World
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
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World
Canadian Speaker "rejects" position: Prime Minister and opposition force him into chair
Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia was elected as the 40th Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada. Following his election, he was symbolically pulled to the Speaker's chair by Prime Minister Mark Carney and interim Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer, in keeping with a parliamentary tradition that symbolizes historical reluctance to take on the role.
The ceremony derives from a long-standing British tradition, where the Speaker of the House of Commons was seen as a dangerous position, as he had to relay Parliament's decisions to the monarch, a task that often put his life at risk.
For this reason, Speakers often displayed public reluctance to take on the role, and were "pulled" to the chair by their colleagues as part of a ritual embedded in parliamentary history. Even today, Canada maintains this tradition to honor its democratic origins and to emphasize the importance and responsibility that the role of the President carries.
Youtube/canadianpress
The ceremony derives from a long-standing British tradition, where the Speaker of the House of Commons was seen as a dangerous position, as he had to relay Parliament's decisions to the monarch, a task that often put his life at risk.
For this reason, Speakers often displayed public reluctance to take on the role, and were "pulled" to the chair by their colleagues as part of a ritual embedded in parliamentary history. Even today, Canada maintains this tradition to honor its democratic origins and to emphasize the importance and responsibility that the role of the President carries.
Youtube/canadianpress
World
The phrase "I never bought rice" costs Japanese minister his job
Japanese Agriculture Minister Taku Etō resigned on May 21, 2025, following a strong public backlash over an inappropriate statement in which he said he “didn’t need to buy rice” after receiving such gifts from supporters. The comment, made during a seminar in Saga Prefecture, was considered insensitive at a time when the country is facing a rice shortage and sharply rising prices. Etō issued a public apology, acknowledging that the statement was inappropriate in the circumstances.
Japan’s current rice crisis is the result of a combination of factors, including extreme weather that caused a poor harvest in 2023, rice hoarding following an earthquake warning in 2024, and speculation by distributors. Although the government has released 300,000 tons of rice from emergency reserves to curb rising prices, the price for 5 kilograms has reached a record ¥4,268 ($29), almost double what it was a year ago.
Japan’s current rice crisis is the result of a combination of factors, including extreme weather that caused a poor harvest in 2023, rice hoarding following an earthquake warning in 2024, and speculation by distributors. Although the government has released 300,000 tons of rice from emergency reserves to curb rising prices, the price for 5 kilograms has reached a record ¥4,268 ($29), almost double what it was a year ago.
World
Trump formalizes US plan to shield skies from ballistic threats
President Donald Trump today officially unveiled the new missile defense project, called “Golden Dome,” a comprehensive initiative aimed at protecting the United States from advanced missile threats. In a speech broadcast from the Oval Office, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump described the project as “an American shield” against new threats, especially from China and Russia, which have made significant advances in missile technology.
The initiative will be led by General Michael Guetlein, the deputy chief of Space Operations, and envisions building a multi-layered system based on land, sea and space. The centerpiece of the plan is a network of satellites, some of which will be equipped with interceptor missiles or laser weapons, to track and neutralize threats at all stages of their flight. Large companies such as SpaceX and Palantir are involved in the development and implementation of this system.
The administration has initially allocated $25 billion for the development of the first phase. This plan is seen as a return to the vision of President Ronald Reagan, who in the 1980s promoted the “Strategic Defense Initiative” – otherwise known as “Star Wars” – a project that aimed to create a space shield against nuclear attacks from the Soviet Union.
The initiative will be led by General Michael Guetlein, the deputy chief of Space Operations, and envisions building a multi-layered system based on land, sea and space. The centerpiece of the plan is a network of satellites, some of which will be equipped with interceptor missiles or laser weapons, to track and neutralize threats at all stages of their flight. Large companies such as SpaceX and Palantir are involved in the development and implementation of this system.
The administration has initially allocated $25 billion for the development of the first phase. This plan is seen as a return to the vision of President Ronald Reagan, who in the 1980s promoted the “Strategic Defense Initiative” – otherwise known as “Star Wars” – a project that aimed to create a space shield against nuclear attacks from the Soviet Union.
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Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. This marks the first time an American has ascended to the papal throne in the 2,000-year history of the Church.
The announcement was made on May 8, 2025, when white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the decision of the conclave.
The announcement was made on May 8, 2025, when white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the decision of the conclave.
Pakistan orders military to retaliate against India
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office has said the country's armed forces have been authorised to take "appropriate action" in response to the attacks by India, Reuters news agency reported.
The statement comes at a time of heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, after Pakistan accused India of unprovoked aggression. The authorisation signals a potential escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan, two nuclear powers that have historically had tense relations.
The statement comes at a time of heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, after Pakistan accused India of unprovoked aggression. The authorisation signals a potential escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan, two nuclear powers that have historically had tense relations.
India Launches Missile Attacks in Pakistan
The Indian government has confirmed that it has carried out missile strikes on nine locations inside Pakistan and in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, codenamed “Operation Sindoor,” was carried out in retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists.
Indian authorities have blamed the attack on the militant group The Resistance Front, which they link to the Pakistani organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. The Pakistani government has denied the allegations, calling them baseless. The Indian military said the strikes only targeted terrorist infrastructure and were intended to be "moderate and non-escalating", deliberately avoiding Pakistani military targets.
The locations hit included Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province. Pakistani officials reported that at least three civilians, including a child, were killed in the strikes, while 12 others were injured.
Pakistan strongly condemned the attack, calling it an "act of war", and said it had shot down two Indian Rafale fighter jets during the strikes. The Pakistani military has promised a "strong response" at a time and place of its choosing, raising concerns about further escalation of the conflict.
Indian authorities have blamed the attack on the militant group The Resistance Front, which they link to the Pakistani organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. The Pakistani government has denied the allegations, calling them baseless. The Indian military said the strikes only targeted terrorist infrastructure and were intended to be "moderate and non-escalating", deliberately avoiding Pakistani military targets.
The locations hit included Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province. Pakistani officials reported that at least three civilians, including a child, were killed in the strikes, while 12 others were injured.
Pakistan strongly condemned the attack, calling it an "act of war", and said it had shot down two Indian Rafale fighter jets during the strikes. The Pakistani military has promised a "strong response" at a time and place of its choosing, raising concerns about further escalation of the conflict.
Trump Orders Reopening of Famous Alcatraz Prison
United States President Donald Trump has ordered the Federal Bureau of Prisons to rebuild and reopen the legendary Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay. In an announcement via the Truth Social platform, he announced that the facility will serve to isolate the most dangerous criminals in the country, restoring a strong symbol of "law and order" to the American penal system.
Trump highlighted the historical and symbolic importance of Alcatraz as an isolated, high-security prison that once housed notorious names like Al Capone before it closed in 1963. He stated that this is a personal initiative and that the plan foresees the expansion and deep modernization of the institution, with support from the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
This famous prison was initially closed due to high operating costs, which were almost three times those of other federal prisons, due to its isolated location on an island.
Trump highlighted the historical and symbolic importance of Alcatraz as an isolated, high-security prison that once housed notorious names like Al Capone before it closed in 1963. He stated that this is a personal initiative and that the plan foresees the expansion and deep modernization of the institution, with support from the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
This famous prison was initially closed due to high operating costs, which were almost three times those of other federal prisons, due to its isolated location on an island.
World Press Freedom Day: UK reaffirms commitment to media freedom
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the British Embassy in Pristina has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting media freedom worldwide, highlighting its importance for a healthy and functioning democracy.
In an official statement, the Embassy stresses that a free and independent media is a key element for stability and prosperity. “Without the ability to express and disseminate truthful information and free opinions, there is neither accountability nor informed public debate,” the statement says.
The Embassy also raised concern about Kosovo’s decline in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, calling on institutions to work closely with media and civil society organizations in drafting the new Law on the Independent Media Commission, as a concrete step towards guaranteeing press freedom in Kosovo.
In an official statement, the Embassy stresses that a free and independent media is a key element for stability and prosperity. “Without the ability to express and disseminate truthful information and free opinions, there is neither accountability nor informed public debate,” the statement says.
The Embassy also raised concern about Kosovo’s decline in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, calling on institutions to work closely with media and civil society organizations in drafting the new Law on the Independent Media Commission, as a concrete step towards guaranteeing press freedom in Kosovo.