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Paris gears up for Olympic spectacle

In a first, the opening ceremony will not be conducted inside a stadium. The traditional Parade of Nations will be taking place along the river Seine, flowing through the heart of Paris….reports Asian Lite News

The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris was seen decorated with the five Olympic rings as the multi-sport extravaganza officially kickstarts today with a glittering opening ceremony.

The Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony will kickstart at 1:30 p.m., EDT/7:30 p.m. and IST 11.00 p.m. It is the first time in 100 years that the French capital has hosted the summer Games, with the majority of the events taking place in or around the city’s most iconic areas.

As per Olympics.com, in a first, the opening ceremony will not be conducted inside a stadium. The traditional Parade of Nations will be taking place along the river Seine, flowing through the heart of Paris.

Over 10,000 Olympic athletes will be cruising through the Seine and passing through some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, like Notre Dame, Pont des Arts, Pont Neuf and more on around 100 boats.

This floating parade will depart from Austerlitz Bridge beside the Jardin des Plantes and will meet its conclusion at the Trocadero, where the last remaining Olympic-related protocols and shows will be performed.

The ceremony is expected to last more than three hours. The Paris 2024 Games is pledged to be the “greenest in history,” and the French have promised a “Games Wide Open.”

French theatre director and actor Thomas Jolly is overseeing the ceremonies for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in the capacity of an artistic director.

IOC hosts eve summit

On the eve of the Opening Ceremony of the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) organised an unprecedented summit in the interests of sport, youth and sustainable development that brought together more than 60 heads of state and government and heads of international organisations and got five global commitments and promises of big investments from IOC, FIFA, private and public entities. 

The first Sport for Sustainable Development Summit, the largest meeting ever organised on this subject, took place on Thursday on the eve of Paris 2024. On this occasion, France and the IOC wanted to kick off an unprecedented movement to accelerate the contribution of sport to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and IOC President Thomas Bach, the Summit brought together 500 participants -– heads of state and government, heads of international organisations and public banks, members of the Olympic Movement and socially committed athletes, representatives of civil society and young citizens -– and gave rise to ambitious and measurable political, financial and sporting commitments.

On the political level, the commitments of the Paris Agreement for Sport and Sustainable Development received the support of more than 60 heads of state and government and heads of international organisations, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, who issued a call for the participants to join the Summit of the Future in September, the IOC informed in a release on Thursday.

This Agreement, to which the Olympic Movement has signed up, consists of 10 commitments around the five main priorities of the Summit:

Education and employment, Health and nutrition, Equality and inclusion, Financing and impact measurement, Sustainability and legacy.

On the sporting front, the heads of some of the biggest international sports competitions have announced significant commitments:

The IOC, through its President, Thomas Bach, has announced a 10% increase in its budget dedicated to Olympic Solidarity (USD 650 million for 2025-2028). This will support athletes and sports development programmes around the globe, and includes a budget increase to support National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in their endeavours to actively contribute to the IOC’s strategy to strengthen the role of sport as an important enabler for the UN SDGs.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced an ambitious programme to install 1,000 sustainable football pitches in schools in support of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

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Russian, Chinese bombers intercepted near Alaska

The incident underscores evolving dynamics in Arctic security, where traditional players like Russia are joined by newer entrants such as China…reports Asian Lite News

The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) intercepted a group of bombers near Alaska, marking the first instance of joint Russian and Chinese operations prompting such a response from the United States, CNN reported, citing, a US defence official.

NORAD confirmed that the aircraft, comprising two Russian TU-95 Bear bombers and two Chinese H-6 bombers, were flying within the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) over Alaska, strictly in international airspace and were “not seen as a threat”.

The intercept, carried out by US F-16 and F-35 fighters alongside Canadian CF-18 jets, remained focused on ensuring the aircraft did not breach US or Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD emphasised that such encounters are not uncommon with Russian TU-95s, which have made routine flights into Alaska’s ADIZ, as witnessed in a previous incident involving four Russian aircraft in May.

However, the inclusion of Chinese bombers in this scenario represents a notable development. The H-6 bombers, modernised versions of older Soviet models, were identified entering Alaska’s ADIZ for the first time during this event, according to CNN.

The Chinese have shown increasing interest in expanding their presence into the Arctic region, said Gen Gregory Guillot of US Northern Command during a Senate hearing earlier this year. He had anticipated such developments, citing China’s strategic moves northward and their growing involvement in Arctic affairs, often under the guise of scientific or technical missions but with clear military implications.

“What I have seen is a willingness and a desire by the Chinese to act up there,” Guillot told a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “We have seen them in the maritime. We have seen them under the cloud of a technical or scientific research, but we think it is certainly multi-mission, to include military. And then I expect to see air activity in the Alaska part of the Arctic as soon as this year, potentially.”

“It is a very big concern of mine,” he said.

The incident underscores evolving dynamics in Arctic security, where traditional players like Russia are joined by newer entrants such as China, whose strategic ambitions extend beyond maritime activities into aerial operations.

While NORAD reiterated that the recent intercept did not escalate into a security breach, it highlights ongoing vigilance in monitoring international airspace near sensitive zones, CNN reported. (ANI)

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Estonia, US defence chiefs discuss NATO and Ukraine support

Secretary Austin and Minister Pevkur discussed the importance of continuing NATO Alliance unity and countering Russian aggression…reports Asian Lite News

United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III met with Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur at the Pentagon on Tuesday to discuss regional and bilateral issues.

Their discussions included enhancing NATO’s defence capabilities and the need for continued joint exercises to boost efficiency between the military forces of both nations.

Secretary Austin and Minister Pevkur discussed the importance of continuing NATO Alliance unity and countering Russian aggression in Ukraine, according to a press release from the US Department of Defence.

Austin shared on X, “Superb meeting with steadfast Baltic Ally, @MoD_Estonia @Hanno Pevkur and I reaffirmed our ironclad commitment to NATO’s credible deterrence and defence and our continued support for Ukraine. #WeAreNATO.”

The two leaders discussed several key topics, including strengthening NATO’s credible deterrence and defence, the need for continued joint exercises to increase interoperability and efficiencies between military forces, the US continued persistent rotational presence in the Baltics, increased defence production to support Ukraine and replenish Allied munitions and equipment stocks, and outcomes from the Washington NATO Summit.

Defence Minister Pevkur also highlighted his nation’s commitment to defence spending with more than three per cent of Estonia’s GDP dedicated to defence and host nation support for Allied forces, the release added.

The US Secretary of Defence praised Estonia’s steadfast commitment and many contributions to the Alliance and continued support for Ukraine.

Both leaders committed to continuing to work closely together to ensure the continued defence credibility and security of NATO’s Eastern Flank. (ANI)

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New PM only after Olympics, says Macron  

Emanuel Macron-stepchild of western alliance may retaliate after AUKUS formation.(photo:IN)

Gabriel Attal submitted his resignation as prime minister to Macron on July 8 after the ruling party failed to secure a majority in the snap legislative elections…reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron said that he will not pick a new prime minister before the end of the Olympic Games to avoid “disorder”, local media reported.

“This government has prepared the Games, and our responsibility is to make sure they go well,” Macron said during an interview with France 2 channel, adding that he has chosen “stability” to safeguard the Games, which gather nearly 10,500 athletes and millions of fans, Xinhua news agency reported.

As the change of the prime minister and the appointment of a new government would create “chaos,” Macron called on political parties to seek compromises in the country’s parliament in the absence of an absolute majority.

Gabriel Attal submitted his resignation as prime minister to Macron on July 8 after the ruling party failed to secure a majority in the snap legislative elections.

On July 16, Macron accepted Attal’s resignation but asked him to stay as the head of a caretaker cabinet until the formation of a new administration.

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Starmer vows Ukraine support in low-key first PMQs

Commons votes have been held on most armed interventions since the 2003, but there is no legal requirement for PMs to get approval from MPs…reports Asian Lite News

Keir Starmer had a gentle introduction to Prime Minister’s Questions, as Rishi Sunak asked him to continue the UK’s support for Ukraine. Their first Commons exchanges since the election were dominated by agreement on the need to continue sending military aid.

Sunak, who is due to be replaced in November, avoided asking about any of Labour’s domestic priorities after its landslide election win. But Starmer was forced to defend the government’s approach to tackling poverty after a rebellion on the two-child benefits limit.

On Tuesday, he suspended seven Labour backbenchers after they backed an SNP call for the limit to be scrapped.

The move was a sign of the new PM’s authority after winning a huge working majority, but risks further widening a rift with MPs on the left of the party. Starmer was greeted with a huge cheer from his own side as he arrived for his first PMQs since entering Downing Street earlier this month.

Continuing a theme since his election drubbing, Sunak cracked a self-deprecating joke that he was “not the first person” British athletes heading to Paris for the Olympics would want to consult on how to win.

It elicited pitying sighs from Labour’s enlarged cohort of MPs, struggling to fit on the green benches on the government side of the House of Commons.

He then used his six questions to ask Starmer about Ukraine and national security issues, subjects where the two main parties are heavily aligned, in a sign he may have wanted to avoid further Labour attacks on the Tories’ record.

Labour ministers have spent the weeks since the election laying into the state of public services and their financial inheritance, after returning to power for the first time since 2010.

It was a theme Starmer continued at PMQs, telling MPs his government had “inherited” lots of crises, with “failure absolutely everywhere”.

Sunak pressed the prime minister to continue discussions with Saudi Arabia about joining a joint project with Italy and Japan to build a new fighter jet, adding it was a “crucial sovereignty capability”. Starmer said he wanted to build on “progress” in talks on the Tempest jet programme, which he described as “really important”.

The prime minister has sidestepped questions about whether a recently-launched review could see the UK end its participation in the project, amid reports there are concerns among officials about rising costs.

Starmer also said he wanted to maintain “unity” on support for Ukraine, after Sunak asked whether he would respond to new requests for weaponry. Sunak also said the Conservatives would support the Labour leader if he deemed it necessary to take military action without consulting Parliament.

Starmer supported multiple rounds of strikes against Houthi sites in Yemen under the last government, and did not join the Lib Dems, SNP and Plaid Cymru in calling for Parliament to get a vote on the military action.

Commons votes have been held on most armed interventions since the 2003, but there is no legal requirement for PMs to get approval from MPs.

Elsewhere, Starmer was forced to defend the government’s strategy to tackle child poverty after he suffered a rebellion over the two-child benefit cap. The policy, introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, prevents almost all parents from claiming Universal Credit or child tax credit for more than two children.

Labour’s landslide election win has led to renewed calls for it to be scrapped from some MPs, charities and anti-poverty campaigners – but the government has said it will not make an “unfunded” commitment to do so.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn called on Sir Keir to change course, noting former Labour PM Gordon Brown’s support for a change in policy.

The prime minister replied that his government was taking steps to reduce poverty through its plans for primary school breakfast clubs and abolishing no-fault evictions for private renters.

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Moscow Rejects Zelensky’s Credibility on Negotiations

In her weekly press briefing, Zakharova said on Wednesday that Russia did not trust the Ukrainian President…reports Asian Lite News

Statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on potential negotiations with Russia lack credibility, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

The comment followed a recent statement made by Zelensky proposing that Russian representatives should be present at a second peace conference on Ukraine scheduled to be held in November, Xinhua news agency reported.

In her weekly press briefing, Zakharova said on Wednesday that Russia did not trust the Ukrainian President.

The Spokesperson recalled that Zelensky, his administration, or his “Western curators” have not taken any action to repeal the law that bans negotiations with Russia.

Zakharova also suggested that the Ukrainian President and Kiev’s Western allies might be trying to advance their failed “peace formula” once again.

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Ukraine Ready for Peace Negotiations with Russia

Mao said that the ongoing Moscow-Kiev conflict was high on the agenda, and Kuleba said that “Ukraine is ready and willing to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia.”..reports Asian Lite News

Ukraine is ready to hold talks with Russia to end their conflict and achieve a “just and lasting peace”, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, as per Chinese officials.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning shared details on the agenda of the top Ukrainian diplomat’s visit to China – the first since the start of the conflict in February 2022 – as well as his discussions with Wang, RT reported.

Mao said that the ongoing Moscow-Kiev conflict was high on the agenda, and Kuleba said that “Ukraine is ready and willing to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia.”

“Of course, the negotiations should be rational and substantive, aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,” he added, as quoted by Mao.

Mao said Wang had warned that there was a “risk of escalation and spillover” of the conflict, adding that “China believes that the resolution of all conflicts must eventually return to the negotiation table”. “Recently, both Ukraine and Russia have sent signals of willingness to negotiate to varying degrees,” the Chinese Minister said.

Kuleba’s trip to China comes after Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky said earlier this week told visiting Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, that he wanted to end the conflict “as soon as possible” and signalled readiness to engage with Russia. His stand was in contrast to his 2022 presidential decree, ruling out all talks with the current leadership in Moscow and then, his peace formula which the Russian leadership has dismissed as “delusional”.

In June, Ukraine attended the ‘peace summit’ in Switzerland, which focused on several points of Zelensky’s formula. However, Moscow was not invited, and Beijing also kept away from the event, arguing that Russia needed to be part of the process. Several participants also later withdrew their signatures from the final document.

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Norway Sanctions Israeli Settlers Over Human Rights Abuses

The Foreign Minister condemned Israel’s decisions to expand settlements in the West Bank…reports Asian Lite News

Norway has aligned with the European Union (EU) in imposing sanctions against Israeli extremist settlers in the West Bank, a government statement said.

Last week, the EU decided to impose sanctions on five individuals and three organisations due to “serious human rights abuses”. The sanctions add to those already in force.

The aforementioned individuals and organisations are accused of severe abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank and obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza. The individuals will face frozen financial assets and travel restrictions, while the organisations will also have their financial assets frozen, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The Israeli settlements on occupied land are illegal. The organisations and individuals now listed are behind serious human rights abuses against Palestinians,” said Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The Foreign Minister condemned Israel’s decisions to expand settlements in the West Bank.

“Recently, we have witnessed several unacceptable expansions of Israeli settlements. The increasing transfer of control over the West Bank from military to civilian Israeli authorities, and the displacement of Palestinians from large areas of the West Bank due to settlement violence and house demolitions are deeply worrying,” he added.

Palestinians are increasingly exposed to threats and violent attacks from settlers.

Nearly 1,400 people have been displaced since October 2023 due to settlement violence and movement restrictions.

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Eluned Morgan to Be Next First Minister of Wales

Morgan, 57, will wait for the Senedd to reconvene during its summer break to be officially confirmed as the first Minister. After that, she will also be the first woman to lead Wales…reports Asian Lite News

Eluned Morgan has become the new Welsh Labour leader and is set to be the next first Minister of Wales, the party confirmed.

As Health Secretary of Wales, Morgan secured the support of almost all Labour members of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, and has been confirmed as the only candidate to become Welsh Labour leader, Xinhua news agency reported.

“I am truly honoured to become the first woman to lead Welsh Labour and to be put forward as our party’s nominee to become the next first Minister of Wales,” she said on Wednesday in a statement.

“At this pivotal time for our country, strength, stability, and unity will be my guiding principles. I want to ensure that everyone in Wales has the opportunity and ability to fulfill their potential,” Morgan added.

Morgan, 57, will wait for the Senedd to reconvene during its summer break to be officially confirmed as the first Minister. After that, she will also be the first woman to lead Wales.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Eluned Morgan’s appointment is “fantastic news” for both Wales and the Labour Party.

“Eluned brings with her a wealth of experience and track record of delivery and, as the first woman to lead Welsh Labour, she is already making history,” he said in a statement.

“We have been given a strong mandate to deliver change for working people, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Eluned to deliver on our promises to Wales and Britain,” he added.

Wales’ First Minister Vaughan Gething announced his resignation last week after losing a vote of no-confidence in his leadership.

Since assuming office four months ago, Gething had been under mounting pressure over a controversial 200,000-pound ($259,000) donation to his leadership campaign. However, he denied wrongdoing and said he had never compromised his integrity.

ALSO READ-Starmer heads to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales to reset ties 

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Fighter Jets Intercept Bombers Near Alaska

The Command said that the bombers did not enter the sovereign airspace of the US or Canada and that they remained in international airspace…reports Asian Lite News

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has said that it sent out fighter jets to intercept two Chinese and Russian bombers off the coast of Alaska from China and Russia.

NORAD said that it detected and tracked two Russian TU-95 and two Chinese H-6 military aircraft that were operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, The Hill reported.

NORAD added that its fighter jets from Canada and the US intercepted the four aircraft.

The Command said that the bombers did not enter the sovereign airspace of the US or Canada and that they remained in international airspace.

It also added that the activity in the zone was not seen as a threat, The Hill reported.

The Command said that it “will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence”.

NORAD noted that an Air Defense Identification Zone “begins where sovereign airspace ends”. The zone is an area of international airspace “that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security,” according to the Command.

NORAD said in May that it was tracking four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska ADIZ, saying at the time that the activity “occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat”.

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