Tensions flare between far right, Macron camp ahead of France vote

Tensions flare between far right, Macron camp ahead of France vote

By Paul Aubriat, Tom Barfield and Stuart Williams Tensions soared on Thursday between supporters of Emmanuel Macron and the French far-right after its longtime leader Marine Le Pen cast doubt on the president's ability to act as head of the armed forces after legislative elections. The far-right National Rally (RN) is tipped to win the election, potentially giving Le Pen's party the post […]

June 27, 2024 11

World

Former Chinese defence minister expelled from Communist Party: state media

Former Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu has been expelled from the ruling Communist Party, state media said Thursday, after he was sacked abruptly last year in unexplained circumstances. "The Politburo... has decided to expel Li Shangfu from the party, terminate his credentials as a representative of the 20th National Congress, and transfer his suspected criminal issues to military procuratorial organs for review and prosecution in accordance with the […]

June 27, 2024 23

World

Two ultraconservative candidates exit Iran presidential race

Two ultraconservative candidates have pulled out of Iran's Friday presidential vote, leaving four contenders including one reformist still in the race. Tehran's ultraconservative mayor, Alireza Zakani, announced his withdrawal in a post on social media platform X on Thursday, after earlier denying he was ending his campaign. Zakani's withdrawal came hours after a statement by the Ministry of Interior confirming the exit of Amirhossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi, another […]

June 27, 2024 18

World

US, Korea and Japan vow strategic cooperation to boost security and economies

Commerce and trade ministers from the United States, Japan and South Korea have vowed to cooperate on strategic issues including artificial intelligence safety and semiconductor supply chains. The ministers issued a joint statement underscoring a deepening of trilateral cooperation amid an intensifying China-U.S. rivalry. As our Laura Westbrook reports.

June 27, 2024 15

World

US State Department insists Julian Assange put lives at risk through leaks

The US State Department reaffirmed that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange put lives at risk, without detailing how. Assange returned to Australia on Wednesday after pleading guilty to espionage law violations, concluding a 14-year legal battle. He served time in the UK and sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid US extradition following a massive leak of classified American documents. As our Benji Hyer reports.

June 27, 2024 22

World

Ultraconservative candidate exits Iran presidential race

Ultraconservative Amirhossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi has announced his withdrawal from Iran's presidential race, the interior ministry said Thursday, a day ahead of the election. Ghazizadeh-Hashemi "announced his withdrawal to the Ministry of Interior" on Wednesday, the ministry said in a statement. Vice president to former president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May, Ghazizadeh-Hashemi ended his campaign without endorsing a specific candidate. Ghazizadeh-Hashemi, 53, is […]

June 27, 2024 24

World

US Supreme Court Accidentally Posts Abortion Opinion According Bloomberg

Another "oops" moment for the US's top court. The Supreme Court appears to have accidentally published its ruling on an abortion case out of Idaho. According to Bloomberg Law, the opinion was up briefly before being taken down. Toni Waterman has more.

June 27, 2024 16

World

Southern Pakistan is in the grips of extreme heatwave

Pakistan's weather bureau is warning that the intense heat wave currently gripping Karachi - is set to continue in coming days. Hospitals in the city are on high alert to treat heatstroke victims. After extreme heat in southern Pakistan has already claimed over two dozen lives. Hira Mustafa has more for us.

June 27, 2024 13

World

China’s slams US Ambassador’s comments about Beijing interference

China has hit back after the US Ambassador to China accused Beijing of getting in the way of people to people ties. Nicholas Burns told the Wall Street Journal Beijing was "taking dramatic steps to make it impossible" for citizens from both sides to reconnect. Our Washington Correspondent Jagruti Dave has more.

June 27, 2024 24