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This weekend has seen China make bold declarations on the status of Taiwan, and Somalia demand that Ethiopian troops withdraw from its territory by December. Meanwhile, the so-called “world’s coolest dictator” President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador was sworn in for a second term.

Let’s get into that first edition, shall we? 👀⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: Israel has accepted US President Joe Biden's Gaza ceasefire proposal, but an aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the deal needs "much more work" before it can be finalized. The proposal aims to secure the release of hostages and permanently end hostilities, though Hamas insists on a comprehensive agreement. Meanwhile, Netanyahu faces internal pressure to meet all objectives, including the destruction of Hamas. 

2️⃣🇺🇦 Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia and China of undermining his upcoming global peace summit in Switzerland by dissuading other states from attending. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Zelensky revealed that 106 countries plan to send high-level representatives, while Russia and China are not attending. He also highlighted concerns over Chinese components in Russian weaponry, urging Beijing to maintain a neutral stance as previously promised. 

3️⃣🇸🇴 Somalia: Somalia has demanded that all Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somali territory by the end of December 2024, according to National Security Advisor Hussein Maalim. This move follows the end of the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), after which Somalia plans to establish a new multinational force in cooperation with international partners. Ethiopian troops, currently operating both within and outside the ATMIS framework, will be replaced by forces from Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi.

4️⃣🇨🇳 China: Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun declared that China’s military is prepared to "forcefully" stop Taiwan's independence during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. He criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party for pursuing separatism and vowed that anyone attempting to split Taiwan from China would face severe consequences. Taiwan's government expressed deep regret over these "provocative and irrational" remarks.

5️⃣🇸🇻 El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele was sworn in for a second term, bolstered by his party's near-total control of parliament after a decisive gang crackdown. Bukele, who describes himself as a "cool dictator," enjoys high approval ratings despite criticism from rights groups. However, economic challenges loom large, with rising debt and poverty levels potentially challenging his popularity.

Major Story

Mexico Poised for Historic Presidential Shift as Exit Polls Favor Sheinbaum

Claudia Sheinbaum, the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City, is set to become Mexico's first female president, according to exit polls. With 56% of the vote in Sunday's election, Sheinbaum, representing the Morena party, has reportedly secured a convincing victory over her main rival, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez.

The election also involved the selection of members of Congress and governors in eight states. Despite the electoral excitement, the campaign has been marred by violence, with more than 20 local candidates killed, according to the government. On election day itself, two people were killed in attacks on polling stations in Puebla.

Sheinbaum, backed by outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has benefited from his strong support base but faced questions about her independence. López Obrador's Morena party has been credited with reducing poverty and increasing the minimum wage, though economists note external factors like remittances have also played a role.

Xóchitl Gálvez, Sheinbaum's main opponent, represented the Strength and Heart for Mexico coalition, a group of opposition parties. Gálvez criticized López Obrador's crime strategy and promised better pay for police and increased security investment, though specifics were sparse.

As the official results are awaited, Sheinbaum's anticipated victory marks a significant milestone in Mexico's political landscape. The winning candidate will assume office at the end of September, potentially ushering in a new era for the country.

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Other News

1️⃣🇲🇻 Maldives: The Maldives has announced a ban on Israeli passport holders in solidarity with Gaza amid rising public anger over the ongoing conflict. President Mohamed Muizzu also launched a national campaign, “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine,” to support the besieged population. The decision comes as tourism from Israel to the Maldives has already seen a significant decline this year. 

2️⃣🇮🇷 Iran: Vahid Haghanian, a former IRGC commander sanctioned by the US, has launched his bid for Iran's presidency. Despite being under sanctions since 2019 for his role in Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s inner circle, Haghanian claims his candidacy is a personal decision and emphasizes his extensive experience. The Guardian Council will vet all candidates, with the final list to be announced on June 11. 

3️⃣🇺🇸 United States: Former President Donald Trump has joined TikTok, rapidly amassing 3 million followers within a day. This move aims to connect with younger voters ahead of the November presidential election, where he faces a close race against incumbent Joe Biden. Despite his previous attempts to ban TikTok over national security concerns, Trump is leveraging the platform to reach a broader audience, with his launch video already garnering over 56 million views.

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