'More seriousness on both sides' - Iran's Araghchi on 'significant progress on some issues' after talks with US in Geneva

'More seriousness on both sides' - Iran's Araghchi on 'significant progress on some issues' after talks with US in Geneva

"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the third round of talks with the US were ‘one of the most serious and prolonged’ sessions held so far, claiming ‘significant progress on 'some issues'. The talks, which focused on Tehran's nuclear ambitions and US sanctions, spanned nearly four hours in the morning and around two hours in the evening, facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi assisting on technical issues. “Over these long and very intensive hours, we made good progress and seriously examined the key elements of a potential agreement, both in the nuclear field and regarding sanctions,” Araghchi said. He said that the two sides could hold another round of talks ‘very soon, perhaps within the next week or so'. Outlining the next steps, he said that expert-level discussions will begin from Monday in Vienna, with assistance from IAEA experts, to chalk out a framework and format of an agreement that also aligns with Iran's ‘political demands’. Araghchi said that Iran had laid out ‘clearly’ its expectations regarding sanctions imposed by the US on Tehran. “What needs to happen have been clearly stated on our part. It has been agreed that in the next session, we will delve into this discussion in more detail,” he added. Al-Busaidi took to X and said that ‘significant progress’ had been made during the negotiations and that the next round could resume ‘soon after consultation in the respective capitals’. The discussions are taking place against a tense backdrop, with Washington increasing its military footprint near Iran’s borders and threatening military action if the talks fail to produce an agreement."

'More seriousness on both sides' - Iran's Araghchi on 'significant progress on some issues' after talks with US in Geneva

'More seriousness on both sides' - Iran's Araghchi on 'significant progress on some issues' after talks with US in Geneva

"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the third round of talks with the US were ‘one of the most serious and prolonged’ sessions held so far, claiming ‘significant progress on 'some issues'. The talks, which focused on Tehran's nuclear ambitions and US sanctions, spanned nearly four hours in the morning and around two hours in the evening, facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi assisting on technical issues. “Over these long and very intensive hours, we made good progress and seriously examined the key elements of a potential agreement, both in the nuclear field and regarding sanctions,” Araghchi said. He said that the two sides could hold another round of talks ‘very soon, perhaps within the next week or so'. Outlining the next steps, he said that expert-level discussions will begin from Monday in Vienna, with assistance from IAEA experts, to chalk out a framework and format of an agreement that also aligns with Iran's ‘political demands’. Araghchi said that Iran had laid out ‘clearly’ its expectations regarding sanctions imposed by the US on Tehran. “What needs to happen have been clearly stated on our part. It has been agreed that in the next session, we will delve into this discussion in more detail,” he added. Al-Busaidi took to X and said that ‘significant progress’ had been made during the negotiations and that the next round could resume ‘soon after consultation in the respective capitals’. The discussions are taking place against a tense backdrop, with Washington increasing its military footprint near Iran’s borders and threatening military action if the talks fail to produce an agreement."

'We don’t want to host murderers' – Crete locals fear Iran retaliation as US carrier departs 'cowboy' Souda base for Middle East

'We don’t want to host murderers' – Crete locals fear Iran retaliation as US carrier departs 'cowboy' Souda base for Middle East

"Locals on the Greek island of Crete voiced concerns on Thursday over a possible retaliatory attack by Iran in the event of a war with the US, given the US and NATO presence on the island. This comes after the US aircraft carrier, Gerald R. Ford, made an interim stop in Souda port, en route to the Middle East. Footage shows the world’s largest aircraft carrier leaving the port in Crete. "We are not for sale for such a small amount of money. [...] They need to get the hell out of here," said Nikos, a merchant. He criticised the local administration for not taking into account the opinions of locals, ignoring the ‘danger' the US presence brings "to our region and our country." "We don’t want to host murderers, nor be responsible for blood being spilled," he said. "We are dealing with cowboys." Other locals shared fears that alignment with the US poses an existential threat to the island, favouring peaceful visitors to the island's stunning waterfront. "I would prefer that one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean be demilitarised. I understand many locals see it as something that brings profit, but I believe that is short-sighted," said Antonis, a business owner affiliated with the tourism sector. "We are becoming targets for Iran according to their capabilities," he said. "Greece shouldn’t agree to the use of the bases, and we shouldn’t be so quick to participate in the plans of the US and Israel.” “This has negatively impacted our society, the social fabric, creating hostility," noted Chania local Odysseus. "Americans who respect civilisation and culture are welcome,” he added. This comes as the third round of indirect, high-stakes talks between the US and Iran concluded in Geneva, with Washington demanding that Tehran halt its uranium enrichment activities. Meanwhile, Washington is scaling up its military presence in the Middle East in an attempt to add pressure."

'We don’t want to host murderers' – Crete locals fear Iran retaliation as US carrier departs 'cowboy' Souda base for Middle East

'We don’t want to host murderers' – Crete locals fear Iran retaliation as US carrier departs 'cowboy' Souda base for Middle East

"Locals on the Greek island of Crete voiced concerns on Thursday over a possible retaliatory attack by Iran in the event of a war with the US, given the US and NATO presence on the island. This comes after the US aircraft carrier, Gerald R. Ford, made an interim stop in Souda port, en route to the Middle East. Footage shows the world’s largest aircraft carrier leaving the port in Crete. "We are not for sale for such a small amount of money. [...] They need to get the hell out of here," said Nikos, a merchant. He criticised the local administration for not taking into account the opinions of locals, ignoring the ‘danger' the US presence brings "to our region and our country." "We don’t want to host murderers, nor be responsible for blood being spilled," he said. "We are dealing with cowboys." Other locals shared fears that alignment with the US poses an existential threat to the island, favouring peaceful visitors to the island's stunning waterfront. "I would prefer that one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean be demilitarised. I understand many locals see it as something that brings profit, but I believe that is short-sighted," said Antonis, a business owner affiliated with the tourism sector. "We are becoming targets for Iran according to their capabilities," he said. "Greece shouldn’t agree to the use of the bases, and we shouldn’t be so quick to participate in the plans of the US and Israel.” “This has negatively impacted our society, the social fabric, creating hostility," noted Chania local Odysseus. "Americans who respect civilisation and culture are welcome,” he added. This comes as the third round of indirect, high-stakes talks between the US and Iran concluded in Geneva, with Washington demanding that Tehran halt its uranium enrichment activities. Meanwhile, Washington is scaling up its military presence in the Middle East in an attempt to add pressure."

Hudson-Odoi sends Nottingham Forest into last 16 despite home defeat by Fenerbahce

Hudson-Odoi sends Nottingham Forest into last 16 despite home defeat by Fenerbahce

For 67 minutes, Nottingham Forest were at risk of making unwanted ­history. At that point Fenerbahce were 2-0 up and full of belief that they could achieve the miracle their head coach Domenico Tedesco had been manifesting since their 3-0 first-leg defeat in Istanbul . Only one team in the history of European competition had lost the first leg of a tie by a three-goal margin at home and advanced. Up in the City Ground directors’ box, Evangelos Marinakis, more than an interested party on that occasion, presumably had flashbacks of Olympiakos suffering a 4-1 home defeat by Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Conference League two years ago, only to triumph 6-1 in Serbia in the second leg. Continue reading...