Political crisis talks called by Senegal's President Macky Sall on Tuesday reached a "broad consensus" that the presidential vote he postponed could not be held before his mandate ends on April 2, multiple participants told AFP.

Dakar

Talks aimed at resolving Senegal's political crisis have concluded that the presidential election previously postponed by President Macky Sall cannot take place before his mandate expires on April 2. These discussions, initiated by President Sall, have achieved a "broad consensus" among various stakeholders according to multiple participants who communicated their insights to AFP. The recommendation from the national dialogue is for the election to be scheduled for June, a decision stemming from the consensus reached during the crisis talks.



National Dialogue recommends holding Senegal election in June

The Technical Commission, present at the National Dialogue, has recommended that a new presidential election date be fixed for June 2nd. That's some time after the official end of Makisal's term in office, which draws to a close on April 2nd. So, begs the question, why not hold an election before April 2nd? The argument given by those in power is that there are a number of important religious festivals and events coming up, notably Ramadan, and they argue that you simply can't hold an electoral process while these religious festivities and events are taking place. This is an argument which is unlikely to be accepted by the opposition, which have called on the country's constitutional council effectively to force Makisal to fix an election date before April 2nd, before the end of his mandate. Now, Makisal has said that he would step down after his term in office finishes, but it's unclear at this point what happens after April 2nd. Who will take power if there isn't an election before then? And that's really one of the key questions remaining in this ongoing political saga.

Hamas's armed wing released video of two men held hostage in Gaza who are seen alive and urging Israeli authorities to strike a deal for the release of all the remaining captives.

Rafah

Israel-Gaza War

Hamas releases video of two Israeli hostages

Defence Minister Richard Marles has revealed a fresh aid package to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, including $30 million in funding for drones. It marks more than one billion dollars in funding from Australia since the war began.

Lviv

Ukraine Invasion

Australia announces $100m in Ukraine aid

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Canberra

Prime Minister joins rally calling for end to gendered violence

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

Thousands block Tel Aviv streets in protest

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Israel 'gearing up' for Rafah ground offensive

Ohio police released video of a Black man who died at a local hospital after repeatedly telling officers "I can't breathe" as they pinned him to the floor of a bar and handcuffed him, evoking memories of the killing of George Floyd in 2020.

Canton

'I can't breathe' man tells Ohio cops before death

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Sderot

Gaza hit by fresh strikes amid ceasefire talks

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Jerusalem

US begins building floating base to boost aid

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Windsor

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Council of the City of Sydney

Thousands rally across Australia against domestic violence

The Russian and Turkish flags were lowered to mark the closure of a center set up to monitor a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, as Russian peacekeepers ended a multi-year deployment in the strategic South Caucasus region.

Baku

Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire center closes as Russia withdraws

Britain's King Charles will return to public duties next week for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer as he makes good progress following treatment and a period of recuperation, Buckingham Palace said.

London

King Charles to resume public duties after cancer diagnosis

Students blocked access to Paris' prestigious Sciences Po university over the war in Gaza on Friday (April 26), demanding the institution condemn Israel's actions, in a protest that echoed similar demonstrations on U.S. campuses.

Paris

Pro-Palestinian protesters still occupying Sciences Po campus

The number of people killed in floods in Kenya due to heavier than usual rainfall since the start of the monsoon in March has risen to 70, a government spokesperson said Friday. Kenya and other countries in East Africa, a region highly vulnerable to climate change, have been pounded by heavier than usual rainfall in recent weeks, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern.

Nairobi

Climate Crisis

Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70

An Australian journalist has been named as a key figure in Donald Trump's criminal trial. Dylan Howard, the former editor of the National Enquirer in the U.S. accused of buying and burying negative stories as part of a deal to help him become President.

New York

U.S. Presidential Election

The Australian journalist caught up in Trump trial

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Marsden Park

Mourners farewell Bondi security guard Faraz Tahir

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Washington

U.S. Supreme Court weighs arguments on Trump immunity case

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After weeks of delays, Haiti is due to swear in a presidential transition council. Gang violence has devastated the economy and social services are on the brink of collapse. Gang leaders say talks over Haiti's political future must include them.

Port-au-Prince

Haiti interim transition council to be sworn in

Israeli forces are carrying out "offensive action" across southern Lebanon, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said without specifying whether ground troops had crossed the border. He also claimed that "half of Hezbollah's commanders in southern Lebanon have been eliminated" in months of violence.

Beirut

Israel says forces carrying out 'offensive action' in south Lebanon

In a deal facilitated by Qatar, Russia and Ukraine will exchange nearly 50 displaced children due to Moscow's invasion, announced Maria Lvova-Belova, the Kremlin's children's rights commissioner, in Doha.

Doha

Russia and Ukraine to exchange dozens of displaced children

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Phoenix

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Geographe

Mass whale stranding in southwest WA

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Kokoda

Australian Prime Minister's Kokoda pilgrimage

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Wakeley

Teenagers face court over terrorism offences

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