled Hasina's government. He faces multiple investigations, including over allegations of murder, embezzlement, fraud and money laundering.
#since
3 days ago
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, Aug 4 (Reuters) - India has moved a step closer to reintroducing merchant fees on transactions made through its popular Unified Payments Interface (UPI) after proposed changes to the country's payments laws were introduced in parliament on Tuesday.
UPI, one of the world's largest real-time payments networks, processed 23.6 billion transactions worth 29.9 trillion rupees ($313.5 billion) in July, according to official data. Walmart's PhonePe and Alphabet's Google Pay dominate payments via UPI.
Industry executives have long argued that growth in digital payments has become harder to sustain because payment firms earn no fee on UPI transactions, limiting their ability to invest in the ecosystem.
An amendment to India's Payment and Settlement Systems Act, tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, would allow the introduction of a merchant discount rate (MDR) on digital payments, according to industry and regulatory sources.
The sources said the change creates a legal basis for charging an MDR, but no decision has yet been made on the level of fees or where they would apply.
#according
UPI, one of the world's largest real-time payments networks, processed 23.6 billion transactions worth 29.9 trillion rupees ($313.5 billion) in July, according to official data. Walmart's PhonePe and Alphabet's Google Pay dominate payments via UPI.
Industry executives have long argued that growth in digital payments has become harder to sustain because payment firms earn no fee on UPI transactions, limiting their ability to invest in the ecosystem.
An amendment to India's Payment and Settlement Systems Act, tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, would allow the introduction of a merchant discount rate (MDR) on digital payments, according to industry and regulatory sources.
The sources said the change creates a legal basis for charging an MDR, but no decision has yet been made on the level of fees or where they would apply.
#according
6 days ago
Nearly two years after the Paris Olympics bronze medal dispute between Romania's Ana Barbosu and American gymnast Jordan Chiles, the case is headed back to the CAS. After Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court ordered a fresh hearing, Romania initially faced uncertainty over funding its legal defense. Those concerns have now been resolved after Parliament approved an amendment allowing the COSR to finance the country's representation before CAS.
Following the development, Barbosu shared a message thanking those who made Romania's legal defense possible.
"Thank you very much for the support and efforts made to make it possible to represent the Romanian side before the court in Lausanne. I always remain confident that the state fights for its most trusted ambassadors, the athletes." (Translated from Romanian into English using Google Translate).
Interestingly, the post was issued in the wake of weeks of doubt regarding Romania's participation in the reopened arbitration. In January, the original Court of Arbitration for Sport decision was overturned in part, and the case sent back for a new hearing, due to the new evidence presented by USA Gymnastics determining whether it is possible that Jordan Chiles' score inquiry was submitted within the required one-minute period.
When the case was brought back to CAS in Lausanne, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation estimated that defending Bărbosu's Olympic bronze medal would cost around 250,000 Swiss francs for lawyers, expert opinions, translations, a procedural fee and other legal costs. At that time, COSR stated that it had resources on hand, but under current laws, it was not legally able to use public funds for legal representation in international sports conflicts.
#back #barbosu #cosr
Following the development, Barbosu shared a message thanking those who made Romania's legal defense possible.
"Thank you very much for the support and efforts made to make it possible to represent the Romanian side before the court in Lausanne. I always remain confident that the state fights for its most trusted ambassadors, the athletes." (Translated from Romanian into English using Google Translate).
Interestingly, the post was issued in the wake of weeks of doubt regarding Romania's participation in the reopened arbitration. In January, the original Court of Arbitration for Sport decision was overturned in part, and the case sent back for a new hearing, due to the new evidence presented by USA Gymnastics determining whether it is possible that Jordan Chiles' score inquiry was submitted within the required one-minute period.
When the case was brought back to CAS in Lausanne, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation estimated that defending Bărbosu's Olympic bronze medal would cost around 250,000 Swiss francs for lawyers, expert opinions, translations, a procedural fee and other legal costs. At that time, COSR stated that it had resources on hand, but under current laws, it was not legally able to use public funds for legal representation in international sports conflicts.
#back #barbosu #cosr
6 days ago
Middle East turmoil, centered on the U.S. war with Iran, is playing havoc with world energy markets. An ongoing dispute over access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of world oil and natural gas supply is shipped, is causing prices to surge. This is a boon for South America's oil industry, particularly Suriname's emerging petroleum boom, which was delayed by conflicting drilling results and seismic data. The former Dutch colony is on the cusp of becoming South America's next major oil-producing nation.
Since 2019, Suriname's government in the capital Paramaribo has hungrily eyed Guyana's booming petroleum sector, which delivered a massive economic windfall for the former British colony. Five major oil discoveries in offshore Block 58, which started in 2020 with the Maka Central-1 exploration well, confirmed the presence of commercially exploitable hydrocarbons in Suriname's portion of the offshore Guyana-Suriname Basin.
After a series of delays, beginning in 2022, due to mismatched drilling results and seismic data along with a high gas-to-oil ratio, TotalEnergies, the operator of Block 58, approved a final investment decision (FID). TotalEnergies, which holds a 50% working interest in offshore Block 58, and 50% partner APA Corporation approved the development of the deepwater GranMorgu project. This changed the project's ownership structure. Forty percent was retained by the operator TotalEnergies with another 40% retained by APA, and the remainder granted to Staatsolie.
The state-controlled energy company's acquisition was in accordance with Staatsolie's rights set out in the production-sharing contract (PSC) for Block 52. The company used a $1.6 billion loan from a banking consortium and a March 2025 bond issue to finance the acquisition. Staatsolie's share of GranMorgu will multiply the earnings delivered to Paramaribo, which has been battling an economic crisis since 2021. Indeed, the situation was so severe that rioting engulfed parts of the capital and parliament was stormed by protestors in 2023.
GranMorgu, which will come online in 2028, is a game changer for an economically challenged Suriname. The project's floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) vessel, on completion, will have capacity of 220,000 barrels per day.
#south #World
Since 2019, Suriname's government in the capital Paramaribo has hungrily eyed Guyana's booming petroleum sector, which delivered a massive economic windfall for the former British colony. Five major oil discoveries in offshore Block 58, which started in 2020 with the Maka Central-1 exploration well, confirmed the presence of commercially exploitable hydrocarbons in Suriname's portion of the offshore Guyana-Suriname Basin.
After a series of delays, beginning in 2022, due to mismatched drilling results and seismic data along with a high gas-to-oil ratio, TotalEnergies, the operator of Block 58, approved a final investment decision (FID). TotalEnergies, which holds a 50% working interest in offshore Block 58, and 50% partner APA Corporation approved the development of the deepwater GranMorgu project. This changed the project's ownership structure. Forty percent was retained by the operator TotalEnergies with another 40% retained by APA, and the remainder granted to Staatsolie.
The state-controlled energy company's acquisition was in accordance with Staatsolie's rights set out in the production-sharing contract (PSC) for Block 52. The company used a $1.6 billion loan from a banking consortium and a March 2025 bond issue to finance the acquisition. Staatsolie's share of GranMorgu will multiply the earnings delivered to Paramaribo, which has been battling an economic crisis since 2021. Indeed, the situation was so severe that rioting engulfed parts of the capital and parliament was stormed by protestors in 2023.
GranMorgu, which will come online in 2028, is a game changer for an economically challenged Suriname. The project's floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) vessel, on completion, will have capacity of 220,000 barrels per day.
#south #World
6 days ago
CAIRO (AP) — With escalating attacks against U.S. bases and its allies over the past week, Iran's leaders are showing considerable unity over their war strategy: hanging tough, determined to show Iran can endure more than America and its allies can.
But within the leadership, there are sharp differences over what the endgame should be.
On one side, the ultra-hardliners who oppose any negotiations with the United States are pressing for total victory in the war. Known as the "Paydari" movement – Persian for "stability" – they are hard-core ideologues who want to enforce the Islamic Republic's control over society.
On the other, those who support President Masoud Pezeshkian and powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf — who doubles as Iran's chief negotiator — see military pressure as a way to win a negotiated deal with the United States. This camp is also spurred by concern over the economic toll Iran is suffering from the war and the need to adapt to social change in the country.
"Negotiation is a political tool and a complement to military action to force the enemy to a point of compulsion and extract real concessions," an adviser to Qalibaf, Mahdi Mohammadi, wrote on his Telegram channel Thursday.
#Iran #united #military #America
But within the leadership, there are sharp differences over what the endgame should be.
On one side, the ultra-hardliners who oppose any negotiations with the United States are pressing for total victory in the war. Known as the "Paydari" movement – Persian for "stability" – they are hard-core ideologues who want to enforce the Islamic Republic's control over society.
On the other, those who support President Masoud Pezeshkian and powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf — who doubles as Iran's chief negotiator — see military pressure as a way to win a negotiated deal with the United States. This camp is also spurred by concern over the economic toll Iran is suffering from the war and the need to adapt to social change in the country.
"Negotiation is a political tool and a complement to military action to force the enemy to a point of compulsion and extract real concessions," an adviser to Qalibaf, Mahdi Mohammadi, wrote on his Telegram channel Thursday.
#Iran #united #military #America
7 days ago
Middle East turmoil, centered on the U.S. war with Iran, is playing havoc with world energy markets. An ongoing dispute over access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of world oil and natural gas supply is shipped, is causing prices to surge. This is a boon for South America's oil industry, particularly Suriname's emerging petroleum boom, which was delayed by conflicting drilling results and seismic data. The former Dutch colony is on the cusp of becoming South America's next major oil-producing nation.
Since 2019, Suriname's government in the capital Paramaribo has hungrily eyed Guyana's booming petroleum sector, which delivered a massive economic windfall for the former British colony. Five major oil discoveries in offshore Block 58, which started in 2020 with the Maka Central-1 exploration well, confirmed the presence of commercially exploitable hydrocarbons in Suriname's portion of the offshore Guyana-Suriname Basin.
After a series of delays, beginning in 2022, due to mismatched drilling results and seismic data along with a high gas-to-oil ratio, TotalEnergies, the operator of Block 58, approved a final investment decision (FID). TotalEnergies, which holds a 50% working interest in offshore Block 58, and 50% partner APA Corporation approved the development of the deepwater GranMorgu project. This changed the project's ownership structure. Forty percent was retained by the operator TotalEnergies with another 40% retained by APA, and the remainder granted to Staatsolie.
The state-controlled energy company's acquisition was in accordance with Staatsolie's rights set out in the production-sharing contract (PSC) for Block 52. The company used a $1.6 billion loan from a banking consortium and a March 2025 bond issue to finance the acquisition. Staatsolie's share of GranMorgu will multiply the earnings delivered to Paramaribo, which has been battling an economic crisis since 2021. Indeed, the situation was so severe that rioting engulfed parts of the capital and parliament was stormed by protestors in 2023.
GranMorgu, which will come online in 2028, is a game changer for an economically challenged Suriname. The project's floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) vessel, on completion, will have capacity of 220,000 barrels per day.
#suriname #since #World #energy
Since 2019, Suriname's government in the capital Paramaribo has hungrily eyed Guyana's booming petroleum sector, which delivered a massive economic windfall for the former British colony. Five major oil discoveries in offshore Block 58, which started in 2020 with the Maka Central-1 exploration well, confirmed the presence of commercially exploitable hydrocarbons in Suriname's portion of the offshore Guyana-Suriname Basin.
After a series of delays, beginning in 2022, due to mismatched drilling results and seismic data along with a high gas-to-oil ratio, TotalEnergies, the operator of Block 58, approved a final investment decision (FID). TotalEnergies, which holds a 50% working interest in offshore Block 58, and 50% partner APA Corporation approved the development of the deepwater GranMorgu project. This changed the project's ownership structure. Forty percent was retained by the operator TotalEnergies with another 40% retained by APA, and the remainder granted to Staatsolie.
The state-controlled energy company's acquisition was in accordance with Staatsolie's rights set out in the production-sharing contract (PSC) for Block 52. The company used a $1.6 billion loan from a banking consortium and a March 2025 bond issue to finance the acquisition. Staatsolie's share of GranMorgu will multiply the earnings delivered to Paramaribo, which has been battling an economic crisis since 2021. Indeed, the situation was so severe that rioting engulfed parts of the capital and parliament was stormed by protestors in 2023.
GranMorgu, which will come online in 2028, is a game changer for an economically challenged Suriname. The project's floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) vessel, on completion, will have capacity of 220,000 barrels per day.
#suriname #since #World #energy
10 days ago
Burma's government approved the death penalty as punishment for internet scammers just months after the Fbi announced a sweeping $8 billion crackdown on scam networks coming from the country, according to the country's state-backed media.
The Anti-Online Scam Law passed the country's parliament on Tuesday, green lighting the death penalty for anyone who participates in a scam in which they "commit violence, torture, unlawfully arrest or detain, or treat any person in a cruel manner," according to The Global New Light of Myanmar, a media outlet jointly operated by a private company and the country's Ministry of the Interior.
Burma, also known as Myanmar, has become ground zero for digital scams, with criminals often recruiting migrants from other Asian countries with promises of legitimate work only to imprison them and force them to conduct the scams.
In May, the FBI announced a massive crackdown on a criminal network in Burma known as the "Democratic Karen Benevolent Army." The operation resulted in the seizure of 127,000 Bitcoin, worth over $8 billion as of July.
Fbi Brings Alleged China-linked Hacker To Us In Rare Extradition As Patel Defends Italy Trip
#myanmar #death #Media
The Anti-Online Scam Law passed the country's parliament on Tuesday, green lighting the death penalty for anyone who participates in a scam in which they "commit violence, torture, unlawfully arrest or detain, or treat any person in a cruel manner," according to The Global New Light of Myanmar, a media outlet jointly operated by a private company and the country's Ministry of the Interior.
Burma, also known as Myanmar, has become ground zero for digital scams, with criminals often recruiting migrants from other Asian countries with promises of legitimate work only to imprison them and force them to conduct the scams.
In May, the FBI announced a massive crackdown on a criminal network in Burma known as the "Democratic Karen Benevolent Army." The operation resulted in the seizure of 127,000 Bitcoin, worth over $8 billion as of July.
Fbi Brings Alleged China-linked Hacker To Us In Rare Extradition As Patel Defends Italy Trip
#myanmar #death #Media
16 days ago
Several sporting icons have broken their usual silence to back the ongoing student agitation, as the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-UG paper leak spirals into a nationwide flashpoint.
What began as a student-led movement has now drawn support from beyond politics, with cricketers, shooters, boxers and footballers weighing in publicly.
For almost a month, demonstrators, led by ****** roach Janata Party (CJP), have occupied stretches of Central Delhi, pushing for reforms in the education system.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
Reports emerged of police using batons and tear gas against protesters on July 20, the day a march toward Parliament had been planned.
#several
What began as a student-led movement has now drawn support from beyond politics, with cricketers, shooters, boxers and footballers weighing in publicly.
For almost a month, demonstrators, led by ****** roach Janata Party (CJP), have occupied stretches of Central Delhi, pushing for reforms in the education system.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
Reports emerged of police using batons and tear gas against protesters on July 20, the day a march toward Parliament had been planned.
#several
18 days ago
A teenager has been charged following a stabbing in Nottingham city centre.
Nottinghamshire Police said a 25-year-old man was attacked in Angel Row at about 15:15 BST on Friday and taken to hospital.
A 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged over the incident as well as punching a man in an attempted robbery of an e-bike in Upper Parliament Street earlier the same day, police said.
The boy appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until his next hearing on 27 July, said the force.
He has been charged with committing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife in public in relation to the Angel Row attack, as well as ******* ault, two counts of ******* ault on a police officer, and criminal damage at Queen's Medical Centre following his arrest.
Nottinghamshire Police said a 25-year-old man was attacked in Angel Row at about 15:15 BST on Friday and taken to hospital.
A 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged over the incident as well as punching a man in an attempted robbery of an e-bike in Upper Parliament Street earlier the same day, police said.
The boy appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until his next hearing on 27 July, said the force.
He has been charged with committing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife in public in relation to the Angel Row attack, as well as ******* ault, two counts of ******* ault on a police officer, and criminal damage at Queen's Medical Centre following his arrest.
19 days ago
SOFIA, July 20 (Reuters) - Bulgaria, a NATO and EU member, will seek parliamentary approval on Monday for up to eight U.S. tanker aircraft to be stationed at a military airport, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said, after a move to place such planes at a civilian airport triggered controversy.
The government will ask parliament to approve a request by Washington to station tanker planes at the Bezmer military facility to support the U.S. military's operations in the Middle East, Radev told an annual conference of Bulgarian Ambassadors in Sofia.
A move earlier this year to station the aircraft, used mainly for airborne refuelling of other aircraft, at a civilian airport in the capital Sofia without prior parliamentary approval, sparked controversy and the planes left last month.
"The problem was that the military planes were based at a civilian airport in close proximity to Sofia. That is why we proposed to our allies to occupy military airfields," Radev said.
The Bezmer military base is about 260 km (160 miles) southeast of Sofia.
The government will ask parliament to approve a request by Washington to station tanker planes at the Bezmer military facility to support the U.S. military's operations in the Middle East, Radev told an annual conference of Bulgarian Ambassadors in Sofia.
A move earlier this year to station the aircraft, used mainly for airborne refuelling of other aircraft, at a civilian airport in the capital Sofia without prior parliamentary approval, sparked controversy and the planes left last month.
"The problem was that the military planes were based at a civilian airport in close proximity to Sofia. That is why we proposed to our allies to occupy military airfields," Radev said.
The Bezmer military base is about 260 km (160 miles) southeast of Sofia.
19 days ago
NEW DELHI (AP) — Supporters of India's youth-led ******* roach movement clashed with police Monday as thousands of them tried to march to Parliament to demand the education minister's resignation, while the government appeared to make its first outreach to the movement's leaders.
Police fired tear gas and charged at protesters with batons after demonstrators tried to breach security barricades surrounding the protest site in central New Delhi, marking one of the most serious confrontations yet in the movement's campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Delhi Police said the march had not been authorized and that restrictions were needed to maintain law and order around Parliament during the monsoon session, which began Monday.
The crowd at Jantar Mantar, a designated site for protests just a few kilometers from Parliament, included students, professionals and families with young children. Many carried backpacks with water and food, expecting a long day, while others waved Indian flags. Police urged protesters to disperse over loudspeakers, as the crowd chanted slogans against the education minister and Modi.
The ******* roach Janta Party emerged in May after the Supreme Court chief justice compared some unemployed young people to "cockroaches" during an unrelated hearing. Supporters embraced the remark, turning it into a satirical movement that has attracted millions of followers on social media.
Police fired tear gas and charged at protesters with batons after demonstrators tried to breach security barricades surrounding the protest site in central New Delhi, marking one of the most serious confrontations yet in the movement's campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Delhi Police said the march had not been authorized and that restrictions were needed to maintain law and order around Parliament during the monsoon session, which began Monday.
The crowd at Jantar Mantar, a designated site for protests just a few kilometers from Parliament, included students, professionals and families with young children. Many carried backpacks with water and food, expecting a long day, while others waved Indian flags. Police urged protesters to disperse over loudspeakers, as the crowd chanted slogans against the education minister and Modi.
The ******* roach Janta Party emerged in May after the Supreme Court chief justice compared some unemployed young people to "cockroaches" during an unrelated hearing. Supporters embraced the remark, turning it into a satirical movement that has attracted millions of followers on social media.
20 days ago
BUDAPEST, July 19 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Sunday that he would ask Judit Polgar, widely regarded as the greatest female chess player of all time, to take up the largely ceremonial role of Hungary's next President.
Magyar said in a Facebook post that Polgar, 49, could represent the nation's unity, and that on Monday he would meet Polgar and ask her if she would accept the nomination.
The move comes a day after President Tamas Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment passed by Magyar's ruling Tisza party that ends his term as head of state.
The legislation was part of Magyar's drive to dismantle former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's bastions of power, for which Magyar says he received a strong mandate from voters after ousting the right-wing leader in an April election landslide.
Parliament, where Magyar's party has a two-thirds majority that allows it to change any laws, will elect a new president who will be in office until a planned new constitution takes effect, or for a maximum of five years.
Magyar said in a Facebook post that Polgar, 49, could represent the nation's unity, and that on Monday he would meet Polgar and ask her if she would accept the nomination.
The move comes a day after President Tamas Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment passed by Magyar's ruling Tisza party that ends his term as head of state.
The legislation was part of Magyar's drive to dismantle former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's bastions of power, for which Magyar says he received a strong mandate from voters after ousting the right-wing leader in an April election landslide.
Parliament, where Magyar's party has a two-thirds majority that allows it to change any laws, will elect a new president who will be in office until a planned new constitution takes effect, or for a maximum of five years.
21 days ago
Japan's Parliament voted Friday to enshrine male-only succession for the imperial throne, part of a monarchy that traces its origins back roughly 1,500 years.
Lawmakers did so by revising an Imperial House Law dating back to the 1800s, despite warnings from experts that limiting succession to men in the paternal line will hasten the decline of ******* an's shrinking and aging imperial family, according to the ******* ociated Press.
To address the dwindling number of eligible heirs, the revisions allow distant male relatives to be adopted into the imperial family to father future successors. However, strict rules remain in place limiting the throne to men with royal blood. The changes also allow princesses to retain their royal status after marrying commoners.
The new rules passed by Parliament come as many ******* anese had been calling for Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito's 24-year-old daughter, to be allowed to succeed him — now an impossibility.
In Attempt To Connect With Young People, ******* an's Royal Family Debuts On Instagram
Lawmakers did so by revising an Imperial House Law dating back to the 1800s, despite warnings from experts that limiting succession to men in the paternal line will hasten the decline of ******* an's shrinking and aging imperial family, according to the ******* ociated Press.
To address the dwindling number of eligible heirs, the revisions allow distant male relatives to be adopted into the imperial family to father future successors. However, strict rules remain in place limiting the throne to men with royal blood. The changes also allow princesses to retain their royal status after marrying commoners.
The new rules passed by Parliament come as many ******* anese had been calling for Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito's 24-year-old daughter, to be allowed to succeed him — now an impossibility.
In Attempt To Connect With Young People, ******* an's Royal Family Debuts On Instagram
21 days ago
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's president signed a constitutional amendment into law on Saturday that ends his term in office, bringing to a close a dispute between him and the country's new government that was seeking to oust him as part of a purge of officials appointed during the reign of Viktor Orbán.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who defeated the long-serving Orbán in a blowout election in April, had repeatedly called on the Orbán-appointed president, Tamás Sulyok, to resign, arguing he had failed to live up to his role as president by neglecting to stand in the way of antidemocratic steps by Orbán's government.
When Sulyok refused, lawmakers with Magyar's pro-European, center-right Tisza party passed a constitutional amendment this week that called for an immediate end to his term. Sulyok had five days to sign the amendment into law, which he did on the final day before the deadline.
In a video posted to Facebook Saturday evening, Sulyok — whom Magyar had frequently referred to as Orbán's "puppet" — said that being made to sign the amendment was "lasting proof that the fundamental values of a free society, the rule of law, democracy, the principle of power-sharing, have been trampled on in the interest of power."
Sulyok's term will officially end at midnight on Monday, when speaker of Parliament, Ágnes Forsthoffer, will automatically ***** ume his duties until lawmakers elect a new president, a task which has a 30-day deadline.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who defeated the long-serving Orbán in a blowout election in April, had repeatedly called on the Orbán-appointed president, Tamás Sulyok, to resign, arguing he had failed to live up to his role as president by neglecting to stand in the way of antidemocratic steps by Orbán's government.
When Sulyok refused, lawmakers with Magyar's pro-European, center-right Tisza party passed a constitutional amendment this week that called for an immediate end to his term. Sulyok had five days to sign the amendment into law, which he did on the final day before the deadline.
In a video posted to Facebook Saturday evening, Sulyok — whom Magyar had frequently referred to as Orbán's "puppet" — said that being made to sign the amendment was "lasting proof that the fundamental values of a free society, the rule of law, democracy, the principle of power-sharing, have been trampled on in the interest of power."
Sulyok's term will officially end at midnight on Monday, when speaker of Parliament, Ágnes Forsthoffer, will automatically ***** ume his duties until lawmakers elect a new president, a task which has a 30-day deadline.
25 days ago
LONDON (AP) — A series of arson and vandalism attacks on Jewish sites in Britain were the work of a proxy group backed by Iran, the U.K. government said Monday.
The government said it is banning the group behind the attacks, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, or IMCR, also known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia.
It also banned Iran's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which it said is a threat to national security. The move makes it illegal to support the groups. Committing sabotage on their behalf will be punishable by up to life imprisonment.
Parliament must approve the bans, which the government expects to take place by the end of the week.
Security Minister Angela Eagle said in a statement that the IMCR has claimed seven attacks in the U.K. The group had said online that it was responsible for a string of arson attacks on Jewish sites in London in recent months, including fires at synagogues and Jewish charity ambulances, as well as a Persian-language media organization critical of Iran's government. No one was injured in the blazes.
The government said it is banning the group behind the attacks, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, or IMCR, also known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia.
It also banned Iran's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which it said is a threat to national security. The move makes it illegal to support the groups. Committing sabotage on their behalf will be punishable by up to life imprisonment.
Parliament must approve the bans, which the government expects to take place by the end of the week.
Security Minister Angela Eagle said in a statement that the IMCR has claimed seven attacks in the U.K. The group had said online that it was responsible for a string of arson attacks on Jewish sites in London in recent months, including fires at synagogues and Jewish charity ambulances, as well as a Persian-language media organization critical of Iran's government. No one was injured in the blazes.
26 days ago
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's newly elected parliament on Sunday held its first session since the ouster of former President Bashar ******* ad, hoping to restart the legislative process in the country after years of conflict and autocratic rule.
The launch of the parliament indicates Syria is moving ahead with drafting new laws as it recovers from decades of brutal rule under the ******* ad family and a deadly civil war that killed about half a million people.
Two-thirds of the 210-member People's ******* embly were elected through electoral colleges, while one-third were appointed directly by the country's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The new parliament will serve a 30-month term while preparing for future elections.
"After liberating our homeland and regaining our freedom, we are all moving toward consolidating the state," al-Sharaa said in an address to parliamentarians.
After taking an oath, the legislators elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak as speaker. Al-Awak, who is from northeastern Hassakeh province, served as a judge in the Justice Ministry for a decade, according to Syria's state-run SANA news agency. Reports said he was among many Syrian officials who defected from the ******* ad government in the early days of the uprising and left to Turkey.
The launch of the parliament indicates Syria is moving ahead with drafting new laws as it recovers from decades of brutal rule under the ******* ad family and a deadly civil war that killed about half a million people.
Two-thirds of the 210-member People's ******* embly were elected through electoral colleges, while one-third were appointed directly by the country's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The new parliament will serve a 30-month term while preparing for future elections.
"After liberating our homeland and regaining our freedom, we are all moving toward consolidating the state," al-Sharaa said in an address to parliamentarians.
After taking an oath, the legislators elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak as speaker. Al-Awak, who is from northeastern Hassakeh province, served as a judge in the Justice Ministry for a decade, according to Syria's state-run SANA news agency. Reports said he was among many Syrian officials who defected from the ******* ad government in the early days of the uprising and left to Turkey.
29 days ago
An Iranian official warned that the Islamic Republic will deliver a "hard slap" while another blatantly threatened the U.S. that "if you strike, you'll get hit," according to automatic translations from the two men's Persian-language posts on X.
Ebrahim Rezaei, whose profile on the social media platform indicates that he is a representative in Iran's Parliament and the spokesperson for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, wrote in a post on X, "The martyred Khamenei taught us not to fear America and showed that 'falsehood will perish.' Await the hard slap from the Iranians."
The speaker of Iran's Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned, "America still hasn't learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free. Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you'll get hit. Don't flail around pointlessly, or you'll sink even deeper: the Strait of Hormuz will only open with 'Iranian arrangements,' not American threats."
Both of the men issued their posts on Wednesday after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced more strikes against Iran.
"At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway," CENTCOM had noted in a post on X.
Ebrahim Rezaei, whose profile on the social media platform indicates that he is a representative in Iran's Parliament and the spokesperson for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, wrote in a post on X, "The martyred Khamenei taught us not to fear America and showed that 'falsehood will perish.' Await the hard slap from the Iranians."
The speaker of Iran's Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned, "America still hasn't learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free. Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you'll get hit. Don't flail around pointlessly, or you'll sink even deeper: the Strait of Hormuz will only open with 'Iranian arrangements,' not American threats."
Both of the men issued their posts on Wednesday after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced more strikes against Iran.
"At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway," CENTCOM had noted in a post on X.
1 month ago
ROME, July 8 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing party presented a draft bill on Wednesday to promote the repatriation of convicted foreign offenders and make it easier to strip them of Italian citizenship.
• Under the proposal, all non-EU nationals sentenced to more than one year in prison would be deported to their home countries, regardless of whether they consent.
• During a press conference in parliament, members of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party said deportations would take place under bilateral agreements to be negotiated with the countries concerned.
• Offenders would have only limited grounds to challenge deportation, including the risk of inhuman treatment or the death penalty in their home country.
• Repatriated prisoners would be barred from returning to Italy.
• Under the proposal, all non-EU nationals sentenced to more than one year in prison would be deported to their home countries, regardless of whether they consent.
• During a press conference in parliament, members of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party said deportations would take place under bilateral agreements to be negotiated with the countries concerned.
• Offenders would have only limited grounds to challenge deportation, including the risk of inhuman treatment or the death penalty in their home country.
• Repatriated prisoners would be barred from returning to Italy.
1 month ago
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — A referendum held in Slovakia on Saturday to decide whether to cancel lifelong payments for populist Prime Minister Robert Fico and other leaders after their terms in office expire failed to produce a valid result due to low turnout.
With the votes from 99.5% of all polling stations counted by the Slovak Statistics Office, turnout was 16.1%, far less than the required 50%.
The Slovaks were also voting on whether to reopen the office of the special prosecutor and the National Criminal Agency, which both dealt with major crime and corruption.
The referendum followed a petition organized by the Democrats, a non-parliamentary pro-Western opposition party, and was signed by more than 350,000 citizens in the nation of 5.4 million, the threshold required by law.
Only one of the 10 referendums in Slovakia's history — the 2003 vote on the country's European Union membership — was successful. Others failed due to low turnout.
With the votes from 99.5% of all polling stations counted by the Slovak Statistics Office, turnout was 16.1%, far less than the required 50%.
The Slovaks were also voting on whether to reopen the office of the special prosecutor and the National Criminal Agency, which both dealt with major crime and corruption.
The referendum followed a petition organized by the Democrats, a non-parliamentary pro-Western opposition party, and was signed by more than 350,000 citizens in the nation of 5.4 million, the threshold required by law.
Only one of the 10 referendums in Slovakia's history — the 2003 vote on the country's European Union membership — was successful. Others failed due to low turnout.
1 month ago
US officials attempted to warn Iran of fears they had that Israel would ******* assinate meditators during talks this spring, two US officials said.
The officials said the US worried that Israel might ******* assinate Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Iranian parliamentary speaker who is leading negotiations with the US, or Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has also been a public face of the talks. The warnings were communicated through intermediaries, the officials said.
The New York Times first reported on the warnings.
There were no immediate indications on Friday that US intelligence had knowledge of a specific plot that prompted the warning. The top Israeli defense official has been public about Jerusalem's desire to kill senior Iranian leaders, and President Donald Trump has in the past made clear that those efforts were complicating negotiations.
In March, he declined to tell reporters who in Iran the US was negotiating with because "I don't want them to be killed."
The officials said the US worried that Israel might ******* assinate Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Iranian parliamentary speaker who is leading negotiations with the US, or Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has also been a public face of the talks. The warnings were communicated through intermediaries, the officials said.
The New York Times first reported on the warnings.
There were no immediate indications on Friday that US intelligence had knowledge of a specific plot that prompted the warning. The top Israeli defense official has been public about Jerusalem's desire to kill senior Iranian leaders, and President Donald Trump has in the past made clear that those efforts were complicating negotiations.
In March, he declined to tell reporters who in Iran the US was negotiating with because "I don't want them to be killed."
1 month ago
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has warned of an Iranian response if the U.S. and Israel breach the interim peace deal, as Tehran prepares to bury its former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"We strongly demand full implementation of the agreements, and if the U.S. and the Zionist regime fail to fulfill their commitments, Iran will resume proportionate actions," Qalibaf said Friday, according to the semiofficial Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), during a meeting with Belarusian lawmaker Igor Sergeyenko.
Qalibaf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have been the lead Iranian negotiators in high-level talks with the U.S. to finalize an agreement that would permanently end hostilities in the region, fully reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz and resolve outstanding issues on Tehran's nuclear program, among other objectives.
The renewed tension comes after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in the Persian Gulf last week in the first flare-up of fighting since the 60-day memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed.
President Trump threatened late last weekend to "militarily complete the job" following suspected Iranian drone attacks on vessels attempting to transit the oil corridor. The U.S. military responded with retaliatory strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar locations.
"We strongly demand full implementation of the agreements, and if the U.S. and the Zionist regime fail to fulfill their commitments, Iran will resume proportionate actions," Qalibaf said Friday, according to the semiofficial Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), during a meeting with Belarusian lawmaker Igor Sergeyenko.
Qalibaf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have been the lead Iranian negotiators in high-level talks with the U.S. to finalize an agreement that would permanently end hostilities in the region, fully reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz and resolve outstanding issues on Tehran's nuclear program, among other objectives.
The renewed tension comes after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in the Persian Gulf last week in the first flare-up of fighting since the 60-day memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed.
President Trump threatened late last weekend to "militarily complete the job" following suspected Iranian drone attacks on vessels attempting to transit the oil corridor. The U.S. military responded with retaliatory strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar locations.
1 month ago
Sir Harry Edward Kane.
Now, doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?
According to a report (as captured by iMiaSanMia), Harry Kane might receive a knighthood for his incredible exploits for England on the biggest stages. The Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion in UK Parliament calling for Harry Kane to be awarded a knighthood, which is the highest widely awarded civilian honour for service to the sport in the United Kingdom, held by greats such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton.
And yes, if Kane receives it, he would become “Sir Harry Edward Kane”.
The report details that “The motion, put forward by Liberal Democrat MP, Layla Moran, notes the pride that Kane has brought the country – now surpassing the legendary Pelé in total World Cup goals scored. Moran is urging MPs from every party to get behind the campaign, and for the Government and the Palace to get the sword ready for ‘Sir Harry’”.
Now, doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?
According to a report (as captured by iMiaSanMia), Harry Kane might receive a knighthood for his incredible exploits for England on the biggest stages. The Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion in UK Parliament calling for Harry Kane to be awarded a knighthood, which is the highest widely awarded civilian honour for service to the sport in the United Kingdom, held by greats such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton.
And yes, if Kane receives it, he would become “Sir Harry Edward Kane”.
The report details that “The motion, put forward by Liberal Democrat MP, Layla Moran, notes the pride that Kane has brought the country – now surpassing the legendary Pelé in total World Cup goals scored. Moran is urging MPs from every party to get behind the campaign, and for the Government and the Palace to get the sword ready for ‘Sir Harry’”.
1 month ago
TAIPEI, July 1 (Reuters) - Taiwanese ships off the island's east coast should ignore any boarding and inspection demands by China's Coast Guard, and if necessary Taiwanese Coast Guard vessels will intervene to stop this from happening, a senior official said on Wednesday.
China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, sent Coast Guard ships last month into the waters off Taiwan's east coast for what it called a "special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation," angering Taipei.
China said the operation was in response to an announcement by **** an and the Philippines that they would begin formal talks on their maritime boundaries, which Beijing viewed as involving Chinese waters off Taiwan.
Taking lawmaker questions in parliament, Hsieh Ching-chin, deputy head of Taiwan's Coast Guard, said if an "incident" happened in those waters, ships should notify Taiwan's Coast Guard and "not respond to the so-called boarding inspections" by Chinese vessels.
"If the situation is urgent, Coast Guard vessels will sail between the two ships to separate them," he added, referring to Taiwanese ships.
China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, sent Coast Guard ships last month into the waters off Taiwan's east coast for what it called a "special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation," angering Taipei.
China said the operation was in response to an announcement by **** an and the Philippines that they would begin formal talks on their maritime boundaries, which Beijing viewed as involving Chinese waters off Taiwan.
Taking lawmaker questions in parliament, Hsieh Ching-chin, deputy head of Taiwan's Coast Guard, said if an "incident" happened in those waters, ships should notify Taiwan's Coast Guard and "not respond to the so-called boarding inspections" by Chinese vessels.
"If the situation is urgent, Coast Guard vessels will sail between the two ships to separate them," he added, referring to Taiwanese ships.
1 month ago
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's president on Tuesday dismissed an Israeli proposal to designate violence against Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide, and turned the accusation back at Israel by pointing at the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was responding to a measure approved Sunday by Israel's Cabinet. The proposal still requires parliamentary approval and comes amid deteriorating ties between Israel and Turkey.
Turkey has fiercely lobbied to prevent countries from officially recognizing the mass deaths of Armenians around 1915 as genocide, even as Armenians have pushed for it.
Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
"We pay absolutely no attention to the slanders against our country by this criminal network, which has the blood of 73,000 innocent people of Gaza, mostly children and women, on its hands," Erdogan said in a televised address following a Cabinet meeting.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was responding to a measure approved Sunday by Israel's Cabinet. The proposal still requires parliamentary approval and comes amid deteriorating ties between Israel and Turkey.
Turkey has fiercely lobbied to prevent countries from officially recognizing the mass deaths of Armenians around 1915 as genocide, even as Armenians have pushed for it.
Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
"We pay absolutely no attention to the slanders against our country by this criminal network, which has the blood of 73,000 innocent people of Gaza, mostly children and women, on its hands," Erdogan said in a televised address following a Cabinet meeting.
1 month ago
BEIRUT, June 29 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key ally of Hezbollah, on Monday slammed a U.S.-brokered agreement between Lebanon and Israel, warning it could lead to attempts to divide Lebanese and said it would not be implemented.
Israeli officials suggested the agreement would move forward in the coming days, but there were no immediate reports of any aspects of the deal being implemented on the ground. Israeli artillery shelled an area near the border in southern Lebanon on Monday, according to the Lebanese state news agency, and the sound of a drone buzzed over Beirut, Reuters reporters said.
In comments to Lebanon's al-Akhbar newspaper, Berri described Iran-U.S. talks as the only realistic opportunity to secure Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and that any attempt to separate Lebanon from the U.S.-Iran track would prolong Israeli occupation.
Israel has occupied a swathe of southern Lebanon in a war with Hezbollah that began on March 2, when the group opened fire at Israel after Iran came under U.S.-Israeli attack.
The Lebanon war has been a central part of diplomacy towards ending the wider U.S.-Iran conflict. Tehran has insisted on a Lebanon ceasefire as part of its interim deal with Washington, while the U.S. has sponsored separate talks between the Lebanese and Israeli governments, which Beirut has attended despite Hezbollah's objections.
Israeli officials suggested the agreement would move forward in the coming days, but there were no immediate reports of any aspects of the deal being implemented on the ground. Israeli artillery shelled an area near the border in southern Lebanon on Monday, according to the Lebanese state news agency, and the sound of a drone buzzed over Beirut, Reuters reporters said.
In comments to Lebanon's al-Akhbar newspaper, Berri described Iran-U.S. talks as the only realistic opportunity to secure Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and that any attempt to separate Lebanon from the U.S.-Iran track would prolong Israeli occupation.
Israel has occupied a swathe of southern Lebanon in a war with Hezbollah that began on March 2, when the group opened fire at Israel after Iran came under U.S.-Israeli attack.
The Lebanon war has been a central part of diplomacy towards ending the wider U.S.-Iran conflict. Tehran has insisted on a Lebanon ceasefire as part of its interim deal with Washington, while the U.S. has sponsored separate talks between the Lebanese and Israeli governments, which Beirut has attended despite Hezbollah's objections.
1 month ago
By Aleksandar Vasovic
BELGRADE, June 27 (Reuters) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday he would resign within weeks and the country will hold early presidential and parliamentary elections, following 18 months of anti-government protests.
The announcement by Vucic, who has been in power as president or prime minister for 12 years, came amid persistent anti-corruption demonstrations led by students and triggered by the collapse of an awning at a railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad in November 2024, in which 16 people died.
Protesters, opposition and rights groups allege the railway station disaster was a sign of broader government mismanagement of construction projects and corruption.
"I will be president for only a couple more weeks, and then I will resign," Vucic told throngs of his supporters at a pro-government rally in the capital, Belgrade. Vucic's second and final mandate was due to expire in mid-2027.
BELGRADE, June 27 (Reuters) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday he would resign within weeks and the country will hold early presidential and parliamentary elections, following 18 months of anti-government protests.
The announcement by Vucic, who has been in power as president or prime minister for 12 years, came amid persistent anti-corruption demonstrations led by students and triggered by the collapse of an awning at a railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad in November 2024, in which 16 people died.
Protesters, opposition and rights groups allege the railway station disaster was a sign of broader government mismanagement of construction projects and corruption.
"I will be president for only a couple more weeks, and then I will resign," Vucic told throngs of his supporters at a pro-government rally in the capital, Belgrade. Vucic's second and final mandate was due to expire in mid-2027.
1 month ago
King Charles and Queen Camilla traveled to Edinburgh to attend the formal opening of the Scottish Parliament on Saturday, and they both ensured they were suitably dressed for the occasion in Scottish-inspired outfits. The monarch donned a traditional kilt while his wife opted for a red tartan skirt, but Camilla's attire has caused a divide online.
Her Majesty wore a below knee red tartan skirt, paired with forest green tartan lined jacket and green hat and shoes. As soon as pictures circulated online, opinions swirled about the statement. Underneath a photo shared on ******* O!'s Instagram, users admired Camilla's fashion ensemble. "Queen Camilla Looks fabulous," and: "Queen Camilla looks amazing" were among the comments. A third wrote: "Thank you for wearing [the] Scottish national dress. It is very much appreciated in Scotland.
Others disagreed and one pointed out: "Camilla always looks guarded in whatever she wears." Another added: "Almost like she's uncomfortable in her own skin, but also doesn't wear royal garb comfortably, unlike Anne, who while not conventionally pretty, has a certain royal style and glamour."
The royal family often use their clothing to give a nod to the location they are visiting or the occasion they are attending, with symbolic colours, fabrics and even special brooches or jewellery.
The ceremonial event began with a procession of historical artifacts, including the Crown of Scotland and the Elizabeth Sword, escorted down the Royal Mile by youth organizations and Team Scotland athletes. Following opening remarks, King Charles addressed the chamber, after which the royal couple enjoyed a series of special musical, poetry, and theatrical performances before meeting with local heroes recognized for their contributions to the community.
Her Majesty wore a below knee red tartan skirt, paired with forest green tartan lined jacket and green hat and shoes. As soon as pictures circulated online, opinions swirled about the statement. Underneath a photo shared on ******* O!'s Instagram, users admired Camilla's fashion ensemble. "Queen Camilla Looks fabulous," and: "Queen Camilla looks amazing" were among the comments. A third wrote: "Thank you for wearing [the] Scottish national dress. It is very much appreciated in Scotland.
Others disagreed and one pointed out: "Camilla always looks guarded in whatever she wears." Another added: "Almost like she's uncomfortable in her own skin, but also doesn't wear royal garb comfortably, unlike Anne, who while not conventionally pretty, has a certain royal style and glamour."
The royal family often use their clothing to give a nod to the location they are visiting or the occasion they are attending, with symbolic colours, fabrics and even special brooches or jewellery.
The ceremonial event began with a procession of historical artifacts, including the Crown of Scotland and the Elizabeth Sword, escorted down the Royal Mile by youth organizations and Team Scotland athletes. Following opening remarks, King Charles addressed the chamber, after which the royal couple enjoyed a series of special musical, poetry, and theatrical performances before meeting with local heroes recognized for their contributions to the community.
