In Peru, Pope Leo XIV is fondly remembered in Chiclayo, his former diocese
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The Hill
10 minutes ago
- The Hill
Riot police scuffle with demonstrators on Greek island during visit by Israeli cruise ship
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Scuffles broke out between riot police and demonstrators on the Greek island of Rhodes Monday during a protest against the war in Gaza while an Israeli cruise ship was docked at the island, local media reported. Television footage showed a small number of protesters chanting 'Freedom for Palestine' near the port, with riot police pushing them back and minor scuffles breaking out. The cruise ship passengers disembarked in Rhodes without incident, Greek media said. Anti-war activists had called for demonstrations on the island during a scheduled stop by the Israeli cruise ship, the Crown Iris, which was reportedly carrying more than 600 tourists. But representatives of local businesses on the island had opposed the protest. Last week, the Crown Iris left another Greek island, Syros, early without its passengers disembarking after more than 150 protesters demonstrated at that island's port. The demonstrators unfurled Palestinian flags and called for an end to the war in Gaza. There were no reports of any violence in Syros. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar contacted his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, over the Syros incident.
Hamilton Spectator
10 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will run for the US Senate in North Carolina in 2026
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, giving Democrats a proven statewide winner in an open-seat race that is expected to be one of the most competitive 2026 contests. Cooper made the announcement Monday with a video released on social media and his campaign website. The former two-term governor will immediately become the front-runner for the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis . Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley plans to run for the GOP nomination, with President Donald Trump's blessing, according to two people familiar with his thinking who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly before an official announcement. Whatley, the former North Carolina GOP chairman, received Trump's endorsement after the president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump , passed on the seat. Cooper's candidacy is a big recruiting win for Democrats, who see the seat as a top pick-up opportunity in what will be a challenging year. To retake the majority in 2026, Democrats need to net four seats, and most of the contests are in states that Trump easily won last year. Trump won North Carolina by about 3 percentage points, one of his closest margins of victory. Trump endorsed Whatley on his Truth Social platform Thursday night, posting that should he run, 'Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina.' Video focuses on the middle class Cooper's video announcement focused on the state's middle class, which he said is in danger of being eliminated in America at the expense of Washington politicians 'running up our debt, ripping away our health care' and 'cutting help for the poor,' even as they 'give tax breaks to billionaires.' Ex-U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel already has been campaigning for the Democratic nomination for months. Nickel and his campaign didn't immediately respond Monday to texts seeking comment on his future. Party primaries would be March 3. State Democrats anticipating Nickel would stand aside quickly rallied around Cooper. Cooper 'is one of the best champions North Carolina has ever had, and we are confident he will flip this seat in 2026,' state Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said in a release. Current Democratic Gov. Josh Stein also endorsed Cooper on Monday. Cooper's political history goes back to 1980s Cooper, 68, has been on statewide ballots going back a quarter-century — serving 16 years previously as attorney general before being first elected governor in 2016. With a political career going back nearly 40 years, Cooper has had a knack for winning in a state where the legislature and appeals courts are now dominated by Republicans. State law barred Cooper from seeking a third consecutive gubernatorial term. He spent the spring on a teaching gig at Harvard. 'I never really wanted to go to Washington. I just wanted to serve the people of North Carolina right here, where I've lived all my life,' Cooper says in the video. 'But these are not ordinary times.' State and national Democrats were longing for Cooper to join the race well before Tillis announced June 29 that he would not seek a third term. That news came after Trump threatened to back a primary candidate against him as Tillis opposed Medicaid reductions in the president's tax break and spending cut package , North Carolina Democrats on Senate losing streak Democrats haven't won a Senate race since 2008 in North Carolina, where independent voters tend to vote Republican in federal elections. Statewide races can be financially exorbitant because there are so many television markets — hundreds of millions of dollars are expected to be spent in the race. Cooper's recent political history has painted him as a fighter against what he's considered extreme Republican policies, while at times finding consensus with GOP rivals. As governor he steered the state through the coronavirus pandemic, Hurricanes Helene and Florence and a law that became an early flashpoint in the culture wars over access to public restrooms by transgender people. That 'bathroom bill' was rolled back early in Cooper's first term, and the state's economy soared during Cooper's tenure, marked by big jobs announcements and low unemployment. While Cooper also managed to get Medicaid expansion approved and a landmark greenhouse gases law enacted, he fell short in stopping legislation that widely expanded private school vouchers and narrowed abortion rights. Cooper's perceived accomplishments raised his national profile in 2024, making him as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris until he said it 'just wasn't the right time' for him and for North Carolina. Republicans panning Cooper's record as governor Republicans have argued that Cooper remains susceptible politically, citing what they consider an extreme record supporting abortion rights and opposing school choice that led to many vetoes. They've also cited a gubernatorial administration they say was slow to respond to Helene; delays in rebuilding or renovating homes after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence; and executive orders that restricted businesses and school instruction during COVID-19. 'There are people you trust in the driver's seat. Roy Cooper isn't one of them,' the National Republican Senatorial Committee said in a social media video released Monday. 'Roy Cooper isn't just off course — he's a wreck.' As for the roaring economy, Republicans credit themselves through lower taxes and deregulation. Tillis' retirement announcement heartened far-right Republicans and strong Trump supporters who have been unhappy for years with his willingness to challenge Trump's actions and his Cabinet agency choices. Republicans had deferred to Lara Trump, who is a North Carolina native, North Carolina State University graduate and a popular former RNC co-chair with Whatley during the 2024 election campaign. She posted on the social media platform X on Thursday that she would not seek the Senate seat. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
38 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
The Taliban's top environment official wants the UN to include Afghanistan in climate talks
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban's top environment official on Monday called for Afghanistan's inclusion in U.N. climate talks, saying extreme weather and water scarcity are having a 'profound impact' on people's lives and the economy. A Taliban delegation attended last year's COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan , but as observers. Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of the National Environmental Protection Agency, said the suspension of environmental protection projects after the Taliban takeover in 2021 had resulted in widespread harm to Afghans. Khalis said he wanted inclusion at COP30, which is being held in Brazil later this year. Russia is the only country to recognize the Taliban's government. 'Afghanistan is severely affected by climate change,' Khalis told a conference in Kabul. ' Drought , water shortages, declining arable land, flash floods , and threats to food security are having a profound impact on people's lives and the economy. 'Although Afghanistan's contribution to global climate change is almost nonexistent, it suffers greatly from its consequences.. As a victim of climate change, Afghanistan has the right to be present at global platforms, especially at COP30, to voice the damages it has endured.' Earlier this month, the U.N. published a report that said June was marked by below-average precipitation and higher-than-average temperatures across Afghanistan. By the end of May, the significant decline in soil moisture had already negatively affected the yield and productivity of rainfed wheat, according to the report from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 'The current monsoon season has started earlier than usual, beginning in May instead of the typical June or July, and is more intense than in recent years. Forecasts indicate above-average rainfall in many regions.' In Baku last November, Khalis told The Associated Press that authorities had prepared national action plans to deal with climate change and would be updating their climate goals. He said the country had great potential for wind and solar power, but needed international support to develop it.
