Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the contest to become the next UN secretary-general, ending her attempt to become the world body’s first female leader. Her decision followed a Security Council straw poll in which she received one “encourage” vote, 11 “discourage” votes and three “no opinion” votes.

Michelle BacheletUnited Nationssecretary-general race

Former Chilean President and ex-UN human rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy to become the next UN secretary-general. She thanked Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for nominating and supporting her, and said the next chief should be an independent Latin American woman.

Michelle BacheletUnited Nationssecretary-general race

Ed Sheeran has addressed the controversy surrounding his North America Loop Tour for the first time, calling the situation in Gaza “catastrophic”, “unjustifiable” and “disproportionate” as he opened his Philadelphia concert. His opening act, Macklemore, had been dropped after pro-Palestine comments; Sheeran denied being behind the decision.

Ed SheeranMacklemoreGazaPalestine

Fans arriving at Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert had mixed feelings about his performance without Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour after pro-Palestinian remarks. Some said they came only for the music, while nearby protesters backed the rapper and called on Sheeran to address the controversy.

Ed SheeranMacklemorePalestineconcert

Ed Sheeran apologized for “making mistakes” and described the situation in Gaza as “unjustifiable.” Opening act Macklemore was removed from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments.

Ed SheeranMacklemoreGazatour controversy

Pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside Ed Sheeran’s concert in Philadelphia as his Loop Tour reached the city.

Ed SheeranPhiladelphiaPro-Palestine protest

Ed Sheeran opened a solo concert in Philadelphia by speaking about Gaza, describing what is happening there as “catastrophic and unjustifiable.”

Ed SheeranGazaPhiladelphiaconcert

Ed Sheeran spoke at his first concert since Macklemore was dropped from the tour over pro-Palestinian remarks and several musicians withdrew. He said the dispute had placed him in a passionate argument over free speech and the complex political issue, while acknowledging mistakes in difficult decisions. The Philadelphia show began without opening acts and with empty seats.

Ed SheeranMacklemorePalestinetour controversy

Turnout in Russia’s ongoing parliamentary election reached 44.75% by 6 a.m. Moscow time on Sunday, or 3 a.m. GMT, according to data posted on the Russian Central Election Commission’s website.

Russiaparliamentary electionvoter turnout

Turnout in the ongoing Russian parliamentary election reached 44.63% by 4:00 a.m. Moscow time on Sunday, according to data posted on the Russian Central Election Commission’s website. The figure corresponds to 1:00 a.m. GMT.

Russiaparliamentary electionvoter turnout

Turnout in Russia’s ongoing parliamentary election reached 44.58% by 2 a.m. Sunday Moscow time, according to data published on the Central Election Commission’s website. The figure corresponds to 11 p.m. Saturday GMT.

Russiaparliamentary electionturnout

Russia’s federal remote electronic voting system has faced attacks using artificial intelligence and computing power rented through the darknet, but no disruptions were detected during the first two days of voting. Election official Oleg Artamonov said the attacks involved request flooding and vulnerability scanning, while the system’s security measures and excess capacity kept it available to voters.

Russiaremote electronic votingartificial intelligencecyberattacks

Turnout in the ongoing Russian parliamentary election reached 44.57% by midnight Moscow time, or 9:00 p.m. GMT, according to data posted on the Russian Central Election Commission’s website.

Russiaparliamentary electionvoter turnout

Dutch riot police clashed with about 500 far-right protesters at an anti-immigration-policy rally in central The Hague. After demonstrators threw fireworks and other projectiles and chanted antisemitic slogans, authorities used baton charges, dogs and water cannons, arresting 24 people. Prime Minister Rob Jetten condemned the protesters’ deliberate confrontation and “abhorrent” slogans.

The Haguefar-right protestantisemitismDutch police

Dutch riot police dispersed several hundred far-right protesters in The Hague after fireworks and other projectiles were thrown at officers. Authorities banned the planned anti-immigration march, while NOS reported 24 arrests. Justice minister David van Weel said protesters made Nazi salutes, used antisemitic slogans and attacked police.

The Haguefar-right protestanti-immigrationpolice clashes

Dutch riot police clashed with about 500 far-right protesters at an anti-immigration rally in The Hague. Officers used water cannons and dogs after demonstrators threw fireworks and gave Nazi salutes.

NetherlandsThe Haguefar rightanti-immigration rally

Dutch riot police used baton charges and dogs to disperse about 500 far-right protesters in The Hague after they threw projectiles and fireworks. Authorities ended the anti-immigration rally because of continued violence, while Justice Minister David van Weel condemned Hitler salutes, antisemitic slogans and attacks on police.

The Haguefar rightanti-immigration protestpolice clashes

Dutch police clashed with about 500 far-right protesters at a rally in The Hague opposing immigration and asylum policies.

The Haguefar rightimmigration policy

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has begun vaccinating health and other frontline workers in Bunia against Ebola. About 50,000 people will receive Ervebo, developed for the Zaire strain, while 20,000 will be monitored for a year to assess its effectiveness against the current Bundibugyo strain. The outbreak has killed at least 3,639 people and infected 7,541.

DR CongoEbolavaccinationpublic health

Congo has started vaccinating healthcare workers against Ebola in Bunia, the center of what is described as the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease in history.

EbolavaccinationBuniapublic health

The US military said a Saturday strike on a vessel in the Caribbean killed four people. It alleged that the vessel was involved in drug trafficking.

United StatesCaribbeanvessel strikedrug trafficking

Greg O’Neill, 63, was reportedly killed by a shark while swimming at Sorrento Beach in Perth, Western Australia. Police said they were confident the swimmer died in the attack. The incident prompted Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis to order the rare catch-and-kill of the protected great white believed to be involved.

Shark attackPerthSorrento Beach

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new sanctions law targeting Russia. It authorizes sanctions on Russian defense, energy, and financial organizations, its shadow fleet, and leadership, while allowing 100% tariffs on imports from the five biggest buyers of Russian energy. Most measures must be imposed within 30 days, though Trump can suspend them for national-security reasons.

United StatesRussiasanctionstariffs