Dockworkers in southern France are blocking a shipment of 14 tons of military equipment to Israel, their union announced today.

The workers refuse to participate in the "ongoing genocide carried out by the Israeli government," stated the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) union.

The cargo, destined for the Israeli port of Haifa, allegedly consists of machine gun parts produced by a company in the southern city of Marseille, which CGT claims the Israeli military uses against the Palestinian population. The union said the container is currently located in the port of Fos-sur-Mer near Marseille.

• French Dockworkers Rebel: We Refuse to Participate in Genocide
• German Minister: Recognizing the Palestinian State Now Would Be a Bad Signal

The French Ministry of Defense stated that Israel is contractually obligated to re-export the military equipment and is not permitted to use the components itself, according to France Info.

Left-wing politicians in France have supported the workers’ action.

"Glory to the dockworkers in the port of Marseille-Fos who refuse to load spare parts for ships intended for the Israeli army," posted Manuel Bompard, national coordinator of the left-wing party France Unbowed, on X.

The leader of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, also supported the move. "Humanism is not for sale," Faure wrote on X.

At least 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza, according to health authorities controlled by Hamas in the territory. The war was triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and over 250 were taken hostage.

Recognizing the Palestinian state “at this time” would be “a bad signal,” said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul today.

His statement contradicts the aspirations of several European countries that support the recognition of Palestine.

“That process must be completed through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians before we can recognize a Palestinian state,” Wadephul said at a press conference in Berlin alongside his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar.

This is the position “we are also promoting to our European partners and friends,” the German minister added.

• French Dockworkers Rebel: We Refuse to Participate in Genocide
• German Minister: Recognizing the Palestinian State Now Would Be a Bad Signal

Several European countries, such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway, have already recognized the Palestinian state.

France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have recently stated they are considering the move in light of the intensified Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip and the blockade of humanitarian aid.

Israel is facing growing international pressure to end the war, triggered by the attack of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023.

“Shocking” images from Gaza show that humanitarian aid is “insufficient,” Wadephul said, adding that he reiterated an urgent demand to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, in accordance “with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, and without restrictions.”

The Israeli minister said his country needs Germany’s support.

“Israel is facing military, legal, diplomatic, and economic attacks,” said Sa'ar.

Although Germany is one of the most loyal supporters of the Jewish state due to its responsibility for the Holocaust, Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Germany would withdraw its support due to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian territory.

Several dozen people protested today in front of the Foreign Ministry in Berlin over the visit of the Israeli minister.

The protesters waved Palestinian flags and carried banners reading “No support for war crimes in Gaza” and “Stop arms deliveries.”

A fight broke out today in the Bulgarian parliament over the country’s decision to join the eurozone, with some MPs calling on supporters of the national currency, the lev, to blockade the National Assembly.

This was reported by the Macedonian news agency MIA, stating that during the parliamentary session, pro-Russian MPs from the “Revival” party, at the invitation of their leader Kostadin Kostadinov, blocked access to the speaker's podium, and then he climbed onto it.

“Today is a dark day for Bulgaria, the janissaries are burying our country,” said Kostadinov.

MIA adds that photos published by Bulgarian media show that a physical altercation occurred between two MPs.

Parliament Sofia👇
Bulgarian Lawmakers Clashed after the European Commission approved the country’s entry into the euro zone next year, sparking protests by the Revival Party.. pic.twitter.com/KaU7xE8VjB

— Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) June 4, 2025

The parliamentary group “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” has submitted a motion to dismiss Concha Ganeva from the Revival party from her position as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament.

The reason is that tensions escalated in the plenary hall today when Ganev struck MP Yavor Bozhankov from “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria.”

• French Dockworkers Rebel: We Refuse to Participate in Genocide
• German Minister: Recognizing the Palestinian State Now Would Be a Bad Signal

Supporters of Bulgaria's national currency have been protesting in front of the National Assembly building since this morning, and Kostadinov has called on demonstrators to blockade the parliament.

The European Commission announced today that Bulgaria has met the criteria to adopt the euro as of January 1, 2026, making it the 21st member of the eurozone, three years after Croatia.

The official decision is expected to be made on July 8 by EU finance ministers, but no opposition is expected since the country of 6.4 million people meets all technical requirements.

The European Central Bank (ECB) also issued a positive opinion today on Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro.

Serbian defense companies, contrary to the "neutrality" declared by official Belgrade, are supplying ammunition to Kyiv, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service announced today, reports Sputnik International.

The concealment of anti-Russian actions is a simple scheme using fake end-user and intermediary country certificates, the agency explained.

– Among these intermediaries, NATO countries are most frequently mentioned, especially the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria. Recently, exotic options involving African countries have also been used for this purpose, the report states.

The largest Serbian companies, including Yugoimport SDPR, Zenitprom, Krušik, Sofag, Rejer DTI, and Prvi Partizan, are involved in military shipments to Kyiv, the foreign intelligence service said.

• French Dockworkers Rebel: We Refuse to Participate in Genocide
• German Minister: Recognizing the Palestinian State Now Would Be a Bad Signal

– The contribution of Serbian defense workers to the war initiated by the West, whose desired outcome for Europe is the "strategic defeat" of Russia, is estimated at hundreds of thousands of shells for MLRS and howitzers, as well as a million rounds of small arms ammunition. Such shipments can hardly be justified on "humanitarian" grounds. They have one obvious purpose — to kill and wound Russian military personnel and civilians – the report states, according to a Russian news portal.

As a reminder, Radio Free Europe reported last year that the routes by which weapons and ammunition from Serbia end up in the hands of the Ukrainian army are unknown even to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

– SIPRI conducts research based on publicly available sources, and the routes through which weapons (specifically ammunition) from Serbia might end up in Ukraine are extremely non-transparent – said Katarina Đokić, a SIPRI researcher, to RFE.

This issue was reopened after the then U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O’Brien, stated on July 8 that Serbia, “by making its weapons available, is helping Ukraine defend a fundamental principle of international law.”

The Financial Times published estimates on June 22 last year that Serbia had indirectly exported ammunition to Ukraine through other countries since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, worth 800 million euros.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at the time confirmed that the information on the value of the ammunition was mostly accurate, presenting the sale as a business opportunity, according to the British daily.

– This is part of our economic revival and important for us. Yes, we are exporting our ammunition.

Source: Direktno.rs

Israel has accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but Hamas has not yet agreed to the terms of that proposal, the White House announced today.

The new proposal aimed to secure the release of surviving hostages and the return of the bodies of deceased Israelis held by Hamas in Gaza, in exchange for an extended truce.

“I can confirm that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas that Israel has supported,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

• French Dockworkers Rebel: We Refuse to Participate in Genocide
• German Minister: Recognizing the Palestinian State Now Would Be a Bad Signal

Hamas had earlier stated it would release the remaining hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, a permanent ceasefire, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. It also offered to hand over governance to a committee of politically independent Palestinians who could oversee the reconstruction of the devastated region.

Hamas still holds 58 hostages. It is believed that about a third are alive, but fears for their safety grow as the war drags on. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed airstrikes and ground operations following the end of the truce in March.

Around 29 million Poles will head to the polls on Sunday to choose a new president in the second round of voting, who will serve a five-year term.

According to polls, the mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO), is narrowly leading ahead of Karol Nawrocki, the candidate supported by the main opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), reports Reuters.

These two candidates represent opposing visions of Poland's international relations, security strategy, and social policy.

Trzaskowski Slightly Ahead

Trzaskowski (53), Oxford-educated and the son of a jazz musician, advocates a liberal agenda that emphasizes the importance of women's rights and strong ties with the European Union and NATO.

He has pledged "peaceful cooperation" with the government of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and to help reverse judicial reforms implemented by PiS, which, according to critics from both the EU and within Poland, have undermined democratic checks and balances.

• French Dockworkers Rebel: We Refuse to Participate in Genocide
• German Minister: Recognizing the Palestinian State Now Would Be a Bad Signal

He stated that he is against accepting additional refugees after Poland already took in nearly a million Ukrainians fleeing the war, but remains committed to liberalizing abortion laws.

Trzaskowski believes Poland's own security depends on whether Ukraine becomes a member of NATO.

Nawrocki Backed by Trump

Nawrocki (42), a historian backed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, presents himself as a political outsider without “baggage” from the past. He wants Poland to follow a Trump-inspired path and considers Washington—not Brussels—the key ally of Warsaw, reports Reuters.

Nawrocki stated that after years of mistakes, including energy dependence on Russia and the EU climate deal, Europe needs “a strong conservative voice from Poland.”

“I will make Poland a leader of the European Union in transatlantic relations. We hold the best cards for that,” he said at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

His campaign has been marked by nationalist rhetoric and a focus on traditional values.

Nawrocki opposes abortion and wants coal mines to remain open until Poland develops its own nuclear energy; he also opposes EU migration policies.

Although he claims to support continued aid to Ukraine in the war, he says he would not ratify Kyiv’s application for NATO membership.

Accusations Against Both Candidates

Nawrocki is facing accusations from liberal media of lying about owning a second property, which he allegedly received from an elderly man in exchange for a promise of care he never provided.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Trzaskowski, on the other hand, faces questions about whether a series of ads targeting his opponents violated campaign finance rules.

He also denies any legal violations.

The election takes place in a context of growing anti-establishment sentiment in Poland, with the far-right achieving its best result yet.

Pollsters expect that most of the far-right votes will go to Nawrocki.

Prepare for several years of deadly heat with record temperatures pushing Earth toward even more lethal, hellish, and uncomfortable extremes, warned the world’s two largest meteorological agencies in a five-year forecast released today.

There is an 80 percent chance that another annual temperature record will be broken within the next five years, and it is even more likely that the world will again exceed the international 1.5-degree threshold established a decade ago as the limit that must not be breached, according to the forecast by the World Meteorological Organization and the UK Met Office.

• Rising global temperatures may sound abstract, but they translate into real-life consequences through an increased likelihood of extreme weather events: stronger hurricanes, heavier rainfall, droughts. Therefore, rising global temperatures result in a higher number of lost lives – said climate scientist from Cornell University Natalie Mahowald.

• French Dockworkers Rebel: We Refuse to Participate in Genocide
• German Minister: Recognizing the Palestinian State Now Would Be a Bad Signal

– For every tenth of a degree Celsius the world warms due to human-induced climate change, we will face increasingly frequent and extreme events – particularly heatwaves, but also droughts, floods, wildfires, and more intense hurricanes and typhoons – said the director of the German Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Johan Rockström in a statement to the AP.

Mahowald and Rockström did not participate in the research behind the five-year forecast produced by the two global meteorological agencies.

Breaking the Climate Warming Limit

For the first time, there is also a – albeit slim – chance that before the end of this decade, global temperatures will breach the 1.5-degree Celsius warming limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement and reach a much more dangerous level of 2 degrees Celsius, the two agencies announced.

There is an 86 percent chance that one of the next five years will surpass the 1.5-degree warming level, and a 70 percent chance that the five-year average will be above that threshold, the forecast adds.

The forecast was created by 200 forecasters using computer simulations from 10 global scientific centers.

The driver of the car who on Monday crashed into a crowd of people during Liverpool footballers' victory parade was under the influence of alcohol and drugs, British police reported today.

A 53-year-old man from the greater Liverpool area was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of narcotics.

Police stated that the incident is not being treated as a terrorist act.

Sixty-five people were injured in the incident, including four children, while eleven individuals remain hospitalized. All are in stable condition.

• French Dockworkers Rebel: We Refuse to Participate in Genocide
• German Minister: Recognizing the Palestinian State Now Would Be a Bad Signal

"Another eleven people remain in hospital care. They are all stable, and I’m pleased to say they are recovering well," said Deputy Chief Constable Jenny Sims, as reported by Sky Sports.

Sims praised the swift response of emergency service personnel who arrived at the scene within seconds and acted bravely in a highly risky situation.

"A comprehensive investigation into the exact circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and we urge the public not to speculate or share disturbing footage and content online," Sims added.

According to police, the suspect driver was following an ambulance that was on its way to assist a person who had suffered a heart attack at the time of the incident.

(Danas)