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European Parliament declares Russia a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’

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European Parliament declares Russia a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’

The European Parliament has declared Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism” over the “brutal and inhumane” acts inflicted upon Ukraine and its residents because the launch of the invasion.

“The deliberate assaults and atrocities carried out by the Russian Federation towards the civilian inhabitants of Ukraine, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and different critical violations of human rights and worldwide humanitarian legislation quantity to acts of terror towards the Ukrainian inhabitants and represent battle crimes,” MEPs stated in a non-binding however extremely symbolic decision.

“Within the mild of the above, (the European Parliament) recognises Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state which makes use of technique of terrorism.”

The strongly-worded decision was overwhelmingly accepted on Wednesday afternoon with 494 votes in favour, 58 towards and 44 abstentions, in the course of the month-to-month plenary session in Strasbourg.

The textual content merged three completely different resolutions filed by the European Individuals’s Get together (EPP), Renew Europe and the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR). 

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Within the remaining model, MEPs denounce Russia’s “unlawful, unprovoked and unjustified battle of aggression” towards Ukraine and accuse the Russian military and its proxies of committing an extended record of crimes, such because the homicide of “hundreds” of civilians and “a whole bunch” of kids, assaults on important infrastructure, abstract executions, abductions, rape, harassment, torture, mass detentions and compelled deportations.

“These brutal and inhumane acts are inflicting demise, struggling, destruction and displacement,” MEPs stated, noting the just about 40,000 battle crimes which have thus far been documented in Ukraine.

The lawmakers additionally condemned Russia for scary a “large-scale” humanitarian disaster in Mariupol and “weaponising” meals and starvation, with international implications.

These “atrocities,” MEPs stated, are designed to terrorise the Ukrainian inhabitants, stifle their resistance and drive them to just accept the “occupying energy” and its try to illegally annex sovereign territory.

“Russia poses a threat to the protection and safety of the entire European continent and the rules-based worldwide order,” the decision reads. 

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Because of all this, the European Parliament calls on EU member states to develop a brand-new authorized framework that may allow the designation of a complete nation as a sponsor of terrorism, one thing that’s at the moment not attainable.

“In the interim, the European Union has no such regulation like, for instance, the People, who’ve a particular legislation on the designation of the states that are sponsoring terrorism,” Andrius Kubilius, one of many MEPs who authored the decision, informed Euronews.

However Balázs Hidvéghi, a Hungarian MEP from PM Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz celebration, stated the bloc ought to concentrate on obtain peace and a ceasefire “as quickly as attainable.”

The EU’s terrorist record, which was arrange within the aftermath of 9/11 and is reviewed each six months, solely permits the bloc to blacklist particular people and organisations.

Up to now, solely 13 individuals and 21 entities have been added, reminiscent of Hamas, the Kurdistan Employees’ Get together’ (PKK), Colombia’s Nationwide Liberation Military (ELN) and the navy wing of Hezbollah.

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As a international coverage software, any change to the record would require the unanimity of all 27 EU nations.

“Russia’s motion in Ukraine converse for themselves,” stated a spokesperson from the European Fee, citing an extended record of crimes. “These are usually not actions of a civilised state, however belong to the arsenal of terror. So basically Russia is designating itself within the eyes of the worldwide group already.”

This isn’t the primary time a parliament in Europe labels Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. Nationwide chambers in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Czech Republic had beforehand voted to use comparable designations.

“We notice that some nations designated Russia as a terrorist state,” the Fee spokesperson added. “Nonetheless the EU doesn’t have a authorized framework in place to designate a 3rd nation as ‘state sponsor of terrorism’.”

Moreover the brand new authorized framework, the European Parliament calls for a “complete” worldwide isolation of Russia, an extra discount of diplomatic relations and a brand new spherical of EU sanctions.

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“Contacts with its official representatives in any respect ranges (ought to) be stored to absolutely the minimal mandatory,” lawmakers stated.

The decision comes days after Russia launched a new barrage of assaults towards Ukraine’s key infrastructure, elevating fears of a large exodus of individuals forward of the winter season.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the textual content and stated Russia should be “held accountable with the intention to finish its long-standing coverage of terrorism in Ukraine and throughout the globe.”

This text has been up to date to incorporate new particulars and reactions.

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Beyoncé NFL Halftime Show Will Be Available to Rewatch on Netflix as a Stand-Alone Special

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Beyoncé NFL Halftime Show Will Be Available to Rewatch on Netflix as a Stand-Alone Special

UPDATE, 12/25, 4:30 p.m. PT: Netflix said it will provide on-demand access to the full halftime performance of “Beyoncé Bowl” as a stand-alone special “later this week.” The 20-minute spectacle — her first live TV performance in four years — featured Post Malone, Shaboozey and her daughter Blue Ivy Carter to debut tracks from “Cowboy Carter” for the first time in a live setting.

EARLIER:

Beyoncé will light up the Houston night on Christmas with a halftime performance during the Ravens-Texans game on Netflix. To watch it, you’ll have to tune in live on Dec. 25 — otherwise, you’ll have only a few hours to catch the replay on Netflix.

Queen Bey’s Xmas performance will feature her first live performances of songs from “Cowboy Carter.” She’ll take the stage in her hometown during halftime of the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans matchup at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Netflix, as part of its accelerating push into live sports, snagged global rights to the NFL’s two Christmas Day 2024 games: the Kansas City Chiefs at the Pittsburgh Steelers (starting at 1 p.m. ET), followed by the Ravens-Texans game (4:30 p.m. ET).

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Under Netflix’s agreement with the NFL, in the U.S., the two Christmas games expire three hours after the livestream ends (meaning Beyoncé’s performance and the Ravens-Texans game will no longer be available to rewatch on Netflix as of around 11 p.m. ET). Outside the U.S., the games expire on Netflix 24 hours after the livestream ends. The NFL livestreams will include ad breaks, even for Netflix subscribers on no-ads plans.

Few details are available for Beyoncé’s Christmas halftime show, but according to Netflix she is expected to bring along some “special guests” who are featured on “Cowboy Carter.” She’s a veteran of two Super Bowls: Beyoncé was the halftime performer for the 2013 game in New Orleans, which featured a Destiny’s Child reunion; and in 2016, she sang “Formation” when Coldplay was the headliner act.

On Christmas Day, Netflix’s pregame coverage will kick off at 11 a.m. ET, from NFL Network’s studios in L.A. and Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The streamer has tapped Mariah Carey to deliver a recorded performance of her record-breaking holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” before both of the day’s two games.

If you missed the window for Netflix’s NFL livestreams, you still have the chance to catch the reruns. As it stands right now, NFL Network is scheduled to re-air Ravens-Texans on Wednesday, Dec. 25, at 11:30 p.m. ET and Thursday, Dec. 26, at 5 a.m. ET. The channel will re-air Chiefs-Steelers on Dec. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET and Dec. 26 at 2 a.m. ET. There is the possibility for additional re-airs but portions of the NFL Network’s programming schedule are still being determined. In addition, replays of both games will be available with NFL+ Premium ($14.99/month) in the U.S. and via DAZN internationally.

Note also that the two Netflix Christmas Day games will air on broadcast TV in the competing teams’ local markets and will be available live on U.S. mobile devices with an NFL+ subscription.

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Zelenskyy lambastes Putin over Christmas strikes: 'What could be more inhumane?'

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Zelenskyy lambastes Putin over Christmas strikes: 'What could be more inhumane?'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy excoriated Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday for launching attacks against energy infrastructure on Christmas Day.

Zelenskyy suggested the attacks were “inhumane,” but said they would not ruin Christmas.

“Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine,” he declared in a post on X.

The Russian Defence Ministry acknowledged a “massive strike” on its part, saying it hit energy facilities that supported Ukraine’s “military-industrial complex,” Reuters reported.

“The aim of the strike was achieved. All facilities have been hit,” the ministry said.

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RUSSIA BATTERS UKRAINE POWER GRID AMID RISING CONCERN PUTIN COULD ORDER BALLISTIC MISSILE ATTACK THIS WEEKEND

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talks with the media during the European Council Meeting in Brussels on Thursday. (Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

Strikes against Ukrainian fuel and energy sources involved 78 air, ground and sea-launched missiles, in addition to 106 Shaheds and other kinds of drones, Ukraine’s air force claimed, according to The Associated Press.

“Unfortunately, there have been hits. As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible,” Zelenskyy noted. 

Still, the Ukrainian leader declared that “Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas.”

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US CITIZEN IMPRISONED IN RUSSIA GIVEN NEW 15-YEAR SENTENCE IN WAKE OF ESPIONAGE CONVICTION

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow on Thursday. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. has provided billions of dollars’ worth of aid to help Ukraine fight the Russian onslaught that erupted in 2022, but Americans and their congressional representatives have been divided regarding whether the U.S. should continue supplying aid to Ukraine.

President-elect Trump, who will take office on Jan. 20, has called for a cease-fire and negotiations.

TRUMP MEETS WITH MACRON, ZELENSKYY AHEAD OF NOTRE DAME REOPENING CEREMONY IN PARIS

President-elect Trump

President-elect Trump looks on during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix on Sunday.  (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

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In a post on Truth Social this month, Trump declared that “Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.”

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Five journalists killed in Israeli strike near Gaza hospital

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Five journalists killed in Israeli strike near Gaza hospital

Journalists from Al-Quds Today were covering events at al-Awda Hospital when their vehicle was struck.

Five journalists have been killed in an Israeli strike in the vicinity of a hospital in central Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities and media reports.

The journalists from the Al-Quds Today channel were covering events near al-Awda Hospital, located in the Nuseirat refugee camp, when their broadcasting van was hit by an Israeli air strike, Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif reported early on Thursday morning.

Footage from the scene circulating on social media shows a vehicle engulfed in flames.

A screenshot taken from a video of the white-coloured van shows the word “press” in large red lettering across the back of the vehicle.

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The deceased journalists have been named as Fadi Hassouna, Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali, Mohammed al-Ladah, Faisal Abu al-Qumsan and Ayman al-Jadi.

Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif said that Ayman al-Jadi had been waiting for his wife in front of the hospital while she was in labour to give birth to their first child.

Civil defence teams retrieved the bodies of the victims and extinguished a fire at the scene, the Quds News Network said.

There was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities.

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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) earlier this month condemned Israel’s killing of four Palestinian journalists in the space of a week, calling on the international community to hold the country accountable for its attacks against the media.

At least 141 journalists have been killed in Israel’s war in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the CPJ.

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