White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated during her weekly briefing that the potential withdrawal “is an issue the president has raised” and is expected to be part of the upcoming talks with Rutte.

She added that the media “may have the opportunity to hear directly from the president after this meeting, later this afternoon.”

Rutte’s visit to Washington, which had been planned in advance, comes amid heightened tensions between President Trump and NATO member states. The US leader has recently criticized allies for what he described as insufficient participation in an operation aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“They have been tested and have failed,” Leavitt said, quoting President Trump, according to AFP.

She further stated that “it is quite sad that NATO has turned its back on the American people over the past six weeks,” adding that the United States is the main contributor to the alliance’s defense funding.

In recent weeks, President Trump has referred to NATO members as “cowards,” described the alliance as a “paper tiger,” and repeatedly threatened a potential US withdrawal from the military bloc.

The meeting between Donald Trump and Mark Rutte in the Oval Office is therefore expected to draw significant attention.

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“The terms of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States are clear,” Araqchi stated, following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon that have so far resulted in 254 deaths and 1,164 injuries.

“The world sees the massacre in Lebanon. The ball is in the US court and the world is waiting to see whether it will honor its commitments,” he added.

Iran and the United States agreed on Tuesday evening to a two-week truce, during which negotiations are set to take place to end the war that began on February 28.

Araqchi also referred to an agreement announced by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which предусматрива un “ceasefire everywhere, including in Lebanon and elsewhere.”

However, later statements from US President Donald Trump indicated that Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon are considered a separate “clash” from the war involving Iran, and therefore are not part of the temporary truce agreed with Tehran.

Other countries, including Egypt and Qatar, which were involved in efforts to reach the two-week ceasefire, also condemned the “brutal attacks” launched by Israel on Wednesday against Lebanon and called for the “immediate” intervention of the international community.

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The 50-year-old British actor, radio and television presenter, and podcast host is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. The allegations were made by six women and relate to incidents said to have occurred between 1999 and 2009. Brand has denied all accusations.

He was first charged in April 2025 following complaints from four women. The trial had originally been scheduled to begin on June 16, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court.

Additional charges were brought in January this year following complaints from two more women, leading to the consolidation of the case.

At a hearing held on Monday, Judge Joel Bennathan approved a request to delay the start of the trial until October 12, 2026. Brand did not attend the hearing and was represented by his lawyer, Ian Winter KC.

The British actor has previously appeared in court twice, where he entered not guilty pleas to all charges.

The trial, initially expected to last between four and five weeks, is now estimated to run for approximately two months following the addition of new allegations.

According to earlier hearings, Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room during a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth. He is also alleged to have inappropriately touched a television presenter and later sexually assaulted her in a men’s restroom, as well as committing similar acts against a radio station employee.

Brand, who owns a residence in Buckinghamshire, currently lives in the United States and has been granted bail during the criminal proceedings.

Born in 1975 in Essex, east of London, he began his career as a stand-up comedian in his youth. He later gained prominence for his provocative style before establishing himself in film and television, and more recently as a podcast host and online personality with a large following.

He was married to Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.

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The bill, proposed by far-right lawmakers, was approved in its third reading with 62 votes in favor and 48 against. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in support of the legislation.

Shortly after the vote, a human rights organization announced it had filed an appeal with Israel’s Supreme Court challenging the law. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) stated that the legislation is “unconstitutional, inherently discriminatory, and, regarding Palestinians in the West Bank, adopted without legal basis.”

Under the law’s general framework, any person who “intentionally causes the death of another with the aim of harming an Israeli citizen or resident, and with the intent to undermine the existence of the State of Israel,” may face either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

However, for Palestinians in the West Bank, the law establishes the death penalty as the default punishment if the killing is classified as an act of terrorism by Israeli military courts.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. In this territory, Palestinians accused of crimes are tried in Israeli military courts, while Israeli settlers fall under the jurisdiction of civilian courts.

The law stipulates that executions could be carried out within 90 days of a final conviction, with a possible delay extending up to 180 days.

In February, Amnesty International urged Israeli lawmakers to reject the bill, arguing that it would enable courts to expand the use of capital punishment in a manner that discriminates against Palestinians.

The death penalty exists in Israeli law but has been applied only twice: in 1948, shortly after the establishment of the state, in the case of an army officer convicted of treason, and in 1962, when Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was executed.

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“We will decide when the war will end,” a spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by several Iranian media outlets.

“The equation and the future status of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces. U.S. forces will not bring this war to an end,” the spokesperson added.

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According to Iranian authorities, the strikes targeted locations where the country’s leadership was meeting. The Israeli military had earlier stated that several senior officials were killed in the operation, including the defense minister and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guards pledged a “severe punishment” for those considered responsible for the death of the Supreme Leader.

The announcement regarding Ali Khamenei’s death was made on Saturday at approximately 21:30 GMT by Donald Trump from his residence in Florida, where he was overseeing the military campaign. Iranian media also reported the deaths of Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.

Domestic and International Reactions

Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former shah, reacted on the social media platform X, stating that “with his death, the Islamic Republic has effectively ended.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement that the “martyrdom of Imam Ali Khamenei will mark the beginning of a great uprising against the tyrants of the world.”

During the night, news of the death of the leader who had ruled Iran for 37 years, succeeding Ayatollah Khomeini, prompted mixed reactions. According to witnesses, applause and cheering were heard in some areas. On Sunday morning, thousands gathered in Tehran, waving Iranian flags and chanting slogans against the United States and Israel.

Power Transition

Iranian state television announced that the transition of power will be ensured by a triumvirate composed of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a member of the Guardian Council.

Authorities declared 40 days of national mourning.

Casualties and Military Context

Saturday’s attack resulted in more than 200 deaths, according to the Red Crescent. Following the operation, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and against United States military forces stationed in the Middle East, as well as against several Arab countries hosting U.S. military bases.

The Supreme National Security Council was established in August to centralize military strategy after a 12-day war in which Israel and the United States attacked Iran.

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More than a conference: the South Eastern Freight Forwarders Association (SEEFF) Congress joins forces with the FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations) Regional Field Meeting (REU), creating a flagship industry event that brings together regional leadership and global vision.

This unique format ensures that the voices of freight forwarders from South – Eastern Europe are not only heard, but actively represented and promoted at international level, through direct dialogue with FIATA’s global network.

Participants are invited to three days dedicated to high-level networking, B2B meetings and knowledge exchange, designed to strengthen and further develop the freight forwarding and logistics community across South – Eastern Europe.

The event will take place at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, marking a milestone for the industry: the first joint SEEFF – FIATA event hosted in Romania, more than two decades after Bucharest last welcomed a SEEFF Congress.

Milestones that make the 2026 Edition a historic moment for the industry

30 years of SEEFF history

The SEEFF & FIATA REU 2026 Field Meeting 2026 marks 30 years since the first SEEFF Congress (formerly the Balkan Congress), held in 1996 – an event that laid the foundations for regional cooperation among freight forwarding associations in South – Eastern Europe.

25 years since Romania last hosted the SEEFF Congress

Romania last hosted the SEEFF Congress in 2001. The return of the event to Bucharest highlights the country’s growing role as a relevant and active player in European logistics.

100 years of FIATA

Founded in Vienna in 1926, FIATA celebrates its centenary in 2026, giving the Bucharest edition strong symbolic and strategic value – bridging the industry’s heritage with the transformations shaping its future.

Romania at the crossroads of major European logistics flows

The event aims to position Romania and South – Eastern Europe as strategic hubs within European and global supply chains, against a backdrop of geopolitical volatility, supply chain pressure and accelerated digitalization.

During the first two days, participants will take part in:

• high-level conferences and panel discussions;
• applied debates on current industry challenges;
• dedicated networking sessions for logistics and freight forwarding professionals.

Key topics include:

• supply chain security and resilience;
• fighting fraud in road transport in Romania and across Europe;
• digitalization of transport documents (e-CMR, e-FBL, e-AWB, e-CIM);
• development of intermodal transport and logistics corridors;
• industry adaptation to new European regulations.

The target audience includes representatives of national and international freight forwarding associations, transport and logistics companies (road, rail, air, maritime and inland waterways), importers and exporters, public authorities, technology providers, academia and leading European experts.

More than a conference: dialogue, connections and cultural experience

The third day of the Congress will be dedicated to social and cultural programmes, offering participants the opportunity to discover Bucharest and its heritage through organized visits to emblematic landmarks such as the Palace of the Parliament and the National Cathedral.

These visits will provide the perfect setting for relaxed networking and authentic dialogue, while giving international guests the chance to explore some of Bucharest’s most impressive landmarks.

The programme includes:

• the Palace of the Parliament, the largest administrative building in the world;
• the National Cathedral, the largest Orthodox cathedral in the world.

Through this initiative, the organizers aim to place Romania firmly on the map of major European events, promoting it as an attractive destination for business, investment and tourism – where history, culture and contemporary ambition meet.

A reference European platform for the industry

The SEEFF & FIATA REU Field Meeting 2026 is not just an industry event – it is a statement.

By bringing regional and global freight forwarding leaders to Bucharest, Romania affirms its strategic role within the European logistics architecture and becomes a genuine platform for dialogue, decision-making and collaboration.

At a time when supply chains are being reshaped and cooperation is more essential than ever, this event confirms that South – Eastern Europe has a strong voice and that Bucharest is where it can be heard.

Registration

Registration for the SEEFF & FIATA REU Field Meeting 2026 is now open. 

Participants can benefit from early bird rates, available for a limited period, until the 17th of March, 2026.

Places are limited – register now to secure your spot at this event, the meeting point for Europe’s transport, logistics and freight forwarding leaders.

More information about the event, participation and sponsorship opportunities is available on the official website:

www.seeff-fiata2026.ro

The post Bucharest Becomes an European Hub for Transport, Logistics and Freight Forwarding: The Freight Forwarders Association of Romania (USER) hosts the European SEEFF & FIATA REU Field Meeting, 18th – 20th of May, 2026 appeared first on Business Newspaper.

The referral was submitted by the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ), following the government’s latest proposal to amend the special pension system for judges and prosecutors. This comes after a previous version of the reform was declared unconstitutional in October due to the government’s failure to request an advisory opinion from the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) within the legally required timeframe.

The new legislative proposal, put forward by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s cabinet, includes a gradual increase in the retirement age to 65 and limits service pensions to a maximum of 70% of the net salary received in the final month of activity.

Despite the revisions, the CSM issued a negative opinion on the proposal. Magistrates have strongly opposed the changes, arguing that the reform discriminates against them compared to other professional categories benefiting from service pensions, significantly reduces pension amounts, and threatens judicial independence. They also claim that the reform violates international standards established by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

All 102 judges present at the ICCJ’s plenary session unanimously voted in favor of filing the constitutional complaint. In support of its position, the High Court submitted a financial expert report showing that, under the new legislation, the service pension would fall below the value of a regular contributory pension.

The ICCJ further criticized the law’s lack of financial justification, noting that the explanatory memorandum contains no data regarding the budgetary impact. According to court data, out of more than 200,000 service pension beneficiaries, 90% belong to the defense and public order sectors, while just over 10,000 come from the judiciary and other special professions. The total 2024 budget for military pensions exceeds 14 billion lei, compared to 2.2 billion lei allocated for all other service pensions, including those for magistrates.

Magistrates argue that the new law introduces ambiguous terminology, lacks legal clarity and predictability, and violates previous CCR rulings. They warn that the reform effectively abolishes service pensions, especially for future generations of judges and prosecutors.

The upcoming decision by the CCR is seen as crucial in the broader debate over the sustainability and fairness of Romania’s special pension system.

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Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight and throughout Sunday, with the tally reaching at least 25 by midday. He reported no casualties as a result of the interceptions.

Air traffic, however, was disrupted at three of Moscow’s four major airports — Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky — where temporary restrictions were imposed on arrivals and departures. Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled, according to information published on the airports’ official websites.

“The restrictions are necessary to ensure flight safety,” said Artyom Korenyako, a representative of Russia’s federal air transport agency Rosaviatsia, in a statement posted on Telegram.

Earlier in December, Russia reported repelling a massive Ukrainian drone attack involving more than 300 drones, around 40 of which were heading toward Moscow, leading to major delays and cancellations across all four of the capital’s airports.

Ukraine has been subjected to near-daily Russian bombardments across its territory since Moscow launched its full-scale offensive in February 2022. Ukrainian airports have remained closed for almost four years as a result of the conflict.

Kyiv, for its part, regularly carries out drone strikes against Russian territory, saying it targets military objectives and infrastructure.

In a separate incident, one person was killed and two others wounded in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s border region of Belgorod, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Sunday morning.

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In a statement, Berset stressed that, as a regional multilateral organization dedicated to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, the Council of Europe considers any use of force on the territory of another state to be highly problematic under international law. He pointed in particular to the core principles of the United Nations Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference.

His remarks follow the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, an action that has sparked intense international debate. Berset warned that the development risks “deepening polarization in Venezuela, across the region, and globally, between those who condemn a serious violation of international law and those who view it as justified.”

“These fractures undermine the foundations of international security,” he said.

Berset also cautioned against the frequent application of double standards when discussing regime change or foreign influence, arguing that such judgments are too often shaped by strategic interests or ideological proximity rather than by consistent and shared legal principles.

“International law is universal; otherwise, it is meaningless,” he insisted, adding that “a world governed by exceptions, double standards, or competing spheres of influence is a more dangerous world.”

His comments come after US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States intends to “lead” Venezuela’s transition. In response, the Council of Europe’s secretary general called for a transition that is “peaceful, democratic, and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people.”

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