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VOA Persian: Restrictions persist on female political prisoners in Vakilabad
GERMAN President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament and set the country’s snap election for February 23, formally endorsing a timetable proposed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz after he pulled the plug on his ruling coalition last month. Social Democrat Scholz ended his three-party alliance with the Greens and Free Democrats when he sacked FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner in a dispute over government borrowing. The surprise move deprived Scholz of a majority in the lower house, or Bundestag, and paved the way for a national ballot seven months before the scheduled end of his four-year term. With just under two months until the vote, the main opposition conservatives under Friedrich Merz are strides ahead in the polls. Scholz’s SPD is languishing in third place behind the far-right Alternative for Germany party, with the Greens in fourth. Merz’s center-right CDU/CSU bloc has about 31 percent support, according to the latest Bloomberg polling average, with the AfD at around 19 percent and the center-left SPD 16 percent. The Greens have about 13 percent, while Lindner’s FDP is in danger of missing the 5 percent threshold for getting into parliament with 4 percent. Lars Klingbeil, an SPD co-leader, said he expects the party to begin narrowing the gap to the conservatives in January and still believes it can emerge as the strongest party again. At the last election in 2021, the SPD came from behind in the final weeks of campaigning to secure almost 26 percent in first place, beating the CDU/CSU, which got 24 percent. “More and more citizens will ask themselves: Do we want Olaf Scholz as chancellor or Friedrich Merz?” Klingbeil was quoted as saying in an interview with Tagesspiegel newspaper published Thursday. “We have the better candidate, the better team, the better program.” Although Steinmeier has formally dissolved the Bundestag, its term will only end with the constitution of the next parliament. Lawmakers will continue to meet and conduct parliamentary business, with two sessions planned before the election. Scholz’s move to force an early election is unusual in German politics since World War II. The national ballot was brought forward only twice in West Germany and only once since reunification in 1990. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, also a Social Democrat, triggered an early vote in 2005 before losing to Angela Merkel, who went on to run the country until Scholz took over in late 2021.
As the winter transfer window approaches, Manchester United faces a difficult decision regarding the future of their number 10. Will they stick with the struggling talent in the hopes of a turnaround, or will they cut their losses and seek a fresh start with a new player?Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100
The EU's scrutiny of Google and Meta's advertising partnership comes at a time when tech companies are facing increasing regulatory pressure globally. With the digital advertising industry being a critical component of the online economy, ensuring fair competition and data privacy safeguards is essential to protect consumers and foster innovation.
Varonis Expands AI-Powered Security to Google Cloud: Enhancing Data Protection for Alphabet (GOOG)In conclusion, the arrest of the "tiger" official accused of engaging in blind decision-making in poverty alleviation serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of responsible leadership and ethical governance in tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing society today. It is a reminder that the fight against poverty requires not only resources and dedication but also integrity, transparency, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of those in need.
The earthquake, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, caught many residents off guard as they were still asleep in their homes. The shaking was felt as far as California and neighboring states, prompting widespread concern and fear among the population. Buildings swayed, windows rattled, and the ground trembled as the seismic waves rippled through the earth.
Ruben Amorim issues storm warning after smooth start with Manchester UnitedPresident-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction
In recent news, it was observed that several key players from the Sky team, including Calafiori and Tănase, were notably absent from the public training session held at the team's facility. Instead of participating in the group training, they were seen engaging in personal workout routines under the guidance of the team's fitness coaches.
In conclusion, the exclusive report by Matt Hughes has shed light on a significant development at Manchester United, with the club choosing to forego the position of Sporting Director. With former Sporting Director Douglas Ashworth possibly on his way to Arsenal, the Premier League landscape could see a shakeup in the near future. The decision by Manchester United to alter their management structure will undoubtedly have ramifications for the club's on-field performance and long-term planning. Only time will tell how this bold move plays out for one of the world's most iconic football institutions.
OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won’t play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion. The Conservatives plan to introduce a motion that quotes Singh’s own criticism of the Liberals, and asks the House of Commons to declare that it agrees with Singh and has no confidence in the government. The motion is expected to be introduced on Thursday and the debate and vote are set for Monday. Singh says he is not going to vote non-confidence and trigger an election when he believes Poilievre would cut programs the NDP fought for, like dental care and pharmacare. The non-confidence vote was scheduled after Speaker Greg Fergus intervened to pause a filibuster on a privilege debate about a green technology fund. The Conservatives have said they would only end that debate if the NDP agree to topple the government or if the Liberals turn over unredacted documents at the centre of the parliamentary gridlock. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. David Baxter, The Canadian Press