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Meloni and IOC condemn clashes after protests in Olympic host Milan
Giorgia Melons, the Italian prime minister, called anti-Olympics demonstrators "enemies" of Italy after violence on the fringes a protest in Milan Saturday night and sabotage of the national rail system. The International Olympic Committee (IOC)?also??joined the criticism by saying that violence has no place in the Games. The incidents occurred on the first day of competition at the Winter Games, which Milan, Italy's capital of finance, and the Alpine town Cortina D'Ampezzo are hosting. Meloni thanked the thousands of Italians working to ensure the Games ran smoothly and presented a positive image of Italy. "There are also those who are against Italy and the?Italians. They demonstrate 'against Olympic' and ensure that these images appear on TV screens all over the world. She wrote about it on Instagram Sunday. "After others?cut railway cables to stop trains from leaving," she said. After the railway sabotage in Bologna, the Italian Transport Ministry announced that an investigation into suspected terrorism was launched. GAMES SEEK UNITY A group consisting of 100 protesters, who broke away from the main demonstration in Milan, hurled firecrackers at police officers and threw smoke bombs. They also threw bottles. A protest of 10,000 people took place in the streets to protest housing costs and concerns about the environment linked with the Games. "Peaceful demonstration is perfectly legitimate... we draw a line against violence." Mark Adams, IOC spokesperson, told a press conference that violence has no place in the Olympic Games. "We need to move forward with the Games, which will send a strong message of unity and peace around the world. I believe that this is a very important moment at the present time." Three separate incidents occurred on Saturday at different locations in the rail network, causing delays of up to two and a half hours for regional, high-speed and Intercity services. The Transport Ministry stated that "decisional action will be taken" to stop such "unacceptable acts", which cause inconvenience for millions of Italians. The damage has not been attributed to anyone. It is reminiscent of the chaos caused by sabotage on the first day of the Summer Olympic Games 2024 in Paris when saboteurs attacked France's TGV high-speed train network. (Written by Keith Weir, edited by Aidan Lewis and Hugh Lawson).
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Meloni condemns "enemies" of Italy after clashes at the Olympic host city Milan
Giorgia Melons, the Italian prime minister, has called anti-Olympics demonstrators "enemies" of Italy after violent incidents on the fringes?of a protest in Milan Saturday night?and sabotage?attacks?on the national rail network. The incidents occurred on the first full day of competition at the Winter Games, which Milan, Italy's capital of finance, hosts with the Alpine village of Cortina D'Ampezzo. Meloni thanked the thousands of Italians working to ensure the Games ran smoothly and present a positive image of Italy. "There are also those who are hostile to?Italy or Italians and are demonstrating against the Olympics and making sure that these images appear on television screens all over the world. She wrote on Instagram that others had cut the railway cables in order to stop trains from leaving. After breaking away from a large demonstration in Milan, a group of about 100 protesters hurled 'firecrackers smoke bombs and bottle at police. A protest of 10,000 people took place in the streets to protest housing costs and the environmental impact of the Games. Six people were arrested after police used water cannons to restore order. Authorities said that saboteurs also damaged rail infrastructure in the area of Bologna (a northern Italian city), disrupting train journeys. Three separate incidents were reported by the police at three different locations. These caused delays up to?to 2 1/2 hours for regional, high-speed and Intercity services. No one has claimed liability for the damages. Meloni added, "Once more, I am in solidarity with the police and the city of Milan as well as all those who are going to be affected by the criminal gangs." Meloni is the leader of a right-wing alliance. After violence at a protest of the hard left in Turin last weekend, which injured more than 100 officers, the Italian police has been granted new arrest powers. (Written by Keith Weir, edited by Aidan Lewis).
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Ukraine sanctions foreign suppliers of missile components to Russia
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that he would impose sanctions on certain foreign manufacturers who produce components for Russian drones and rockets used against Ukraine. Zelenskiy, a Russian journalist on X, said: "It is impossible to produce this weaponry without the critical foreign components that Russia continues to obtain through circumventing sanctions." "We will introduce new sanctions against such companies, including component suppliers and manufacturers of drones and missiles. I have signed all relevant decisions. According to two decrees published by the Ukrainian president, sanctions are being imposed on several Chinese companies, as well as companies from the United Arab Emirates, Panama, and the former Soviet Union. In recent months, Russia increased its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine despite negotiations to end the war. Its focus was on the energy and logistics sectors. Zelenskiy stated on X, that Russia has launched over 2,000 drones and guided aerial bombs in the last week. Strikes at power stations and substations left whole regions without electricity and heating. In the capital Kyiv, blackouts lasted up to 20 hours. Zelenskiy also said that he had imposed sanctions on the Russian financial sector, and against bodies and individuals who support Russian crypto markets and mining operations.
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American Airlines CEO meets with pilots union to discuss concerns
Robert Isom, American Airlines' CEO, said on Saturday that he would be meeting with the carrier's Pilots Union as soon as he could. Aviators are growing increasingly concerned about the company's handling of recent storms and financials. Isom wrote to Allied Pilots Association president Nick Silva that he had discussed with the board of the U.S. airline?the union’s request for a meet-up. Isom wrote in a letter to? that "the Board and I are aligned with you" in their desire to make American Airlines the'strongest airline in every way possible." The union that represents more than 16,000 American Airlines Pilots asked management on Friday to bring their concerns to the board of directors. Pilots are asking for this as the airline is trying to convince investors that it can close a gap in profits with its?rivals, and bring about a sustained turnaround. Employees have also criticized the carrier's handling of a storm that hit the United States in January. The Allied Pilots Association Board of Directors wrote on Friday to the board of directors of the carrier, "This assessment does not result from a single conversation with management, a?isolated operation disruption, or a?individual?earnings statement; it's the result persistent patterns of operational and cultural shortcomings, as well as strategic weaknesses."
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Suspected saboteurs hit Italian rail network near Bologna, police say
Transport Ministry: Saboteurs damaged rail infrastructure near the northern Italian city Bologna Saturday morning, disrupting train travel on the first day of the Winter Olympic Games. Three separate incidents were reported by the police at three different locations. These caused delays up to two and a half hours for regional, high-speed, and Intercity services. The Ministry called it "serious" sabotage, adding that it was reminiscent of the opening day for the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024, when saboteurs attacked France's TGV high-speed train network, causing chaos. The ministry headed by Matteo Salvini, the Deputy Prime Minister, said that "these?actions... of unprecedented seriousness" do not tarnish Italy’s image around the world. Ferrovie dello Stato, the state-owned railway, temporarily closed its high-speed Bologna station, but said that traffic had slowly returned to normal by Saturday's afternoon. The police said that a cabin containing a track switch was set ablaze before dawn in the Adriatic city Pesaro. A few hours later, in Bologna electrical cables that were used to detect train speed were severed. Meanwhile, a crude?explosive was found near a track. A spokesperson said that no one has claimed responsibility for the incidents which appear to have been coordinated. Bologna is the major east-west railway junction in Italy. It is also a key hub connecting the southern cities of Milan and Venice to the northern cities. Milan and Cortina are co-hosts of the Winter Games. Cortina is accessible by train from Venice. (Reporting and editing by Aidan Lewis, Kevin Liffey and Crispian Balmer)
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Algeria cancels air service agreement with UAE
Algeria is in the process of cancelling the air'services agreement' it signed with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, in May 2013. Algerian media outlets, however, have been harshly critical of the UAE over the past few months. They accuse them of trying to sow discord in the region. The?North African nation's state-owned radio reported that "Algeria initiated procedures to halt the air services contract with the United Arab Emirates signed in Abu Dhabi on the 13th of May 2013, and ratified through a...presidential order dated the 30th December 2014". According to Article 22 of this agreement, the Emiratis must be notified formally of the termination via diplomatic channels. "The Secretary-General of International Civil Aviation Organization will also be notified to take the necessary procedures in the organization." The UAE has not yet responded to the question. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Algerian president, said in October of last year that his country's relationship with all Gulf States was warm, except for one country. This was a thinly-veiled reference to UAE. He described the relations between Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar as "brotherly". He accused an unnamed nation of interfering in Algerian internal affairs and trying to destabilise the country. (Reporting and writing by Tarek Amara; Editing by Toby Chopra).
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Saudi Arabia announces major new Syria investments
Saudi Arabia announced a major package of investments in Syria on Saturday, covering energy, aviation and real estate, as the kingdom positioned itself as an important supporter of Syria's?new leadership. Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih announced on Saturday that Saudi Arabia has launched an investment fund for Syria, which will commit a total of?7.5 billion Saudi Riyals ($2 billion) over several phases to the development of two airports in Aleppo. Falih said that the Elaf Fund will finance large-scale Syrian projects with private sector investors from Saudi Arabia. Saudi flynas, a budget airline in Saudi Arabia, and the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority have signed an agreement for a new airline called "flynas Syria". Flynas and the Syrian side will each own 51% of the joint venture, while the other 49% will be owned by flynas. The company stated that operations are expected to start in the fourth quarter 2026. SAUDI ARABIA BACKS SYRIA'S NEW LEADERSHIP Saudi Arabia has been supporting President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power late in 2024 after the ouster Bashar al-Assad, at the head a coalition islamist opposition factions, since his arrival. The sanctions were a major obstacle to the economic recovery of Syria after a 14 year civil war which caused extensive damage in many parts of the country, and resulted in millions of people being displaced. Riyadh announced last year $6.4 billion in investments. These were split into 47 deals, with over 100 Saudi companies involved in real estate, infrastructure and telecoms. Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Development?Agreement with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, and the Saudi Water Transmission Company. This agreement outlines a roadmap to cooperation in the?water sector. Mohamed al-Bashir, the Energy Minister of Syria, said: "We are planning to build a seawater-desalination facility to deliver fresh water to the southern part of the country from the Syrian coastline." Over the last year, the interim government has been criticized for promising broad development based on memorandums of understanding with foreign investors. Many have not yet been converted into contracts.
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As China critic Jimmy Lai waits for Monday's sentencing
The city's judiciary announced on Friday that Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media tycoon who has been a democracy activist and a national security advocate, will be sentenced on Tuesday. This is part of an international trial which has attracted criticism from many countries including the U.S. Lai, 78 years old, founder of Apple Daily, now closed, which advocated democracy, was found guilty of two counts of conspiring to collude and work with foreign forces, under China's national security law. He also faced a charge for conspiracy to publish seditious materials. Lai has pleaded guilty to all charges, despite suffering from high blood pressure and heart palpitations after spending more than five years in solitary confinement. Hong Kong's judicial autonomy has been questioned internationally after the landmark case. This is despite a crackdown that lasted for years on freedoms and rights in this global financial hub following 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations, which Beijing viewed as a threat to its rule. Hong Kong,?a former British Colony, returned under Chinese rule in 1997, amid assurances that it would retain its own judicial and freedoms separate from mainland China. TRUMP HAS PLEDGED TO "SAVE" LAI In a statement, Aleksandra Biedakowska, Asia Manager with Reporters Without Borders (a group that advocates for press freedom), said: "The eyes of the world are on Hong Kong." She added, "The result will resonate beyond Jimmy Lai and send a decisive message about the future press freedom on the territory." Donald Trump, the U.S. president, raised Lai’s case in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last October. He has promised to "save", Lai who could face a life sentence. Some countries including the U.S., Britain and Canada have claimed that the trial was politically motivated and demanded Lai's release immediately. Beijing views Lai, however, as the mastermind?of 2019 protests, and a conspiracy advocate advocating U.S. Sanctions against Hong Kong and China. Lai was detained in 2020 but his trial did not begin until December 2023. It lasted 156 days. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have defended national security laws for restoring stability in Hong Kong, and claim Lai is receiving a fair trial. Lai was found to be guilty of conspiring with six former executives, among others, to produce seditious materials between April 2019 and June 2021. He also admitted to colluding with foreign forces including the U.S. to impose sanctions and other hostile actions against China. Chief Justice Andrew Cheung of Hong Kong, the top judge in the city, said recently that any calls for Lai's release prematurely would undermine rule of law. He said that "such?demands" not only circumvent legal procedures to ensure accountability, but also attack the very core of the rule-of-law itself. Keir starmer, British Prime Minister, said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a "respectful conversation" about Lai during a recent visit to Beijing. He declined to give details.
Tesla receives a permit in Arizona to operate as a transport network company
A state regulator announced on Tuesday that Tesla had received a permit for it to operate in Arizona as a transportation company. This is a major step in expanding its robotaxi service.
Tesla will be able to operate a ride-hailing business similar to Uber and charge its passengers with the TNC permit, but it won't be able drive driverless cars. Tesla received a state permit in September for testing its autonomous vehicles using a safety driver. The process was a self certification.
The company also applied for the right to conduct tests without a driver.
The robotaxi industry is on the rebound after years of broken promises, company closures and tight regulations.
Tesla launched its robotaxi service this year in Austin, Texas. The vehicle features a safety monitor on the front passenger's seat. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, said that the company would expand its robotaxi service to include about half of the U.S. by the end this year.
Tesla operates a chauffeur service in San Francisco Bay operated by humans and has a Nevada permit to test its automated vehicles on public roads.
The Arizona Department of Transportation announced that Tesla met all the requirements for the Arizona TNC permit and received it on November 17. (Reporting from Akash Sriram and Abhirup in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona, Bill Berkrot and Bill Berkrot).
(source: Reuters)