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Three men accused of plotting 9/11 reach plea deal – Pentagon
The Pentagon has announced that three men accused of orchestrating the 9/11 attacks have reached a plea agreement, avoiding the death penalty. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi have been detained at the Guantanamo Bay facility for years without standing trial. The details of their plea deal have not been disclosed, but it is reported that they will plead guilty in exchange for life imprisonment instead of facing execution.
The 9/11 attacks, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths across New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, led to the U.S. launching the “War on Terror” and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. The decision to pursue a plea deal has stirred controversy and dissatisfaction among families of the victims and survivors of the attacks. Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, criticized the lack of transparency in the process and urged further investigation into Saudi Arabia’s potential involvement. Terry Strada, whose husband died in the attacks, expressed disappointment, calling the plea deal a “victory” for the accused.
The plea deal was initially communicated to victims’ families in a letter from prosecutors, indicating that the formal plea before a military court could happen soon. The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that the terms of the agreement are currently confidential.
The accused have faced numerous charges, including murder, hijacking, and terrorism. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, regarded as the mastermind behind the attacks, proposed the plan to al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and assisted in recruiting and training the hijackers. Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003 and subjected to “enhanced interrogation techniques,” including waterboarding, which critics have labeled as torture. Concerns over these interrogation methods potentially compromising the evidence contributed to delays in the trial.
In September, the Biden administration had rejected a previous plea deal proposed by the accused, which sought assurances against solitary confinement and access to trauma treatment. The White House has stated that it was informed of the current agreement on Wednesday and did not participate in the negotiations.
The involvement of Saudi nationals in the attacks remains a point of contention, with families pursuing legal action against the kingdom, which denies any complicity. The announcement of the plea deal has drawn criticism from Republican leaders. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the agreement, describing it as a “revolting abdication” of the government’s duty to seek justice for the American people.
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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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