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What is Ireland’s Occupied Territories Bill and could it be revived?

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What is Ireland’s Occupied Territories Bill and could it be revived?

Dublin says a renewed tensions in the Middle East provide legal grounds to re-examine the bill, which has stalled for six years over concerns it breaches EU law.

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Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris has said his government will receive “formal advice” next week from attorney general Rossa Fanning that could revive a bill outlawing trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The Occupied Territories Bill was first tabled in 2018 by senator Frances Black, before the war in Gaza and Lebanon broke out. 

It aims to make it an offence in Ireland to import, attempt to import or assist another person in importing goods made in Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law by the UN and most states.

Despite receiving broad cross-party support, the bill’s progression has stalled over concerns it breached EU trade law — with Ireland fearing being penalised by Brussels.

But according to Dublin, a July advisory opinion by the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) provides legal grounds to revive the bill.

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The Court’s opinion, which has no binding force, states that states are obliged “not to render aid or assistance” that could maintain Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.

“The ICJ advisory opinion is a game changer in terms of the context, because it now places an obligation on countries to do all they can to help end the unlawful illegal occupation,” the Taoiseach told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday.

“I’d like to do that at an EU level, but regardless of the EU position, I’m not going to ignore the obligation that I believe now exists on Ireland to act,” he added.

Could the bill be revived and passed?

Both the lower house of the legislature, the Dáil, and the senate, the Seanad, have approved the bill, but not the government.

The current government coalition is formed of Fianna Fáil (Renew Europe) and the Greens, both of whom supported the bill back in 2018, and Fine Gael (EPP), which previously voted down the bill.

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But Harris, the Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, has strongly hinted he is hoping to inject fresh impetus into the bill.

“We want to see if it is now possible to move ahead in terms of trade restrictions, in terms of the occupied Palestinian territories,” he said on Wednesday.

Harris has also expressed a clear will to unilaterally suspend trade with Israel without Brussels’ support.

“Ireland (…)  will not wait for everybody in Europe to move on the issue,” he said.

Could other EU countries follow suit?

The EU-Israel trade deal, also known as the Association Agreement, does not apply to products originating from the occupied territories. 

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It means Israeli goods made in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are exempt from preferential tariffs. Goods originating from settlements must also be clearly labelled in customs declarations.

Euronews asked the European Commission to provide further details on the value of products originating from settlements reaching the EU market. It said in a statement: “Trade with settlements is not included in EU trade figures with Israel.”

“The EU does not recognise Israel’s illegal settlements as part of Israel’s territory. Therefore, EU importers should not declare Israel as country of origin if goods are imported from the settlements,” the statements adds.

Ireland and Spain have spearheaded calls for Brussels to use its economic leverage to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel, by reviewing the Association Agreement and further restricting trade with Israel.

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The Association Agreement includes a clause that makes EU-Israel relations “based on the respect for human rights and democratic principles,” meaning it could be suspended if EU countries agreed unanimously that Israel’s operations in Gaza and Lebanon violated fundamental rights.

The European Union is Israel’s main trading partner, accounting for 28.8% of its trade in goods in 2022.

EU leaders agreed to hold a special council to discuss that deal in May. While Israel has agreed in principle to attend that council, it has dismissed top diplomat Josep Borrell’s suggestion the meeting should be convened specifically to address Israel’s compliance with human rights in Gaza.

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“I am afraid the Association Council will not take place before the next foreign affairs council,” Borrell said this week, in a sign the talks between both sides on the arrangements of the council are still in deadlock. The next foreign affairs council is scheduled to take place in mid-November.

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Belgium’s caretaker prime minister Alexander de Croo has called for an EU ban on Israeli products originating from the occupied Palestinian territories, and the ban has already been enacted by the Brussels City Council.

Norway, not a EU member state, has advised its businesses against trading with Israeli settlements in response to the war in Gaza.

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‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Sets Summer Release, Reveals More First-Look Photos as Jason Sudeikis Returns to Richmond

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‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Sets Summer Release, Reveals More First-Look Photos as Jason Sudeikis Returns to Richmond

Jason Sudeikis‘ long-awaited return to AFC Richmond now has a date.

Apple TV has announced that that the fourth season of “Ted Lasso” will debut globally this summer, while the streamer has also sharing new stills and plot details.

Currently in production, the show will see the return of Sudeikis, who exec produces, plus Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift. New signings include Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsey, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely.

In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team. As per the synopsis: “Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.”

“Ted Lasso” season four also adds Emmy winner Jack Burditt (“Nobody Wants This,” “Modern Family,” “30 Rock”) as executive producer under a new overall deal with Apple TV. Sudeikis stars and executive produces alongside Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee, and Bill Wrubel. Goldstein serves as writer and executive producer alongside Leanne Bowen. Sarah Walker and Phoebe Walsh will serve as writers and producers for season four, and Sasha Garron co-produces. Julia Lindon will write for season four, and Dylan Marron will serve as story editor.

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Bill Lawrence executive produces via his Doozer Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal Content. Doozer’s Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer also serve as executive producers. The series was developed by Sudeikis, Lawrence, Kelly and Hunt, and is based on the preexisting format and characters from NBC Sports.

Following its global debut on Apple TV, “Ted Lasso” immediately broke records, the first season becoming the most Emmy-nominated comedy series. The series went on to land back-to-back outstanding comedy series Emmys for its first two seasons on air.

See the other first-look stills from “Ted Lasso” season 4 below.

Michael Becker Courtesy of Apple

Courtesy of Apple

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Courtesy of Apple

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Ted Cruz urges US to arm Iranian protesters as militias threaten ‘total war’ against America

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Ted Cruz urges US to arm Iranian protesters as militias threaten ‘total war’ against America

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Sen. Ted Cruz called for the U.S. to arm Iranian protesters Tuesday as unrest continues inside the nation and Iran-backed militias issued threats against Washington.

“We should be arming the protesters in Iran. NOW,” Cruz wrote in a post on X.

“For the Iranian people to overthrow the Ayatollah — a tyrant who routinely chants ‘death to America’ — would make America much, much safer,” the Texas Republican added.

Cruz was responding to another post from Tehran Bureau, which cited a source inside Iran detailing what was described as a rapidly deteriorating situation on the ground as security forces continued to crack down on demonstrations.

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IRAN WILL RETALIATE ‘WITH EVERYTHING WE HAVE’ IF US ATTACKS, SENIOR DIPLOMAT WARNS

“From trusted source in Tehran: Tell all of your friends [abroad] — everyone you know: there is absolutely nothing else we can do here inside Iran,” the post read.

“They are killing people in such ways, they’ve descended upon people so brutally, they’re attacking us in such ways… We’ve lost so many lives that no one dares go out anymore. They shoot directly with bullets. They kill outright. And even after killing, they come and behead you, and do countless other violent things to you,” it continued.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called for the armament of anti-government protesters in Iran. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“Going out into the streets is literally suicide. It’s not about bravery anymore. It’s madness. You go out and they shoot you point-blank. They don’t even ask why you came. They just kill you,” the post continued. “There is absolutely no way for us to gather unless we had weapons, unless we were armed like them. Otherwise they have weapons everywhere.”

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According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, activist groups estimate that more than 6,000 people have been killed in Iran, with additional cases still under review.

The protests began in late December amid widespread anger over economic hardship, political repression and corruption, according to reports.

IRAN REGIME REPORTEDLY ISSUED NATIONWIDE SHOOT-TO-KILL ORDERS AS PROTEST DEATH TOLL SURGES

Iranian security forces allegedly killed detainees and burned bodies during protests, with clashes continuing in Kermanshah, Rasht and Mashhad despite government claims. (NCRI)

Cruz’s post came after armed militias aligned with Iran warned the U.S. they would retaliate against any American attack on the Islamic Republic, as the Trump administration moved forces into the region.

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Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq said it was prepared for “total war” if the U.S. attacked Iran, according to The Associated Press.

Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, the group’s leader, said the “enemies” of the Islamic Republic would face “the bitterest forms of death.”

IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER ACKNOWLEDGES THOUSANDS KILLED AS TRUMP CALLS FOR NEW LEADERSHIP: REPORTS

Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq said it was prepared for “total war” should the U.S. attack Iran. (Fadel Itani/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“You will taste every form of deadly suffering, nothing of you will remain in our region, and we will strike terror in your hearts,” the statement read.

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Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthis also threatened to restart attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, releasing a video Monday showing a ship engulfed in flames, captioned: “Soon,” The Associated Press reported.

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As previously reported by Fox News Digital, President Donald Trump said Iran appeared to be seeking negotiations with the U.S. amid the growing military buildup, telling Axios, “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”

The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Middle East on Monday as unrest inside Iran continued to escalate.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Sen. Ted Cruz for comment.

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North Korea’s Kim to outline plans to boost nuclear arsenal

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North Korea’s Kim to outline plans to boost nuclear arsenal

Pyongyang expected to release five-year development plan for defence and economy at upcoming congress.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will unveil plans to bolster the country’s nuclear forces at an upcoming governing party meeting, state media reported.

The report from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday came the day after Kim oversaw the latest in a series of missile tests that have unsettled the region. Kim has ordered the “expansion” and modernisation of the country’s missile production.

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Details, which Kim has warned will bring “excruciating mental agony” to his enemies, are expected to be released at the upcoming ninth Communist Party congress, which is due to take place in the coming weeks.

At the meeting, the first such gathering since 2021, the governing party will unveil a five-year development plan for defence and the economy.

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Kim described Tuesday’s test-firing of a large-calibre multiple rocket launcher system as of “great significance in improving the effectiveness of our strategic deterrent” and said it showed the weapon system could be used for “specific attacks”, KCNA reported.

The missiles that were fired “hit a target” in waters at a distance of 358.5km (222.7 miles), the North Korean leader declared.

The missiles were fired in the direction of the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea. Two landed outside North Korea’s Exclusive Economic Zone, Japanese state news agency Jiji Press reported, citing Defence Ministry sources.

South Korea’s military reported that it detected multiple short-range ballistic missiles launched from north of Pyongyang towards the Sea of Japan.

“The result and significance of this test will be a source of excruciating mental agony and serious threat to the forces that attempt to provoke a military confrontation with us,” Kim said.

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Analysts told South Korea’s Yonhap news agency that the “self-steered precision guided flight system” mentioned by Kim may indicate a new navigation system employed to help the weapon defy global positioning system (GPS) jamming.

Photos showed Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, accompanying him to the test, along with Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the party’s central committee, and Jang Chang-ha, chief of the Missile Administration, Yonhap reported.

While acknowledging that development of the rocket launcher system had “not been plain sailing”, Kim said the test was “of great significance in improving the effectiveness of our strategic deterrent”.

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