ZVECAN, Kosovo, May 26 (Reuters) - The United States and allies rebuked Kosovo for escalating tensions with Serbia on Friday, saying the use of force to install mayors in ethnic Serb areas undermined efforts to improve troubled relations with neighbouring Serbia.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic placed the army on full combat alert and ordered units to move closer to the border following clashes on Friday between Kosovan police and protesters opposed to the ethnic Albanian mayors.

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/: Russia decisively condemns Pristina’s provocative steps that have brought the situation in Kosovo to the brink of a "hot phase," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday, adding that the responsibility for anti-Serbian provocation lies with the US and the EU.

HONG KONG, May 27 (Reuters) - One of Hong Kong's biggest democratic parties said on Saturday it would disband after a vote by its party members, dealing another blow to the city's already beleaguered democratic opposition under pressure from China.

In recent years, Hong Kong's opposition has been hit by a China-imposed national security law and overhaul of the electoral system that has largely sidelined democrats from local politics.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of nature for years. But it now finds itself under pressure from within to pause new environmental efforts amid fears they will hurt the economy.

With the next European Parliament elections set for 2024, some leaders and lawmakers are concerned about antagonizing workers and voters with new binding legislation and restrictive measures and are urging the 27-nation bloc to hit the brakes.

TEHRAN, May 27 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, made a phone call with his Iraqi counterpart, Fouad Hussein, calling for expanding Iran-Iraq banking relations.

According to a report on Iran’s Foreign Ministry’s website, yesterday, the two sides discussed the latest developments in bilateral ties and highlighted the necessity of improving the gas transfer pipelines from Iran to Iraq.

BEIJING, May 27 (Reuters) - China and South Korea have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on semiconductor industry supply chains, amid broader global concerns over chip supplies, sanctions and national security, China's commerce minister said.

Wang Wentao met with South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit, which ended on Friday.

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — In the four years since progressive reform prosecutors swept into office across northern Virginia, they have faced constant criticism, ranging from conservatives who deride them as bleeding-heart “ Soros prosecutors ” to judges who claim they abuse their discretion.

Now, as these prosecutors are up for reelection in Virginia’s off-off year elections, the challengers in next month’s Democratic primaries aren’t challenging the reform agenda. Instead, they too are casting themselves as reformers.

26 May 2023; MEMO: The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which represents over 45 million European workers and their trade unions, decided today to boycott products made in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The organisation also stressed the importance of regulatory measures to prevent EU legal entities from importing or exporting products manufactured in illegal Israeli settlements in accordance with EU treaties and international law.

Tehran, IRNA – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says Iran does not recognize the ruling government in Afghanistan, urging the Taliban group to form an inclusive government.

Amirabdollahian made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting between Foreign Ministry officials and Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Imam Khomeini, at the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic.

NAIROBI, May 27 (NNN-KBC) — Saudi Arabia has expressed its commitment to enhance cooperation with Kenya in the health sector.

Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Kenya Khalid bin Abdullah Al- Salman said his country will continue to expand further bilateral relationship engagement in the health sector for the benefit of the two nations.

He was speaking at Kenyatta National Hospital during an impromptu tour of the cardiology clinic where specialist doctors from Saudi Arabia and KNH successfully operated on 25 patients with heart complications.

LONDON (AP) — Twitter has dropped out of a voluntary European Union agreement to combat online disinformation, a top EU official said Friday.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted that Twitter had pulled out of the EU’s disinformation “code of practice” that other major social media platforms have pledged to support. But he added that Twitter’s “obligation” remained, referring to the EU’s tough new digital rules taking effect in August.

“You can run but you can’t hide,” Breton said.

LONDON, May 26 (Reuters) - Britain, France, Italy, Germany and the United States condemned Kosovo's decision to force access to municipal buildings in northern Kosovo on Friday, calling on the authorities to step back and de-escalate the situation.