Ukrainian parliament votes to restrict autonomy of anti-corruption agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
US, China confront each other on Ukraine at United Nations
The United States told China at the United Nations on Friday it should 'stop fueling Russia's aggression' in Ukraine, as China accused Washington of trying to shift blame and spark confrontation. Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea urged all countries, specifically naming China, to stop exports to Russia of dual-use goods that Washington says contribute to Russia's war industrial base and enable its drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. 'Beijing's claim to have implemented strong export controls on dual-use goods falls apart in the face of daily recovery of Chinese-produced components in the drones, weapons, and vehicles that Russia uses against Ukraine,' Shea told a meeting of the 15-member UN Security Council on Ukraine. China did not start the war in Ukraine, is not a party to the conflict, has never provided lethal weapons, and has always 'strictly controlled dual-use materials, including the export of drones,' China's deputy UN Ambassador Geng Shuang responded. 'We urge the US to stop shifting blame on the Ukraine issue or creating confrontation and instead play a more constructive role in promoting ceasefire and peace talks,' he told the council. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Chinese-made engines are being covertly shipped via front companies to a state-owned drone manufacturer in Russia, labeled as 'industrial refrigeration units' to avoid detection in the wake of Western sanctions. 'If China is sincere in calling for peace, it should stop fueling Russia's aggression,' Shea said.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Swinney to raise Gaza crisis with Trump during landmark Scotland visit
LONDON: Scottish First Minister John Swinney has vowed to raise the 'unimaginable suffering' in Gaza when he meets Donald Trump during the US president's four-day visit to Scotland this weekend. Describing the trip as 'a landmark moment' in US-Scottish relations, Swinney said the visit provides a key platform for Scotland to express its views on pressing global issues. 'As we welcome the president of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage,' Swinney said. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'As first minister, it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world.' Trump said on Friday that he was 'looking forward' to meeting Swinney during the trip. Swinney is facing increasing pressure from within the Scottish National Party to adopt a strong stance on the Gaza conflict. On Wednesday, his predecessor and former First Minister Humza Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla, who has family in Gaza, issued a direct plea via social media. 'Millions in Gaza are being deliberately starved while Israel withholds food mere kilometres away. Words are not enough,' they wrote. 'Force Israel to open the borders and allow aid to flow in.' El-Nakla, who also convenes the SNP Friends of Palestine group, told The Times that the Trump meeting represented 'a critical opportunity to raise, directly and unequivocally, the ongoing genocide in Gaza.' She said: 'Time is not on the side of the people there. As I speak, my family — like millions of others — is starving. The first minister must demand that Trump use his influence to compel Israel to end the starvation and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.' While highlighting the humanitarian issues at stake, Swinney also noted the wider benefits of the visit in terms of showcasing Scotland's tourism and investment potential. He expressed confidence that planned protests would remain peaceful and respectful. He said he believed demonstrators would 'do Scotland proud' and act 'peacefully and lawfully.' Rallies are being organized by the Stop Trump Coalition in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, with others expected near Turnberry and Menie, where Trump owns resorts. Trump is expected to stay at Turnberry over the weekend before meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer there on Monday. He will then travel to Aberdeenshire to mark the opening of a new golf course named after his mother. Although the visit is private, a joint press conference with Trump and Starmer is expected. Police have warned that the scale of the operation could stretch resources, with the Scottish Police Federation stating it may double response times elsewhere.
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
German regional lawmaker admits drawing swastika on ballot paper next to candidate's name
A German regional lawmaker admitted Friday that he drew a swastika next to a far-right candidate's name in a state parliament vote and said he was giving up his post as a deputy speaker of the legislature. The speaker of the legislature in the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg said Thursday that someone had drawn the Nazi symbol on a ballot paper in a vote for a regional cross-border body that includes representatives from Germany as well as neighboring France and Switzerland. The far-right anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party – known by its acronym AfD – had tried and failed to get nominees elected. Using the swastika is illegal in Germany and falls under a ban on the symbols of unconstitutional organizations. The speaker, Muhterem Aras, described the incident as a disgrace for this parliament. But since it was a secret vote, it was not immediately clear who was responsible. On Friday, Daniel Born, a deputy speaker of the legislature and member of the center-left Social Democrats, said that he had drawn the symbol next to the name of an AfD lawmaker. He described his actions in a statement as a serious mistake and apologized. He said that he was stepping down as deputy speaker and leaving his party's parliamentary group. Aras called for him to give up his parliamentary seat, German news agency dpa reported. Born said that he had not intended to make out that a far-right lawmaker had drawn the symbol. 'On the contrary, in a knee-jerk reaction, I wanted to show that votes for AfD are always votes for right-wing hatred and agitation, no matter in what election,' he said. AfD has firmly established itself as a force in German politics since it was formed 12 years ago, even as it has drifted steadily to the right. In Germany's national election in February, it finished second with 20.8 percent of the vote and is now the biggest opposition party in Berlin. However, mainstream parties refuse to work with it. Born said in his statement that 'it no longer leaves me a minute's peace that people are increasingly getting used to the party.'
