A hard-liner follows a fellow right-winger as head of Greece's migration and asylum ministry
Athens, Greece — A hard-right lawmaker has replaced a fellow right-winger and political heavyweight accused of fraud as migration and asylum minister in Greece's government, a government spokesman announced Saturday.
Thanos Plevris, 48, is succeeding Makis Voridis, 60, who resigned Friday to defend himself against allegations that he was possibly involved in an organized fraud scheme to provide farm subsidies to undeserving recipients.
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Washington Post
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- Washington Post
3 killed and a dozen others hospitalized after crowd surge at eastern India Hindu festival
NEW DELHI — Three people were killed and more than a dozen hospitalized Sunday following a sudden crowd surge and stampede at a popular Hindu festival in eastern India, local authorities said. 'There was a sudden crowd surge of devotees for having a glimpse of the Hindu deities during which a few people either fainted, felt suffocated or complained of breathlessness,' said Siddharth Shankar Swain, the top government official in Puri. Swain told The Associated Press that 15 people were rushed to a local government hospital, where three people were pronounced dead. Autopsies are planned to determine the exact causes of death. The other 12 people have been discharged. Tens of thousands of devotees gathered in the coastal town early Sunday at Shree Gundicha Temple, near the famous Jagannatha Temple, to catch a glimpse of the deities onboard three chariots, Swain said. The coastal temple town of Puri comes alive each year with the grand 'Rath Yatra,' or chariot festival, in one of the world's oldest and largest religious processions. The centuries-old festival involves Hindu deities being taken out of the temple and driven in colorfully decorated chariots. The festival is one of Hinduism's most revered events and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees annually from across India and the world. Naveen Patnaik, a former top elected official of Odisha state where Puri is located, said in a social media post that 'no government machinery (was) present to manage the surging crowds, highlighting a shocking lapse in duty.' 'While I refrain from accusing the government of criminal negligence, their blatant callousness has undeniably contributed to this tragedy,' he said. Patnaik called the incident a 'stampede' that 'exposes the government's glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful festival for devotees.' In a social media post, Mohan Charan Majhi, the top elected official of Odisha, apologized for the incident, saying it occurred 'due to stampede among devotees' amid excitement to have a glimpse of the deities. Majhi said the security negligence will be investigated immediately. 'This negligence is inexcusable,' he said, adding that concrete action will be taken against the persons involved.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
UK police studying Glastonbury performances after anti-Israel chants
GLASTONBURY, England (Reuters) -British police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows. "We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday. Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces. "Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said. The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival". Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury. The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge. A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. "I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News. "I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Spain hopes for Bonmati recovery at Euro 2025 and bids for 'historic generation' status
MADRID (AP) — Spain's final preparations for the Women's European Championship have been upended. Again. Three years ago, Alexia Putellas tore an ACL days before the competition. This time, a different Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder's tournament is in question after Aitana Bonmatí was hospitalized with viral meningitis. Bonmatí came down with a fever during practice Friday and later checked in to a Madrid hospital. The team planned to travel to Switzerland on Sunday for the tournament, where it is considered one of the favorites after winning the 2023 World Cup, even though it has never reached a Euros final before. Spain coach Montse Tomé revealed after Friday's 3-1 victory in a friendly against Japan that the 27-year-old star tested positive for viral meningitis. 'The word is scary, but the doctor tells me that she is under control. She will remain in the hospital and we don't know for how long,' Tomé said. Spain's first game is against Portugal on Thursday in Bern. It will also face Belgium and Italy in Group B. Stability after Rubiales scandal Bonmatí's setback aside, Spain had been enjoying some peace and stability now that the Luis Rubiales scandal is behind them. Spain is arriving for Euro 2025 just a few months after Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault for an unsolicited kiss on player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 World Cup awards ceremony. The conviction helped end one of the worst chapters in the history of Spanish soccer. The kiss sparked outrage and marred the nation's celebrations of the team's first major title in women's soccer. It ignited an unprecedented crisis that left the Spanish federation and women's soccer in turmoil. Spanish society called for more support for women, and sports officials ultimately were forced to review outdated protocols and improve the conditions for the women's team that is among the main title favorites at Euro 2025. 'I remember when I used to come to play for the national team and I didn't enjoy it. I just wanted to go home, to be honest,' playmaker Bonmatí, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, said a few days before falling ill. 'It was tough to play here. The situation wasn't good. But now everything is better, there is more stability for everyone and that benefits the group.' The crisis prompted by the kiss on Hermoso — who was not called up by Tomé for the Euro 2025 squad — helped expedite changes that players had been demanding for a long time, including by some who refused to play for the national team even before the World Cup. 'The conditions have changed a lot,' said Putellas, another two-time world player of the year. 'Especially in terms of travel, nutrition, training. Things have changed radically. Now we are enjoying conditions that are at the top level of the men's team. It's something that has taken a lot of effort and work by many people.' Putellas said it's clear that the structure provided for the women's team is much more professional now, including in areas such as marketing and communication. 'We are finally where we wanted to be for some time,' she said. 'Because we have pushed for it, and also because a lot of people have helped us. Now we are just ready to compete and enjoy it.' Rubiales was convicted in February and ordered to pay more than 10,000 euros ($11,700) in fines. He was prohibited from approaching Hermoso or communicating with her for a year. Prosecutors had asked for a prison sentence. Rubiales was acquitted of a charge of coercion for allegedly trying to make Hermoso downplay the kiss on the lips. Tomé left out Hermoso from the squad saying that 'there's a lot of competition in her position.' Spain established itself as one of the powerhouses in women's soccer by winning the World Cup and following it up by lifting the trophy of the inaugural Women's Nations League in 2024. It then just missed out on a medal by finishing fourth at the Paris Olympics, when it lost to Brazil in the semifinals and to Germany in the bronze-medal match. Spain still a favorite Spain has never reached a final at the European Championship. Its best result was a last-four appearance in 1997. It was eliminated in the quarterfinals at each of the last three Euros. Still, it's a team that includes Barcelona and Real Madrid stars — and they've been playing well. In early June, Cláudia Pina scored twice in Spain's 2-1 victory over defending European champion England in the Nations League. 'We have been carrying the 'favorite' tag for a few years now, since we won the World Cup,' Bonmatí said. 'We are used to it and we take it with responsibility. There are other top teams and we need to respect them.' Even if Bonmatí needs time off, Spain will feel confident in the group stage. Spain had a 4-0 record this year against Portugal and Belgium — all in the group stage of the current Nations League edition. That included a 7-1 home victory over Portugal in April. 'Winning the European title would come as a confirmation that this is a historic generation for Spain's women's soccer,' Bonmatí said. ___ AP soccer:
