Despite calls for calm
Israel promises “ a response ” has the massive and unprecedented attack launched by Iran, despite calls from many countries, including its American ally, to avoid an escalation in a region already bereaved by the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Iran has for the first time launched a direct attack this weekend against Israel, in retaliation for a strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, attributed to Israel, which killed seven members of the Revolutionary Guards. The Israeli army will respond to the launch of so many cruise missiles and drones on the territory of the State of Israel », Declared this Monday evening, April 15, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, General Herzi Halevi. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier called on the international community to “ stay united ” in front of ” Iranian aggression, which threatens world peace “.
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Since Sunday, calls have been increasing to prevent a massive response which could further inflame the region, already ” on the edge of the precipice “, according to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. After standing up with its allies against the Iranian attack, the United States said it did not want ” of an extended war with Iran “, and warned that they would not participate in a reprisal operation. “ Together, with our partners, we defeated this attack » Iranian, affirmed American President Joe Biden, calling on Israel to avoid an escalation and instead try to work towards a “ ceasefire » in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army bombed Gaza on the night of Monday to Tuesday, after affirming that the Iranian attack would not cause it to deviate from its objectives against Hamas, an ally of Iran, the target of its offensive carried out for more than six months in the Palestinian territory.
Jurors unable to judge Trump
Former President Donald Trump said this Monday, April 15, that he “ a real problem with the judge at his trial in New York denouncing the whole affair as a ” witch hunt » and complaining about not being able to campaign as he wants. “ We are not going to get a fair trial, it's very, very sad “, Trump told the press, whose first criminal trial opened on Monday, a historic event for a former American head of state.
The Republican Party candidate for the November 5 presidential election complained of not being able to organize his campaign as he wished. “ The fact that I'm not in Georgia or Florida or North Carolina campaigning like I should be campaigning is perfect for radical left Democrats. This is exactly what they want. This is election interference “, he added.
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The billionaire is being prosecuted for payments intended to buy the silence of former porn actress Stormy Daniels a few days before the 2016 election, which he won narrowly against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
At the opening of the trial this Monday, April 15, a majority of the first group of 96 potential jurors for Donald Trump declared themselves incapable of judging him fairly and were immediately exempted. Contrary to practice, for logistical reasons, Judge Juan Merchan announced on April 8 that potential jurors who declared themselves incapable of attending the entire duration of the trial or of being impartial would be exempted without having to provide justification.
Around fifty jurors raised their hands to declare that they could not be fair and around ten others for other unspecified reasons.
Riots in front of the Church
The Australian police described this Tuesday, April 16 as “ terrorist act » a knife attack committed the day before by a teenager in an Assyrian church in the suburbs of Sydney, which triggered the fury of the faithful and clashes.
A bishop and the 16-year-old suspect, who was arrested, are among those taken into custody for “ injuries that are not life-threatening » after this attack which occurred this Monday, April 15 in the evening. The young man dressed in black approached the altar, raised his right arm and struck the bishop of the Assyrian community with a knife, causing panic and screams among the faithful, according to footage from the religious service broadcast live. The clergyman of this branch of Eastern Christians, stabbed in the head and chest, is in a stable condition and his health “ improves ”, informed the church on Tuesday. “ After examining all the elements, I declared that it was a terrorist act », Announced the New South Wales Police Commissioner.
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This attack is considered an act of “ extremism » religious, she added, specifying that the suspect is “ known to the police » but does not appear in any anti-terrorism file. “ At this point it appears to be an individual act “, declared the head of Australian intelligence services. “ There is no indication that anyone else was involved, but the investigation remains open “, he added, believing that it was not necessary to raise the country's terrorist threat level.
The suspect was taken to a safe location as the attack sparked fury among worshipers. Police previously said he was 15 years old. Three people suffered minor injuries in the attack and around 30 others received treatment after a riot that occurred outside the church. For three hours, more than 500 demonstrators clashed with police wanting to prevent them from entering the church and lynching the teenager.
