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Ukraine targets oil terminal near St. Petersburg as drone strikes deepen pressure on Russia
A Ukrainian drone strike hit an oil terminal in Russia's St. Petersburg on Saturday, Russian officials said, as Kyiv continued its long-range attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure.
Ukraine has been targeting Russian oil facilities almost daily in recent months, a campaign aimed at disrupting fuel supplies and increasing pressure on the Kremlin as the war enters its fifth year.
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said the attack struck the Kirovsky district on the Baltic Sea. He also said Russian air defenses intercepted 72 Ukrainian drones over the city and surrounding areas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the operation was part of Ukraine's "long-range sanctions" against Russia. In a post on Telegram, he said Ukrainian forces struck oil facilities at the port and also hit a military target on Kronstadt Island, located off the coast of St. Petersburg.
"The Ukrainian defense forces hit the port's oil infrastructure, which helps finance Russia's war, and also struck Kronstadt, an important military target," Zelenskyy said.
The Kirovsky district was also targeted in June, shortly before Russia hosted the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Ukraine also continued attacks on Crimea, the peninsula Russia annexed in 2014. Moscow-installed Governor Sergei Aksyonov said a Ukrainian strike on Saturday killed one person and injured two others, including a 10-year-old child. Repeated attacks have forced local authorities to suspend gasoline sales to civilians.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Ukraine's strikes on Russia's energy facilities as "not critical" and has insisted Moscow will continue the war until its objectives are achieved.
He has argued that the attacks are intended to shift attention away from Ukraine's battlefield losses. However, military analysts say Russia's advances have slowed in recent months.
On Friday, Putin visited Russia's military headquarters overseeing the war in Ukraine, where he received a report claiming Russian forces had captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of heavy fighting. He described the development as an important step toward advancing on the nearby cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, two of Ukraine's remaining strongholds in the Donetsk region.
Putin called the capture of Kostyantynivka, a major transport and industrial center, a development of "major strategic importance."
Ukraine denied the claim. General Staff spokesperson Maj. Andriy Kovalev told local media that Russian forces had not taken control of the city and accused Moscow of spreading "outright disinformation."
The ongoing drone campaign has increasingly brought the war into Russian territory. Local media reported that the border city of Belgorod was left almost entirely without electricity on Saturday following overnight Ukrainian drone attacks.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities said eight people, including two children, were injured after Russian strikes hit residential buildings in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Saturday.
15 hours ago
China promotes two new generals as anti-corruption campaign reshapes military leadership
China's military has promoted two senior officers to the rank of general, a move that could signal a broader leadership reshuffle after years of anti-corruption investigations removed several top commanders.
The latest promotions are widely seen as part of efforts to strengthen the military's loyalty to the ruling Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping.
Xi, who also heads the armed forces, awarded the promotions to Zhang Shuguang and Air Force Commander Wang Gang during a ceremony on Friday. Zhang was also appointed to lead the anti-corruption investigation department under the Central Military Commission (CMC), the military's highest decision-making body.
The appointments could position both officers to fill vacant seats on the seven-member CMC, which has been left with only two active members following the removal of several senior officials in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
Xi serves as chairman of the commission, while Vice Chair Zhang Shengmin is currently its only other active member.
The campaign has led to the removal or sidelining of two former vice chairmen, including the military's highest-ranking general.
A new Central Military Commission is expected to be announced in the autumn of next year when the current five-year term ends.
15 hours ago
US marks 250th Independence anniversary amid political divisions and extreme heat
Americans are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the country's independence on Saturday with fireworks, concerts and public events, as political tensions and a severe heat wave shape this year's historic celebrations.
The anniversary marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the world's most influential documents on democracy.
President Donald Trump is expected to play a central role in the celebrations, delivering a speech on the National Mall in Washington before a major fireworks display over the U.S. capital.
On Friday, Trump spoke at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, where he warned about what he described as the growing threat of communism in the United States.
Across the country, cities are hosting a wide range of events to mark the milestone. Fireworks displays are planned over Navy Pier in Chicago and New York City's skyline. New York also welcomed the anniversary with a midnight ball drop similar to its New Year's Eve celebration.
Bristol, Rhode Island, which says it has hosted the nation's oldest Independence Day celebration since 1785, is also holding special events.
In Los Angeles, a concert hosted by Queen Latifah will feature performances by The Smashing Pumpkins and Chris Stapleton, with Chaka Khan appearing as a special guest.
Many celebrations, however, have been disrupted by extreme heat affecting large parts of the eastern United States.
In Washington, the Great American State Fair was temporarily closed on Friday during the hottest part of the day, while the city's Independence Day parade scheduled for Saturday was canceled because of the weather.
Conditions were much cooler in the Pacific Northwest, where temperatures stayed in the 60s Fahrenheit with occasional light rain.
In Issaquah, near Seattle, resident Megan Kurowski said people in her community were excited to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary and that she planned to watch the fireworks from a paddleboard.
The holiday weekend also features several major sporting and entertainment events. More than a dozen Major League Baseball games are scheduled, while the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with Round of 16 matches in Houston and Philadelphia.
The celebrations come at a time of deep political polarization in the United States, with debates over politics, race, immigration and social issues continuing to divide the country.
Speaking at Mount Rushmore, Trump described communism as the greatest threat to American freedom.
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, without mentioning Trump by name, urged Americans to uphold the country's democratic values and resist authoritarianism.
In Topeka, Kansas, auto technician Joe Fuqua-Bejarano said the country's greatest strength was its resilience rather than its politics. While selling fireworks, he expressed hope that Americans could find greater unity despite their differences.
Jerry Chin of Newcastle, Washington, said he planned to spend the holiday quietly at home with his wife and dogs instead of watching fireworks. While calling America "a great place," he acknowledged that the country still faces significant challenges.
18 hours ago
Putin brushes aside Russia’s fuel shortages as attacks on Ukraine continue
Despite growing fuel shortages across Russia, President Vladimir Putin has downplayed the impact of Ukraine’s escalating strikes on Russian oil refineries. Calling the situation “not critical,” he has rejected ceasefire proposals and maintained that Russia’s military campaign will continue until its objectives are achieved.
Putin has argued that Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure are intended to divert attention from setbacks on the battlefield. However, military analysts say Russia’s offensive has slowed considerably in recent months, suggesting the fighting has reached a more difficult phase. Even so, Putin appears confident that the fuel shortages will not significantly weaken public support for his leadership or the war.
Meanwhile, Russia launched one of its deadliest attacks on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began, carrying out an 11-hour overnight assault into Thursday that killed at least 30 people.
Fuel Crisis DeepensSince March, Ukraine has reportedly carried out more than 50 strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy facilities, including sites in Russian-occupied Crimea. Ukrainian officials say the campaign is designed to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war.
The attacks have also brought the conflict closer to ordinary Russians, challenging the Kremlin’s long-standing narrative that the war has little impact on everyday life inside the country.
According to consultancy Macro-Advisory, roughly one-third of Russia’s oil refining capacity has been disrupted, with many facilities suffering damage that will take months and significant investment to repair.
One of Moscow’s main refineries has been struck twice despite strong air defenses. A second attack on June 18 caused a major fire that damaged critical equipment, with repairs expected to last until the end of the year.
Government figures show gasoline production has fallen by about 17% to around 850,000 barrels per day. Fuel rationing has been introduced in several regions, while motorists have faced long queues at filling stations.
To ease the shortage, authorities have temporarily allowed the production of lower-grade gasoline containing higher sulfur levels through the end of the year.
The most severe shortages have been reported in Crimea, where fuel sales to private consumers have occasionally been suspended altogether.
Putin Seeks to Reassure the PublicDuring a government meeting last weekend, Putin acknowledged that Russia was experiencing a “difficult period” but described the shortages as temporary. He promised faster repairs to damaged energy facilities and said Russia could import gasoline if necessary. He also pledged to increase production of air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure from future attacks.
Putin accused Ukraine of trying to divide Russian society, undermine Moscow’s military campaign, and pressure the Kremlin into negotiations on terms favorable to Kyiv.
“We will not give them that chance,” he said.
Although Putin insisted the strikes on oil facilities have had no impact on the battlefield, Western analysts believe Ukrainian attacks on Russian supply lines and logistics have slowed Russia’s advance and contributed to a prolonged military stalemate.
On Friday, Putin visited Russia’s military headquarters overseeing operations in Ukraine, where commanders reported the capture of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense fighting. Putin described the city’s capture as strategically important because it could pave the way toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, two major Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian authorities did not immediately confirm Russia’s claim. Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had repelled 24 Russian assaults around Kostyantynivka and nearby settlements.
Putin also warned that continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory could force Moscow to expand the security buffer zone inside Ukraine. He further cautioned Ukraine’s Western allies that Russia would closely assess their involvement in the conflict before making future decisions.
Ceasefire Proposals RejectedPutin has dismissed repeated calls for a ceasefire from Ukraine and its Western partners, arguing that any pause in fighting would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup and strengthen their defenses.
He responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s offer for direct talks by suggesting the Ukrainian leader come to Moscow, a proposal Kyiv has rejected.
The Russian president has made any ceasefire dependent on Ukraine withdrawing from the parts of the Donetsk region it still controls. He has also insisted that any final peace agreement must require Ukraine to abandon its NATO ambitions, reduce its military capabilities, and guarantee protections for Russian language and culture.
In a recent interview, Putin claimed Ukraine had proposed limiting combat to the four regions Russia claims to have annexed—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. He said he rejected the idea because it would allow Ukrainian forces to shift troops from other fronts and reinforce their defenses in the southeast.
“Faced with a catastrophic shortage of personnel, the armed forces of Ukraine apparently believe this could be their salvation,” Putin said. “Saving the Kyiv regime is not part of our plans.”
The Kremlin said the proposal had been conveyed through confidential channels, though Ukrainian officials have not publicly acknowledged making such an offer.
Putin also rejected Ukraine’s suggestion that both sides stop carrying out long-range strikes inside each other’s territory, arguing that Russia’s attacks have far greater military impact.
While Moscow says it targets military infrastructure, Thursday’s large-scale attack on Kyiv again struck residential neighborhoods. In contrast, most Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia have focused on oil refineries, weapons factories, and other military-related facilities.
According to the United Nations, the war has claimed the lives of more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians.
22 hours ago
Iran begins dayslong funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran on Saturday began a dayslong state funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the start of the recent war. He was 86.
Thousands of mourners gathered at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, where Khamenei's casket was displayed in a glass case. Many people were seen crying, chanting slogans calling for revenge, and beating their chests in a traditional Shiite mourning ritual.
Large banners and billboards featuring Khamenei's image were displayed across the capital as crowds paid their final respects.
"I came to say goodbye to my beloved leader," said 27-year-old mourner Hananeh Mousavi, who attended the ceremony with her mother. She said she never imagined witnessing such a day.
Khamenei's casket was placed above those of several family members who were also killed in the strike. His black turban, symbolizing his claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad, rested on top of the coffin.
The funeral stage at the Grand Mosalla was designed to resemble the venue where Khamenei often delivered speeches at his Tehran compound, which was destroyed in the Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28.
Iranian authorities expect millions of people to join the funeral processions, drawing comparisons with the funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Organizers distributed cold drinks and sprayed water on mourners to help them cope with the summer heat.
Ali Kazemi, who traveled from the northwestern city of Tabriz, said he attended the funeral to demonstrate support for his country and religion.
A large turnout is expected to strengthen the government's position as it seeks to negotiate a permanent end to the conflict with the United States while tensions with Israel remain high.
The funeral began on July 4, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Although Iranian authorities did not comment on the timing, crowds at the ceremony chanted anti-American slogans.
At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, said Iran wanted to reach a settlement after the conflict and remarked that the United States had given the country "a week off for a funeral."
Some mourners at the ceremony also displayed banners directed at Trump.
Khamenei's body will later be taken to several cities in Iran as well as neighboring Iraq as part of the funeral ceremonies. Authorities have closed roads, restricted airspace and disrupted normal activities in Tehran during the mourning period.
It remains unclear whether Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, will make a public appearance during the funeral. His wife was among the family members killed in the attack.
On Thursday, Iran's joint military command warned Israel and the United States against any actions that could further escalate tensions during the funeral period, following reported Israeli threats against Mojtaba Khamenei.
23 hours ago
Trump-Erdogan ties strengthen Turkey's hand ahead of NATO summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is entering next week's NATO summit with a diplomatic advantage, leveraging his close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump to secure the American leader's attendance and potentially advance long-stalled defense cooperation between the two countries.
Trump, who has often criticized several European leaders, said he agreed to attend the summit in Ankara largely out of respect for Erdogan, describing the Turkish president as "a hell of a leader" and a good friend.
"I would not have gone for most people," Trump said recently, adding that Erdogan personally urged him to attend, emphasizing the importance of U.S. participation.
Trump's presence is seen as a significant boost for NATO at a time when the U.S. president has repeatedly questioned America's military commitments in Europe and called on alliance members to spend more on defense. He has also recently criticized some NATO allies for not backing his military campaign against Iran.
Beyond diplomacy, Trump has hinted at possible announcements during his Turkey visit involving defense cooperation, including the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets and F-110 jet engines sought by Ankara.
Turkey was removed from the F-35 fighter jet programme in 2019 after purchasing Russia's S-400 missile defense system, prompting U.S. concerns that the Russian equipment could compromise the aircraft's sensitive technology.
During a recent Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump suggested he may take steps that would "make (Erdogan) very happy." Vice President JD Vance also confirmed that Washington is exploring options to resume F-35 sales, provided Turkey complies with U.S. legal requirements.
The U.S. State Department has meanwhile notified key lawmakers of plans to move forward with a proposed sale of more than $700 million worth of F-110 jet engines, which would power Turkey's domestically developed KAAN fighter aircraft. The proposal, however, faces opposition from several members of Congress who remain concerned over Turkey's continued possession of the Russian S-400 system.
Analysts say Trump's personal rapport with Erdogan has become a defining feature of U.S.-Turkey relations.
Philip Gordon, a former national security adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said Trump's favorable view of strongman leaders has translated into an unusually warm relationship with Erdogan.
"Erdogan is taking full advantage of it," Gordon said.
Unlike former President Joe Biden, who kept Erdogan at a distance over concerns about democratic backsliding and Ankara's ties with Moscow, Trump has maintained regular contact with the Turkish leader.
Observers say Erdogan also signaled confidence in Trump's political future by declining an invitation to visit Washington during Biden's presidency after Turkey approved Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.
Relations between Washington and Ankara have improved in other areas as well. Earlier this year, the U.S. Justice Department dropped a major sanctions-related case against Turkey's state-owned Halkbank, while longtime Trump ally Tom Barrack was appointed U.S. ambassador to Turkey.
Erdogan and Trump have also held frequent phone conversations on regional issues, including Syria, Gaza and broader Middle East security. Turkey has joined Trump's Board of Peace initiative aimed at overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.
Following a meeting with Trump at last year's NATO summit, Erdogan said the two leaders communicate regularly, noting that their telephone exchanges are usually returned within 24 hours.
"With my friend Trump, we are opening the door to a new era in Turkish-American relations," Erdogan said.
1 day ago
Putin plays down Russia's fuel shortages as attacks on Ukraine continue
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed growing fuel shortages caused by repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russia's oil facilities, saying the problem is "not critical" as he vowed to continue the war until Moscow achieves its objectives.
Despite increasing disruptions to Russia's fuel supply, Putin has rejected ceasefire proposals and insisted that military operations will continue. He has described Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure as an attempt to divert attention from Kyiv's battlefield setbacks, although military analysts say Russia's advance has slowed in recent months.
His remarks came as Russia launched one of its deadliest attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent months. An 11-hour overnight barrage on Kyiv into Thursday morning killed at least 30 people.
Since March, Ukraine has reportedly carried out more than 50 attacks on oil refineries and energy facilities in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. Ukrainian officials say the campaign is aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow to end the war.
The attacks have also brought the impact of the conflict closer to ordinary Russians, challenging the Kremlin's long-standing message that daily life inside Russia remains largely unaffected by the war.
According to Chris Weafer, CEO of consultancy Macro-Advisory, about one-third of Russia's oil refining capacity has been disrupted. He said many of the damaged facilities will require costly and lengthy repairs.
One of Moscow's largest oil refineries has been hit twice despite heavy air defense around the capital. The latest strike on June 18 caused a major fire and reportedly damaged key equipment that may not be fully repaired until the end of the year.
Russian government data show gasoline production has fallen by about 17% to around 850,000 barrels per day. Fuel rationing has been introduced in several regions, with motorists waiting in long queues at filling stations.
The worst shortages have been reported in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. At times, authorities have suspended gasoline sales to private consumers altogether.
At a government meeting last weekend, Putin acknowledged Russia was going through a "difficult period" but said the shortages were temporary. He pledged to speed up repairs to damaged energy facilities, said Russia could import gasoline if necessary, and promised to increase production of air defense systems to counter future Ukrainian strikes.
Putin accused Ukraine of trying to create divisions within Russian society and force Moscow into peace talks on terms favorable to Kyiv.
"We will not give them that chance," he said.
Although Putin insisted the attacks on Russian oil facilities have had no impact on the front line, Western military analysts say Ukrainian strikes on Russian military supply routes have complicated logistics and slowed Moscow's offensive, leaving much of the battlefield at a stalemate.
Putin maintained that Russian forces are still making gains along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line.
The Russian leader has also rejected repeated calls by Ukraine and its Western allies for a ceasefire, arguing it would only allow Ukrainian forces time to regroup.
He has made any truce conditional on Ukraine withdrawing from the remaining parts of the Donetsk region under its control, a demand Kyiv has rejected. Putin also insists that any peace agreement must prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, reduce its military capabilities and guarantee protection for the Russian language and culture.
Putin also claimed Ukraine had privately proposed limiting the fighting to the four regions that Russia annexed but does not fully control: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. He said he rejected the proposal because it would allow Ukrainian forces to reinforce those areas.
The Kremlin said the proposal was delivered through confidential channels, but Ukrainian officials have not publicly confirmed such an offer.
Putin also dismissed Ukraine's proposal for both sides to stop launching long-range strikes inside each other's territory, arguing that Russia's attacks are far more powerful and destructive.
Russia's latest assault on Kyiv again struck residential areas, despite Moscow saying it was targeting military facilities. In contrast, most Ukrainian strikes inside Russia have focused on oil refineries, weapons factories and other military-related infrastructure.
According to the United Nations, more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago.
1 day ago
40 killed as overcrowded bus plunges into ravine in Pakistan
At least 40 people were killed and eight others injured after an overcrowded passenger bus plunged into a rocky ravine in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province early Friday, officials said.
The accident occurred in the Dana Sar area, near the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, when the speeding bus went out of control and fell into a deep ravine, according to Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government.
Rind said the bus was carrying more passengers than its capacity after taking aboard people from another bus that had broken down along the route.
Rescue teams reached the scene and began efforts to identify those killed in the crash.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He also directed the relevant authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also expressed grief over the loss of lives and instructed officials to provide the best available treatment to those injured.
Road accidents are frequent in Pakistan due to poor road conditions, weak enforcement of traffic regulations and unsafe driving, especially on mountainous roads.
In May, 17 people were killed and five others injured when a minibus crashed into a bus parked along a motorway in northwestern Pakistan.
1 day ago
What to know about the funeral and burial of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran is preparing for a dayslong funeral and burial ceremony for its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, months after he was killed during the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The ceremonies, beginning Saturday in Tehran, are expected to draw large crowds as authorities seek to demonstrate public support for the country's leadership. Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly 40 years, was killed on Feb. 28 after the United States and Israel jointly launched military strikes. His funeral was postponed because of the ongoing conflict.
The event is seen as a major test for Iran's leadership following months of unrest and a nationwide crackdown on anti-government protests.
Officials are expected to encourage government workers, supporters and paramilitary groups to participate in the funeral processions. However, large crowds also raise concerns about possible stampedes, similar to deadly incidents during previous state funerals in Iran.
The ceremonies will also take place during a fragile ceasefire and an interim agreement between Iran and the United States, which has reduced tensions enough for senior Iranian officials to appear publicly.
It remains unclear whether Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader's son, will attend the ceremonies. He is believed to have been injured in the attack that killed his father and has not appeared in public since.
Khamenei's body will lie in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, it will be carried through the streets of Tehran before being taken to the holy city of Qom, about 120 kilometers south of the capital, where ceremonies will continue on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the body will be taken to Karbala in neighboring Iraq, home to the shrine of Imam Hussein, an important religious site for Shiite Muslims. The same day also marks the anniversary of the nationwide protests against Khamenei's rule, during which thousands of people were reportedly killed in a security crackdown.
The final stop will be Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, where Khamenei will be buried at the Imam Reza shrine.
The shrine, dedicated to Imam Reza, the eighth imam in Shiite Islam, is one of the religion's holiest sites and attracts millions of pilgrims every year. Several prominent Shiite clerics, including former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in 2024, are also buried there.
Authorities are taking precautions to avoid a repeat of deadly crowd crushes seen at previous high-profile funerals.
During the funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, in 1989, millions gathered in Tehran. The crowd overwhelmed security, causing Khomeini's coffin to fall into the crowd. Reports at the time said at least eight people were killed and around 11,000 were injured.
A similar tragedy occurred during the funeral of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani in 2020, when a stampede killed at least 56 people and injured more than 2,000.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach a permanent agreement to end the Iran war continue. An interim deal reached in June opened a 60-day period for negotiations covering Iran's nuclear programme and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
Technical-level talks began in Qatar this week, but progress has been slowed by major differences between the two sides and renewed exchanges of fire involving Iran and the United States over the strategic waterway.
1 day ago
Man dies after setting himself on fire outside UN headquarters in New York
A 52-year-old man died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday while carrying a Tibetan flag, authorities said.
According to the New York Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call around 6:30 p.m. and found the man with severe burns. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police said the incident is under investigation. Officials did not say what may have led to the act.
The man's identity has not been released because his family has not yet been informed.
A UN spokesperson said the incident occurred after all scheduled meetings had ended for the day and did not disrupt any UN activities.
The incident comes against the backdrop of the long-running dispute over Tibet. China says Tibet has been part of its territory for more than 700 years, and the ruling Communist Party has governed the Himalayan region since 1951. Many Tibetans, however, say Tibet was effectively independent for much of its history and have protested what they describe as Beijing's strict rule.
According to the International Campaign for Tibet, more than 150 Tibetans died after setting themselves on fire between 2009 and 2022 in acts of protest.
China does not recognize Tibet's government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration, and has not held talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama since 2010.
1 day ago