
Lithuania notifies UN of withdrawal from landmine ban treaty
VILNIUS (Reuters) -Lithuania has notified the United Nations it is leaving the treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, its foreign minister posted on X on Friday.
The country will no longer be bound by the treaty six months after the notification.
Parliaments of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Poland - all NATO and EU members bordering Russia - have approved withdrawal of their countries from the treaty, citing the increased military danger from their neighbour.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Thai Protesters Vent Their Exasperation With the Prime Minister
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bangkok on Saturday to call for the resignation of Thailand's prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whose leaked phone conversation with Cambodia's de facto leader has stirred growing anger. As of Saturday afternoon, more than 6,000 demonstrators had gathered at the Victory Monument, a war memorial, according to the police. The protests, which persisted through a heavy downpour, were largely peaceful, but they add to the pressure on Ms. Paetongtarn after the call, which captured her appearing to disparage her own country's powerful military and taking a deferential tone. The protests are being closely watched in a country where public demonstrations have precipitated the downfalls of previous governments. The turmoil has also stoked fears that the military could intervene. Though coups have been a regular feature of Thailand's modern history, analysts say they do not think one is likely now. Thailand in the past week has been gripped by the revelations of the June 15 call between Ms. Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, who was Cambodia's prime minister for decades and remains head of the country's People's Party. In the audio, Ms. Paetongtarn, 38, called Mr. Hun Sen, 72, 'uncle' and told him that she would 'arrange' anything that he wants. 'This prime minister is selling out the nation,' said Patcharee Twitchsri, 66, a former insurance agent. 'She is doing everything for her personal gain. Also, she has no experience.' Ms. Paetongtarn, who has condemned the leak, said she was merely using a negotiation tactic to address a simmering border dispute. On Saturday, visiting Chiang Rai to monitor flood conditions, she told reporters that it was the protesters' right to call for her resignation, and said that she was open to discussing matters peacefully. 'I don't intend to retaliate,' she said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.


Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
Trump's NATO Turnaround: From threatening to pull US out to 'daddy' of the alliance
President Donald Trump delivered a resounding endorsement of NATO this week, marking a sharp turnaround in his years-long, often contentious relationship with the alliance. Once known for blasting allies over defense spending and even threatening to pull out of NATO altogether, Trump now appears to have had a change of heart. "I left here differently. I left here saying that these people really love their countries," Trump said after the 2025 NATO summit in The Hague. The pivot comes as NATO nations more than doubled their collective defense spending target – raising the bar from 2% to 5% of GDP. The president's renewed embrace of the alliance follows years of friction, high-profile clashes with world leaders and controversial comments. Yet at this year's summit, the tone was strikingly different. Trump was welcomed by Dutch royals, praised by the NATO secretary-general – who even referred to him as "daddy" – and returned home lauding European allies for their patriotism. "It's not a rip-off, and we're here to help them," Trump told reporters. The transformation is as dramatic as it is unexpected. Trump arrived at the NATO summit on a high note, following U.S. strikes that crippled Iran's nuclear infrastructure. According to American and allied intelligence sources, the operation set back Tehran's nuclear ambitions by several years. The strike was widely seen as both a show of strength and a strategic warning – not just to Iran but to NATO adversaries like Russia and China. "He really came in from this power move," said Giedrimas Jeglinskas, a former NATO official and current chairman of Lithuania's national security committee. "Among some, definitely Eastern Europe, Central Europe, Nordic Europe, this attack, the use of those really sophisticated weapons and bombers, was the rebuilding of the deterrence narrative of the West, not just of America." Trump repeatedly called NATO "obsolete," questioning its relevance and slamming allies for failing to pay their "fair share." "It's costing us too much money... We're paying disproportionately. It's too much," he said in March 2016. He criticized NATO for lacking focus on terrorism, later taking credit when it created a chief intelligence post. Trump softened his tone after becoming president. "We strongly support NATO," he said after visiting Central Command. "We only ask that all members make their full and proper financial contribution." He continued to push for members to meet the 2% target by 2024. Trump privately threatened to pull the U.S. from NATO unless allies increased spending. "Now we are in World War III protecting a country that wasn't paying its bills," he warned. Despite the posturing, he called NATO a "fine-tuned machine" after extracting new spending commitments. He also accused Germany of being a "captive of Russia" over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The drama continued, this time with French President Emmanuel Macron calling NATO "brain-dead." "NATO serves a great purpose. I think that's very insulting," Trump responded. He also clashed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – calling him "two-faced" after Trudeau was caught mocking Trump on camera. Trump ordered 12,000 U.S. troops out of Germany, citing Berlin's defense shortfalls. Trump ignited backlash after suggesting he'd let Russia "do whatever the hell they want" to NATO countries that failed to meet spending obligations. The remark sparked urgent contingency talks among European leaders about the future of the alliance if the U.S. did not step up to its defense. The 2025 summit in The Hague unfolded with surprising calm. Trump's hosts rolled out the red carpet. "He's the man of the hour and the most important man in the world," Jeglinskas said. Jeglinskas credited Trump's blunt diplomacy – however unorthodox – for helping drive real reform "He's brought in tectonic change to the alliance's capabilities by... being himself," he added. "It's a gift for the alliance." Experts agree NATO's recent revitalization stems from two major catalysts: Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Trump's relentless pressure on allies to boost defense. "President Trump is riding high this week with two major foreign policy victories," said Matthew Kroenig, vice president at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center, referencing NATO and the recent U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program. "It's terrific. I hope he can keep it up." He added, "Every president since Eisenhower has complained that NATO allies aren't doing their fair share." Now, Trump was the one who finally got them to listen, he said.


Chicago Tribune
4 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
The Tribune's Quotes of the Week quiz for June 28
Well, that's just about a wrap on June. But before you set your sights on the upcoming holiday weekend, let's catch up on what happened this week. On Saturday, President Donald Trump made the controversial decision to bomb three key nuclear sites in Iran. Days later, Israel and Iran, who were engaged in an armed conflict since June 13, agreed upon a ceasefire, and Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials will talk next week. As fears of the conflict evolving into a broader war appeared to subside, the stock market made significant gains, closing out the week at all-time highs. In other news from around the globe, U.S. officials attended the NATO summit this week where member nations agreed to increase their defense spending, democratic socialist and state lawmaker Zohran Mamdami declared victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary race and the Supreme Court issued a slew of opinions, covering everything from immigration and education to pornography and injunction powers. Locally, Gov. JB Pritzker officially announced his bid for reelection this week, amid speculation that he may run for president in 2028. Universal unveiled its plans for a horror-themed attraction in Chicago, a 'year-round immersive horror experience' that is slated to open in 2027. And the Chicago Police Department honored one of their own this week. Officers, loved ones and city leaders gathered for the funeral of Krystal Rivera, the Chicago police officer mistakenly shot and killed by her partner earlier this month. On Thursday, new Chicago Public Schools Interim CEO Macquline King addressed her first school board meeting, citing the district's $730 million deficit as her top priority. By Friday, CPS laid off 161 employees and eliminated another 209 open positions in a cost-cutting move to plug that shortfall. The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the finals Sunday night to win the NBA championship. Three days later, the NBA draft opened. Cooper Flagg was picked first overall and the Bulls drafted two new players: Noa Essengue, a 6-foot-10 French teenager, and Australian forward Lachlan Olbrich. Plus, the first round of the NHL draft took place Friday, with the Chicago Blackhawks selecting the top-ranked international player with the No. 3 pick. Meanwhile, in the world of baseball, both of Chicago's MLB teams reached the halfway point of their seasons — though the Cubs boast the significantly better record of the two. Also this week, a White Sox fan was ejected from Rate Field and banned from all major-league ballparks after heckling Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte. Still figuring out your weekend plans? Chicago's 54th annual Pride Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday in the Lakeview neighborhood. Or if you're staying in, catch up on 'The Bear' — Season 4 of the beloved Chicago-based TV show dropped Wednesday. With the Fourth of July holiday next weekend, the quotes team will be taking a week off. But don't fear! We'll be back July 12 with your weekly news roundup and quotes quiz. Until then, take care and stay cool out there, Chicago! Here's the Tribune's Quotes of the Week quiz for June 22 to 28. Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week.