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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Armenian PM set for rare bilateral visit to Turkey to meet Erdogan
FILE PHOTO: Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrives for a meeting with international investors in IA at the Elysee Palace as part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, France, February 10, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/ File Photo ISTANBUL/TBILISI - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he will visit Turkey for talks with President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, a rare bilateral visit that Armenia hopes will reset fraught ties and reopen their shared land border after decades of enmity. The two neighbours have no formal diplomatic relations amid a legacy of deep historical hostility stemming from the World War One mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman forces, considered a genocide by Armenia and many other countries. Turkey has also taken the side of close-ally Azerbaijan in its longstanding conflict with Armenia. Armenpress state news agency cited Pashinyan on Wednesday as confirming the visit with Erdogan, Turkey's leader of 22 years. Armenian parliamentary speaker Alen Simonyan on Tuesday said the visit would be "historic", and partly aimed at eliminating the risk of fresh fighting with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan, who has presided over several defeats to Azerbaijan, has pushed hard to normalise relations with Ankara and Baku. He frames normalisation with Turkey as a way for Armenia, whose relations with traditional ally Russia have soured, to build closer ties with Western countries. Earlier this year he said Armenia would no longer lobby for international recognition of the destruction of Anatolia's Armenian population as a genocide, a concession to Turkey that is deeply controversial among many Armenians. A senior Armenian diplomat said the two sides would discuss the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, and could also discuss the Israeli-Iranian conflict and evacuating foreign citizens from Iran, which neighbours both states. Ankara closed its border with Armenia in 1993, in support of Azerbaijan in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region that at the time had a mostly Armenian population. Turkey has said it wants to reopen the eastern frontier, but only if Armenia signs a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, with which Turkey has cultural and linguistic ties. Armenia has repeatedly said it wants to reopen the Turkish border, and last year refurbished a crossing point. "We are ready for a new era in our region," the diplomat said. A day before the visit, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev will also visit Erdogan in Turkey, Erdogan's office said. Azerbaijan in 2023 restored full control over Karabakh, prompting the region's 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have backed a peace treaty, but progress has been slow, and ceasefire violations have risen along their heavily militarised border in recent months. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Czech president pardons soldiers prosecuted in death of Afghan prisoner
Czech President Petr Pavel, arrives for a meeting with international investors in IA at the Elysee Palace as part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, France, February 10, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo PRAGUE - Czech President Petr Pavel granted pardons on Wednesday to four members of the country's special forces, who had been facing prosecution for alleged crimes related to the death of a detained Afghan soldier. The four members of the 601st special operations forces group were to stand trial on charges of extortion, insubordination, violation of guard duty obligations and failure to provide aid. Czech media had reported that the accusations related to the death of 19-year-old Wahidullah Khan after he was detained over an attack on troops at the Shindand base in western Afghanistan in 2018. One Czech soldier was killed in the attack and two others were injured. "After carefully assessing all the circumstances of this case, the President of the Republic took into account in particular the exceptional nature of the war situation in which the incident under investigation occurred," Pavel's office said. It added that the fact the soldiers were not primarily accused of violent crimes had also been taken into consideration. The New York Times first reported the incident in 2018. It reported that Khan was beaten after being taken into custody by U.S. and Czech troops, was unconscious when he was returned to Afghan forces the same day and died shortly afterwards. U.S. and Czech troops were being investigated over the incident, it reported at the time. The Czech army operated in Afghanistan from 2002 until 2021. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Czech president pardons soldiers prosecuted in death of Afghan soldier
FILE PHOTO: Czech President Petr Pavel, arrives for a meeting with international investors in IA at the Elysee Palace as part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, France, February 10, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Poland says Russia is trying to interfere in presidential election
FILE PHOTO: Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski arrives for a meeting with international investors in IA at the Elysee Palace as part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, France, February 10, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo Poland says Russia is trying to interfere in presidential election WARSAW - Poland is facing an unprecedented attempt from Russia to interfere in its presidential election, the digital affairs minister said on Tuesday, as the campaign entered its final stages ahead of the first round of voting on May 18. Poland says its role as a hub for aid to Ukraine has made it a key target for Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation efforts, and Warsaw has been on high alert for interference, especially after Romania cancelled a presidential election in December due to allegations of Russian meddling. Russia has repeatedly denied accusations that it interferes in foreign elections and criticised the decision to cancel the election in Romania. "During the current presidential elections in Poland, we are facing an unprecedented attempt to interfere in the electoral process from the Russian side," Krzysztof Gawkowski told a defence conference. "This is being done... (by) spreading disinformation in combination with hybrid attacks on Polish critical infrastructure in order to paralyse the normal functioning of the state," he added. He said that attacks had targeted water and sewage companies, heat and power plants and state administration bodies. The level of Russian activity in terms of cyberattcks in Poland had more than doubled compared to last year, he said. "Today in Poland, during every minute of my speech, a dozen or so incidents targeting critical infrastructure were recorded," he said. The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Warsaw said in March that there had been a cyberattack on the Polish space agency. In 2024 Poland said the state news agency had likely been hit by a Russian cyberattack. Warsaw and its allies have also alleged that Moscow is behind acts of arson and sabotage around Europe. Russia dismisses these claims. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Usha Vance Lunches in Blue Suede Pumps With French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron and Husband JD Vance in Paris
Usha Vance and her husband Vice President JD Vance met with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron for lunch during the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit yesterday in Paris. France is hosting representatives from around a hundred countries, including heads of state and business leaders, for the Action on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summits at the Grand Palais. More from Footwear News Saweetie Goes Cozy in Boho-Inspired Suede Boots at EA Sports' The Madden Bowl in New Orleans Martha Stewart Attends NYFW Parties in Her Favorite Grey Suede Booties The lawyer stuck to one of her favorite silhouettes, popping on a pair of classic and simple deep blue suede pumps, seemingly a pair of Jimmy Choo's Romy 60 Navy Suede Pointed Pumps. The chosen silhouette included textural blue suede uppers accompanied by sharp pointed toes and 3 to 4-inch stiletto heels. Simple in composition, the footwear choice allowed Usha's dress to take center stage, acting as a supporting character of sorts. Additionally, the deep blue hue complimented the lighter blue tone of her dress. Beloved by the likes of Kate Middleton and Melania Trump, suede styles are classic and versatile. Many public figures tend to reach for the style because the texture of the suede diversifies whatever silhouette it is attached to. For those looking to replicate Usha's look, other top brands Sam Edelman, Aquazzura, Christian Louboutin and Gianvito Rossi feature similar suede styles for a range of price points and sizing options. Dressy and formal, Usha partnered her suede footwear with a light blue dress. The garment was light blue and featured long sleeves and a draped bodice and a pencil-esque skirt. The political figure accessorized her look with dainty gold jewelry. When it comes to footwear, Usha tends towards simplistic silhouettes like classic pumps and knee-high boots in neutral suede or leather styles. The public figure reaches for top brands like Christian Louboutin, Rothy and Manolo Blahnik, among others. Dressed for formal occasions, Usha often wears gowns and suiting looks from brands like Oscar de la Renta, Gaurav Gupta and Sergio Hudson. Celebrities Wearing Jimmy Choo Romy Pumps View Gallery11 Images Launch Gallery: A Look at Usha Vance's Style Throughout the Years Best of Footwear News Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's Couple Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Sneaker Style at the Grammys: Billie Eilish and More Stars Through the Years Taylor Swift's Best Shoes at the Grammy's Over the Years [PHOTOS]
