Wanted Hong Kong activist fears for safety, hopes for U.S. asylum
By James Pomfret and Jessie Pang For Anna Kwok, a Washington-based Hong Kong activist, the imposition of a
2023-07-12 22:58
Dutch and Luxembourg PMs urge Serbia and Kosovo to defuse tensions under shadow of war in Ukraine
The prime ministers of the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Monday urged Serbia and Kosovo to act to defuse recent tensions that have threatened to push the Balkan region into instability as Europe faces Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Dutch PM Mark Rutte and Xavier Bettel, the Luxembourg PM, spoke after meeting Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. Rutte and Bettel travel to Kosovo on Tuesday for meetings with top officials there. “We cannot, both of us, emphasize enough how important it is that both Serbia and Kosovo take steps toward de-escalation and ultimately normalization of their relations through the EU-led dialogue,” said Rutte. “This is crucial for the two countries themselves, first and foremost, but also for the entire region and Europe as a whole,” he added. “With a war raging between Russia and Ukraine on our continent, it's more important than ever that we act together.” Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades, with Belgrade refusing to recognize Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence. Western efforts to resolve the crisis have increased recently, to avert possible instability in the Balkans as war ravages Ukraine. Tensions between the two countries flared anew in May after Kosovo police seized local municipal buildings in Serb-majority northern Kosovo to install ethnic Albanian mayors who were elected in an April election that Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted. Violent clashes injured 30 international peacekeepers and more than 50 ethnic Serbs, stirring fears of a renewal of the 1998-99 conflict that left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovar Albanians. The U.S and the EU have pressed Serbia and Kosovo to take steps to lower tensions. Normalization of relations is the key condition for the two countries to move forward in their efforts to join the EU. Bettel, too, called on the two sides to act. “Words are good, actions are better,” he said. “And we need to advance on these topics and to show also that there is a wish of de-escalation.” Vucic expressed hope that the two prime ministers' visit to Serbia and Kosovo would help. “I promised that Serbia will do all it can to preserve peace and stability,” he said. Washington and most EU nations have recognized Kosovo’s independence, while Russia and China have backed Serbia’s claim on the territory. The 1998-99 war erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbia's rule and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. NATO bombing in 1999 forced Serbia to relinquish control but Belgrade has maintained Kosovo remains part of the country. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Opponents of Serbia's populist leader block main highway to keep up pressure after weeks of protests Kosovo's prime minister offers to hold new elections in tense Serb-majority municipalities Novak Djokovic’s bid for Wimbledon title No. 8 and Grand Slam trophy No. 24 starts next week
2023-07-04 04:47
2023 Leagues Cup Round of 16: Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas results
Only one match was played in the 2023 Leagues Cup, Round of 16, but if you were into amazing-looking goals, own goals, and a penalty shootout, then you had it all in the Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas match.This was, for sure, a great way to start off the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 16 matches.Inter Mi...
2023-08-07 22:48
Mozambique parliament backs move to extend military service to five years
Foreign troops are helping Mozambique tackle a six-year Islamist insurgency in the north.
2023-11-24 20:19
Microsoft says early June service outages were cyberattacks
Microsoft said on Friday that the outages that affected certain services of the company through some of the
2023-06-18 08:15
Big central banks are still hiking rates but eye the end
LONDON Inflation is cooling, meaning major central banks can start to think about ending interest rate hikes even
2023-06-22 21:22
Does Gabby Windey have a new beau? Former 'Bachelorette' lead sparks romance rumors as fans spot mystery man in vacation photos
As 'The Bachelorette' viewers notice a mysterious man in recent holiday photos, Gabby Windey raises relationship rumors
2023-07-24 12:49
Before-and-after satellite images show Maui wildfires damage
Catastrophic wildfires are raging across the Hawaiian island of Maui. See what the region looked like before and after the fires.
2023-08-10 22:50
US Senate approves Biden nominee to lead FAA on 98-0 vote
WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted 98-0 to approve President Joe Biden's nominee to head the Federal
2023-10-25 06:28
Idris Elba says he's a 'workaholic' and is in therapy to tackle 'unhealthy habits'
British actor Idris Elba has said that he's an "absolute workaholic" and is in therapy to tackle "unhealthy habits."
2023-10-03 19:57
‘Today’ unveils major host shake-up as Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer go missing from NBC show
Al Roker and Craig Melvin were spotted in their usual places, while Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer were absent
2023-08-29 12:54
Home Office starts ad campaign to deter Albanian migrants
The adverts will say people 'face being detained and removed' if they come to the UK by small boat.
2023-05-28 07:29
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