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July 3, 2013 / 1:19 PM

King Albert II of Belgium announces abdication

BRUSSELS, July 3 (UPI) -- King Albert II of Belgium announced his abdication Wednesday evening, effective July 21, in favor of his son, Prince Philip.

In a televised, 7-minute address to the nation, the King, 79, said "my age and my health do not allow me to practice as I would like."

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He mentioned he will make another address July 20, the last in his 20-year reign, and will attend the ceremony transferring power the following day, a national holiday.

He told the country's ministers of his plans earlier Wednesday, the news website FlandersNews.be reported.

Hezbollah's Nasrallah says Israel crossed "all red lines" with electronic device explosions

World News // 5 hours ago

Hezbollah's Nasrallah says Israel crossed "all red lines" with electronic device explosions

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah said Thursday that Israel crossed "all the red lines" by detonating thousands of communication devices used by group members with the intention to kill some 5,000.

European Parliament calls for EU countries to loosen Ukraine weapons restrictions

World News // 6 hours ago

European Parliament calls for EU countries to loosen Ukraine weapons restrictions

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- In a non-binding resolution on Thursday, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging member states to allow Ukraine to use its weapons to fire at targets inside of Russia while toughening sanctions against Moscow

Japanese company says it ended production of walkie-talkies used in Lebanon blasts 10 years ago

World News // 7 hours ago

Japanese company says it ended production of walkie-talkies used in Lebanon blasts 10 years ago

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The walkie-talkies that exploded in Lebanon Wednesday have not been made for over a decade, according to Japan's Icom Inc. The company's brand name was on the devices.

Hong Kong man sentenced to 14 months in prison for wearing 'seditious' T-shirt

World News // 8 hours ago

Hong Kong man sentenced to 14 months in prison for wearing 'seditious' T-shirt

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- A Hong Kong man convicted for wearing a "seditious" T-shirt last year was sentenced to 14 months in jail under the city's new security law that continues to crack down on supporters of anti-government demonstrations.

Israeli businessman indicted on suspicion of involvement in Iranian plot to kill Netanyahu

World News // 8 hours ago

Israeli businessman indicted on suspicion of involvement in Iranian plot to kill Netanyahu

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- A Jewish Israeli businessman appeared in court Thursday in southern Israel in connection with an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bank of England holds Bank Rate steady at 5%, urging sustainable path to target inflation

World News // 8 hours ago

Bank of England holds Bank Rate steady at 5%, urging sustainable path to target inflation

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The Bank of England on Thursday held interest rates steady, saying it most work to reach its goal of 2% inflation in a sustainable way.

X inadvertently restored in Brazil amid ban after server switch

World News // 10 hours ago

X inadvertently restored in Brazil amid ban after server switch

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The social media platform X was temporarily available again in Brazil amid a ban as the result of an update to its servers, the company said.

Venezuelan opposition leader Gonzalez says he was strong-armed into conceding election

World News // 11 hours ago

Venezuelan opposition leader Gonzalez says he was strong-armed into conceding election

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez said he was forced to accept Nicolas Maduro as the victor in July's disputed presidential election to get out of the Spanish Embassy in Caracas and escape from the country.

North Korea says it launched new ballistic missile with 'super-large warhead'

World News // 12 hours ago

North Korea says it launched new ballistic missile with 'super-large warhead'

SEOUL, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- North Korea test-fired a new ballistic missile carrying a super-large warhead and an improved strategic cruise missile, state media reported Thursday, as leader Kim Jong Un called for increased weapons development.

At least 20 more die, 450 injured in new Lebanon walkie-talkie explosions

World News // 1 day ago

At least 20 more die, 450 injured in new Lebanon walkie-talkie explosions

Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Hezbollah communication device explosions in Lebanon on Wednesday killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 450 other, after 12 people were killed and more than 2,800 were hurt in a similar pager attack a day prior

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