China's Xi, Russia's Putin praise ties at Beijing talks, with energy in focus
China and Russia's leaders lauded on Wednesday the progress in their strategic ties, as they met in Beijing...
The Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has emerged as the frontrunner in the country’s parliamentary elections, according to the country’s electoral commission.
Preliminary results from Iraq’s parliamentary elections released on Wednesday show that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s coalition has secured 411,026 votes, putting them in the lead. The Progress Party, led by former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, and the State of Law Coalition, headed by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, followed in the vote count. While al-Sudani’s coalition is ahead, the competition remains close as additional results continue to come in.
Voter turnout for the election was reported to be 56.11% nationwide, signaling a relatively high level of engagement in a country that has been grappling with political and economic instability. However, the election process has been marked by skepticism, particularly among younger voters. Many view the elections as a mechanism for established political factions to continue controlling Iraq’s oil wealth, fostering a sense of disillusionment.
Al-Sudani, who is seeking a second term in office, has faced significant criticism from younger generations who feel alienated by the political system. Despite this, he has presented himself as the leader capable of bringing Iraq the stability and reform it needs after years of turmoil. Al-Sudani has emphasized his efforts to distance himself from the very factions that helped bring him to power, asserting that his leadership is focused on steering Iraq towards a prosperous future.
The election results are being closely followed both domestically and internationally, as Iraq continues to face mounting challenges. While al-Sudani’s coalition currently holds the lead, the final outcome will depend on how seats are distributed among various parties and coalitions in the coming days. As Iraq’s political future hangs in the balance, the formation of a new government remains a complex and protracted process, with alliances being crucial to forming a stable administration.
Sudani’s coalition victory, despite a tight race, signals that his call for reform and rebuilding trust in Iraq’s political system is resonating with a significant portion of the electorate, even as the country’s future remains uncertain.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack on Iran after appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, allowing negotiations to continue over a possible deal to end the conflict.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Somaliland has announced plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem, marking a further step in its emerging diplomatic engagement with Israel, its ambassador Mohamed Hagi said. The move comes after Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared republic.
In a sweeping diplomatic push in Baku, Georgia and Azerbaijan have signed a landmark package of energy and transport agreements, cementing a partnership set to shape the South Caucasus corridor for decades to come.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for closer security coordination between Central Asia and China, warning that expanding trade and infrastructure links are exposing the region to increasingly sophisticated cross-border threats.
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Israeli forces intercepted dozens of Gaza-bound aid vessels in the eastern Mediterranean on Monday (18 May), prompting condemnation from the United Nations and Türkiye, while flotilla organisers said several ships continued sailing toward Gaza despite the operation.
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