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French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called for snap legislative elections after his centrist party suffered a significant defeat to the far-right National Rally in the European Parliament elections. This bold decision plunges France into profound political uncertainty, with new elections scheduled for June 30 and July 7, potentially forcing Macron into a power-sharing "cohabitation" with an opposing party.
Hamas's response to the proposed Gaza ceasefire plan is not an outright acceptance, as the U.S. deemed some of its requested amendments "not workable." This development casts significant uncertainty over an immediate truce, underscoring persistent disagreements on a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.
The European Central Bank made a historic move on Thursday, cutting its key interest rate by a quarter-percentage-point to 3.75%, marking its first reduction in five years. This pivotal decision aims to stimulate economic growth in the eurozone as inflation eases, positioning the ECB as the first major central bank to ease policy in the current cycle.
At its I/O 2024 conference, Google unveiled a sweeping commitment to its "AI-first" strategy, integrating advanced Gemini models like 1.5 Pro and 1.5 Flash across its core products. These advancements include "AI Overviews" in Search, enhanced productivity tools, and the ambitious Project Astra, aiming to create a universal AI agent for seamless human-computer interaction.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have formally agreed to two presidential debates, marking an unusually early start to the general election face-offs and bypassing the traditional Commission on Presidential Debates. The first confrontation is set for June 27 on CNN in Atlanta, with a second debate planned for September on ABC News, signaling a strategic shift by both campaigns to engage directly ahead of the November election.
Southern Germany is grappling with catastrophic flooding after days of relentless torrential rain, which has submerged homes, destroyed infrastructure, and forced thousands to evacuate across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. As emergency services, including the military, work tirelessly to rescue stranded residents and mitigate further damage, the tragic loss of lives underscores the severe and unprecedented nature of this weather crisis.
A new biopic titled "The Apprentice," chronicling Donald Trump's early career and his complex relationship with mentor Roy Cohn, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to an eight-minute standing ovation. This controversial film, which delves into the formative years that shaped his business and public persona, is already generating intense discussion and reportedly facing legal threats from Trump's team.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times and seriously wounded on Wednesday, an assassination attempt that sent shockwaves across Europe as he underwent extensive surgery for life-threatening injuries. A 71-year-old writer was immediately detained as the suspected assailant, while leaders worldwide condemned the attack, underscoring the deeply polarized political climate in Slovakia.
India's monumental general election is concluding, with Prime Minister Modi's ruling BJP facing a surprisingly strong challenge from the opposition INDIA bloc. This crucial contest, driven by voter concerns over unemployment and inflation, will determine India's future domestic policies and global standing.
Boeing's Starliner capsule, carrying two NASA astronauts, faced yet another launch delay from Cape Canaveral after engineers discovered a small helium leak in its service module. This critical setback further postpones the long-troubled spacecraft's maiden crewed flight to the International Space Station, highlighting ongoing challenges for the program as the capsule was rolled back for repairs.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian tragically died in a helicopter crash in a mountainous region, confirmed after extensive search efforts hampered by heavy fog. This sudden loss has plunged Iran into a period of political uncertainty, with an interim president appointed and new elections mandated within 50 days to navigate the significant power vacuum.
Russia launched a significant new ground offensive in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region on May 10, forcing thousands of civilians to evacuate amidst intense fighting and notable Russian advances, particularly near Vovchansk. This critical escalation aims to stretch Ukrainian defenses and exploit delays in Western aid, prompting Ukraine to deploy reserves and urgently call for continued international military support.