Author: Naharnet Newsdesk

French voters are at a crossroads in the upcoming parliamentary elections on July 7, facing the possibility of a far-right government for the first time since World War II. The runoff elections could also result in no clear majority emerging, adding uncertainty to the political landscape. The complex voting system in France has made the outcome unpredictable, with the far-right National Rally leading the first round with an estimated one-third of the votes. The New Popular Front coalition and President Macron’s centrist alliance closely follow behind. The runoff will determine the composition of the lower house of parliament, where over…

Recent drone footage from Ukraine’s military revealed bodies in a civilian area in the besieged town of Toretsk, under heavy Russian bombardment in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian rescue services are conducting a large-scale evacuation due to the attacks, with President Zelensky expressing concern over the use of over 800 glide bombs by Russia in the past week. The devastating impact of these Soviet-era glide bombs on civilian areas has caused immense destruction and loss of life, leading to a desperate need for international support for Ukraine. The ongoing conflict has exposed vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s front-line defenses, exacerbated by postponed military…

In the wind-whipped port town of Hartlepool, northeast England, promises of change from politicians have failed to deliver. The town faces higher unemployment, lower wages, shorter life expectancy, and a sense of disillusionment among its residents. Despite opinion polls favoring the center-left Labour Party in the upcoming election, many voters remain undecided and jaded, with a deep sense of mistrust towards politicians. Industrial decline has scarred Hartlepool, with shipyards, steelworks, and the fishing industry shrinking over the years. The town voted heavily to leave the European Union in 2016, hoping for a better future post-Brexit. However, little has changed, and…

In a remote penal colony in southeast Ukraine, convicts are offered a chance at parole in exchange for joining the fight against Russia. Facing severe manpower shortages in the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has turned to its prison population for recruitment. With over 3,000 inmates already released on parole and assigned to military units, the program could potentially target 27,000 more eligible prisoners. Motivated by a desire to return home as heroes, inmates like Ernest Volvach see the opportunity to make a difference for their country. Although stringent criteria exclude certain offenders from participation, the Ukrainian government emphasizes the distinction between…

Former President Evo Morales has accused President Luis Arce of staging a “self-coup” to gain political favor, causing a rift in their already strained relationship. Initially condemning the military’s actions as a coup, Morales now alleges that Arce orchestrated the incident to boost his low popularity. Supporting claims from former Gen. Juan José Zuñiga, Morales asserts that Arce misled the public and betrayed Zuñiga, who reportedly said Arce wanted to raise his popularity through the incident. This theory of a “self-coup” has gained traction among Arce’s political opponents. The situation marks a sharp departure from the regional solidarity Arce received…

Turkish police detained 67 people following a violent outbreak in Kayseri, where a Syrian man was accused of harassing a child. President Erdogan called the violence against Syrian refugees “unacceptable”, emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order. The Interior Minister confirmed the arrest of the Syrian national and condemned the attacks on Syrian-owned businesses and homes. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions towards the 3.2 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Xenophobic violence, fueled by social media rumors, has erupted multiple times in recent years. The Turkish government’s stance on the issue remains a hot topic in the political landscape,…

by Naharnet Newsdesk 01 July 2024, 11:31 Jebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, expressed concerns about the threat posed by Israel, emphasizing the importance of preventing war in Lebanon. Despite working towards peace, Bassil asserted that Lebanon would emerge victorious in any conflict. He declared solidarity against foreign threats, stating that unity is crucial in times of crisis. In addition, Bassil stressed the need for dialogue among individuals with differing political views, promoting communication and understanding. \ Source link

In the war-torn Donetsk region of Ukraine, drone footage released by the military revealed bodies in a civilian area in Toretsk, a town under heavy Russian bombardment. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported over 800 glide bombs dropped by Russia in the past week, urging the need to counter Russian aircraft carrying these bombs. Ukrainian rescue services are conducting a large-scale evacuation as attacks continue to strain front-line units. With the recent focus on towns like Toretsk and Chasiv Yar, the need for military assistance remains critical. Zelensky called on countries to lift restrictions on using Western weapons to target Russian military…

by Naharnet Newsdesk 01 July 2024, 11:01. Thousands of Jewish ultra-Orthodox men clashed with Israeli police in central Jerusalem on Sunday during a protest against a Supreme Court order for them to begin enlisting for military service. This decision could potentially lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition amidst the ongoing war in Gaza. The protesters threw rocks, attacked a Cabinet minister’s car, and refused to disperse, prompting police to use water cannons and mounted horses for control. The issue stems from exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men to skip military service and study in religious seminaries instead,…

French voters are facing a critical decision in the upcoming runoff of snap parliamentary elections on July 7. The outcome could potentially lead to the country’s first far-right government since World War II, or a situation where no majority emerges at all. The far-right National Rally is currently in the lead, with a strong chance of winning a majority in the lower house of parliament. However, the complex voting system makes the final result uncertain. In the event of a far-right victory, President Emmanuel Macron may be forced into a situation of “cohabitation,” where he would have to appoint a…