July 8, 2024

Leftist coalition wins most seats in France's snap election — pollsters An alliance of French left-wing is on course to become the biggest parliamentary bloc and beat the far right, according to shocking projected results. The New Popular Front brings together socialists, greens, communists and the hard-left into one camp and was formed last month after President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections. Marine Le Pen's National Rally party led the race after the first round on June 30 but projections for round two on Sunday showed no group on course for an absolute majority. Polls show the left-wing NFP ahead of both Macron's Ensemble and Le Pen's RN. *) Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital evacuated after Israeli army’s warning Medical teams in Gaza have evacuated wounded Palestinians from al Ahli Baptist Hospital after the Israeli military issued a warning to leave some neighbourhoods of Gaza City. A medical source at the hospital said the teams transferred the wounded and other patients from the hospital to medical facilities in northern Gaza. The source said Israeli quadcopter drones were heavily present around the hospital, firing at civilians and prompting the medical teams to evacuate the hospital. *) Gaza war death toll could exceed 186,000: The Lancet Indirect deaths from disease and lack of resources in Gaza are projected to increase the total death toll to up to 186,000, or 7.9 percent of the population. This is according to a report by the medical journal The Lancet. The destruction of infrastructure in Gaza by Israeli attacks has made data collection increasingly difficult, forcing the Palestinian Health Ministry to rely on information from media sources and first responders. *) Democrats suggest VP Harris as potential alternative to Biden against Trump An embattled US President Joe Biden has faced escalating pressure from fellow Democrats worried about his candidacy. Biden has faced growing calls to end his re-election campaign after a halting performance in a June debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump, which raised questions about his ability to do the job for another four years. Democrats suggest that Vice President Kamala Harris, seen as the likeliest candidate to replace Biden in the November 5 election, could perform well. And finally… *) Flash floods and landslides lash Nepal, leaving thousands affected Lashing rains in Nepal, causing flash floods and landslides have killed at least 14 people across the country, according to police. Police are working with other agencies and locals to find nine missing people, according to a police spokesman. Those killed and missing are in multiple locations.