EU lawmakers call for tighter controls on foreign ownership of key ports
There are growing calls from European lawmakers to tighten controls on foreign ownership of the bloc's critical transportation infrastructure. Chinese firms own stakes in more than 30 European ports and some EU officials see this is as a security concern. William Denselow reports.
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CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Aprilia ready for courtroom showdown with MotoGP champ Martin over contract
MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin's bid to escape his Aprilia contract looks set for a date in the courtroom, with the Italian manufacturer's boss Massimo Rivola declaring on Sunday that they are 'relaxed' about dragging the dispute before a judge. The simmering contract drama boiled over last month when Martin announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season, barely a week after the team insisted he honour the two-year agreement he had signed. The 27-year-old, who has raced in only one round this season due to injuries in a pre-season crash and at the Qatar Grand Prix, said he had exercised his right to release himself for the 2026 season. His manager Albert Valera had also said Martin is free of his contract for next year having triggered a clause but Rivola said that was not the case. "I think he's not going to be free for 2026," Rivola told TNT Sports at the Dutch Grand Prix. "In case we have to go to the court, the judge will take his position but we are quite, I say, relaxed about that." The dispute has also caught the attention of MotoGP organiser Dorna Sports, who took a firm stance on rider movement. Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said they would not accept any rider entry unless a judge clears them to ride or both parties reach an agreement. "Now Aprilia says it has a contract in place with Martin while his manager, Valera, says he is free," Ezpeleta told Sky Italia. "For us to accept that, there is a need either for the two parties to come to an agreement or for a judge to decide the case." With Ducati out of the picture after they snubbed Martin last year, Honda may be an option but the Japanese outfit's manager Alberto Puig said they will not get involved until Martin reaches an agreement with Aprilia. "We can wait. Frankly speaking, it's a matter between Aprilia and Jorge," he said. "It must be clear. If he gets out of the contract, then we will understand. We are not in a super hurry. We will see what is the final resolution there." Meanwhile, Martin's physical recovery continues with Rivola revealing the Spaniard will run a test in Misano on July 9, targeting a return at the Czech Grand Prix in mid-July. "Having one race before the (summer) break would be good so mentally. Physically, he starts getting a bit of rhythm and then he knows that he has to push... Then to get the result will be a second step," he said.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
UK police studying Glastonbury performances after anti-Israel chants
GLASTONBURY, England: 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 (Jun 28). 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.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Kremlin says Europe will feel the recoil from its 'illegal' sanctions on Russia
FILE PHOTO: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov waits before the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi Goita at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia June 23, 2025. Pavel Bednyakov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Kremlin says Europe will feel the recoil from its 'illegal' sanctions on Russia MOSCOW - The Kremlin said in remarks published on Sunday that the tougher the sanctions imposed on Russia by Europe, the more painful the recoil would be for Europe's own economies as Russia had grown resistant to such "illegal" sanctions. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 triggered a wave of Western sanctions on Russia and it is by far the most sanctioned major economy in the world. The West said that it hoped its sanctions would force President Vladimir Putin to seek peace in Ukraine, and though the economy contracted in 2022, it grew in 2023 and 2024 at faster rates than the European Union. The European Commission on June 10 proposed a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting Moscow's energy revenues, its banks and its military industry, though the United States has so far refused to toughen its own sanctions. Asked about remarks by Western European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron that toughening sanctions would force Russia to negotiate an end to the war, the Kremlin said only logic and arguments could force Russia to negotiate. "The more serious the package of sanctions, which, I repeat, we consider illegal, the more serious will be the recoil from a gun to the shoulder. This is a double-edged sword," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television. Peskov told state television's top Kremlin correspondent, Pavel Zarubin, that he did not doubt the EU would impose further sanctions but that Russia had built up "resistance" to such sanctions. President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that any additional EU sanctions on Russia would simply hurt Europe more - and pointed out that Russia's economy grew at 4.3% in 2024 compared to euro zone growth of 0.9%. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
