Irish education minister Simon Harris is elected as Leader of Fine Gael following the resignation of Leo Varadkar. At age 37, Harris will become Ireland's youngest ever Taoiseach upon taking office. (AP)
Boko Haram insurgency Seven Chadian soldiers conducting a patrol near Lake Chad are killed in an IED bombing. Chadian president Mahamat Déby accuses jihadist group Boko Haram of being behind the attack. (AP)
Seven Chadian soldiers conducting a patrol near Lake Chad are killed in an IED bombing. Chadian president Mahamat Déby accuses jihadist group Boko Haram of being behind the attack. (AP)
Israel–Hamas war United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728 The UN Security Council passes a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas, with the United States abstaining. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancels a planned visit to the U.S. in response to the abstention. (Reuters)
The UN Security Council passes a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas, with the United States abstaining. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancels a planned visit to the U.S. in response to the abstention. (Reuters)
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728 The UN Security Council passes a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas, with the United States abstaining. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancels a planned visit to the U.S. in response to the abstention. (Reuters)
2024 Maltese presidential election Myriam Spiteri Debono is unanimously elected by the Maltese Parliament as the next President of Malta. (Times of Malta)
2024 Lithuanian presidential election A Special Investigative committee of the Seimas releases its findings, accusing President Gitanas Nausėda of receiving illegal support from the head of the State Security Department and for recruiting members of the Belarusian and Russian security services for his election campaign. Nauseda rejects the findings, accusing them of being politically motivated. (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Belarusian Service)
A Special Investigative committee of the Seimas releases its findings, accusing President Gitanas Nausėda of receiving illegal support from the head of the State Security Department and for recruiting members of the Belarusian and Russian security services for his election campaign. Nauseda rejects the findings, accusing them of being politically motivated. (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Belarusian Service)
Myriam Spiteri Debono is unanimously elected by the Maltese Parliament as the next President of Malta. (Times of Malta)
Eastern Ukraine campaign The Telegraph reports Russia has captured approximately 195 square miles (510 km2) and is taking around 1,000 casualties per day since the start of the Second Russian winter campaign in October 2023. (The Telegraph)
Japan–North Korea relations North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui says that North Korea will not hold any talks with Japan on any issue, including the issue of Japanese abductees in North Korea. This follows an announcement by Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida in which he stated his desire to meet with North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un "without any preconditions". (Reuters)
North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui says that North Korea will not hold any talks with Japan on any issue, including the issue of Japanese abductees in North Korea. This follows an announcement by Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida in which he stated his desire to meet with North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un "without any preconditions". (Reuters)
The Telegraph reports Russia has captured approximately 195 square miles (510 km2) and is taking around 1,000 casualties per day since the start of the Second Russian winter campaign in October 2023. (The Telegraph)
Gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier says that if armed groups under his command are included in talks for a future transitional government, then they would consider ceasing hostilities. (BBC News)
Haitian crisis Gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier says that if armed groups under his command are included in talks for a future transitional government, then they would consider ceasing hostilities. (BBC News)
Peruvian political crisis Peruvian President Dina Boluarte says that she will not resign following accusations of illicit enrichment after her residence was raided by police. (Reuters)
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte says that she will not resign following accusations of illicit enrichment after her residence was raided by police. (Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a decree for a larger than normal spring conscription campaign, calling up 150,000 citizens for military service. (CNBC) (Reuters)
Voters in Turkey go to the polls for their local elections. (France 24)
Censorship in Israel The Israeli government says that it will ban Al Jazeera from broadcasting in its territory. (BBC News)
The Israeli government says that it will ban Al Jazeera from broadcasting in its territory. (BBC News)
2024 Mexican general election A mayoral candidate is assassinated in Celaya, Guanajuato, ahead of Mexico's upcoming general election. (CNN)
A mayoral candidate is assassinated in Celaya, Guanajuato, ahead of Mexico's upcoming general election. (CNN)
2024 Maltese presidential election Myriam Spiteri Debono is sworn in as President of Malta, succeeding George Vella and becoming the third woman to hold the office. (Times of Malta)
Myriam Spiteri Debono is sworn in as President of Malta, succeeding George Vella and becoming the third woman to hold the office. (Times of Malta)
2024 Icelandic presidential election Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir resigns and announces that she is standing as a candidate for the presidential election on 1 June. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir resigns and announces that she is standing as a candidate for the presidential election on 1 June. (Reuters)
Argentina–Venezuela relations The Venezuelan government announces that it will give safe passage to Argentina to six aides of opposition leader María Corina Machado who are taking refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas. (Reuters)
Belarus–NATO relations President Alexander Lukashenko announces that Belarus will suspend its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. (AP)
President Alexander Lukashenko announces that Belarus will suspend its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. (AP)
The Venezuelan government announces that it will give safe passage to Argentina to six aides of opposition leader María Corina Machado who are taking refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas. (Reuters)
2024 Slovak presidential election Slovaks vote in the second round of the presidential election between Ivan Korčok and Peter Pellegrini. Peter Pellegrini wins with over 53% of the vote. (France 24) (BBC News)
Slovaks vote in the second round of the presidential election between Ivan Korčok and Peter Pellegrini. Peter Pellegrini wins with over 53% of the vote. (France 24) (BBC News)
2024 Central Asian floods Orsk Dam collapse Around 2,500 houses are flooded and at least four people are killed after the Orsk dam in Orenburg, Russia, bursts due to maintenance errors following heavy rainfall. Around 47,000 people in Russia and Kazakhstan are evacuated. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev calls it one of the "worst natural disasters in the past 80 years". (The Independent) (Het Laatse Nieuws) (Tass)
Around 2,500 houses are flooded and at least four people are killed after the Orsk dam in Orenburg, Russia, bursts due to maintenance errors following heavy rainfall. Around 47,000 people in Russia and Kazakhstan are evacuated. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev calls it one of the "worst natural disasters in the past 80 years". (The Independent) (Het Laatse Nieuws) (Tass)
Orsk Dam collapse Around 2,500 houses are flooded and at least four people are killed after the Orsk dam in Orenburg, Russia, bursts due to maintenance errors following heavy rainfall. Around 47,000 people in Russia and Kazakhstan are evacuated. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev calls it one of the "worst natural disasters in the past 80 years". (The Independent) (Het Laatse Nieuws) (Tass)
Sudanese civil war Humanitarian impact of the Sudanese civil war Khartoum reports 384 cases of dengue fever which are attributed to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. (Al Taghyeer) Kordofan campaign Over 100 civilians in South Kordofan are killed after allies of the Rapid Support Forces launch attacks in villages across the state. (Dabanga Sudan)
Israel–Hamas war Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, Rafah offensive Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered an invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip with a date "being set" for the ground offensive. (The Telegraph) (NU.nl)
Kordofan campaign Over 100 civilians in South Kordofan are killed after allies of the Rapid Support Forces launch attacks in villages across the state. (Dabanga Sudan)
Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, Rafah offensive Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered an invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip with a date "being set" for the ground offensive. (The Telegraph) (NU.nl)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered an invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip with a date "being set" for the ground offensive. (The Telegraph) (NU.nl)
Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs Bjarni Benediktsson is appointed Prime Minister after Katrín Jakobsdóttir's resignation on 5 April. (The Guardian)
Politics of Iceland Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs Bjarni Benediktsson is appointed Prime Minister after Katrín Jakobsdóttir's resignation on 5 April. (The Guardian)
2024 South Korean legislative election South Koreans vote for members of the National Assembly. The opposition, primarily consisting of the Democratic Party, its alliance and the Rebuilding Korea Party, wins the election in a landslide, increasing their legislative majority but falling short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass constitutional amendments or override the veto of President Yoon Suk Yeol. (Reuters)
South Koreans vote for members of the National Assembly. The opposition, primarily consisting of the Democratic Party, its alliance and the Rebuilding Korea Party, wins the election in a landslide, increasing their legislative majority but falling short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass constitutional amendments or override the veto of President Yoon Suk Yeol. (Reuters)
Cornel West names Melina Abdullah as his VP pick as part of his presidential campaign. (Politico)
2024 South Korean legislative election South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo and all senior advisers to President Yoon Suk Yeol resign en masse in response to the results of yesterday's parliamentary elections. (ABC News)
Iran–Israel proxy conflict Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus Russia warns its citizens against travelling to the Middle East amid increasing tensions between Iran and Israel. (CNBC) U.S. President Joe Biden warns that Iran is threatening to launch a significant attack against Israel and promises "ironclad U.S. support" for Israel in the event of an attack. (BBC News)
Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus Russia warns its citizens against travelling to the Middle East amid increasing tensions between Iran and Israel. (CNBC) U.S. President Joe Biden warns that Iran is threatening to launch a significant attack against Israel and promises "ironclad U.S. support" for Israel in the event of an attack. (BBC News)
South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo and all senior advisers to President Yoon Suk Yeol resign en masse in response to the results of yesterday's parliamentary elections. (ABC News)
The British government advises against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories due to the imminent possibility of an Iranian strike. (Middle East Monitor)
2024 Cook by-election Simon Kennedy of the Liberal Party of Australia wins the by-election in the seat of Cook, succeeding former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (ABC News Australia)
Simon Kennedy of the Liberal Party of Australia wins the by-election in the seat of Cook, succeeding former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (ABC News Australia)
Sudanese civil war Darfur campaign An offensive by the Rapid Support Forces begins in El Fasher in the Sudanese state of North Darfur. (Sudan Tribune)
Darfur campaign An offensive by the Rapid Support Forces begins in El Fasher in the Sudanese state of North Darfur. (Sudan Tribune)
2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations Former Australian political staffer Bruce Lehrmann loses his defamation case against Network 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson for broadcasting an interview with Lehrmann's former coworker Brittany Higgins in which she claimed that Lehrmann raped her. (The Guardian)
2024 Croatian parliamentary election Voters in Croatia elect the members of the Sabor. The ruling Croatian Democratic Union and its coalition win the most seats, but fail to obtain a majority. (Reuters)
2024 Solomon Islands general election Voters in Solomon Islands elect a new National Parliament. (The Guardian)
Sudanese civil war Taqaddum leader and former Prime Minister of Sudan Abdalla Hamdok meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, France. (Dabanga Sudan)
Taqaddum leader and former Prime Minister of Sudan Abdalla Hamdok meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, France. (Dabanga Sudan)
Voters in Solomon Islands elect a new National Parliament. (The Guardian)
Switzerland's Federal Assembly votes to ban public displays of the Nazi swastika. (Reuters)
Voters in Croatia elect the members of the Sabor. The ruling Croatian Democratic Union and its coalition win the most seats, but fail to obtain a majority. (Reuters)
A Kenya Air Force Bell UH-1H Huey II crashes in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya, killing ten people, including Chief of Defence Forces Francis Omondi Ogolla. President William Ruto declares three days of national mourning. (BBC News)
Palestine and the United Nations, Enlargement of the United Nations The United States vetoes a UN Security Council resolution supporting the State of Palestine joining the United Nations. The vote was 12 in favor, the United States opposed, and two abstentions, from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. (AP)
The United States vetoes a UN Security Council resolution supporting the State of Palestine joining the United Nations. The vote was 12 in favor, the United States opposed, and two abstentions, from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. (AP)
2024 Indian general election Indians begin voting to elect members to the 18th Lok Sabha. There are 969 million people eligible to vote, and voting will continue until June in seven phases. (AP)
Indians begin voting to elect members to the 18th Lok Sabha. There are 969 million people eligible to vote, and voting will continue until June in seven phases. (AP)
2024 Basque regional election Basques in Spain elect the members of the Basque Parliament. (Reuters)
2024 Maldivian parliamentary election Maldivians elect the members of the parliament. (The Hindu)
Basques in Spain elect the members of the Basque Parliament. (Reuters)
Maldivians elect the members of the parliament. (The Hindu)
2024 Ecuadorian constitutional referendum Ecuadorians vote in a referendum on proposed constitutional changes. (Al Jazeera)
Ecuadorians vote in a referendum on proposed constitutional changes. (Al Jazeera)
