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Iran Rejects Western Appeals to Avoid Retaliation Against Israel
Iran has firmly dismissed calls from the UK and other Western nations to refrain from retaliating against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. In a rare phone conversation on Monday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to cease ongoing threats of a military attack. However, President Pezeshkian defended retaliation as a “way to stop crime” and a “legal right,” according to reports from Iranian state media.
Israel, which has not confirmed involvement in Haniyeh’s killing, has heightened its military alert level in response to the escalating situation. The United States, anticipating potential attacks from Iran or its proxies, has increased its military presence in the Middle East to bolster Israel’s defenses.
Additionally, Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, has vowed to retaliate over Israel’s recent airstrike in Beirut, which killed one of its senior commanders. This situation has intensified concerns about a broader regional conflict.
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Macron to Address France After Historic Collapse of Barnier Government
French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver a national address on Thursday evening following the dramatic collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government in a no-confidence vote. This marks the first time in over six decades that a French government has been brought down by parliament.
Barnier’s government fell late Wednesday after 331 MPs—well over the required 288—voted to censure him. The motion was backed by an unusual alliance between Marine Le Pen’s far-right faction and the left-wing New Popular Front. The catalyst for the no-confidence vote was Barnier’s decision to bypass parliament and push through the national budget using special executive powers.
Following protocol, Barnier tendered his resignation Thursday morning. He is expected to remain as caretaker prime minister until Macron appoints a successor, a process that could be drawn out due to sharp divisions among parliamentary factions.
Potential candidates for the role include Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and centrist veteran François Bayrou. However, political observers warn that reaching a consensus on a new leader may take weeks, as seen last summer when Gabriel Attal temporarily held the role for two months.
As France grapples with political turmoil, Macron remains constitutionally insulated from the fallout. Nevertheless, calls for his resignation and demands for early presidential elections are growing louder, particularly from opposition leaders. Macron, however, has firmly dismissed the possibility of stepping down or advancing the presidential election timeline.
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Vancouver Stabbing Incident Leaves Multiple Victims, Suspect Shot by Police
Authorities in Vancouver have reported a stabbing incident involving multiple victims near the city’s central library. The suspect, who was shot by police, is in custody, but the extent of the injuries to both the victims and the suspect remains unclear.
The incident reportedly unfolded at a convenience store, with witnesses describing a chaotic scene. According to the CBC, at least two people were taken from the scene in ambulances, though official confirmation of the total number of injured has yet to be provided.
Footage obtained by Canadian Press shows officers aiming their weapons and firing over the counter of the store while shouting commands, including “move over.” Another video appears to capture first responders administering chest compressions on a man.
Police have not disclosed the motive or circumstances surrounding the attack, and investigations are ongoing.
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South Korea Opposition Pushes to Impeach President Yoon
The political turmoil in South Korea deepened as Kim Yong-jin, a central committee member of the Democratic Party, declared that democracy must be preserved and called for President Yoon Suk Yeol to face charges of “crimes of rebellion.” The party also named Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min as key figures involved in the controversial martial law declaration, advocating for their prosecution alongside the president.
Despite these accusations, the ruling People Power Party, to which President Yoon belongs, announced its decision to oppose any impeachment motion. To pass, the opposition requires at least eight of the 108 ruling party lawmakers to support the bill, a challenging but not impossible feat given the growing dissent.
The impeachment motion was introduced in the early hours of Thursday without any ruling party lawmakers present. Meanwhile, life in Seoul, including schools, banks, and government offices, continued as usual, but protests demanding President Yoon’s resignation have intensified. Demonstrators flooded the streets, chanting, “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol,” and calling for justice.
Adding to the tension, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the country’s largest labor organization, announced an indefinite strike, vowing to sustain the pressure until the president steps down.
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