Tensions flared on Monday between Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and European Parliament boss Roberta Metsola at a high-level political summit held in Armenia.

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Addressing the European Political Community, which brings leaders from the EU, neighbouring countries with shared interests and candidate countries together, Aliyev accused the European Parliament of “spreading slander and lies” about Azerbaijan.

Metsola, who chairs the EU parliament, rejected the claims in a sharp rebuttal, as she asked to take the floor in an impromptu intervention. “We will never change the way we work,” she told the chamber, “even if it is uncomfortable”.

Prior to her intervention, Aliyev also claimed members of the European parliament act as though they want to “sabotage” the peace process with Armenia brokered by the US last year, setting a diplomatic and economic framework after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The accord put an end to nearly four-decades of armed tensions.

Aliyev added that the Parliament has adopted 14 resolutions critical of Azerbaijan, describing the record as “a kind of obsession” with the country.

He also announced that Azerbaijan’s parliament will suspend cooperation with the European Parliament across all areas.

While he criticised the parliament, he welcomed the efforts of the European Commission in fostering relations as Brussels looks to expand its bilateral relationship with Baku, an exporter of oil and gas, and engage with the wider South Caucasus region.

Metsola responded shortly afterwards, defending the parliament’s role.

“The European Parliament is a directly elected democratic body, with resolutions adopted by a majority,” she said. “We understand that outcomes may be uncomfortable for some, but we will never change the way we work.”

According to European Parliament sources speaking to Euronews, Aliyev’s remarks were not scheduled, prompting Metsola to ask for the floor to clear the parliament’s record.

The European Political Community is being held in Yerevan, Armenia, and brings together leaders from nearly 50 European countries and is seen as an opportunity to advance diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The next EPC summit is scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan in May 2028.

Aliyev will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Baku later on Monday and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday.

Azerbaijan suspends ties with European Parliament

The European Parliament’s most recent resolution on Azerbaijan was adopted last week in Strasbourg, focusing largely on democratic resilience in Armenia, while raising concerns for Baku.

The resolution called for the right of return of Armenians who fled the region in 2023 after an armed conflict broke out over a disputed region. It described the detention of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijan as “unjust” and urged their “immediate and unconditional release.”

According to the resolution, Armenians should be granted “the protection of their identity, property, and cultural heritage”.

Previous resolutions have echoed similar concerns, including criticism of Azerbaijani military actions in the region.

Azerbaijan’s parliament approved a resolution on Friday by a special parliamentary commission that was established to address what it called “hostile activities” towards the country, following multiple critical resolutions from the European Parliament.

Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, called the European Parliament resolution as “a diplomatic disgrace and diplomatic failure”, and accused members of the parliament of “creating obstacles to a peace process.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — At least 10 people have been taken to hospitals following a shooting at a party at a lake near Oklahoma City, police say.

Edmond police spokesperson Emily Ward said authorities received multiple reports of shots being fired at about 9 p.m. at a gathering of young people near Arcadia Lake. She said late Sunday that no arrests had been made yet and that there was no reason to believe there was a threat to the public.

“We’re kind of all over the metro speaking with victims and witnesses,” Ward said.

She said that in addition to the 10 people taken to hospitals, more drove themselves. She said victims were in “various conditions.”

Arcadia Lake, located around 13 miles (21 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City, is a manmade reservoir used for flood control that is also a popular recreational spot that offers fishing, boating, picnicking and camping. It’s located in Edmond, an Oklahoma City suburb of about 100,000.

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three people dead and several others ill, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement posted to X.

The U.N. health agency said one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

The WHO said it is coordinating with governments and the ship’s operator to arrange the medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, while continuing to assess the public health risk to those still on board.

“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations,” the WHO said. “Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing.”

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The outbreak is linked to the m/v Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa.

Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the vessel, confirmed that three passengers died during the voyage and that one passenger is being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg.

Two crew members on board also require urgent medical care, the company said.

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As of late Sunday, authorities in Cape Verde had not authorized the disembarkation of passengers requiring medical treatment or broader medical screening, according to the company.

Local health officials have boarded the vessel to assess the situation but have not yet approved the transfer of symptomatic individuals to facilities on land.

“The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and expedited medical care,” the company said.

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Dutch authorities are working to coordinate the repatriation of those affected from Cape Verde to the Netherlands, though the effort depends on approval from local officials, Oceanwide Expeditions said. 

Hantavirus infections are typically linked to exposure to infected rodents’ urine or feces and can lead to severe respiratory illness.

“While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response,” WHO said.

There is no specific cure for the virus, though early treatment can improve survival.

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WHO said it has notified global health authorities under international regulations and is continuing to support the response.

“We are currently establishing the full facts and working on appropriate medical care, screening, and next steps,” Oceanwide Expeditions said.