Georgia protests spread as prime minister dismisses call for new elections
Demonstrations spread across the country over ruling party's path away from EU membership, shift towards Russia.
Romanians vote in parliamentary election amid turmoil over claims of Russian interference in presidential race – CNN
- Romanians vote in parliamentary election amid turmoil over claims of Russian interference in presidential race CNN
- Romanian leftists ahead of resurgent far-right in election: exit poll Reuters
- Romania’s governing party set to win election despite far-right resurgence Al Jazeera English
- Romania’s leftists set to top polls in parliamentary election, but far-right populists see big gains The Associated Press
- Romania Court Orders a Recount After Surprise Election Result The New York Times
Irish Greens virtually wiped out in general election rout
Junior coalition partner loses all but one of 12 seats, while gangland figure Gerry Hutch loses election bid
The Green party in Ireland has been virtually wiped out in the general election, and its leader admitted it was entering a period of “rebuild” after the electorate removed any prospect of the party re-entering government.
The Greens lost all but one of their 12 seats, with its leader, Roderic O’Gorman, scraping through on the 13th count.
Continue reading...Social Democrats win Iceland’s snap elections as incumbents punished
Social Democratic Alliance wins the largest share of votes but will need to form a coalition to govern.
Syrian and Russian airstrikes hit Aleppo and Idlib after insurgents advance
Assad regime seeks to repel Islamist rebels in north as Iran’s top diplomat visits Damascus in show of support
Syrian and Russian airstrikes have pummelled areas of northern Syria as Iran’s top diplomat arrived in Damascus in a show of support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime after Islamist insurgents made a sudden advance and seized control of Aleppo.
As the regime attempted to repel the strongest challenge to its authority in years, state media in Damascus shared images of airstrikes across opposition-controlled areas, claiming they were targeting enemy command centres and positions. Syria’s military said they struck close to a stadium in Aleppo in a joint operation with Russia.
Continue reading...Syria’s Assad trapped by rebel advance and refusal to compromise – Financial Times
- Syria’s Assad trapped by rebel advance and refusal to compromise Financial Times
- Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seizes much of Aleppo CNN
- Syria launches counterattacks in an attempt to halt insurgency, as Iran's top diplomat meets Assad Yahoo! Voices
- How a Syrian rebel group pulled off its stunning seizure of Aleppo NPR
- What led to Syria’s 13-year civil war, and why has fighting surged again? The Washington Post
Verstappen wins Qatar Grand Prix after McLaren fail to secure team title
Max Verstappen claims his ninth win of the 2024 season as McLaren are made to wait for the constructors' title.
Romanian elections: ruling Social Democrats on course for most votes
Exit poll suggests leftwing PSD poised to defeat resurgent far-right movement in parliamentary election
Romania’s main centre-left party was on track to finish first in parliamentary elections, according to early exit polls, seemingly beating an advancing far right boosted by the shock victory of an ultranationalist in last week’s presidential first-round ballot.
The ruling Social Democratic party (PSD) was forecast to receive 26% of the vote, ahead of the far-right nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) on 19%, while the National Liberal party (PNL) and centre-right Save Romania Union (USR) were vying for third on 15-16%.
Continue reading...Many unable to access eVisas to prove right to be in UK, Home Office admits
Campaigners say problems with digital transfer could affect hundreds of thousands of people on ‘10-year route’ visas
The Home Office has admitted that many people who have the right to live and work in the UK cannot access their eVisas and provide proof that they are allowed to be in the country.
Human rights campaigners have said problems with accessing eVisas could lead to a scandal involving hundreds of thousands of people. Those affected are allowed to be in the UK but cannot show their right to work or rent a home.
Continue reading...Rebels behind Aleppo’s surprise fall took advantage of Russian and Iranian distraction
Forces only took three days to take the city from Bashar al-Assad’s regime, but the Middle East’s newest conflict looks set to last
It was not Kyiv that fell in three days, but Aleppo. A surprise offensive launched by Syrian rebels from the north west of the country last week has reignited a dormant conflict – and revealed a change in the balance of power caused not by one but two nearby wars, in Ukraine and Lebanon and the Middle East.
Aleppo was the scene of fierce and destructive fighting between 2012 and 2016 when the Syrian civil war was at its height. Rebel groups were forced out as Syrian government forces supporting the president, Bashar al-Assad, were able to capture the country’s second city, with the help of Russia and its air force.
Continue reading...Four Palestinians killed in Israeli attack near Jenin in occupied West Bank
Attack on village of Sir brings Palestinian death toll in the territory to at least 790 since beginning of Gaza war.
Wisconsin’s Ben Wikler joins race for Democratic National Committee chair
In announcement, state’s Democratic chair touts grassroots and new media organizing success in closely divided state
Wisconsin Democratic leader Ben Wikler joined the race to lead the Democratic National Committee on Sunday, promising “to take on Trump, Republican extremists, and move our country forward”, as the party looks to rebuild from its losses in the November election.
In a video posted on social networks, Wikler, 43, touted his state party’s success in organizing to flip 14 state legislative seats and send Senator Tammy Baldwin back to Washington DC in November, and in previously campaigns to win control of the state supreme court and re-elect governor Tony Evers. Wikler, a former podcaster, Air America radio producer and headline writer for The Onion, also stressed his new media expertise.
Continue reading...Protesters rally in Georgia for fourth night as opposition grows to freeze on EU talks
Georgian media reports protests in at least eight cities and towns after Saturday’s demonstrations leave 44 in hospital
Protesters rallied in Georgia’s capital for a fourth consecutive night on Sunday and there were signs that opposition was spreading to the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.
For months, tensions have been rising between the ruling Georgian Dream party and opponents who accuse it of pursuing increasingly authoritarian, anti-western and pro-Russian policies.
Continue reading...Conspiracy theorist Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead FBI, faces Senate blowback
‘Deep state’ critic who has threatened to shut down agency’s headquarters could face tough confirmation battle
Donald Trump’s plan to nominate as FBI director the “deep state” conspiracy theorist Kash Patel, a virulent critic of the bureau who has threatened to fire its top echelons and shut down the agency’s headquarters, is facing blowback in Congress as US senators begin to flex their muscles ahead of a contentious confirmation process.
Politicians from both main parties took to the Sunday talk shows to express starkly divergent views on Patel, whom Trump announced on Saturday as his pick to lead the most powerful law enforcement agency in the US. The move is dependent on the incumbent FBI chief, Christopher Wray, who Trump himself placed in the job in 2017, either being fired or resigning.
Continue reading...What’s next for Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad and his allies?
A surprise rebel offensive surges onwards after taking control of the city of Aleppo.
Trump taps Lebanon-born Massad Boulos as Arab and Middle East adviser
Boulos is the father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany and led campaign outreach to Arab Americans.
Senegal seeks answers 80 years after French colonial massacre of soldiers
Commemoration prompts renewed calls for investigation into the killing of African soldiers by the French army in 1944.
Snoop Dogg helps Kai Cenat reclaim Twitch subscriber record
The American has been streaming continuously for 30 days to try reclaim the record he set last year.
Weather blamed for small boat arrivals under Labour passing 20,000
Home secretary to highlight data showing record number of calm autumnal days that made Channel crossings likely
The number of small boat arrivals since Keir Starmer took power has passed 20,000, with the Home Office claiming a record number of calm autumnal days in the Channel was responsible.
A 31-day period in October and November had the highest ratio of so-called “red days” – when weather conditions make crossings likely or very likely – since records began in 2018, according to a leaked analysis.
Continue reading...Former Israeli defense minister Yaalon warns of ethnic cleansing in Gaza – Reuters
- Former Israeli defense minister Yaalon warns of ethnic cleansing in Gaza Reuters
- Former Defense Minister Accuses Israel of Committing War Crimes in Gaza The New York Times
- Netanyahu's ex-defense minister Ya'alon says IDF 'not most moral army in the world,' stands by accusation of 'ethnic cleansing' The Times of Israel
- Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza? Israel's Ex-defense Chief Warns, Extremist Ministers Confirm Haaretz
- Israel carrying out ethnic cleansing in Gaza, ex-army chief says Middle East Eye