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Liberal Candidate Paul Chiang Steps Down Amid Controversy

Paul Chiang, a Liberal candidate in the Markham-Unionville riding, has announced his resignation following backlash over comments he made regarding a Conservative opponent, Joe Tay. Chiang suggested that individuals could claim a bounty offered by Hong Kong authorities by turning Tay over to the Chinese consulate. This statement, made during a press conference in January, sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about foreign interference in Canadian politics. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has since launched an investigation into the matter, citing potential threats to Canada's democratic processes. Chiang issued an apology, calling his remarks a "deplorable lapse in judgment," but the controversy persisted. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the comments, stating that they endangered Tay's safety and sent a chilling message to the community. Chiang's resignation comes as Liberal leader Mark Carney faces mounting pressure to address ...

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Israel’s Expanding Offensive in Central Rafah: A Closer Look

 

The Israeli military has officially confirmed that its forces are operating in central parts of Rafah as part of an expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city. This development comes after Israel launched a ground assault into Rafah on May 6, triggering an exodus of approximately 1 million Palestinians from the city and disrupting U.N. humanitarian operations in the area.

Key Points:

  1. Citywide Operations: The Israeli military statement suggests that its forces have been operating in most parts of Rafah, including both eastern districts and areas close to the border with Egypt. Israeli troops seized the Rafah crossing into Egypt on the first day of the offensive and have since claimed control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a road running along the Gaza-Egypt border on the Gazan side.
  2. Recent Developments: Earlier this week, Israeli troops also moved into Rafah’s western district of Tel al-Sultan, where heavy clashes with Hamas fighters have been reported by witnesses.
  3. Hamas Presence: The offensive aims to uproot Hamas fighters, following the group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel. In central Rafah, Israeli troops have uncovered Hamas rocket launchers, tunnels, and dismantled a weapons storage facility.
  4. Humanitarian Impact: The exodus of Palestinians from Rafah has led to a scattered population across southern and central Gaza. Most of them now live in squalid tent camps, with up to around 300,000 people believed to remain in the area. Some still reside in the central urban parts of Rafah, while others have sought refuge in rural areas near the coast, which have also been targeted by Israeli strikes and shelling.

Despite the ongoing offensive, U.S. President Joe Biden has emphasized that Israel has not crossed the “red lines” of a full-fledged invasion that he had urged them against. The situation remains tense, and humanitarian organizations continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the conflict.



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