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Tehran is in mourning following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, in a joint US and Israeli military operation. The attack, dubbed “OPERATION EPIC FURY” by the Pentagon, targeted top Iranian leaders in an effort to dismantle the current government.

A Joint Operation

The strikes began in Tehran early Saturday morning and quickly expanded to multiple cities across Iran. Both the United States and Israel have claimed responsibility for the initial attacks. President Donald Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death via social media, an assertion also made by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

Escalation of Tensions

According to President Trump, the recent air strikes were a direct response to Iran’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons, despite repeated attempts to negotiate a deal. Trump stated that warnings were issued to Iran after the June attack, but were not heeded. The extent of damage and total casualties beyond the confirmed death of Khamenei remain unclear.

An Interim Leadership Council was established the day after Khamenei’s death, and an election for a new Supreme Leader is expected. Mojtaba Khamenei is reported to be succeeding his father as Supreme Leader of Iran.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Ayatollah Ali Khamenei die?

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, as part of a series of Israeli airstrikes around Tehran.

Who was responsible for the attack?

The attack was a joint operation carried out by the United States and Israel.

What was the stated purpose of the operation?

The stated purpose was to topple the Iranian government and prevent the country from resuming its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

What impact will this event have on the broader geopolitical landscape remains to be seen, but a period of heightened instability in the region is likely.

Members of Parliament are increasingly passing legislation in the House of Commons without officially recording how each MP votes. This practice, known as passing legislation “on division,” allows bills to be approved without a formal head count of support or disapproval.

What is Passing Legislation on Division?

According to Peter Van Loan, a former government House leader, “On division means that without counting every vote in the room, the room agrees that the motion or the law … can pass with the understanding that not everybody was in favour of it.” MPs can similarly forgo a vote if there is unanimous consent, but this is distinct from passing a bill on division.

An analysis by CBC News of parliamentary journals over more than two decades revealed a significant increase in this practice. Currently, half of the bills position up for a third reading in the House have passed without a consensus or head count. This is a higher proportion than in previous parliaments. During the 43rd Parliament, only about a quarter of bills at third reading passed without a standing vote.

Why the Increase?

The current composition of the House of Commons may be a contributing factor. The Liberals are close to holding a majority government and require support from other parties to pass legislation. At least two recent bills – the Budget Implementation Act and December’s supplementary estimates – were confidence votes. A lost head count on either could have triggered an election.

Reports indicate the Conservatives and Liberals have been discussing potential agreements to avoid gridlock and another election. Van Loan stated that allowing confidence bills to pass on division is a “convenient way” for opposition parties to object without risking a government collapse. The Liberals narrowly avoided falling during a budget motion last fall, with some MPs absenting themselves to allow passage. Similar tactics were used during Stephen Harper’s minority government.

Bills passing on division this session have addressed issues with some Liberal-Conservative agreement, such as bail reform, border security, and an income tax cut. The Bloc Québécois may also support some government bills or not feel strongly enough to oppose them.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and Interim NDP Leader Don Davies have both voiced concerns about the lack of recorded votes, particularly on confidence matters, calling it an “abuse of parliamentary democracy.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to pass legislation “on division”?

It means that bills are approved without a formal count of how each MP votes, with the understanding that not all members necessarily supported the legislation.

Has this happened before?

Yes, but We see happening more frequently in the current parliamentary session than in previous ones, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why are parties using this method now?

The Liberals, needing support from other parties to govern, may be using this method to avoid potential defeats on confidence votes that could trigger an election.

As Parliament navigates a delicate balance of power, will the increased use of “on division” passage develop into the new normal, or will pressure from opposition parties lead to a return to more traditional voting procedures?

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Munich is preparing for a runoff election after initial results fell short of expectations. While the party anticipated a challenging outcome in the city council election, the results have been described as “extremely disappointing” by Münchner SPD-Fraktionsvorsitzende Anne Hübner.

Recent Election Results

The SPD currently stands at nearly 19 percent of the vote, a further decline from six years ago when the party achieved a historically low 22 percent. Christian Köning, the Münchner SPD-Chef, acknowledged the unexpected outcome in a speech, stating, “We have with a Stichwahl reckoned, but not with the result.”

Despite the setback, the party is moving forward with its campaign. Köning has asked party members to distribute pre-prepared flyers for the upcoming runoff election. The atmosphere at the election watch party reportedly shifted as the results became clear, with attendees departing and the buffet being cleared.

The song “Sweet Dreams” played as the evening concluded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current status of the SPD in Munich?

The SPD is preparing for a runoff election after receiving less support than hoped for in the recent elections. They currently have nearly 19 percent of the vote.

What was the reaction to the election results within the SPD?

The results were described as “very disappointing” by Anne Hübner, and Christian Köning acknowledged the outcome was not what they expected.

What steps is the SPD taking now?

The SPD is continuing its campaign and party members have been asked to distribute flyers for the upcoming runoff election.

How might a party adapt its strategy following unexpectedly low election results?

San José State University’s baseball team suffered a 3-2 defeat against the University of Pittsburgh on Sunday at Excite Ballpark, concluding a three-game series swept by Pitt. Despite the loss, Spartan outfielder Alex Fernandes delivered a strong performance, going 3-for-5 at the plate and hitting his first home run of the season.

Late Rally Falls Short

Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, San José State mounted a comeback attempt. Fernandes led off the inning with a home run to right field, narrowing the gap to 3-1. Alan Ramirez then hit an RBI double, scoring Peyton Rowles and bringing the Spartans within one run.

The Spartans continued to threaten in the ninth inning, advancing a runner to scoring position, but were unable to capitalize as the Pitt reliever secured the final outs. San José State left nine runners on base and struggled to convert opportunities with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-8 in those situations.

Pitching Performance

Pitt took an early lead with a two-run home run in the first inning and added another run in the third. San José State starter Dylan Smith took the loss, allowing three runs over five innings. However, the Spartan bullpen, comprised of EJ McGrew and Tyler Albanese, kept the team within striking distance, pitching four scoreless innings.

Fernandes currently leads the team with six multi-hit games this season and has extended his on-base streak to 15 games and his hit streak to six games. Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while Rowles scored a run.

Looking Ahead

The Spartans (4-11) are scheduled to host the University of California, Berkeley, on Tuesday, March 10, at 6:05 p.m. At Excite Ballpark. The game will be available to watch on the Mountain West Network. A continued focus on capitalizing with runners in scoring position could prove crucial for the Spartans as they move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the game?

The final score was Pitt 3, San José State 2.

Who hit the home run for San José State?

Alex Fernandes hit his first home run of the season for San José State.

How many scoreless innings did the Spartan bullpen pitch?

The Spartan bullpen, consisting of EJ McGrew and Tyler Albanese, combined for four scoreless innings.

How important is it for a team to capitalize on scoring opportunities?

San Diego County residents may soon have greater insight into the work of ad hoc subcommittees formed by the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Joel Anderson, representing District 2, is proposing recent guidelines to increase transparency in these groups, which are increasingly involved in shaping policy decisions.

Transparency Concerns

Currently, ad hoc subcommittees – temporary groups of two supervisors formed to address specific tasks – operate with limited public oversight. There are no consistent requirements for public notice of meetings, advance posting of agendas, or recording of discussions. This lack of transparency creates a gap between the formation of ideas and public participation, according to Anderson.

Anderson highlighted a successful example of transparency during his time co-chairing an ad hoc subcommittee on artificial intelligence. In that instance, agendas were posted publicly, meetings were noticed in advance, and all discussions were recorded and made available for public review.

Proposed Changes

The proposed guidelines would require public notice before subcommittee meetings, advance posting of agendas, and recorded discussions available for public review. The goal is to ensure that all stages of policymaking meet the same standard of openness as regular Board of Supervisors meetings. Anderson emphasized that this is not about slowing down government, but about ensuring accountability.

This move follows a recent reform last April, where the Board increased the time residents have to review agendas for regular meetings to more than a week. Anderson noted that constituents appreciated the additional time to prepare and participate.

What Could Happen Next

If the proposed guidelines are adopted, San Diego County residents could have a clearer understanding of the work being done by ad hoc subcommittees. This could lead to increased public engagement and more informed participation in the policy-making process. We see also possible that the increased scrutiny could influence the decisions made by these groups. However, the success of the guidelines will likely depend on consistent implementation and a commitment to transparency from all supervisors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ad hoc subcommittees?

Ad hoc subcommittees are temporary groups of two supervisors established to address limited, single-purpose, or time-sensitive tasks that fall outside the scope of permanent standing committees.

What is the current problem with ad hoc subcommittees?

There are currently no consistent rules requiring that their meetings be publicly noticed, their agendas posted in advance, or their discussions recorded for constituents to review.

What changes are being proposed?

The proposed guidelines would establish requirements for public notice before meetings, advance agenda posting, and recorded discussions available for public review.

How can greater transparency in local government impact community engagement?

San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, 30, recently re-launched a blog after several previous attempts, initially conceived as a guide to Catholic churches in NBA cities. His latest post, however, addressed a controversial promotional event planned by the Atlanta Hawks, sparking a wider conversation about the NBA’s relationship with societal issues.

A History of Writing

Kornet’s first blogging effort, focused on churches he visited during the 2022-23 NBA season, was short-lived, ending after a post about the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. A second attempt lasted only two posts, with Kornet noting he had “reached the ends of my reflections on church design.” He then spent time writing comedic sketches for his team, finding that writing helped him process and structure his thoughts.

Kornet ultimately decided to write about his own experiences, recognizing that a blog allowed for revision—something he felt was missing from the “current moment” captured in podcasts. Influenced by authors like Dostoyevsky and Stephen Colbert, he relaunched his blog in January, stating his intention to write a “comedic account of my experiences, understandings of faith, and reflections on the world around me.”

Speaking Out

Kornet did not initially intend to write about the Atlanta Hawks’ planned event honoring Magic City, a strip club. However, after several days of silence from others in the league, he felt compelled to express his disapproval, believing he needed to be the one to do so. He privately learned that many others shared his concerns but were hesitant to speak out publicly.

Prior to addressing the Hawks’ event, Kornet’s blog posts covered topics such as the leadership of New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, his personal journey of accepting limitations as a basketball player, and the challenges of relocating his team from Charlotte, North Carolina. He even shared a song he wrote whereas facing uncertainty about his NBA career.

Frequently Asked Questions

What initially inspired Luke Kornet to start a blog?

Kornet initially envisioned a practical guide for fellow NBA players, listing Catholic churches in cities they visited during the season.

What prompted Kornet to address the Atlanta Hawks’ Magic City event?

Kornet felt compelled to speak out after days passed without public disapproval of the event, and after learning privately that many others in the league shared his concerns but were unwilling to criticize the Hawks.

What influenced Kornet’s writing style?

Kornet was influenced by authors such as Dostoyevsky, Stephen Colbert, and Tolkien, as well as his mother, a news anchor, who provided feedback on his writing.

As athletes increasingly use their platforms to address social issues, will more players choose blogging as a means of thoughtful, considered expression?