International

The left proposes in France the veteran communist Chassaigne as a candidate to preside over the Assembly

he left-wing coalition of the New Popular Front (NFP), in arduous negotiations to form a Government, managed on Wednesday to agree to present tomorrow, Thursday, a common candidate for the presidency of the French National Assembly, the communist veteran André Chassaigne.

Chassaigne, 74, is the name agreed by La Francia Insumisa (LFI), the Socialist Party (PS), the ecologists and the French Communist Party (PCF) to dispute the fourth hierarchical position of the French State that will be elected this Thursday at the opening of the legislative work.

Deputy since 2002, the politician of Puy-de-Dôme would have about 190 votes, those of the NFP and its partners, ahead of those of the centrist alliance of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the National Association (RN) of Marine Le Pen, second and third groups of the Lower House, respectively.

“We have the collective legitimacy to preside over the Assembly,” Chassaigne told the press, who said that he will be “faithful” to the values of the four groups that make up the New Popular Front, which won the legislative elections of June 30 and July 7 by a few dozen seats.

For the deputy from the interior of France, his experienced profile and knowledge of the parliamentary intricays have endorsed him to be chosen by the left.

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The communist will have several rivals in the vote, the first two rounds decided by an absolute majority and, if there is no result, by a simple majority and a third.

On behalf of the macronist Renaissance aspires to repeat the position Yaël Braun-Pivet, president between 2022 and 2024, and the far-right Sébastien Chenu, among others, will also be presented.

Behind the scenes, it is speculated that Chenu may withdraw after the first round of voting, leaving the way free through an eventual abstention of Braun-Pivet, in case it achieves the votes of the classic right and its partners, which would surpass the left.

International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”