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Iran EU warning

The Iranian foreign minister has lashed out at the European Parliament for its plan to blacklist the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps as a terror group. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, in a phone conversation with EU foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell, dismissed the decision as an injudicious and inappropriate move. He said the draft resolution adopted by the bloc is "sentimental, unprofessional and harshly-worded, and runs counter to political rationality and civility". He said Europe would "shoot itself in the foot" by blacklisting the IRGC. Borrell, in turn, echoed the Iranian foreign minister’s remarks, saying the draft resolution is tainted by sentiments and simply reflects Europe’s concerns. He said the resolution is non-binding. Meanwhile, Iranian lawmakers have introduced a motion that will blacklist armed forces of EU countries as terrorist entities if the EU implements its resolution.

Israel deadly raid

Israeli forces have killed two more Palestinians in the West Bank as the regime intensifies its deadly crackdown across the occupied territories. 25-year-old Adham Jabarin and 57-year-old Javad Bevagne were fatally shot during pre-dawn raid by the regime’s forces on the Jenin refugee camp. According to the Palestinian media, Bevagne, a teacher by profession, was shot in his home by an Israeli sniper. Several other Palestinians were also reportedly injured in the attack. Public mourning has been announced in the city of Jenin. The latest killings bring to 17 the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year. More than 170 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank alone, last year.

France nationwide strike

In France, public sector workers have walked out of their jobs in opposition to the planned pension reform by the government of President Emmanuel Macron. A day-long nationwide strikes and protests have hit multiple sectors, with teachers, nurses and railway workers joining in to pressure the government. Some refinery and energy workers are expected to join the strike as well. Union leaders call it the first day of mobilization in their struggle to get the pension plan dropped. The main CGT Union has even threatened to cut off electricity supplies to lawmakers and billionaires. They are against the proposal to raise the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 as well as contributions required to receive full pensions. The reform still needs to go through parliament, where Macron lacks absolute majority. But he hopes to get it adopted with the support of conservatives.

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