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From Small Principalities to Overlooked Nations: Why You Should Explore Europe’s Most Underrated Destination

Diplomat Times
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From Small Principalities to Overlooked Nations: Why You Should Explore Europe’s Most Underrated Destination

TRAVEL (EURO NEWS/DT) – As a passionate traveler, you’ve probably explored Europe’s most popular destinations, such as France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and Germany.

But have you considered venturing to some of the continent’s lesser-known spots?

Based on data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), we’ve compiled a list of Europe’s five least-visited countries and why they deserve a place on your travel bucket list.

READ MORE : Ryanair and Travel fusion partnership takes off further expanding airline’s “Approved OTA” network

In a continent famed for its grand cities and historic landmarks, Europe’s lesser-known destinations are starting to capture travelers’ imaginations. From tiny principalities to overlooked nations, these hidden gems offer unique experiences away from the tourist crowds.

Recent travel trends highlight a growing curiosity about Europe’s most underrated locales. Countries like Andorra, Liechtenstein, and San Marino, as well as lesser-visited regions of established nations, are emerging as prime spots for those seeking an authentic European experience.

Why Visit?

These destinations are often overshadowed by their more prominent neighbors but offer a wealth of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Andorra’s mountainous landscapes, Liechtenstein’s fairy-tale castles, and San Marino’s medieval charm provide a refreshing contrast to the usual European hotspots. Additionally, their small size allows for an immersive and intimate travel experience.

San Marino is packed full of natural wonders – and stunning architecture Matteo Panara via UnSplash

San Marino boasts striking architecture and stunning mountain views – but very few visitors

Tiny, landlocked San Marino is technically a microstate rather than a country, landlocked and surrounded on all sides by Italy.

As an avid traveler, you’ve likely visited Europe’s top destinations, including France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and Germany.

But have you ever thought about exploring some of the continent’s hidden gems?

Using data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), we’ve put together a list of Europe’s five least-visited countries and why they should be on your travel radar.

Liechtenstein is home to fairytale landscapes – but just a handful of tourists have ever visited

Sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland, it’s somewhat surprising that Liechtenstein is so badly travelled.

Just 160 km squared and home to less than 40,000 people, it offers a true fairytale experience right in the heart of the Alps without the crowds.

Attracting around 69,000 tourists every year, it’s home to mediaeval castles, quaint alpine chalets and picturesque villages.

A decade ago, it was possible to rent the entire principality for a night, ‘ruling’ over it for the price of €65,000.

Sadly, that is now a thing of the past but Liechtenstein is still very much worth visiting.

In the winter, it offers uncrowded ski resorts with top notch slopes and, in the warmer months, hikers can enjoy seemingly endless hiking trails.

For culture lovers, don’t miss a trip to the capital, Vaduz.

Home to countless museums, Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein is one of the most popular, featuring impressive galleries packed with modern and contemporary art.

Liechtenstein is an Alpine wonderland whatever the weather Tienko Dima via UnSplash

Moldova is known as an Eastern European gem – but only to a select few

Due to its location between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova is facing significant challenges in developing its tourism industry, but it has plenty to offer.

Officially the least visited country – when you discount microstates and principalities – it’s also the cheapest in Europe, making it a perfect spot for budget travellers.

Note that the UK’s and other European governments advise against all travel to Transnistria, a breakaway region which is internationally recognised as part of Moldova.

Playing host to just 121,000 visitors a year, Moldova is bursting with hidden gems undiscovered by relatively few people.

If you’re the kind of traveller who prefers to visit places off the beaten track before they get too popular, it could be the place for you.

Its vineyards and wineries are increasingly gaining recognition for their high quality, making Moldova a must-visit for wine enthusiasts.

Elsewhere, it offers up a rich history, cities filled with Brutalist architecture and tasty Balkan-Slavic cuisine.

Curchi Monastery in Orhei, Moldova is just one example of the nation’s must-see architectureOksana Simanovscaia via UnSplash

Monaco may be tiny but it attracts luxury and speed seekers alike

The principality of Monaco really is diminutive – just 1.98 km squared – but it punches far above its weight, thanks to world-class hotels, restaurants and, of course, playing host to the Grand Prix.

Despite property being limited and extremely expensive, its population of almost 37,000 inhabitants means it’s the world’s most densely populated country.

It’s a real melting pot, home to 125 different nationalities. Unlike the smallest state in the world – Vatican City – Monaco is known for its super-rich citizens as well as visitors seeking the high life.

As the sovereign microstate is so pricey and out of reach to most, it’s perhaps unsurprising that it has relatively low tourist numbers – around 328,000 a year.

It is possible to visit on a budget – if you avoid the casinos and Michelin starred eateries, that is.

Free activities include a stroll around the old town, which offers stunning views out to the Mediterranean sea and the option of taking in majestic buildings like the Prince’s Palace.

The Japanese gardens are also free to enter and are perfect for a moment of zen amongst the glamour of Monaco.

One thing not to miss? Sunbathing and swimming at the iconic Larvotto Beach – the perfect place to soak up the Riviera atmosphere.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has emerged from dark tourism and into a future hotspot

Situated on the Balkan Peninsula, Bosnia and Herzegovina gained worldwide notoriety during its tragic civil war in the 1990s.

After then, it was little visited and then often only by ‘dark tourists’.

As prices across Europe – especially in the Eurozone rise – many people are now discovering its charms.

Currently only hosting around 529,000 tourists a year, this less-developed European nation has a lot to offer.

Since neighbouring Croatia adopted the Euro in 2023, visitors put off by high prices have turned instead to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Its capital, Sarajevo, is perfect for history lovers as the location of the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand – the main event that sparked World War I. The Tunnel of Hope, used during the civil war, is a touching tribute to the country’s past.

Bravery in action: Jumping off the Stari Most bridge in MostarDarcey Beau via UnSplash

What to Expect

Travelers can look forward to picturesque landscapes, rich local traditions, and the chance to explore historic sites often missed by the average tourist. These regions are also known for their friendly locals, who offer a warm welcome and insider tips on the best hidden treasures.

Getting There

Reaching these destinations is easier than ever, with convenient transport options linking them to major European hubs. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or simply looking for a quieter retreat, Europe’s underrated destinations promise a memorable adventure.

So why not step off the beaten path and discover Europe’s hidden treasures? The continent’s smallest and most overlooked nations are ready to offer an unforgettable travel experience.

Ryanair and Travel fusion partnership takes off further expanding airline’s “Approved OTA” network

Diplomat Times
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Ryanair and Travel fusion partnership takes off further expanding airline’s “Approved OTA” network

Swords, Ireland (DT) – Ryanair, Europe’s leading low-cost airline, has announced a significant expansion of its approved Online Travel Agency (OTA) network through a new partnership with TravelFusion. This collaboration marks a key milestone in Ryanair’s ongoing efforts to enhance its digital reach and provide more booking options for travelers.

The partnership with TravelFusion, a leading provider of travel technology solutions, will integrate Ryanair’s flight inventory into TravelFusion’s comprehensive OTA network. This move aims to offer travelers greater flexibility and convenience when booking flights through a wide array of online travel platforms.

Under the new agreement, Ryanair’s full range of services, including flight options, fare details, and ancillary services, will be seamlessly accessible through TravelFusion’s network of travel agents and online platforms. This integration is expected to improve Ryanair’s visibility and accessibility across various digital channels, making it easier for travelers to find and book flights.

“We are excited to partner with TravelFusion to further expand our OTA network,” said Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness. “This collaboration will enhance our distribution capabilities, providing more options for our customers and strengthening our position as a leading airline in the digital space.”

TravelFusion’s CEO, David Williams, also expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “Integrating Ryanair’s extensive flight network into our platform is a significant step forward for us. We look forward to delivering a seamless booking experience for travelers and helping Ryanair reach even more customers.”

The expanded network will be rolled out in phases, with the full integration expected to be completed by the end of the year. This development underscores Ryanair’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and streamline the booking process.

Ryanair’s CMO, Dara Brady said:

“We’re pleased to announce that our “Approved OTA Aggregator” partnership with Travelfusion is now live. Through this exciting new agreement, Travelfusion’s network of OTA partners will now be able to offer Ryanair flights to their customers on the condition that they provide full price transparency. This is an incredible development for OTAs who want to sell Ryanair flights without needing to plug a direct connect, with the integration of both Ryanair’s and Travelfusion’s system providing a more streamlined and efficient option that minimises resource requirements but also offers tech support should it be required.”

Jay Shah has been elected as the new Chairperson of the International Cricket Council

Diplomat Times
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Jay Shah has been elected as the new Chairperson of the International Cricket Council

New Delhi, India (DT) — Shah, who will turn 36 next month, is set to become the youngest Chairperson in ICC history when he takes office on December 1.

Jay Shah, the current honorary secretary of the BCCI, has been elected unopposed as the Independent Chair of the ICC and will begin his term on December 1, 2024.

On August 20, it was announced that the current ICC Chair, Greg Barclay, would not seek a third term and would step down at the end of his tenure in November.

As the sole nominee for the position, Shah highlighted his commitment to broadening cricket’s global reach and popularity, particularly with its forthcoming inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics.

“I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” Shah stated.

“I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalize cricket. We stand at a critical juncture where it is increasingly important to balance the coexistence of multiple formats, promote the adoption of advanced technologies, and introduce our marquee events to new global markets. Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.”

“While we will build on the valuable lessons learned, we must also embrace fresh thinking and innovation to elevate the love for cricket worldwide. The inclusion of our sport in the Olympics at LA 2028 represents a significant inflection point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident that it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways.”

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Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra is elected Thailand’s prime minister

Andy Sengiah
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Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra is elected Thailand’s prime minister

Bangkok, Thailand (AP) — Thailand’s Parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister Friday, continuing the legacy of the political dynasty that began with her father Thaksin Shinawatra, one of Thailand’s most popular but divisive political figures.

Thaksin, a former Prime Minister, was ousted by a military coup in 2006, which triggered decades of deep political divisions. Paetongtarn appears to be the beneficiary of a deal her father made with his old conservative foes, allowing the populist party led by her to take power while pushing aside the more progressive party that finished first in last year’s election.

READ MORE : Thailand’s king reduces former Prime Minister Thaksin’s 8-year prison term to a single year

Paetongtarn becomes Thailand’s third leader from the Shinawatra family, after her billionaire father, who returned from exile last year, and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, who lives in exile. Paetongtarn also is Thailand’s second female prime minister after her aunt, and the country’s youngest leader at 37.

Leader of the People’s Party, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, standing, debates before a vote to select a new prime minister at the Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

As the only nominee, she was confirmed by 319 votes in favor, with 145 against and 27 abstentions. Paetongtarn is the leader of the Pheu Thai party, the latest of a string of parties linked to Thaksin. She is not an elected lawmaker as that was not required for her to be a candidate for prime minister.

She will officially become prime minister with royal assent, though the timing of that step isn’t known.

Paetongtarn, a former business executive, appeared overwhelmed as she spoke to reporters after the Parliament vote at the party’s office in Bangkok. She said she was very “honored and happy.”

“I really hope that I can make people feel confident, that we can build opportunity and quality of life,” she said. “I hope that I can do my best to make the country go forward.”

Lawmakers gather during a debate before a vote to select the new prime minister at the Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Paetongtarn’s nomination followed the removal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Pheu Thai on Wednesday after less than a year in office. The Constitutional Court found him guilty of a serious ethical breach regarding his appointment of a Cabinet member who was jailed in connection with an alleged bribery attempt.

It was the second major ruling in a week to shake Thai politics. The same court last week dissolved the progressive Move Forward party, which won last year’s general election but was blocked from taking power. The party has already regrouped as the People’s Party.

Thaksin’s residual popularity and influence is a factor behind the political support for Paetongtarn. Her public entry into politics came in 2021 when the Pheu Thai party announced she would lead an inclusion advisory committee. She was named one of Pheu Thai’s three prime ministerial candidates ahead of the polls in 2023 and was made party chief last year.

When Paetongtarn was on the campaign trail for Pheu Thai, she acknowledged her family ties but insisted she was not just her father’s proxy.

“I am my dad’s daughter, always and forever, but I have my own decisions,” she told a reporter.

Leader of Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left, and her husband Pidok Sooksawas arrive at Pheu Thai Party headquarter in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

However, her work will not be easy with Thaksin continuing to call the political shots for Pheu Thai, said Petra Alderman, a political research fellow at England’s University of Birmingham.

“Thaksin was a political force to reckon with, but he was also a liability,” she said, “He has a tendency to overplay his political hand, so serving in his shadow has never been easy.”

Alderman noted that, while Paetongtarn seems to enjoy warm political and public support, that is not the only factor that will determine the course of her premiership.

“Who gets to govern in Thailand and for how long are questions that are often answered by unelected and unaccountable watchdog institutions, (such as) the Election Commission of Thailand and the Constitutional Court, or military coups,” she said.

Pheu Thai and its predecessors linked to Thaksin have won all national elections since 2001, with core populist policies pledging to solve economic problems and bridge income equality, until it lost to the reformist Move Forward in 2023. It was given a chance to form a government, however, after Move Forward was blocked from taking power by the previous Senate, a military-appointed body.

Move Forward was excluded from the coalition by Pheu Thai, which went on to join with parties affiliated with the military government that previously ousted it in a coup.

Thaksin returned to Thailand last year after years in exile on the same day that Srettha was approved by both lower and upper houses, in what was interpreted as part of a political bargain between Pheu Thai and their longstanding rivals in the conservative establishment to stop Move Forward from forming a government.

Senators were given special power to veto a prime ministerial candidate by the constitution adopted in 2017 under a military government. However, new members of the Senate, selected in a convoluted process last month, do not retain the veto. It means that a candidate needs just a majority from the lower house.

The coalition of Pheu Thai and its old conservative rivals under the leadership of Paetongtarn could strengthen their unity because Paetongtarn possesses something that Srettha does not — a direct line to her powerful father who has the final say — said Napon Jatusripitak, a political science researcher at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

“In a strange way, it creates a clear chain of command and curbs factionalism,” he said. “Paetongtarn will be given clear jurisdiction on where she can exercise her own agency and where it is a matter between her father and the coalition members.”

Associated Press writer Napat Kongsawad contributed to this report, By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI FOR AP

No Golds for India: Why the World’s Most Populous Country Falls Short at the Olympics

Diplomat Times
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No Golds for India: Why the World’s Most Populous Country Falls Short at the Olympics

New Delhi, India (CNN/DT) — The competition was intense until the final shot. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, India’s Abhinav Bindra was neck and neck with his closest rival going into the last round of the men’s 10-meter air rifle.

With a nearly perfect shot, Bindra clinched India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold, marking a historic moment that many hoped would signal a turning point for the country after decades of underperformance at the Games.

Yet, 16 years and four Summer Games later, with only one additional gold medal to show, those aspirations have largely fallen short.

Abhinav Bindra shows off India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold in the men’s 10m air rifle shooting competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 11, 2008. Desmond Boylan/Reuters

India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, is the world’s most populous country, as recognized by the United Nations. In 2022, it surpassed Britain to become the world’s fifth largest economy and, last year, joined the ranks of just four countries to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon. Led by a prominent prime minister with significant global influence, India has made notable strides in many areas.

However, when it comes to the Olympics, India continues to underperform relative to its size and achievements.

India won just six medals in Paris, falling short of its record haul of seven at Tokyo in 2021.

The United States, with less than a quarter of India’s population, topped the charts with 126 medals followed by China with 91.

India ranked 71st in the medal table, below nations with much smaller populations including Georgia, Kazakhstan and North Korea.

India has now won just 41 Olympic medals in total since its debut in 1900, all at the Summer Games.

“There is no doubt that India has been an underperformer in the Olympics and generally in global sports,” said Ronojoy Sen, author of “Nation at Play: A History of Sport in India.”

“If you look at the population to medal ratio it is probably the worst.”

Among the bright spots for India in Paris, javelin ace Neeraj Chopra added silver to the gold he won at Tokyo 2020, and shooter Manu Bhaker clinched double bronze to become the first Indian woman to win two medals at the same Games.

Vinesh Phogat, known for her high-profile role in anti-sexual harassment protests, became the first Indian woman to qualify for a wrestling final in the women’s 50kg freestyle – only to be disqualified for failing to make her weight class. On Wednesday, her appeal for a silver medal was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

India’s Vinesh Phogat (red) takes on Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez during the Olympic women’s freestyle 50kg wrestling semifinal at the Champ de Mars Arena on August 6, 2024 in Paris. Zhao Wenyu/China News Service/VCG/AP

CNN reached out to the Indian Olympic Association for comment on the team’s performance in Paris.

Major Hurdles

India’s history of unrealized Olympic potential can be attributed to several factors, with a significant issue being the underinvestment in sports.

According to experts, New Delhi has never invested heavily in a national training program comparable to those of traditional Olympic powerhouses, which view gold medals as a symbol of national strength, as noted by Sen.

“For countries like the USA, China, and the former Soviet Union, sports were integral to their early national narratives and a means of gaining global recognition and glory,” he explained.

The most successful Olympic nations also excel in identifying and nurturing talent from a young age. For example, in China, training starts as early as when children can walk, Sen added.

Indian athletes frequently encounter obstacles such as insufficient funding and limited access to facilities, analysts point out.

“When people highlight that India, with its 1.4 billion people, has only (six) medals, it’s a misleading narrative,” said Boria Majumdar, sports analyst and author of “Dreams of a Billion: India and the Olympic Games.” “The reality is that 1.39 billion people lack access to adequate sports facilities.”

Neeraj Chopra of India on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men’s javelin at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games on August 7, 2021 in Tokyo. 
Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images

India sends far fewer athletes and support staff to the Olympics than top teams like the US, Majumdar said. For example, 117 Indian competitors went to Paris, compared with nearly 600 Americans.

India also faces broader health challenges that impede development and curtail sporting potential from childhood, experts say.

India ranked 111th of 125 countries in the 2023 Global Hunger Index report. At 18.7%, it has the world’s highest child wasting rate – the number of children who are too thin for their height – reflecting acute undernutrition. More than one third of children under age 5 in India are stunted due to malnutrition, meaning they are too short for their age, according to the report.

“Until we address some of these basic concerns around nutrition, it will be very hard for us to achieve greater excellence at the highest level of sport where victories are counted in milliseconds,” Sen said.

Another challenge to Olympic progress is the additional barriers faced by women athletes in India, in what remains a deeply patriarchal nation.

“Right from childhood, when I started wrestling, people would tease me saying that ‘she’s a girl what can she do, why is she entering a male sport?’” said Sakshi Malik, an Indian wrestler who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Malik quit wrestling last year amid controversy over sexual harassment allegations against India’s wrestling chief, which saw Malik, Phogat and other wrestlers sleeping on the streets of Delhi for weeks demanding action.

“I gave up my sport which I love beyond all else for this fight because I bear that responsibility of protecting the younger athletes who come after me,” Malik said. “Things have to change.”

India’s Manu Bhaker competes in 10m air pistol mixed team bronze medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 30, 2024. Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images

Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned by NY appeals court

Diplomat Times
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Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned by NY appeals court

Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned by NY appeals court

New York, USA (AP) — New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein ’s 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era. The court found the trial judge had improperly allowed testimony against the ex-movie mogul based on allegations that weren’t part of the case.

Weinstein, 72, will remain in prison because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape. But the New York ruling reopens a painful chapter in America’s reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures — an era that began in 2017 with a flood of allegations against Weinstein.

READ MORE : Trump Leads Biden in Six of Seven Swing States, WSJ Poll Finds

While Thursday’s ruling was a blow to #MeToo advocates, they noted it was based on legal technicalities and not an exoneration of Weinstein’s behavior, saying the original trial irrevocably moved the cultural needle on attitudes about sexual assault.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office said it intends to retry Weinstein, and his accusers could again be forced to retell their stories on the witness stand.

The state Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s 23-year sentence in a 4-3 decision, finding that “the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts.” The court’s majority called this “an abuse of judicial discretion.”

In a stinging dissent, Judge Madeline Singas wrote that the Court of Appeals was continuing a “disturbing trend of overturning juries’ guilty verdicts in cases involving sexual violence.”

The reversal of Weinstein’s conviction is the second major #MeToo setback in the last two years. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a Pennsylvania court decision to throw out Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction.

Weinstein has been in a New York prison since his conviction for criminal sex acts, including forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006, and rape in the third degree for an attack on an aspiring actress in 2013. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in the Los Angeles case.

Weinstein lawyer Arthur Aidala called the Court of Appeals ruling “a tremendous victory for every criminal defendant in the state of New York.”

Attorney Douglas H. Wigdor, who has represented eight Harvey Weinstein accusers including two witnesses at the New York criminal trial, called the ruling “a major step back.”

FILE – Harvey Weinstein arrives at a Manhattan courthouse for jury deliberations in his rape trial, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in New York. New York’s highest court has overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

“Courts routinely admit evidence of other uncharged acts where they assist juries in understanding issues concerning the intent, modus operandi or scheme of the defendant. The jury was instructed on the relevance of this testimony and overturning the verdict is tragic in that it will require the victims to endure yet another trial,” Wigdor said in a statement.

Debra Katz, the prominent civil rights and #MeToo attorney who represented several Weinstein accusers, said her clients are “feeling gutted” by the ruling, but that she believed – and was telling them – that their testimony had changed the world.

“People continue to come forward, people continue to support other victims who’ve reported sexual assault and violence, and I truly believe there’s no going back from that,” Katz said. She predicted Weinstein would be convicted again at a retrial, and said accusers feel great comfort knowing Weinstein will remain behind bars.

Weinstein’s conviction in 2020 was heralded by activists and advocates as a milestone achievement, but dissected just as quickly by his lawyers and, later, the Court of Appeals when it heard arguments on the matter in February.

Allegations against Weinstein, the once powerful and feared studio boss behind such Oscar winners as “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love,” ushered in the #MeToo movement.

Dozens of women came forward to accuse Weinstein, including famous actresses such as Ashley Judd and Uma Thurman. His New York trial drew intense publicity, with protesters chanting “rapist” outside the courthouse.

Weinstein, who is incarcerated at the Mohawk Correctional Facility, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Albany, maintains his innocence. He contends any sexual activity was consensual.

Aidala argued before the appeals court in February that Burke swayed the trial by allowing three women to testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case and by giving prosecutors permission to confront Weinstein, if he had testified, about his long history of brutish behavior.

Aidala argued the extra testimony went beyond the normally allowable details about motive, opportunity, intent or a common scheme or plan, and essentially put Weinstein on trial for crimes he wasn’t charged with.

Weinstein wanted to testify but opted not to because Burke’s ruling would’ve meant answering questions about more than two-dozen alleged acts of misbehavior dating back four decades, Aidala said. They included fighting with his movie producer brother, flipping over a table in anger and snapping at waiters, and yelling at his assistants.

A lawyer for the Manhattan district attorney’s office, which prosecuted the case, argued that the judge‘s rulings were proper and the extra evidence and testimony he allowed was important to provide jurors context about Weinstein’s behavior and the way he interacted with women.

Appellate Chief Steven Wu said Weinstein’s acquittal on the most serious charges — two counts of predatory sexual assault and a first-degree rape charge involving actor Annabella Sciorra’s allegations of a mid-1990s rape — showed jurors were paying attention and they were not confused or overwhelmed by the additional testimony.

The Associated Press does not generally identify people alleging sexual assault unless they consent to be named; Sciorra has spoken publicly about her allegations.

The Court of Appeals agreed last year to take Weinstein’s case after an intermediate appeals court upheld his conviction. Prior to their ruling, judges on the lower appellate court had raised doubts about Burke’s conduct during oral arguments. One observed that Burke had let prosecutors pile on with “incredibly prejudicial testimony” from additional witnesses.

Burke’s term expired at the end of 2022. He was not reappointed and is no longer a judge.

In appealing, Weinstein’s lawyers sought a new trial, but only for the criminal sexual act charge. They argued the rape charge could not be retried because it involves alleged conduct outside the statute of limitations.

Associated Press writer Dave Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut. AP writers Jocelyn Noveck and Larry Neumeister in New York also contributed to this story.

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Blinken raises Chinese trade practices in meetings with officials in the financial hub of Shanghai

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Blinken raises Chinese trade practices in meetings with officials in the financial hub of Shanghai

Blinken raises Chinese trade practices in meetings with officials in the financial hub of Shanghai

Shanghai, CHINA (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised what the U.S. describes as unfair Chinese trade practices during his first full day of meetings in China on Thursday with local government officials in the financial hub of Shanghai.

Blinken met with the city’s top official, Communist Party Secretary Chen Jining, and “raised concerns about (Chinese) trade policies and non-market economic practices,” the State Department said in a statement.

READ MORE : Biden aide urges Bejing to press Iran over Houthi attacks. China warns US over Taiwan independence

It said he stressed that the United States seeks healthy economic competition with China and “a level playing field for U.S. workers and firms operating in China.”

“The two sides reaffirmed the importance of ties between the people of the United States and (China), including the expansion of exchanges between students, scholars, and business,” it said.

China’s multibillion-dollar trade surplus with the U.S. along with accusations of intellectual property theft and other practices seen as discriminating against U.S. businesses in China have long been a source of friction in relations.

China, for its part, has objected strongly to U.S. accusations of human rights abuses and Washington’s support for Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing considers its own territory and warns could be annexed by force.

Asked about Blinken’s comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China has “always conducted economic and trade cooperation in accordance with market principles, firmly supported the multilateral trading system, and fully complied with the rules of the World Trade Organization.”

“We hope the U.S. will also earnestly respect the principle of fair competition, abide by the WTO rules, and work with China to create favorable conditions for the sound and stable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations,” Wang told reporters at a daily briefing.

U.S.Secretary of State Antony Blinken left, talks with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining at the Grnad Halls, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Shanghai, China. Photo : Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Blinken also spoke with students and business leaders before flying to Beijing for what are expected to be contentious talks with national officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and possibly President Xi Jinping.

Blinken arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday shortly before U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $95 billion foreign aid package that has several elements likely to anger Beijing, including $8 billion to counter China’s growing aggressiveness toward Taiwan and in the South China Sea. It also seeks to force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform.

China has railed against U.S. assistance to Taiwan and immediately condemned the aid as a dangerous provocation. It also strongly opposes efforts to force TikTok’s sale.

Still, the fact that Blinken made the trip — shortly after a conversation between Biden and Xi, a visit to China by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and a call between the U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs — is a sign the two sides are at least willing to discuss their differences.

“I think it’s important to underscore the value — in fact, the necessity — of direct engagement, of speaking to each other, laying out our differences, which are real, seeking to work through them,” Blinken told Chen, according to the State Department statement.

“We have an obligation for our people, indeed an obligation to the world, to manage the relationship between our two countries responsibly,” he said. “That is the obligation we have, and one that we take very seriously.”

Chen agreed with that sentiment and said the recent Biden-Xi call had helped the “stable and healthy development of our two countries’ relationship.”

“Whether we choose cooperation or confrontation affects the well-being of both peoples, both countries, and the future of humanity,” he said.

Chen added that he hoped Blinken was able to get a “deep impression and understanding” of Shanghai, a city of skyscrapers, ports and more than 25 million people that is a magnet for commercially ambitious young people from China and abroad.

Most recently, the U.S. has raised concerns that potential overcapacity in Chinese industries — such as electric vehicles, steel and solar panels — might crowd out U.S. and other foreign manufacturers.

“We have an obligation for our people, indeed an obligation to the world, to manage the relationship between our two countries responsibly,” he said. “That is the obligation we have, and one that we take very seriously.”

Chen agreed with that sentiment and said the recent Biden-Xi call had helped the “stable and healthy development of our two countries’ relationship.”

“Whether we choose cooperation or confrontation affects the well-being of both peoples, both countries, and the future of humanity,” he said.

Chen added that he hoped Blinken was able to get a “deep impression and understanding” of Shanghai, a city of skyscrapers, ports and more than 25 million people that is a magnet for commercially ambitious young people from China and abroad.

Most recently, the U.S. has raised concerns that potential overcapacity in Chinese industries — such as electric vehicles, steel and solar panels — might crowd out U.S. and other foreign manufacturers.

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3 sons and 2 grandchildren of the Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car

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3 sons and 2 grandchildren of the Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car

3 sons and 2 grandchildren of the Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car

Cairo, EGYPT (Reuters) – Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the Palestinian Islamist group and Haniyeh’s family said.

The car belonging to Ismail Haniyeh’s son, the Hamas chief, has been completely destroyed by an airstrike from Israel. Photo : ALJAZEERA VIDEO SC

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the attack, describing the three sons as operatives in the Hamas armed wing.

Haniyeh, based abroad in Qatar, has been the tough-talking face of Hamas’ international diplomacy as war with Israel has raged on in Gaza, where his family home was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike back in November.

READ MORE : Australia PM Anthony Albanese urges Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid Rafah invasion

The three sons – Hazem, Amir and Mohammad – were killed after the car they were driving in was bombed in Gaza’s Al-Shati camp, Hamas said. Three of Haniyeh’s grandchildren were also killed in the attack and a third was wounded, Hamas media said.

The Israeli military statement did not comment on any other casualties in the airstrike.
“The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people,” Haniyeh, 61, who has 13 sons and daughters according to Hamas sources, told pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV.

The three sons and three grandchildren were making family visits during the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in Shati, their home refugee camp in Gaza City, according to relatives.

Hamas said on Tuesday it was studying an Israeli ceasefire proposal in the more than six-month-old Gaza war but that it was “intransigent” and met none of the Palestinian demands.

“Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position,” Haniyeh said.

In the seventh month of a war in which Israel’s air and ground offensive has devastated Gaza, Hamas wants an end to Israeli military operations and a withdrawal from the enclave, and permission for displaced Palestinians to return home.

Haniyeh’s eldest son confirmed in a Facebook post that his three brothers were killed. “Thanks to God who honoured us by the martyrdom of my brothers, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and their children,” wrote Abdel-Salam Haniyeh.

Appointed to the militant group’s top job in 2017, Haniyeh has moved between Turkey and Qatar’s capital Doha, avoiding Israeli-imposed travel restrictions in blockaded Gaza and enabling him to act as a negotiator in the latest ceasefire negotiations or communicate with Hamas’ main ally Iran.

Israel regards the entire Hamas leadership as terrorists, accusing Haniyeh and other leaders of continuing to “pull the strings of the Hamas terror organisation”.

But how much Haniyeh knew about the Oct. 7 cross-border attack on Israel by Gaza-based militants beforehand is not clear. The attack plan, drawn up by the Hamas military council in Gaza, was such a closely guarded secret that some Hamas officials abroad seemed shocked by its timing and scale.

Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Hatem Maher; Editing by Alex Richardson, Mark Heinrich, William Maclean

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Venezuela Arrests Ex- Minister Tareck El Aissami And Simon Zerpa in PDVSA corruption case

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Venezuela Arrests Ex- Minister Tareck El Aissami And Simon Zerpa in PDVSA corruption case

Venezuela Arrests Ex- Minister Tareck El Aissami And Simon Zerpa in PDVSA corruption case

Caracas, VENEZUELA (AP/REUTERS) — Venezuela’s once-powerful oil minister, who resigned unexpectedly last year during a corruption probe at the top ranks of the state-run crude industry, has been arrested, the government said Tuesday. The former oil czar is being investigated over an alleged scheme through which hundreds of millions of dollars in oil proceeds seemingly disappeared.

The Ministry of Communications released images of Tareck El Aissami being handcuffed and walking down a hallway, flanked by officers. Attorney General Tarek William Saab told reporters that El Aissami will make his first court appearance on Tuesday on charges that include treason, money laundering and criminal association.

Former finance minister Simon Zerpa and businessman Sarmark Lopez have also been detained, Attorney General Tarek Saab said at a press conference.
El Aissami surprisingly resigned in March 2023 amid a wide anti-corruption probe ordered by Maduro, which has been mainly focused on wrongdoing at PDVSA. El Aissami has not spoken publicly for more than a year.

READ MORE : Venezuela sets its presidential election for July 28 as the opposition candidate remains barred

Saab did not say when El Aissami was arrested.

The oil minister resigned a few days before senior officials in the government of President Nicolás Maduro and business leaders were arrested in March 2023 as part of an investigation into the corruption scheme that was based on international oil sales. El Aissami disappeared from public life after the arrests and his whereabouts were frequently questioned.

Former finance minister Simon Zerpa and businessman Sarmark Lopez have also been detained, Attorney General Tarek Saab said at a press conference.
El Aissami surprisingly resigned in March 2023 amid a wide anti-corruption probe ordered by Maduro, which has been mainly focused on wrongdoing at PDVSA. El Aissami has not spoken publicly for more than a year.

FILE : Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez waves to the audience alongside his interior Minister Tareck El Aissami at the launching ceremony of the new Bolivarian National Police force in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 04, 2009. Photo : Fernando Llano/AP

El Aissami and his allies used U.S. sanctions as an excuse to directly manage shipments of crude, Saab added, and therefore avoided passing funds through the country’s central bank, also allowing them to speculate on Venezuela’s currency market.
Through the end of 2022, PDVSA accumulated tens of billions of dollars in commercial accounts receivable tied to dozens of little-known middlemen companies, which replaced big-name customers barred by U.S. sanctions.

Saab last year said the oversight agency allegedly signed contracts for the loading of crude on ships “without any type of administrative control or guarantees,” violating legal regulations. He said that once the oil was marketed, “the corresponding payments were not made” to the state oil company.

Saab on Tuesday called El Aissami a “master” of corruption who “thought he would never be arrested.” The attorney general added that five people previously arrested as part of the investigation had received death threats while in jail — after they agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

The government has not said exactly how much money the state lost as a result of the shadowy transactions. But internal PDVSA documents obtained by The Associated Press last year show the state oil company was owed $10.1 billion as of August 2022 from 90 mostly unknown trading companies that emerged as major buyers of Venezuelan crude since the U.S. imposed economic sanctions in a campaign to oust Maduro.

An additional $13.3 billion, corresponding to 241 shipments, was owed directly to the government as a result of an accounting maneuver by PDVSA that reassigned responsibility for collecting the unpaid invoices directly to the Maduro administration in lieu of cash royalties.

All the oil cargo was sold on consignment at a deep discount owing to the sanctions, which have scared away more established traders. To avoid Western banks, Venezuela started accepting payments in Russian rubles, bartered goods or cryptocurrency, but not everyone paid.

Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City.

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A fire in a 16-story Hong Kong residential building kills at least 5 people and injures dozens

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A fire in a 16-story Hong Kong residential building kills at least 5 people and injures dozens

A fire in a 16-story Hong Kong residential building kills at least 5 people and injures dozens

HONG KONG (AP) — A fire in a large, mostly residential building in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning killed at least five people and left another 36 injured.

Some 250 residents were rescued from the New Lucky House in Hong Kong’s Jordan neighborhood and the fire was extinguished.

Onlookers stand near a building called New Lucky House where a fire started in Hong Kong, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Photo : Louise Delmotte/AP

The fire services department said that the fire began on the first and second floors of the 16-story building, where a gym and licensed guest rooms were located. More investigation was needed into the cause of the fire, officials said.

READ MORE : Playful ‘takjil war’ showcases tolerance in Indonesia during Ramadan

The five who died were apparently trying to escape the building.

The New Lucky House has 200 units and was built in 1964.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee expressed his condolences to victims’ families and said that the relevant departments were instructed to provide assistance to all those affected by the fire.

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