Int'l Paralympic Committee lifts Russia, Belarus partial suspensions

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly voted on Saturday to reinstate the full membership rights of the National Paralympic Committees of Belarus and Russia.

The decision, taken at the 2025 IPC General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, means NPC (National Paralympic Committee) Belarus and NPC Russia now regain their full rights and privileges of IPC membership, having been partially suspended at the 2023 assembly for breaches of their constitutional membership obligations.

The IPC General Assembly, comprising National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, and International Organizations of Sport for the Disabled, first voted against a motion to fully suspend NPC Russia, with 111 votes against, 55 for, and 11 abstentions. They subsequently voted against a motion to partially suspend NPC Russia, with 91 votes against, 77 for, and eight abstentions.

For NPC Belarus, the assembly voted against motions to fully suspend (119-48 with nine abstentions) and partially suspend (103-63 with 10 abstentions) the NPC. For a motion to be passed, a majority of 50 percent + 1 of all votes cast was required.

The IPC stated it will work with the two members to implement the practical arrangements for their reinstatement as soon as reasonably possible.

International crude oil futures once again broke above 100 U.S. dollars per barrel on Sunday as geopolitical tensions escalated following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

International oil prices surged at the start of the new trading week. As of 19:50 Eastern Time (23:50 GMT) on Sunday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery reached a high of 101.32 U.S. dollars per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Meanwhile, Brent crude for May delivery climbed to 106.17 U.S. dollars per barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

International energy prices have been increasing sharply since the tensions escalated across the Middle East on Feb 28, when the United States and Israel launched large-scale joint airstrikes on Iran, creating uncertainty in the global economy.