Connect with us

World

British Envoy Says Israel Is ‘Making A Decision To Act’ As Iran Vows To Respond To Any Incursion

Published

on

israel
AP - VOR News ImageJERUSALEM (AP)— British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Wednesday that Israel "is making a decision to act" in response to Iran's missile and drone attacks over the weekend, while Iran warned that even the "tiniest" assault of its territory would result in a "massive and harsh" reaction. Israel has promised to retaliate to Iran's unprecedented attack without specifying when or how leaving the region braced for more escalation following months of turmoil connected to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel's closest allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, who assisted in repelling the Iranian strike, are attempting to contain any further escalation. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, meanwhile, warned Israel against retribution as he attended an annual army parade, which had been shifted to a barracks from its customary route and was not shown live on state television, possibly due to fears of being targeted. In remarks broadcast by Iran's official IRNA news agency, Raisi said Saturday's attack was limited and that if Iran had intended to carry out a larger attack, "nothing would remain from the Zionist regime." Adding to already high tensions, Lebanon's Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on a northern Israeli border town on Wednesday, injuring 13 people, four of them critically, according to the Israeli rescue service Magen David Adom. The Iran-backed militant organization said it was in revenge for the deaths of several of its fighters, including a commander, in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon the day before. On Wednesday, Cameron and Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Israel separately to meet top officials. The two European countries, Israel's closest allies, have recommended caution. Cameron stated that "it's clear the Israelis are making a decision to act" against Iran, but he hoped they would do so "in a way that is smart as well as tough and also does as little as possible to escalate this conflict." He said that after meeting with Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, whose position is largely ceremonial, Cameron stated that the primary goal of his visit was to refocus attention on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, including the need for a cease-fire and the release of Hamas hostages. Baerbock stated that Germany is "in full solidarity with Israel" but urged it to exhibit caution. "Everyone must now be prudent and responsible. I am not talking about giving in. "I am talking about prudent restraint, which is nothing short of strength," she told reporters. "Because Israel has already shown strength with its defensive victory at the weekend." The ministers indicated they would advocate for additional international sanctions on Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he met with both ministers and thanked them for their countries' assistance. "They give a variety of options and advice. I appreciate it. But I want to be clear: We will make our own judgments, and the State of Israel will do everything it takes to defend itself," Netanyahu said in a statement. Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel over the weekend in retaliation for a purported Israeli raid on Iran's embassy compound in Syria on April 1, which killed 12 people, including two Iranian generals. Israel claims to have successfully intercepted nearly all of the missiles and drones with the assistance of the United States, the United Kingdom, neighboring Jordan, and other countries. A seven-year-old child was injured in the attack, which did not result in any fatalities or significant damage. Israel and Iran have fought a covert war for decades, but the weekend strike was the first direct Iranian military attack on Israel. Regional tensions have risen since Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two Palestinian armed factions funded by Iran, launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7. The attack killed over 1,200 Israelis, and the extremists held approximately 250 hostages. Israel reacted with one of the deadliest and most damaging military offensives in recent memory, killing approximately 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. Israel has withdrawn the majority of its forces from Gaza following significant offensives that destroyed its two largest cities, Gaza City and Khan Younis. However, Israeli officials claim the battle is far from done and that they intend to send ground forces into Rafah, the southernmost Gaza city where more than half of the territory's 2.3 million residents have taken safety from fighting elsewhere. Hamas is still holding over 130 hostages, with a quarter of them believed to be dead, while international efforts to mediate a cease-fire and hostage release have made no progress. Since the war began, Hezbollah, another close ally of Iran, has traded fire with Israel along the border on a nearly daily basis in a low-intensity confrontation that risks escalating into all-out war. Iran-backed organizations in Iraq and Syria have also conducted strikes, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, claiming it is a blockade of Israel. President Joe Biden's administration imposed further penalties against Iran on Tuesday and has sought to coordinate a worldwide response to the attack, asking all sides to de-escalate. US officials claimed earlier this week that Biden informed Netanyahu that Washington would not take any offensive measures against Iran. Israel looks unlikely to attack Iran directly without US cooperation, but it may use more covert ways, such as attacking other prominent Iranian commanders or Iran-backed forces in other countries or conducting a cyber attack. Given the heightened tensions, it's uncertain how Iran will respond. Any miscalculation on either side risks sparking a regional conflict.

JERUSALEM — British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Wednesday that Israel “is making a decision to act” in response to Iran’s missile and drone attacks over the weekend, while Iran warned that even the “tiniest” assault of its territory would result in a “massive and harsh” reaction.

Israel has promised to retaliate to Iran’s unprecedented attack without specifying when or how leaving the region braced for more escalation following months of turmoil connected to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel’s closest allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, who assisted in repelling the Iranian strike, are attempting to contain any further escalation.

British envoy says Israel is ‘making a decision to act’ as Iran vows to respond to any incursion

AP- VOR News Image

British Envoy Says Israel Is ‘Making A Decision To Act’ As Iran Vows To Respond To Any Incursion

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, meanwhile, warned Israel against retribution as he attended an annual army parade, which had been shifted to a barracks from its customary route and was not shown live on state television, possibly due to fears of being targeted.

In remarks broadcast by Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Raisi said Saturday’s attack was limited and that if Iran had intended to carry out a larger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime.”

Adding to already high tensions, Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on a northern Israeli border town on Wednesday, injuring 13 people, four of them critically, according to the Israeli rescue service Magen David Adom. The Iran-backed militant organization said it was in revenge for the deaths of several of its fighters, including a commander, in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon the day before.

On Wednesday, Cameron and Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Israel separately to meet top officials. The two European countries, Israel’s closest allies, have recommended caution.

Cameron stated that “it’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to act” against Iran, but he hoped they would do so “in a way that is smart as well as tough and also does as little as possible to escalate this conflict.” He said that after meeting with Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, whose position is largely ceremonial,

Cameron stated that the primary goal of his visit was to refocus attention on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, including the need for a cease-fire and the release of Hamas hostages.

Baerbock stated that Germany is “in full solidarity with Israel” but urged it to exhibit caution.

“Everyone must now be prudent and responsible. I am not talking about giving in. “I am talking about prudent restraint, which is nothing short of strength,” she told reporters. “Because Israel has already shown strength with its defensive victory at the weekend.”

British envoy says Israel is ‘making a decision to act’ as Iran vows to respond to any incursion

AP- VOR News Image

British Envoy Says Israel Is ‘Making A Decision To Act’ As Iran Vows To Respond To Any Incursion

The ministers indicated they would advocate for additional international sanctions on Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he met with both ministers and thanked them for their countries’ assistance.

“They give a variety of options and advice. I appreciate it. But I want to be clear: We will make our own judgments, and the State of Israel will do everything it takes to defend itself,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel over the weekend in retaliation for a purported Israeli raid on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria on April 1, which killed 12 people, including two Iranian generals.

Israel claims to have successfully intercepted nearly all of the missiles and drones with the assistance of the United States, the United Kingdom, neighboring Jordan, and other countries. A seven-year-old child was injured in the attack, which did not result in any fatalities or significant damage.

Israel and Iran have fought a covert war for decades, but the weekend strike was the first direct Iranian military attack on Israel.

Regional tensions have risen since Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two Palestinian armed factions funded by Iran, launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7. The attack killed over 1,200 Israelis, and the extremists held approximately 250 hostages. Israel reacted with one of the deadliest and most damaging military offensives in recent memory, killing approximately 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

Israel has withdrawn the majority of its forces from Gaza following significant offensives that destroyed its two largest cities, Gaza City and Khan Younis. However, Israeli officials claim the battle is far from done and that they intend to send ground forces into Rafah, the southernmost Gaza city where more than half of the territory’s 2.3 million residents have taken safety from fighting elsewhere.

Hamas is still holding over 130 hostages, with a quarter of them believed to be dead, while international efforts to mediate a cease-fire and hostage release have made no progress.

Since the war began, Hezbollah, another close ally of Iran, has traded fire with Israel along the border on a nearly daily basis in a low-intensity confrontation that risks escalating into all-out war. Iran-backed organizations in Iraq and Syria have also conducted strikes, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, claiming it is a blockade of Israel.

British envoy says Israel is ‘making a decision to act’ as Iran vows to respond to any incursion

AP- VOR News Image

British Envoy Says Israel Is ‘Making A Decision To Act’ As Iran Vows To Respond To Any Incursion

President Joe Biden’s administration imposed further penalties against Iran on Tuesday and has sought to coordinate a worldwide response to the attack, asking all sides to de-escalate. US officials claimed earlier this week that Biden informed Netanyahu that Washington would not take any offensive measures against Iran.

Israel looks unlikely to attack Iran directly without US cooperation, but it may use more covert ways, such as attacking other prominent Iranian commanders or Iran-backed forces in other countries or conducting a cyber attack.

Given the heightened tensions, it’s uncertain how Iran will respond. Any miscalculation on either side risks sparking a regional conflict.

SOURCE – (AP)

World

The Observer, The World’s Oldest Sunday Newspaper And A Liberal Staple, Will Be Sold.

Published

on

Observer
(AP Photo/Raphael Satter, File)

(VOR News) – Even though journalists had organised a two-day protest earlier this week, the sale of the Observer, which is the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper and a stronghold of liberal principles in Britain’s media landscape, was sanctioned on Friday.

The Observer is still the oldest newspaper in the world.

The Scott Trust, the owner of the Guardian Media Group, which is comprised of the Observer and the Guardian, has made the announcement that the sale to Tortoise Media is anticipated to be finalised within the next few days.

It has been reported that the Scott Trust has made an investment in Tortoise Media. As a result, the Scott Trust has become a significant shareholder in the company and has assumed roles on both the editorial and commercial boards respectively.

Tortoise must invest 25 million pounds (32 million dollars) in the Observer.

In the year 1791, The Observer was established, and in 1993, it became a member of the Guardian Media Group. On the other hand, Tortoise is dedicated to maintaining its Sunday print edition while also expanding its presence on the internet.

The editorial code of the Observer has made a commitment to respect the “liberal values and journalistic standards” of the Scott Trust. This commitment is part of the Observer’s commitment to protecting journalistic freedom and the editorial autonomy of the publication.

In 2019, James Harding, who had previously served as the editor of the London Times and as the chief of news at the BBC, and Matthew Barzun, who had previously served as the United States ambassador to London, established Tortoise publishing.

The readers were given the assurance that “we will make every effort to honour its legacy as a champion of human dignity and to revitalise it as a formidable, progressive voice globally.”

This was a pledge that was made to the readers. Harding argued that the Observer exemplifies “the pinnacle of liberal, pioneering journalism.” He said this on multiple occasions.

Ole Jacob Sunde, who serves as the chairperson of the Scott Trust, stated that the Observer need “a sufficiently funded, long-term ally that upholds editorial independence and liberal values.”

Wednesday and Thursday, Guardian and Observer journalists struck.

In addition to publishing print editions from Monday through Saturday, The Guardian also maintains a significant presence on the internet around the world. There has been a walkout that has been started by journalists from both organisations.

Despite the fact that the Guardian is unquestionably the more prestigious brand, particularly in the realm of digital media, the two newspapers have maintained a strong partnership, sharing resources and operating from the same site in London.

Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of Guardian News & Media, remarked, “I acknowledge the disquiet this period has caused for Observer staff, yet we are assured that we have determined the most advantageous path forward for the title’s journalists, its readership, and the future of both the Observer and the Guardian.”

It has been announced by Laura Davison, who will soon take over as general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, that union members from both publications will get together later on Friday to discuss the next steps that will be taken.

She stated that the timing of the decision, which was made prior to the conclusion of two days of action that received a lot of support, was particularly unfortunate.

Giao Pacey, a partner at Simkins LLP, a law firm that specialises in media and entertainment, says that the new leadership of the Observer must exercise caution in order to protect the value of the newspaper, which is inextricably linked to the brand that it has created over the course of centuries.

Keeping the company’s legacy, culture, and integrity intact while also securing the resources and support necessary for success in a market that is constantly shifting is something that Pacey believes the leadership team needs to accomplish in order to strike a balance. “Upon completion of the sale, the leadership team must achieve an appropriate equilibrium for the business.”

SOURCE: AP

SEE ALSO:

French President Macron Shifts Blame for Government Collapse

Macron of France Will Complete His Tenure And Choose a New Prime Minister Shortly.

 

Continue Reading

World

French President Macron Shifts Blame for Government Collapse

Published

on

Emmanuel Macron addresses the nation from the presidential palace
Emmanuel Macron addresses the nation from the presidential palace

French President Emmanuel Macron has refused to acknowledge or take responsibility for the collapse of Michel Barnier’s government, blaming “cynical” and “anti-Republican” opposition politicians.

On Thursday, Mr. Macron, 46, issued a defiant 10-minute televised address in which he denied the possibility of resigning more than two years prior to the conclusion of his tenure. He declared that he would continue to serve his “full mandate” until 2027.

The French president has committed to appointing a new prime minister in the near future and draughting a new budget measure by a new government of the willing early next year.

After losing a vote of no-confidence in his government the previous day, Mr. Barnier, 73, tendered his resignation on Thursday. Consequently, France’s oldest prime minister also became its shortest-serving.

“Until the appointment of a new government, he and his ministers will be responsible for daily business,” according to the Telegraph.

Macron promises solution

Mr. Macron endeavoured to rectify the situation with the French electorate and the opposition during his brief address.

Mr. Macron took full responsibility for his decision to hold snap elections in June and July, which he said had been “misunderstood” and “criticised,” and thanked Mr. Barnier for “rising to the occasion, as so many others have not.”

“I shall never assume the negligence of others, particularly the MPs who have deliberately chosen to undermine France’s budget and government mere days before Christmas.”

On Thursday, Ms. Le Pen stated that the French president’s resignation was not appropriate at this time.

“That can only occur, in my opinion, when a political crisis or an institutional crisis can no longer be resolved through the resignation of the president of the republic,” she stated in an interview with Bloomberg. She noted that this was not the case at the moment.

Rather, the populist opposition figure pledged to “collaborate” with the incoming prime minister and maintained that a budget could be approved within a matter of weeks.

Macron to Blame

However, polls conducted on Thursday indicate that the French are primarily attributing the most severe political crisis to Macron since 1958, when Charles de Gaulle returned from retirement to establish the Fifth Republic and prevent civil war.

An Odaxa Backbone survey revealed that six out of ten individuals now desire Macron’s resignation, while a Toluna Harris Interactive poll indicated that an even greater number, 64 percent, desired his departure.

Mathilde Panot, the chair of the parliamentary faction of the hard-Left France Unbowed (LFI) party, has advocated for “early presidential elections,” stating, “We are now calling on Macron to go.”

According to Mr. Macron, he will not be resigning until 2027, and French law prohibits the holding of new legislative elections until July of the following year.

Simultaneously, there is considerable speculation regarding the individual whom Mr. Macron will select to succeed Mr. Barnier.

He is eager to designate a replacement before dozens of heads of state, including the newly elected US president, Donald Trump, descend on Paris for a ceremony to reopen Notre-Dame on Saturday, according to a variety of sources.

Related News:

France’s Macron Says Arrest Of The Head Of The Telegram Messaging App Wasn’t Political

France’s Right-Wing Leader Le Pen Projected to Win Snap Election

 

 

 

Continue Reading

World

Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake Strikes North Coast of California

Published

on

California Earthquake
A tsunami warning was issued but has since been cancelled

The US Geological Survey reports that a significant 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern California.

A tsunami warning was initially issued for the beaches of northern California and southern Oregon, affecting around 4.7 million people, but has since been lifted.

The epicentre of the earthquake was located near Ferndale, California, a small settlement in Humboldt County about 260 miles (418 km) north of San Francisco.

At 10:51 a.m. PST, cellphones throughout Northern California and Southern Oregon rang with a “Emergency Alert” message.

The National Tsunami Warning Centre cancelled the tsunami warning shortly before noon local time.

According to the Associated Press, the US Geological Survey said that more than 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning, and more than 1.3 million people lived close enough to the epicentre to feel the earthquake.

Tremors are widespread in the US West Coast, which is where many of the Earth’s tectonic plates meet. However, a strong 7-magnitude earthquake is unusual in the region. Experts estimate that 10 to 15 earthquakes of this size occur globally each year.

A number of severe earthquakes have impacted the area, including a 1994 quake in Northridge, Los Angeles, which killed scores of people and injured thousands more while causing billions of dollars in damage to homes and infrastructure.

Related News:

Google Agreed To Pay Millions For California News. Journalists Call It A Bad Deal

Unprecedented 4.7 Earthquake Strikes Near Los Angeles.

 

Continue Reading

Trending