Rorisang Modiba delivers daily updates from around the world.
Mexico – Claudia Sheinbaum, former head of Mexico City’s government is projected to become Mexico’s first female president. Sheinbaum gained popularity through her alliance with outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. February and March polls showed her as the favourite, with support between 49% and 67%. The 61-year-old climate scientist holds degrees in physics and energy engineering. In Mexico’s largest election ever with over 98 million registered voters, Sheinbaum is set to defeat Xóchitl Gálvez of the opposition coalition in an election marred by violence. As president, Sheinbaum will face challenges such as security, organised crime, energy, and immigration, which will influence the crucial US-Mexico relationship. The Mexican election comes just months before the US presidential election, where immigration is a key issue.
India – India’s severe heat wave has resulted in at least 77 deaths over the past 10 days as the country concluded its massive general election. In Uttar Pradesh, 33 poll workers died in one day, with their families receiving R333 240 each in compensation. Since 19 April, voters and election workers have endured high temperatures with Delhi reaching a record 49.9 degrees Celsius. Northwest and central India have seen temperatures above 42 degrees, with some areas surpassing 50 degrees. In the world’s largest general election, about 969 million Indians were eligible to vote, more than the combined populations of North America and the European Union. Voting began on 19 April and concluded on Sunday, with results expected on Tuesday.
Hong Kong – Hideki Tokoro, adorned in a toy whale hat and whale-themed attire, is dedicated to hunting whales rather than protecting them. His company, Kyodo Senpaku, has launched a new R887 billion whaling mothership, the Kangei Maru, to begin offshore whaling this year. Tokoro proudly showcased the 370-foot, 9,300-ton vessel, which set sail for an eight-month tour of Japan’s northern waters. The Kangei Maru replaces the Nisshin Maru, a notorious whaling factory ship decommissioned in 2020. The new ship is larger, faster, and equipped with advanced drones to help locate and hunt whales more efficiently. Activists believe the ship’s capabilities suggest Japan aims to hunt whales far beyond its northern waters.
Thailand – Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been charged with lese majeste, a serious offence involving the insulting of a member of the royal family. It comes from a 2015 interview. The charges were announced by spokesperson Prayuth Bejraguna, stating that Thaksin will face trial after appearing before the Attorney General on 18 June as he was unable to attend the initial hearing due to a Covid-19 infection. Thaksin, who served as prime minister until a military coup ousted him in 2006, returned to Thailand last August after 15 years in exile. He was previously sentenced to eight years in prison but served only six months before being released on parole. Thailand’s strict lese-majeste laws carry severe penalties, with recent cases prompting calls for justice reform. Thaksin’s political influence continues through the Pheu Thai party, part of a coalition government since 2023, with his daughter leading the party.
Pictured above: Claudia Sheinbaum
Image source: Instagram.
