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Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Wins Iranian Presidential Runoff

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Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Wins Iranian Presidential Runoff

Iran has elected Masoud Pezeshkian as its new president, marking an unexpected victory for the reformist camp amid widespread social discontent, economic struggles, and regional conflicts.

Pezeshkian secured 16.3 million votes, as reported by local authorities, with a voter turnout of 49.8%. His opponent, Saeed Jalili, a hard-line former nuclear negotiator, garnered 13.5 million votes.

At 69, Pezeshkian overcame multiple conservative candidates, despite being considered a “token reformist” with limited recognition. He previously served as the minister of health under reformist president Mohammad Khatami and has been a parliamentary member since 2008.

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Pezeshkian aims to relax social restrictions, such as the strict hijab law, and improve relations with Western nations, potentially reviving nuclear talks. However, he inherits a country facing economic hardships, harsh repression, high inflation, and severe Western sanctions, alongside growing tensions with the U.S. over nuclear enrichment and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Sina Toossi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, noted that while Pezeshkian’s election could influence Iran’s domestic and foreign policy tactics, significant changes in the country’s core strategies are unlikely due to the overarching influence of the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guard.

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Sri Lanka swears in new left-leaning president

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Sri Lanka swears in new left-leaning president

Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president, pledging to bring “clean” governance as the country continues to recover from its deepest economic crisis. The left-leaning leader, known for his stance against corruption, sees his election as a call for change and transparency in a country long troubled by political cronyism.

Dissanayake’s election follows the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 after mass protests driven by economic hardships. In his inaugural address, the 55-year-old president emphasized the need for a new political culture that restores public trust. “We need to establish a new clean political culture,” he said, while committing to safeguard democracy.

His speech underscored the importance of unity, with representatives from Sri Lanka’s Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities attending the ceremony. Dissanayake promised good governance, economic reform, and a focus on manufacturing, agriculture, and IT development. He also pledged to uphold Sri Lanka’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aiming to reduce the burden of austerity on the country’s poorest citizens.

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Dissanayake’s swearing-in was preceded by the resignation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, setting the stage for a parliamentary dissolution as the nation embarks on this new political chapter.

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Okpebholo Secures Victory in Edo Governorship Election

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Okpebholo Secures Victory in Edo Governorship Election

Okpebholo Monday, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been declared the winner of the Edo State governorship election after receiving 291,667 votes. He defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,274 votes, and Labour Party (LP) candidate Olumide Akpata, who finished third with 22,761 votes. Fourteen other candidates also contested but received fewer votes.

Prof. Faruk Kuta, the Returning Officer from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, officially declared Okpebholo the winner at 09:27 pm at the collation center in Benin City, Edo State’s capital, amidst applause from APC supporters.

Okpebholo’s victory was dominant in over 10 out of the state’s 18 local government areas, while Ighodalo achieved marginal wins in the remaining councils. The APC also claimed control in two of the three key senatorial districts in Edo State.

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Suspect in Alleged Trump Assassination Attempt Faces Gun Charges

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Suspect in Alleged Trump Assassination Attempt Faces Gun Charges

Ryan Routh, the suspect in the alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, has been charged with federal gun crimes. During a brief court hearing in Palm Beach, the 58-year-old was charged with two offences: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years, and possession of a firearm with an obstructed serial number, punishable by up to five years.

Routh, dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit and with his hands cuffed, spoke to a public defender for several minutes before the hearing began. Initially displaying a calm demeanor with occasional smiles, he turned expressionless once the court proceedings got underway, responding to the judge’s questions with, “Yes, your honor.”

In a series of personal questions to assess his eligibility for a public defender, Routh revealed that he had “zero funds” in his bank account, made about $3,000 monthly, and owned two trucks in Hawaii, each valued at around $1,000.

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Routh was brought into the courtroom just before 10:00 (14:00 GMT) and observed the scene, which included other defendants, press members, and attendees. After his brief hearing, he was escorted out as proceedings for other cases began.

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