HARDLINER
Iran goes to a runoff election between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-liner Saeed Jalili
Iran will proceed with a runoff presidential election to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi, as no candidate secured a majority in the initial vote. Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian will face off against hard-line former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in the upcoming election, scheduled for the following Friday.
Iran seesawing vote results put race between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-liner Saeed Jalili
Early results from Iran's presidential election show a close contest between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-liner Saeed Jalili, with Pezeshkian leading with 5.3 million votes to Jalili's 4.8 million. Another candidate, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, garnered 1.6 million votes. Turnout figures were not yet disclosed. If no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, a runoff between the top two contenders will be held. This election follows the recent death of President Ebrahim Raisi, complicating Iran's political landscape amid regional tensions and internal challenges.
First candidate drops out of Iran presidential election, due to take place Friday amid voter apathy
United Arab Emirates - A candidate in Iran's presidential election withdrew from the race late Wednesday, becoming the first to back out in order for hard-liners to coalesce around a unity candidate in the vote to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi.
Iran's hard-line parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf registers as a presidential candidate
Iran's hard-line parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, registered for the country's June 28 presidential election to replace Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash with seven others on May 19.
Iran's hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad registers for June 28 presidential election
Iran's hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has registered as a possible candidate for the presidential election, aiming to regain the country's top political position after a helicopter crash killed the nation's president. Ahmadinejad's return comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran's nuclear program, arming of Russia in its war on Ukraine, and crackdowns on dissent. The election is planned for June 28 to replace Khamenei's protege President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.
US to boycott UN tribute to Iran leader killed in helicopter crash
President Joe Biden's administration faced backlash for offering condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known for human rights abuses and crackdowns on protests. The U.S. boycotted a U.N. tribute to Raisi, highlighting his controversial legacy.
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No sign of foul play in Iran president's deadly helicopter crash, early report says
Four days after the crash that claimed the lives of Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others, Raisi was laid to rest in the Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Mashhad on Thursday. Analysts note Iran's concerning air safety history, marked by recurrent accidents, often involving U.S.-manufactured aircraft acquired prior to the 1979 Islamic revolution.
In divided Iran, president's death met by muted mourning and furtive celebration
Iran declared five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi, who, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, died in a helicopter crash. While loyalists prayed in mosques, daily life continued with minimal disruption. Opposition groups quietly celebrated Raisi's death, reflecting his controversial legacy, particularly his role in cracking down on women's rights and executing dissidents. Many Iranians doubt his death will change the country's hardline governance. The subdued response contrasts with past public grief for figures like Qasem Soleimani, indicating Raisi's divisive impact.
Who will become Iran President? When is Presidential Election?
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi is dead and now the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei holds the key as a Presidential election has become imminent.
President Raisi's sudden death to test Iran with West Asia already in turmoil
Mohammed Mokhber, Raisi's deputy, was expeditiously appointed as the interim President, with the next president being elected within the next 50 days. Until the presidential transition, the country's multilayered polity would remain preoccupied. For many years, the hardliners have had a firm grip on all three political pillars of the state, viz. presidency, legislative and theocracy.
Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline leader who brought Iran closer to China
Before news of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi’s death emerged, China expressed "deep concern" on Monday after his helicopter went missing. Given China's significant trade ties with Iran and its role as a major buyer of Iranian oil, its concern appears justified. China stated it would closely monitor the situation and offer support to rescue operations. Raisi's efforts to strengthen Iran-China relations included a visit to Beijing last year, marking the first such visit by an Iranian president in two decades.
Who was Ebrahim Raisi, Iran's hardline president who died in a helicopter crash?
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, considered a hard-liner and a potential successor to the supreme leader, died in a helicopter crash in a mountainous northwestern region, Iranian media reported. Raisi, who previously ran Iran's judiciary and faced U.S. sanctions over his role in the 1988 mass executions, became president in 2021 in an election with historically low turnout. As president, he supported Iran's uranium enrichment and aggressive foreign policy, including attacks on Israel.
Aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan heads to the Senate for final approval after months of delay
The Senate is set to vote on a $95 billion war aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with the $61 billion allocated for Ukraine being a critical component as the country faces increased Russian aggression. President Biden assured Ukrainian President Zelenskyy of the US's commitment to send air defense weaponry. The aid package also includes $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian relief for Gaza, as well as $8 billion to counter China in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.
U.S. House passes billions in aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle. Next is the Senate
With an overwhelming vote, the $61 billion in aid for Ukraine passed in a matter of minutes, a strong showing as American lawmakers race to deliver a fresh round of U.S. support to the war-torn ally. Many Democrats cheered on the House floor and waved blue-and-yellow flags of Ukraine. Aid to Israel and the other allies also won approval by healthy margins, as did a measure to clamp down on the popular platform TikTok, with unique coalitions forming to push the separate bills forward.
'Give birth to more soldiers': Hardline Russia turns on abortions
Russia's radical conservative turn since it invaded Ukraine is changing life inside the country, with even the long-held right for women to have abortions being questioned. - 'Expect more bans' - Russia's pro-life movement was once marginal but the war has created a "political environment" to press more radical initiatives, Stanovaya said.
How could hardline US House Republicans strip Kevin McCarthy of his speakership?
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is facing a challenge from hardline members of his caucus who are threatening to oust him using a procedure called the "motion to vacate." This motion allows any member to introduce a resolution to remove the speaker, and if it is considered on the House floor, it only requires a simple majority to pass.
Hardline US Republicans oppose bank deposit guarantees beyond $250,000 limit
The Republican House Freedom Caucus said in a statement the Federal Reserve "must unwind" its extraordinary funding facility created on March 12 that allows banks to boost borrowing from the Federal Reserve to cover deposit outflows.
China reports first Covid deaths since hardline policy eased
The country is pressing ahead with unwinding years of its zero-Covid policy, with people in one megacity now even told they can go to work if they are visibly ill. Official case numbers are widely considered unreliable following the end of mandatory mass testing, while fears are mounting of a wave of infections in poor rural areas during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays.
China faces soaring Covid cases as hardline policy eases
Just a few days after China began loosening restrictions, Beijing authorities said more than 22,000 patients had visited hospitals across the city in the previous day -- 16 times the number a week ago. "The current trend of the rapid spread of the epidemic in Beijing still exists," said city health commission spokesman Li Ang at a briefing Monday.
Indonesia pitches for revival of Inter-Faith Dialogue with India amid protests from hardliners
The suggestion was put forward when visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar here on Friday. The suggestion was put forward following protests and unhappiness back home by religious groups and NGOs and some of them demanded revival of Inter-Faith Dialogue with India, whose first edition was held in 2018.
Dog-culling, fight over cheap veggies: Tired Shanghai residents post videos of China's hardline virus measures
Many residents have tired of the government's grandstanding and social media has opened a window into their fury at food shortages, strict quarantines and overzealous officialdom.
Taliban hard-liners turning back the clock in Afghanistan
The Taliban leadership today is different from the one-man rule of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the reclusive founder of the Taliban movement in the mid-1990s who reigned with a heavy hand. A divide is growing between some within the old guard, who uphold the harsh rule of the past and a younger generation of Taliban leaders who see a future of engagement with the international community.
Friction among Taliban pragmatists, hard-liners intensifies
Baradar served as the chief negotiator during talks between the Taliban and the United States that paved the way for the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was completed in late August, two weeks after the Taliban overran the capital of Kabul.
UN-blacklisted Akhund to head Afghanistan govt
Hailing from the spiritual Taliban heartland of Kandahar, Akhund served as governor of the key province during the group’s brutal first reign in the 1990s.
Pro-Pakistan Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani dies after prolonged illness
Geelani, who was a member of banned Jamaat-e-Islami and chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference, had been suffering from various ailments for nearly last two decades.
Iran leader names hardline cleric as new judiciary head
Ejei's appointment by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei comes as Iran faces renewed criticism by Western human rights groups and international bodies over the election of Raisi, who is accused by critics of a series of abuses during his judicial career. He denies wrongdoing.
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