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Dua Lipa Says Criticizing Israel Is ‘For the Greater Good’ After Accusing Jewish State of ‘Genocide’
Dua Lipa poses in the press room during the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Ford Center at The Star on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas. Photo: ImageSpace/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect
Pop singer Dua Lipa addressed the backlash she has received for condemning Israel’s ongoing war targeting Hamas terrorists controlling the Gaza Strip, shortly after she described the Jewish state’s military operations as “Israeli genocide.”
The “Illusion” singer, 28, said in an interview for the latest issue of Radio Times magazine that she believes making political statements, such as being critical of Israel’s military actions, is “for the greater good.”
“When I speak about things that are political, I double-, triple-check myself to be, ‘OK, this is about something that is way bigger than me, and it’s necessary — and that’s the only reason I’m posting it.’ That is my only solace in doing that,” the Grammy winner told the publication. “It’s always going to be met with a backlash and other people’s opinions, so it’s a big decision. I balance it out, because ultimately I feel it’s for the greater good, so I’m willing to [take that hit].”
Lipa has been a longtime critic of Israel and an advocate for Palestinians. She has made false accusations about Israel repeatedly over the years and condemned the Israeli military campaign that began after the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel. She also joined numerous celebrities in signing an open letter to US President Joe Biden calling for an immediate ceasefire, and urging for “an end to the bombing of Gaza and the safe release of hostages.”
In late May, the singer accused Israel of committing “genocide” in a post on her Instagram Story that was viewed by her 88 million followers. She reposted a graphic from the group Artists4Ceasefire along with “#AllEyesonRafah,” which draws attention to Israel’s military actions in the Palestinian city, located in the southern Gaza Strip. Lipa wrote in the caption of the Instagram post, “Burning children alive can never be justified. The whole world is mobilizing to stop the Israeli genocide. Please show your solidarity with Gaza.”
Lipa was born in London to Albanian parents from Kosovo who fled the civil war in former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Her family moved back to an independent Kosovo when Lipa was 11, but at the age of 15 she returned to London to pursue a career in the music industry.
The “Dance The Night” singer told Radio Times that speaking up about political issues is “a natural inclination” for her because of her roots. “Given my background and heritage, and that my very existence is somewhat political — it’s not something that is out of the ordinary for me to be feeling close to,” she said.
The post Dua Lipa Says Criticizing Israel Is ‘For the Greater Good’ After Accusing Jewish State of ‘Genocide’ first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Putin Speaks to Trump, Condemns Israel’s Strikes on Iran, Kremlin Says
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 17, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump for 50 minutes on Saturday, condemning the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressing concern about the risks of escalation, the Kremlin said.
“Vladimir Putin condemned Israel’s military operation against Iran and expressed serious concern about a possible escalation of the conflict, which would have unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Trump, for his part, described events in the Middle East as “very alarming,” according to Ushakov. But the two leaders said they do not rule out a return to the negotiating track on Iran’s nuclear program, Ushakov said.
On Ukraine, Putin told the US leader that Russia was ready to continue negotiations with the Ukrainians after June 22, according to state news agency RIA.
Trump reiterated his interest in a speedy resolution to the conflict, the Kremlin aide said.
Putin also congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday.
The post Putin Speaks to Trump, Condemns Israel’s Strikes on Iran, Kremlin Says first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Sunday’s US-Iran Nuclear Talks Cancelled, Oman Says
FILE PHOTO: Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi attends a meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia July 11, 2023. Photo: Natalia Kolesnikova/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
The latest round of US-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for Sunday in Muscat will not take place, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X on Saturday. Oman has been mediating the talks.
Albusaidi’s statement came a day after Israel launched a sweeping air offensive against Iran, killing commanders and scientists and bombing nuclear sites in a stated bid to stop it building an atomic weapon.
A senior official of US President Donald Trump’s administration, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Sunday’s talks had been cancelled.
Washington, however, remained committed to the negotiations and hoped “the Iranians will come to the table soon,” the official said.
The post Sunday’s US-Iran Nuclear Talks Cancelled, Oman Says first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Iran Says Talks with US ‘Meaningless’ After Israel Attack, But Yet to Decide on Attending
USA and Iranian flags are seen in this illustration taken, Sept. 8, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Iran said the dialogue with the US over Tehran’s nuclear program is “meaningless” after Israel’s biggest-ever military strike against its longstanding enemy, but said it is yet to decide on whether to attend planned talks on Sunday.
“The other side (the US) acted in a way that makes dialogue meaningless. You cannot claim to negotiate and at the same time divide work by allowing the Zionist regime (Israel) to target Iran’s territory,” state media on Saturday quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.
“It is still unclear what decision we will make on Sunday in this regard,” Baghaei was quoted as saying.
He said Israel “succeeded in influencing” the diplomatic process and the Israeli attack would not have happened without Washington’s permission, accusing Washington of supporting the attack.
Iran earlier accused the US of being complicit in Israel’s attacks, but Washington denied the allegation and told Tehran at the United Nations Security Council that it would be “wise” to negotiate over its nuclear program.
The sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks was set to be held on Sunday in Muscat, but it was unclear whether it would go ahead after the Israeli strikes.
Iran denies that its uranium enrichment program is for anything other than civilian purposes, rejecting Israeli allegations that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons.
US President Donald Trump told Reuters that he and his team had known the Israeli attacks were coming but they still saw room for an accord.
The post Iran Says Talks with US ‘Meaningless’ After Israel Attack, But Yet to Decide on Attending first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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