Romania’s central election authority has banned far-right pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu from running in the country’s May presidential election re-run, triggering protests from Georgescu’s supporters.
The decision, announced on Sunday, is not yet legally binding, and is expected to be appealed, with Romania’s Constitutional Court deciding on an appeal by Wednesday.
The far-right candidate unexpectedly won the first round of the country’s presidential election on November 24.
Shortly before the run-off, the Constitutional Court cancelled the first round due to irregularities in campaign financing pinned on Russian meddling, with the election rescheduled for May 4.
After the election authority’s decision, about 300 of Georgescu’s supporters gathered outside the election bureau shouting “freedom”! and tried to force their way through the security cordon.
Georgescu denounced the election authority’s move on X as “a direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide”.
He is currently leading opinion polls with about 40 percent of the vote.
Allegations of Russian interference
Georgescu submitted his candidacy for the May ballot re-run on Friday despite doubts that he would be allowed to run.
Romania’s highest court annulled the ballot two days before the second round of voting in December, citing allegations of Russian interference in Georgescu’s favour, which Moscow has denied.
Georgescu had denounced the annulment as a “formalised coup d’etat”. In recent weeks, tens of thousands of people have also protested against the decision.
Members of US President Donald Trump’s administration called Romania’s cancelled election an example of European governments suppressing freedom of speech and political opponents.
Tech billionaire and Trump adviser Elon Musk called the election authority’s decision “crazy” on his social media platform X.
Georgescu is under criminal investigation on six counts, including membership in a fascist organisation and communicating false information about campaign financing.
He has denied all wrongdoing.
Calin Georgescu has denounced the annulment as a “formalised coup d’etat”]File: Alexandru Dobre/AP Photo]
The United States has ended a sanctions waiver that allowed Iraq to buy electricity from neighbouring Iran, in line with US President Donald Trump’s policy of exerting “maximum pressure” on Tehran.
In a statement released on Sunday, the US Department of State said the decision not to renew the waiver was made to “ensure we do not allow Iran any degree of economic or financial relief”.
Such a waiver was introduced in 2018, when Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran after Trump abandoned a nuclear deal with Iran negotiated under US President Barack Obama. Back then, Trump imposed sweeping US sanctions on any other country buying Iran’s oil. The waiver was extended to Iraq as a “key partner” of the US.
Since returning to the White House for a second term as US president in January, Trump has reinstated his policy of exerting “maximum pressure” against Iran.
“The president’s maximum pressure campaign is designed to end Iran’s nuclear threat, curtail its ballistic missile programme, and stop it from supporting terrorist groups”, a spokesman for the US embassy in Baghdad said earlier on Sunday. The spokesman urged Baghdad “to eliminate its dependence on Iranian sources of energy as soon as possible”.
That won’t be an easy task. Despite its oil and gas wealth, Iraq has suffered from decades of electricity shortages because of war, corruption and mismanagement and has become heavily reliant on imported Iranian gas as well as electricity imported directly from Iran to meet its electricity needs.
Three Iraqi energy officials who spoke to Reuters said the country has no immediate alternatives to compensate for the energy imported from Iran, which will cause a significant problem in providing enough electricity to meet domestic consumption. Many Iraqis have to rely on diesel generators or suffer through temperatures that exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer months.
The waiver that expired applied to direct electricity imports. It remains unclear whether Iraq will be able to continue to import gas from Iran for its power plants.
The US embassy asserted that electricity imports from Iran were only four percent of electricity consumption in Iraq.
But a spokesperson for Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity, Ahmad Moussa, said that should gas imports also be forbidden, it “would cause Iraq to lose more than 30 percent of its electricity energy”, so the government is looking for alternatives.
Already, Moussa said, Iranian gas had stopped supplying power plants in Baghdad and the central Euphrates region for the past two months, and the supply to southern power plants had been unstable.
A senior official in the electricity ministry told The Associated Press that the ministry had not yet been officially notified of the US decision regarding gas imports.
A ‘ bully ‘
The US administration’s decision to remove the waiver comes two days after Trump said he had written a letter to Iran’s leadership seeking to initiate talks on a nuclear deal. The US president warned of possible military action if Iran did not give in.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei snapped back, saying the country would not negotiate with a “bully” interested in imposing conditions rather than starting negotiations.
Still, the Iranian mission to the United Nations on Sunday suggested Tehran might be willing to discuss certain issues – but not the complete end of its nuclear programme.
“If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-a-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration”, said a statement from the mission.
“However, should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program to claim that what Obama failed to achieve has now been accomplished, such negotiations will never take place”.
The landmark 2015 nuclear deal that Obama helped negotiate between Tehran and major powers promised sanctions relief in return for Iran curbing its nuclear programme.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has launched an investigation after hundreds of people were killed in fighting between security forces and fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous.
“We announce the formation of a fact-finding committee regarding the events on the coast and form a higher committee”, al-Sharaa said in an address to the nation on Sunday following days of violent unrest.
The Syrian leader said that the country was confronting attempts to drag it into a civil war. In his speech, al-Sharaa said that “remnants of the former regime” had no choice but to surrender immediately as he vowed to hold accountable “anyone involved in civilian bloodshed”.
The Syrian presidency earlier announced that an “independent committee” had been formed to “investigate the violations against civilians and identify those responsible for them”, adding that the perpetrators would be referred to court.
“The Committee has the right to use whoever it deems appropriate to perform its duties, and submit its report to the Presidency of the Republic within a maximum period of thirty days from the date of issuance of this decision”, the presidency’s statement read.
According to Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, the clashes on Sunday took place in the town of Qardahah in Latakia.
“Qardahah is symbolically an extremely important]city], because it is the birthplace of the al-Assad regime”, said Serdar, reporting from Damascus.
“But one of the critical locations … is Baniyas, in Tartous. Banias is home to the largest oil refinery in Syria, and the security forces are saying that remnants of the old regime]have] several times attempted to attack that oil refinery”, he added.
The violence in Banias came despite a call for peace by al-Sharaa earlier on Sunday.
Serdar said that Syrian security forces have reported a loss of 230 of their own personnel, while the majority of those killed have been civilians.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Sunday that “no one is above the law and we criminalise any call to spread strife and divide Syria”]File: Ozan Kose/AFP]
Deadly clashes
The fighting began after the pro-Assad fighters coordinated attacks on security forces on Thursday. The attacks spiralled into revenge killings as thousands of armed supporters of Syria’s new leadership went to the coastal areas to support the security forces.
The clashes – which London-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said had already killed 1, 000 people, mostly civilians – continued for a fourth day on Sunday. Syrians have circulated graphic videos of executions of civilians.
Al Jazeera has been unable to independently verify the casualty figures.
In the face of the clashes, al-Sharaa urged “national unity” as he reassured a crowd at a mosque in his childhood neighbourhood of Mezzeh, in Damascus.
“We have to preserve national unity and domestic peace. We can live together”, the president said.
“Rest assured about Syria, this country has the characteristics for survival … What is currently happening in Syria is within the expected challenges”.
‘ A major setback ‘
United Nations rights chief Volker Turk demanded prompt investigations into the killings and said those responsible must be held to account. Turk said announcements by the country’s authorities to respect the law need to be followed by action to protect Syrians and to ensure accountability for abuses.
According to Labib al-Nahhas, a Syrian opposition politician and activist, the violence is “a major setback” for post-Assad Syria.
“What happened right now is a highly sophisticated, coordinated attack, instigated and supported by Iran and Hezbollah, according to data and intel that is available”, al-Nahhas told Al Jazeera.
“Iran, which is looking for new leverage in Syria … they are counting on the sectarian and religious tension that exists in Syria due to six decades of the Syrian regime. But this is where the new authorities have a chance to show a different kind of tone and way”.
The new government must build “a strong national, unified front” – the cornerstone of which “would be a new transitional government that is truly inclusive, not]just] lip service”, al-Nahhas said.
“It’s the responsibility not only of the authorities, but also the entire Syrian society, to really focus on the positives, on the common ground”.
Regional stability
Jordan, meanwhile, hosted a regional conference on Sunday to discuss issues facing Syria such as security, reconstruction and refugees. Top officials from Turkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon joined the meeting in the Jordanian capital Amman.
“All of those countries sharing a border with Syria have a vested interest that there is stability and security for the new administration and for the Syrian people”, said Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman.
“For example, stability in Syria means that the millions of refugees that Turkiye and Jordan are hosting can return voluntarily to Syria”, she added.
“If there is stability and the rule of law and a united Syria, then Iraq can have more comfort in the fight against ISIS]ISIL] …. If there is stability and security, Jordan can also be more comfortable in the fight against drug trafficking, which has created a crisis for the Jordanian government”.
Declan Rice’s equaliser denied Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim a much-needed win, but Arsenal’s faltering Premier League title challenge suffered another damaging blow in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
The Gunners sit 15 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool, now with just one game in hand, with their focus beginning to turn to holding off the chasing pack for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Bruno Fernandes’s stunning free kick put United ahead in first-half stoppage time on Sunday.
The Red Devils, though, could not hold on for just a sixth Premier League win in 16 games under Amorim as Rice swept home 16 minutes from time. A point leaves United down in 14th.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring United’s first goal with teammate Alejandro Garnacho]Phil Noble/Reuters]
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was taking charge of his 200th Premier League match.
The Spaniard’s 118 wins in that time place him only behind a stellar cast of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Alex Ferguson in the English top flight.
But his wait for a league title looks set to continue, with Arsenal on course to finish second for the third consecutive season.
United have had three permanent managers and an interim during Arteta’s five years in charge of Arsenal.
Amorim said he knows he will not get the time Arteta did to turn around a sinking ship at Old Trafford.
The discontent among the home support could be seen around the stands, with many taking part in a protest by wearing black in response to what they perceive as “the death” of their club.
Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya, left, makes a save late in the game]Dave Thompson/AP]
Arsenal had failed to score in either of their previous two league games to realistically wave goodbye to their hopes of a first title in 21 years.
Despite still missing the attacking quartet of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, the Gunners hit back in stunning fashion to thrash PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Infused with fresh confidence, Arsenal started on the front foot, but again missed the focal point of a natural centre forward.
Midfielder Mikel Merino has been forced to deputise up front in recent weeks and fired wide from the edge of the area with an early opening.
United have struggled for goals all season, but their skipper has remained a source of inspiration and Fernandes produced once more with a sumptuous free kick just before half-time.
Questions will be asked over Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya’s starting position, but Fernandes still had to whip the ball over an imposing wall and back down into the visitors ‘ net.
If Raya was at fault for the opener, he made amends with a string of saves in the second period.
Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee were the first to be denied as United threatened a second on the counter-attack.
Arteta was able to play Martinelli on his return from a hamstring injury in the hunt for an equaliser.
Declan Rice of Arsenal scores his team’s equalising goal]Carl Recine/Getty Images]
Instead, it was Rice who matched Fernandes’s fine finish by arrowing a shot beyond Andre Onana from Jurrien Timber’s pass.
Amorim had dropped Rasmus Hojlund to the bench after a run of 19 games without a goal.
The Dane twice had chances to snap that streak, only to be foiled by desperate Arsenal defending.
More Raya heroics followed to stop Fernandes from snatching a winner as the match entered stoppage time.
However, a draw did little for Arsenal’s title challenge.
India made it back-to-back global cricket tournaments with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai.
Rohit Sharma led the chase with 76 off 83 balls and KL Rahul’s unbeaten 34 helped India cross the finish line on 254-6 in 49 overs to win the Champions Trophy on Sunday for the third time.
Half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell earlier helped New Zealand, who won the toss and chose to bat first, put on 251-7 in 50 overs on a slow, two-paced Dubai wicket.
Sharma provided a fiery start to India’s innings, hitting seven fours and three sixes. Hardik Pandya scored 18, putting on a crucial 38 runs off 36 balls for the sixth wicket with Rahul.
India’s KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja celebrate their victory]Ryan Lim/AFP]
It was India’s 23rd win in 24 games across the last three men’s ICC events stretching back to 2023 – the only loss coming against Australia in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.
India won the Twenty20 World Cup final against South Africa last year.
Both sides have previously won this tournament. India’s prior success came in 2013, and it was runner-up to Pakistan in 2017. It also shared the trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002 after a rain-affected two-day final.
New Zealand won the Champions Trophy (then the ICC Knockout Trophy) in 2000, beating India in the final at Nairobi, Kenya. It remains the only limited-overs ICC trophy in the Blackcaps ‘ cabinet.
All of India’s matches were played in Dubai after the Indian government refused permission for its team to visit official host Pakistan on security grounds.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma celebrates after scoring a half-century]Ryan Lim/AFP]
Unbeaten India at the Champions Trophy
India went through the entire tournament unbeaten after wins against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in the group phase, and then Australia in the semifinal.
New Zealand beat Pakistan in Karachi, and then Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, before making the trip to Dubai to play India.
The Blackcaps then returned to Pakistan, where they beat South Africa in the second semifinal at Lahore.
New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell celebrates after scoring a half-century]Ryan Lim/AFP]
