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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said the long-standing tensions between the Russian army and Wagner mercenary group, which staged a 24-hour mutiny at the weekend, had been mismanaged.

In his first public remarks since he brokered a deal between the Kremlin and Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, which halted the group’s advance on Moscow, Mr Lukashenko said he ordered the Belarusian army to be at full combat readiness.

He told reporters on Tuesday: “Do not make a hero out of me, neither of me nor of Putin nor of Prigozhin, because we let the situation slip from our hands, and then we thought that it would resolve itself, but it did not.

“And two people who were fighting at the front collided. There are no heroes in this case.”

Belarus leader orders army to be at ‘full combat readiness’ – latest updates

While Prigozhin’s precise whereabouts remain unclear, US intelligence official, senate Intelligence Chair Mark Warner, told Sky’s US partner NBC News that he is reportedly in “one of the only hotels in Minsk that does not have any windows”.

The 62-year-old has not been seen in public since Saturday, when he was driven out of the Russian city of Rostov after he ordered his men to stand down.

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The brief rebellion saw Wagner fighters advance on Moscow, demanding the sacking of Russia’s military leadership accusing them of botching the war in Ukraine.

Belarus allowed Russia to use its territory as a launchpad for its invasion of Ukraine last February and Mr Lukashenko remains a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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‘No intention to overthrow Putin’

While the exact terms of the Belarus-brokered deal are unclear, Prigozhin is believed to have moved to Belarus and the Kremlin has said it would drop criminal charges against the Wagner boss and his fighters.

Flight tracking data showed that a Russian-registered business jet linked to Prigozhin flew to Belarus from Russia early on Tuesday, according to Fightradar24. The Embraer Legacy 600 jet is linked to Prigozhin in US sanctions documents.

Read more:
What happens to Prigozhin and his private army next?
‘Any blackmail is doomed to failure,’ Putin’s warning after attempted rebellion

On Tuesday, Mr Putin thanked Russia’s military and law enforcement for “stopping a civil war” from breaking out at the weekend.

In an appearance on a square inside the Kremlin, he told some 2,500 members of the military, the security forces, and the National Guard that they had saved Russia from chaos.

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‘Any blackmail is doomed to failure’

On Monday, Prigozhin insisted his mutiny was not an attempt to “overthrow the government” and that he decided to halt the advance on Moscow to avoid bloodshed.

In an 11-minute audio message he said he started the march “because of an injustice” and acted to “prevent the destruction” of the Wagner Group.

The mercenary group leader has been a vocal critic of the Kremlin’s military’s elite – mainly the Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of general staff, Valery Gerasimov – who he has accused of failing to provide his fighters with enough ammunition in the battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

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Donald Trump threatens sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on first day in office

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Donald Trump threatens sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on first day in office

Donald Trump has threatened sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on his first day in office.

The president-elect, who takes office on 20 January next year, said he would introduce a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico.

Posting on his Truth Social platform he also threatened an additional 10% tariff on goods from China on top of any he might impose as one of his first executive orders.

What Trump’s tariffs could mean for UK, EU, China and the world

If implemented, the tariffs could raise prices for ordinary American consumers on everything from petrol to cars and agricultural products.

The US is the largest importer of goods worldwide and Mexico, China and Canada are its top three suppliers according to the country’s census data.

More than 83% of exports from Mexico went to the US in 2023 and 75% of Canadian exports go to the country.

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“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Mr Trump said.

He also spoke against an influx of illegal immigrants heading into the country.

While migrant arrests reached a record high during President Joe Biden’s administration, illegal crossings fell dramatically this year as new border restrictions were introduced and Mexico stepped up enforcement.

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Mr Trump added: “Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power… and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”

After issuing his tariff threat, Mr Trump spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and they were said to have discussed trade and border security.

“It was a good discussion and they will stay in touch,” a Canadian source said.

Turning to China, the president-elect said he “had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail”.

“Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” he wrote.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington said there would be losers on all sides if there is a trade war.

“China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature,” embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu posted on X. “No one will win a trade war or a tariff war.”

It is not clear if Mr Trump will actually go through with the threats.

He won the recent election in part due to voter frustration over inflation and high prices.

Mr Trump’s nominee for treasury secretary Scott Bessent – who if confirmed, would be one of a number of officials responsible for tariffs – has said previously that tariffs are a means of negotiation.

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Conor McGregor speaks after losing civil rape case as feminist march held in Dublin

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Conor McGregor speaks after losing civil rape case as feminist march held in Dublin

Conor McGregor has spoken out after losing a civil rape case as a feminist march was held in Dublin.

The MMA fighter was accused of raping Nikita Hand, who was awarded €248,603 (£206,000) in damages on Friday after a jury at Dublin’s High Court found McGregor assaulted her in a Dublin hotel in 2018.

Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is also known as Nikita Hand, leaving the High Court in Dublin, where she is claiming civil damages against mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and another man, alleging she was sexually assaulted in December 2018. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024.
Image:
Nikita Hand.
Pic: PA

Posting on social media, the 36-year-old said: “I know I made mistakes”.

It comes as hundreds of people in Dublin staged a demonstration in “utter solidarity” with Ms Hand.

Posting on X, McGregor said: “People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.

“As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.

“I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.

“That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!”

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him. Nikita Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, alleges she was raped by McGregor in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. After deliberating for six hours and 10 minutes, the jury returned with their verdicts in the civil trial against Conor McGregor. The total amount of damages awarded to Nikita Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH McGregor. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Image:
Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after he lost a civil case.
Pic: PA

Speaking outside court after the decision, an emotional Ms Hand said the two-week-long civil case had been a “nightmare” but that “justice has been served”.

“It’s something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” she added.

In Dublin on Monday night, a march in support of Ms Hand was organised by the socialist feminist movement group Rosa to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The demonstration in Dublin called for increased action on violence. 
Pic: PA
Image:
The demonstration in Dublin.
Pic: PA

Ruth Coppinger and Natasha O'Brien at the solidarity march.
Pic: PA
Image:
Ruth Coppinger (left) and Natasha O’Brien at the solidarity march.
Pic: PA

Participants chanted “stand with Nikita” and “no more fear, no more shaming, we reject your victim blaming” as they carried signs and banners through the capital’s streets.

Ruth Coppinger, a councillor and general election candidate, and Natasha O’Brien, who became a public figure after a soldier received a suspended sentence for assaulting her, both spoke at the event.

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Ms Coppinger said Ms Hand was “an incredibly brave woman” and that she was watching the event via a live stream.

Ms O’Brien was cheered as she said she’d been “in awe” of Ms Hand’s courage and that Ireland had let out a collective “sigh of relief” after the jury found in Ms Hand’s favour.

McGregor was accused of having “brutally raped and battered” Ms Hand.

She was taken in an ambulance to the Rotunda Hospital the following day where the paramedic who assessed her told the court she had not seen “someone so bruised” in a long time.

Following eight days of evidence, and three days of closing speeches and the judge’s instructions to the jury, the jury of eight women and four men spent six hours and ten minutes deliberating before returning their verdict.

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Egypt: Two Britons believed to be among 16 missing as tourist boat sinks after being ‘hit by large wave’

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Egypt: Two Britons believed to be among 16 missing as tourist boat sinks after being 'hit by large wave'

Two Britons are believed to be among more than a dozen people missing after a boat sank in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast.

The yacht, called Sea Story, had 44 people on board, including 31 tourists of varying nationalities and 13 crew.

Authorities are searching for 16 people, including 12 foreign nationals and four Egyptians, the governor of the Red Sea region said, adding that 28 other people had been rescued.

Preliminary reports suggested a sudden large wave struck the vessel, capsizing it within about five minutes, governor Amr Hanafi said.

“Some passengers were in their cabins, which is why they were unable to escape,” he added in a statement.

Pic: STR/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

More than dozen missing after tourist boat sinks off Red Sea in Egypt, Marsa Alam - 25 Nov 2024
Survivors of the sinking boat rest at a harbor in Marsa Alam, Red Sea Governorate, in Egypt 25 Novermber 2024.
Image:
Survivors rescued from the Sea Story in Marsa Alam. Pic: STR/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

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Passengers rescued from sunken tourist boat

The people who were rescued only suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scrapes with none needing hospital treatment.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office spokesperson said: “We are providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt and are in contact with the local authorities.”

The foreign nationals aboard the 34-metre-long vessel, owned by an Egyptian national, included Americans, Belgians, British, Chinese, Finns, Germans, Irish, Poles, Slovakians, Spanish, and Swiss.

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits before the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March, according to officials.

The four-deck, wooden-hulled motor yacht was part of a multi-day diving trip when it went down near the coastal town of Marsa Alam following warnings about rough weather.

Egypt map

Officials said a distress call was received at 5.30am local time on Monday.

The boat had left Port Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday and was scheduled to reach its destination of Hurghada Marina on 29 November.

The Sea Story was carrying 45 people according to a statement by the Red Sea Governorate.
Pic: Dive Pro Liveaboard
Image:
The Sea Story had 44 people on board. File pic: Dive Pro Liveaboard

Some survivors had been airlifted to safety on a helicopter, officials said.

The firm that operates the yacht, Dive Pro Liveaboard in Hurghada, said it has no information on the matter.

According to its maker’s website, the Sea Story was built in 2022.

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The incident comes after the Egyptian Meteorological Authority issued a warning on Saturday about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea.

The organisation had advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday.

Some tourist companies have stopped or limited operations on the Red Sea due to the potential dangers from conflicts in the region.

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