French May Day rules put florists and bakers in a bind
01:18
01/05/2025
Pakistan says India is planning imminent military strike over Kashmir attack
01/05/2025
New US-Ukraine minerals deal marks post-aid partnership
01/05/2025
'While voters are disenchanted with Labour, they're not necessarily willing to go back to Tories'
UK
01/05/2025
Wildfires rage near Jerusalem, Israel declares the state of emergency
01/05/2025
Deadly clashes in Damascus plunge Syria's Druze minority into uncertainty
01/05/2025
Kyiv reacts to critical minerals deal between Ukraine and US
01/05/2025
Ukraine and US sign minerals deal, marking shift from military to economic support
01/05/2025
200 Lawsuits in 100 Days: Trump's presidency fuelled by 'revenge'
Americas
01/05/2025
Vladyslav Greziev warns 'never trust Russians': 'They don't want peace deals, nor an end to the war'
Europe
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France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
US police hunt gunman after state lawmaker killed, another hurt
The shootings came as deep political divisions have riven the United States, the same day that tens of thousands of protestors across the country took to the streets against the policies of Republican President Donald Trump. Authorities named the assailant as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who was still at large and considered "armed and dangerous." "We believe he's working to potentially flee the (Minneapolis-St Paul) area," Drew Evans, superintendent of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, told reporters. Boelter had been spotted Saturday morning in the Minneapolis area on surveillance footage obtained from a business, the official said. Evans said authorities were still investigating the suspect's motives, and did not know if additional people were involved in the attacks. Trump and US Attorney General Pam Bondi decried what they called "horrific violence" and said perpetrators would be prosecuted to "the fullest extent of the law." The Federal Bureau of Investigation offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the capture or conviction of Boelter. 'Targeted political violence' State Representative Melissa Hortman -- the former speaker -- and her husband Mark were killed at their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park, Governor Tim Walz told an earlier press conference. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded at their home in nearby Champlin, the governor said, his voice breaking with emotion. "This was an act of targeted political violence," Walz told reporters. "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint." Evans said Hoffman was out of surgery and "in stable condition" but that he had suffered "significant injuries." The state official said Hoffman and his wife were shot first, and as police investigated, Hortman and her husband were shot about 90 minutes later. The gunman was able to escape during an exchange of fire with officers near Hortman's residence, Evans said. Praetorian Guards Security Services, a home security company, described Boelter on its website as its director of security patrols. Impersonating law enforcement In both attacks, authorities believe the assailant impersonated a law enforcement officer. An image of Boelter released by the FBI showed him wearing what appeared to be a life-like latex mask, potentially an attempt to evade identification. An anti-Trump rally in Minneapolis -- part of the national wave of "No Kings" protests planned for Saturday -- was canceled after police issued a shelter-in-place order because of the shootings. Flyers for the protests were found in the suspect's car, as well as a manifesto that named numerous politicians and state officials, police said. Tensions were high across the country, and in Texas authorities said they evacuated the state capitol complex after a "credible threat" towards lawmakers planning to attend a protest there. In Brooklyn Park, where Hortman lived, authorities lifted a shelter-in-place order Saturday afternoon, saying that while the suspect remained at large, there was "reason to believe he is no longer in the area." The United States has been deeply divided since Trump returned to the White House in January. The Republican president has drawn criticism from Democrats over his harsh immigration policy, his assault on universities and the media and a perceived flouting of limits on executive power. "At this precipice moment we're on, this tragic act here in Minnesota should serve as a reminder to all of us," Walz said, lauding democracy as a way to settle differences peacefully. Former US congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived a shooting to the head in 2011 and is now a prominent advocate for the prevention of gun violence, described herself as "devastated" by Hortman's death. "We must protect our democracy from those who try to destroy it with a gun," Giffords wrote on X.
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
Guest list for G7 summit tells of global challenges
The leaders of India, Ukraine, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea are among a carefully selected guest list drawn up at a time of global turmoil and a radical new US approach to world affairs. Summit invitations have become part of the G7 routine, and the host nation often likes to make a "welcome-to-this-exclusive-club" gesture, Ananya Kumar, of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center, told AFP. "The leaders want to meet each other, and you'll see the guests being a part of most of the work that happens." Some hosts "really want certain guests there to show their significance in the global economy," she added. This year's summit in the Canadian Rockies comes as the G7's share of world GDP has fallen from 63 percent in 1992 to 44 percent today, and as member nations deliberate on troubled relations with China and Russia. "It's important to think of who will be there in the room as they're making these decisions," Kumar said ahead of the three-day event that mixes leadership meetings with "the nitty-gritty ministerial work." Fifty years ago, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States formed the G6, first meeting at a French chateau, before Canada joined the following year. Russia itself was a guest in the early 1990s, becoming a full member of the G8 in 1998 before being expelled in 2014. Notable guests for the summit that starts Sunday include: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's presence in Canada is a sign of continuing broad G7 support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion -- despite Donald Trump's skepticism. The US president regularly criticizes Zelensky and has upended the West's supply of vital military, financial and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. Zelensky aims to use the summit to press for more US sanctions on Moscow, saying last week "I count on having a conversation" with Trump, who wants a quick peace deal. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the last G7 summit as India -- the most populous nation in the world -- takes an evermore important role in geopolitics. But his invitation this year was far from certain. Relations between India and Canada have turned sour over accusations of New Delhi's involvement in the assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada. Modi and new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will have a chance to reset ties. India is also a leading member of BRICS -- a more fractured bloc that includes Russia and China, but which has growing economic clout and is increasingly seen as a G7 rival. Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum's invitation means Canada has ensured that all three members of the USMCA free trade agreement will be present. Trump is seeking to transform the deal when it is up for review next year, as he pursues his global tariff war aimed at shifting manufacturing back to the United States. Enrique Millan-Mejia, of the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, said he expected Mexico to use the summit to touch base with United States on tariffs and the USMCA, but he forecast no major breakthroughs. South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa can expect a friendlier welcome than he got from Trump last month, when their Oval Office meeting included a surprise video alleging the South African government was overseeing the genocide of white farmers. Ramaphosa may hope he can make progress repairing badly strained ties via a quiet word with Trump away from the cameras. The former anti-apartheid activist is attending the summit as South Africa holds the current presidency of the wider G20 group, and he said he plans to push its agenda in Canada. South Korea Carney appears keen to expand the event to bring in other partners that hold views generally aligned with core members. South Korea fits the bill and has emerged since the Ukraine war as a major defense exporter to Europe, although it has stopped short of directly sending arms to Kyiv. Newly elected President Lee Jae-myung, who comes from the left, will attend after winning a snap election triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration.
Euronews
4 hours ago
- Euronews
Trump hosts military parade amid 'No Kings' protests across US
The grand military parade that US President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barrelled down Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC on Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute. It played out against the counterpoint of protests around the country by those who decried the US leader as a dictator and would-be king. During the parade, which coincided with Trump's 79th birthday, he sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and dark clouds shrouded the Washington Monument. The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, was one Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when the parade was added to an event recognising the Army's 250th anniversary. Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to sound off against the Republican president. They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the US capital. In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said 'Homes not drones' not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall set up to commemorate the Army's birthday. Vendors outside the festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Trump-themed merchandise. Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, but said that the parade 'was a little over the top.' Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a 'very bold statement to the world, perhaps.' 'No Kings' rallies unfolded in hundreds of cities, designed to counter what organisers said were Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and flag day. Organisers said they picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The parade was added just a few weeks ago to the planned celebration of the Army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route. The daylong display of America's Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other US presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the US Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments. A previously calm demonstration in downtown LA quickly turned chaotic as police on horseback charged at the crowd, striking some with wood rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building. Officers then fired tear gas and crowd control projectiles at the large group, sending demonstrators, hot dog vendors and passing pedestrians fleeing through the street. Some have since regrouped, ignoring an LAPD dispersal order. 'Less lethal has been approved. Less lethal may cause discomfort and pain. It is advised that all persons leave the area,' police said in a post on X. 'It was a total 100% over-reaction. We weren't doing anything but standing around chanting peaceful protest,' said Samantha Edgerton, a 37-year-old bartender. Marines appeared for the first time at a demonstration since they were deployed to city on Friday with the stated mission of defending federal property. Dozens of Marines stood shoulder to shoulder in full combat gear, hands on their rifles, beside other law enforcement, including Department of Homeland Security officers at the National Guard. Directly in front of them, hundreds of protesters jeered in English and Spanish, telling the federal troops to go home. Iran and Israel traded rounds of strikes late Saturday in the latest salvo since a surprise attack a day earlier aimed at decimating Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. Israeli citizens were instructed to take shelter in protected spaces as Iran launched a new round of retaliatory attacks. 'Millions of Israelis are running to shelter in northern Israel due to projectile fire from Iran,' the Israeli military said in a post on X. The Magen David Adom emergency service said one woman was killed, with over a dozen others wounded, when a two-story home in the north was hit. Within the hour, Israel's military said people could leave shelters. Both Israel's military and Iran state television announced the latest round of Iranian missiles as explosions were heard near midnight, while the Israeli security cabinet met. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in a statement said that Iranian missiles targeted facilities of production of fuel for Israeli jetfighters. It said Iran will fire further missiles if Israeli strikes continue. The countries have been trading blows a day after Israel's blistering attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Israel's military quickly noted that it was also striking 'military targets' in Tehran. 'Tehran is burning," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media, and Iranian state television said explosions were heard in the city's east and west. Jordan said it has closed its airspace. Oman's foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, said on social media the sixth round of indirect nuclear talks on Sunday 'will not now take place." Although the talks are off for now, 'we remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon," said a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss diplomacy. Israel and Iran signalled further attacks, despite urgent calls from world leaders to deescalate and avoid all-out war. In what could be another escalation if confirmed, semi-official Iranian news agencies reported an Israeli drone struck and caused a 'strong explosion' at an Iranian natural-gas processing plant. It would be the first Israeli attack on Iran's oil and natural gas industry. Israel's military did not immediately comment. The extent of damage at the South Pars natural gas field was not immediately clear. Such sites have air defence systems around them, which Israel has been targeting. Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only, and US intelligence agencies have assessed that Tehran was not actively pursuing the bomb. But its uranium enrichment has reached near weapons-grade levels, and on Thursday, the UN's atomic watchdog censured Iran for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Aragchi said Saturday the nuclear talks were 'unjustifiable' after Israel's strikes. His comments came during a call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
