French President Emmanuel Macron has chosen Gabriel Attal, the 34-year-old Education Minister, as the new prime minister. Attal’s appointment comes as Macron to breathe new life into his presidency ahead of the European elections and challenges posed by a fractured parliament.
A China satellite launch made a nationwide emergency alert in Taiwan just days before the presidential election, causing confusion among the Taiwanese population. The incident happened as the English translation of the emergency message incorrectly referred to the satellite as a missile, leading to anxiety in the already tense political atmosphere.
European Council President Charles Michel has announced his decision to step down from his role. The 48-year-old Belgian politician, who has been at the helm of the EU Council since late 2019, revealed that he intends to run as a candidate in the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 2024.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has secured her fifth term in office. The election results, announced by the Election Commission, show a victory for Hasina’s Awami League, granting them a majority in the parliament. This victory positions her to become the longest-serving prime minister in Bangladesh’s history.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of former President Donald Trump regarding his eligibility for the ballot in Colorado. The case decision by Colorado’s highest court, which found Trump ineligible for the state’s primary ballot based on his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Ethiopia signed a port deal with the region of Somaliland, allowing it access to the Red Sea port of Berbera. The agreement, signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, has a strong reaction from the Somali government, which considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory.
On January 2, 2024, South Korea’s opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, was stabbed in the neck. The attacker, a 67-year-old man, stabbed Lee in the neck with an 18cm knife purchased online, leading to condemnation from political leaders, including President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has announced her decision to abdicate the throne after a reign lasting 52 years. The announcement was made during her traditional New Year’s Eve address, broadcast on Danish television, where she cited age and health concerns as the factors behind her decision.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling with post-election tensions as President Felix Tshisekedi secures a second term with a reported 73% of the vote. The results, announced by the country’s election commission, have been met with opposition leaders labeling the election a “sham.”
The US Navy has taken action in the Red Sea to thwart an attempted hijack of the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou by Houthi rebels. This incident escalates in the ongoing conflict in the region, where Houthi forces have been targeting commercial vessels since November.
