Speaking in Panama City alongside fellow Venezuelan opposition figures, Machado said the opposition remained focused on securing free and fair elections in which Venezuelans both inside and outside the country could participate.

Her comments come more than four months after a major shift in United States policy toward Venezuela, when the administration of Donald Trump moved away from supporting Machado and instead engaged with figures linked to Venezuela’s ruling establishment following the capture of then-president Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, according to the source material.

Machado has lived in exile since December after emerging from nearly a year in hiding inside Venezuela and traveling to Norway, where she received the Nobel Peace Prize. She said she hopes to return to her country before the end of next year.

The opposition leader stressed that any credible presidential election would require significant institutional reforms, including the appointment of politically neutral electoral authorities, updated voter registration systems and guarantees allowing opposition candidates to compete without state interference.

According to Machado, organizing a democratic presidential election under such conditions would require between seven and nine months of preparation.

The political timetable remains unclear. Venezuela’s constitution requires a presidential election within 30 days if a president becomes permanently unable to serve, but U.S. officials have recently downplayed expectations for an imminent vote while expressing support for acting president Delcy Rodríguez, whose government has expanded access for American investment in Venezuela’s oil sector amid elevated global energy prices.

Machado emerged as Maduro’s most prominent challenger in recent years but was barred by authorities from contesting the 2024 presidential election. In response, she endorsed former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia as the opposition’s candidate.

Following that election, authorities aligned with the ruling party declared Maduro the winner shortly after polls closed. However, Machado’s campaign maintained that collected voting records showed González had won by a margin exceeding two-to-one.

Asked about a future presidential contest, Machado said she welcomed competition within the opposition and would be prepared to face any rival in what she described as a transparent and legitimate election.

“I will be a candidate, but there may be others, of course,” Machado told reporters. “I would love to compete with everyone, with anyone who wants to be a candidate.”

The operation followed a decision by an appeals court on Thursday that annulled the results of the CHP’s 2023 party congress and removed party leader Ozgur Ozel from office, citing irregularities in the internal election process.

The court reinstated former CHP chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who led the opposition against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2023 presidential election but was defeated at the polls.

A Reuters witness said riot police used tear gas and forced entry into the CHP headquarters as supporters and party officials attempted to resist efforts to implement the court order. Images from the scene showed party supporters gathering outside the building in central Ankara while security forces secured the area.

The confrontation marked the latest development in a growing dispute over the leadership of the CHP, Turkey’s largest opposition party and the principal challenger to Erdogan’s ruling political bloc.

Ozel rejected the court ruling and described it as a “judicial coup,” arguing that the judiciary was interfering in the internal affairs of the opposition. He vowed to challenge the decision through legal channels and pledged to remain at party headquarters while pursuing appeals.

On Saturday, Ozel called for a new party congress to be convened as quickly as possible in an effort to resolve the leadership dispute through another internal vote.

Kilicdaroglu, meanwhile, said a congress would be organized at what he described as an appropriate time, signaling a different approach to managing the transition following the court decision.

Despite the ruling removing him as party chairman, CHP lawmakers on Saturday elected Ozel as leader of the party’s parliamentary group, underscoring continued support for him among many elected party representatives.
The leadership battle comes at a sensitive moment for Turkish politics, with the CHP seeking to maintain unity after years of internal debate over strategy and leadership following Erdogan’s victory in the 2023 presidential contest.
The court decision and subsequent police operation are likely to deepen tensions between the opposition and the government, with CHP officials continuing to argue that judicial institutions are being used to influence political outcomes, an accusation authorities reject.

Amid growing concerns among younger generations about housing affordability, economic insecurity, social relationships and climate change, one writer argues that disengagement is neither a practical solution nor an effective form of self-preservation.

Addressing readers grappling with uncertainty about their future, the author contends that meaningful relief comes not from avoiding difficult realities but from engaging with them collectively. Rather than retreating from social, economic or environmental challenges, the piece advocates confronting them through community involvement, activism and shared action.

The argument centers on the idea that individuals often experience a sense of helplessness when facing large-scale problems alone. Concerns about declining home ownership opportunities, changing relationship dynamics, workplace pressures and environmental risks can appear overwhelming when viewed solely through a personal lens.

According to the author, participation in groups that analyze, discuss and address such issues can provide a different experience. Working alongside others who share similar concerns may not eliminate the underlying problems, but it can reduce feelings of isolation and create a stronger sense of agency.

The article challenges common advice that encourages people to avoid distressing topics or focus exclusively on circumstances within their immediate control. Instead, the writer suggests that expanding the scope of what individuals attempt to influence can be both psychologically and socially beneficial.

Drawing a parallel with task management, the piece argues that taking action often produces a greater sense of confidence than avoidance. While acknowledging that engagement does not guarantee success or immediate emotional rewards, the author maintains that participation itself can foster resilience and purpose.Housing affordability serves as one example.

The writer notes that younger people may not achieve milestones traditionally associated with economic stability, such as home ownership. However, the article argues that involvement in broader efforts to address housing, labor or social issues can provide a sense of connection and awareness that offsets some of the frustration associated with those challenges.

The same reasoning is applied to personal relationships. Rather than accepting situations in which companionship comes at the expense of self-respect, the author suggests that solidarity with others who share similar experiences can offer validation and support.

To reinforce the argument, the article references the American philosopher John Dewey, who argued that the solution to shortcomings in democratic systems is greater democratic participation. Adapting that principle, the writer proposes that the response to struggle is often deeper engagement rather than withdrawal.

The article does not portray activism or civic engagement as emotionally easy. It acknowledges what it describes as a “despair tax” associated with seriously confronting major societal problems. Increased awareness of inequality, political dysfunction or environmental threats can intensify feelings of anxiety and frustration, particularly among younger people who expect to live with the consequences for decades.

At the same time, the writer cautions against assuming a direct relationship between effort and emotional well-being. Greater involvement in difficult issues does not necessarily produce immediate satisfaction or optimism. Campaigns can fail, reforms can stall, and progress can be slow.

Nevertheless, the piece argues that insulating oneself from reality carries its own costs. Avoiding difficult subjects may temporarily reduce discomfort, but it does little to address the underlying conditions that generate concern. The author rejects the notion that people must choose between protecting their mental well-being and remaining informed about major social issues.

Instead, the article presents engagement as a form of self-care rooted in participation rather than avoidance. By joining others in examining problems and pursuing solutions, individuals may find a greater sense of purpose and connection even when outcomes remain uncertain.

The central message is that meaningful relief is more likely to emerge from collective action and sustained involvement than from disengagement.

While acknowledging the emotional burden associated with confronting major societal challenges, the author argues that facing those challenges directly offers a more durable response than attempting to ignore them.

Demonstrators gathered in central Tunis under the slogan “The people are hungry and prisons are full,” calling for an end to what they described as one-man rule and denouncing arrests targeting politicians, journalists and civil society figures.

Protesters said authorities were using the judiciary and security apparatus to suppress dissent while economic conditions continued to deteriorate. Tunisia has faced sluggish economic growth, rising consumer prices, shortages of medicines and some food products, financing constraints and mounting pressure on state services.

The latest demonstration reflects growing domestic criticism of Saied, who dissolved parliament in 2022 and expanded presidential powers by governing through decrees in moves opponents and rights organizations say undermined the democratic system established after Tunisia’s 2011 uprising.

Saied has repeatedly rejected accusations of authoritarianism, saying his measures are necessary to combat corruption and prevent political paralysis and instability.

Tunisia’s legal and media sectors have also intensified criticism of the government in recent weeks. The national bar association has called for strikes over concerns regarding judicial independence, while the journalists’ union has announced protests against the detention of journalists and what it describes as increasing restrictions on press freedom.

Authorities deny accusations of political repression and say legal actions taken against critics are carried out in accordance with the law.

Tunisia’s economic difficulties have been compounded by financing pressures and delays in implementing reforms sought by international lenders, while unemployment and declining purchasing power continue to fuel public frustration.

Lai Ching-te welcomed Pena with military honors at the presidential office in Taipei, including a ceremonial parade and cannon salute, before bilateral talks focused on political and economic cooperation.“Taiwan and Paraguay are partners firmly committed to the values of democracy, freedom and human rights,” Lai said during the ceremony, thanking Paraguay for supporting Taiwan’s participation on the international stage.

Pena reaffirmed Paraguay’s diplomatic backing for Taiwan, describing the relationship as a strategic alliance grounded in shared democratic principles.“Paraguay deeply values this relationship and reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting Taiwan,” Pena said.

Taiwan currently maintains formal diplomatic relations with only 12 countries after decades of pressure from China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any official recognition of the island’s government.Beijing has steadily persuaded countries to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing through economic and political incentives, reducing Taiwan’s international footprint, particularly in Latin America and the Pacific.

Pena’s delegation includes senior government officials and business representatives, reflecting efforts to deepen trade, investment and technological cooperation between the two sides.

Since arriving on Thursday, Pena has met Taiwan’s vice president and cabinet officials and received an honorary doctorate from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, which he described as a symbol of the countries’ “solid alliance.”The visit comes shortly after Lai returned from a diplomatic trip to Eswatini, Taiwan’s sole diplomatic ally in Africa.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry recently accused China of pressuring Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar to revoke overflight permissions for Lai’s original itinerary to Eswatini, forcing him to alter travel arrangements and use the aircraft of Eswatini’s king.

Lai’s administration has sought to strengthen ties with remaining diplomatic partners while expanding informal relations with Western democracies, particularly the United States and European countries.Taiwan’s last major overseas diplomatic tour took place in November 2024, when Lai visited Pacific allies and transited through Guam, a U.S. territory.

Reports last year suggested the administration of Donald Trump denied Lai permission to transit through New York during a planned Latin America trip, though Taiwan’s foreign ministry denied those claims.

Speaking at the conclusion of his weekly Sunday prayer in Saint Peter’s Square, the pontiff said the annual observance underscored both the value of independent journalism and the growing threats faced by reporters carrying out their work.

“Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day , unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ways, sometimes in more hidden forms,” he told worshippers gathered in the square under clear skies.

The pope urged the faithful to remember journalists and correspondents who had lost their lives while pursuing facts and reporting from areas affected by war and violence.“We remember the many journalists and reporters who have been victims of war and violence,” he said.

World Press Freedom Day, supported by UNESCO and observed annually on May 3, serves as a global platform to defend media independence, highlight censorship and intimidation, and honor journalists who have died in the line of duty.

The Catholic leader has repeatedly described journalism as a pillar of democracy and social accountability, emphasizing that access to truthful information is a public good that must be protected from manipulation and political pressure.

In previous addresses, he has thanked reporters for their role in uncovering facts and holding power to account, arguing that journalism should never be criminalized and calling for the release of journalists unfairly detained or prosecuted around the world.

His remarks come at a time when press freedom advocates continue to warn of growing restrictions on independent reporting, particularly in conflict zones where journalists face heightened risks of detention, violence and death.

The Vatican has increasingly used global observances such as Press Freedom Day to reinforce broader appeals for human dignity, transparency and protection of civil institutions amid rising international instability.

Nearly 1.5 million voters were registered across the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while around 70,000 were eligible to vote in Gaza’s Deir El-Balah area, according to the Ramallah-based Central Elections Commission.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m., with voting taking place under the shadow of continued conflict, institutional paralysis, and long-standing frustration over the absence of national elections.

Footage from Al-Bireh in the West Bank and Deir El-Balah in Gaza showed election workers preparing polling centers as residents arrived to cast ballots in what many described as a symbolic rather than transformative process.

Most electoral lists were aligned with President Mahmoud Abbas’s secular-nationalist Fatah movement or were running as independents.There were no lists affiliated with Hamas, which governs much of Gaza and remains Fatah’s principal political rival.In many municipalities, including Ramallah and Nablus, only one list was submitted, resulting in automatic victory without a contested vote.

Where competition existed, Fatah-backed candidates faced independent lists, some led by figures associated with leftist factions such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.Mahmud Bader, a businessman from Tulkarem in the northern West Bank, said he would vote despite believing the outcome would have little practical effect.

“Whether candidates are independent or partisan, it has no effect and will have no effect or benefit for the city,” he said.“The occupation is the one that rules Tulkarem. It would only be an image shown to the international media — as if we have elections, a state or independence.

”Tulkarem has been under heightened Israeli military pressure, with two adjacent refugee camps remaining under military control for more than a year.In Gaza, the vote in Deir El-Balah marked the first local electoral exercise since Hamas won the 2006 legislative elections and later took control of the enclave in 2007.

Political analysts said the Palestinian Authority’s decision to hold voting only in Deir El-Balah reflected both logistical limits and a cautious test of public sentiment in post-war Gaza.Jamal Al-Fadi, a political scientist at Cairo’s Al-Azhar University, said the limited vote served as an “experiment” because there had been no reliable post-war opinion polling.

Deir El-Balah was selected partly because it was one of the few areas in Gaza where much of the population had remained in place and not been displaced during more than two years of war.Farah Shaath, 25, said voting for the first time was emotionally significant despite the extraordinary conditions.

“Although it is unlike any election in the world, it is a confirmation of our continued existence in the Gaza Strip despite everything,” she said.The elections commission said polling staff in Gaza were recruited from civil society groups and that a private security company had been contracted to secure voting centers.

However, a commission source in Gaza said Hamas police insisted on overseeing security around polling stations through unarmed personnel in civilian clothing.

UN coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov praised the organization of the vote, calling it a “credible process” and saying the elections represented an important opportunity for Palestinians to exercise democratic rights during an exceptionally difficult period.

Abbas, now 90, has remained in office for more than two decades without re-election, despite repeated promises of legislative and presidential polls that have yet to materialize.

Saturday’s municipal vote, while limited in scope, reflects both the persistence of Palestinian civic institutions and the deep uncertainty surrounding the future of governance in both Gaza and the West Bank.

The proposed law, which sought to increase the size of the lower house by about 55% to 850 seats ahead of the 2029 general elections, fell short of the required two-thirds majority, with 298 lawmakers voting in favor and 230 against in the Lok Sabha.

The government had linked the expansion to the implementation of women’s reservation, arguing that redrawing constituency boundaries based on updated population data was necessary to ensure equitable representation. Seats in parliament have remained frozen since the 1971 census, despite significant demographic changes.

Opposition parties supported the principle of reserving seats for women but opposed tying it to a nationwide delimitation exercise, alleging the move could be used to alter electoral dynamics in favor of the ruling party.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the bill shortly after the vote, calling it an “unconstitutional trick” that undermined the Constitution under the guise of advancing women’s representation.The government rejected those claims, maintaining that the proposal was essential for modernizing India’s electoral framework.

Interior Minister Amit Shah defended the bill in parliament, warning that blocking it would disappoint women across the country and vowing continued efforts to secure legislative backing for gender quotas.

A law passed in 2023 had already approved reserving one-third of parliamentary seats for women, but its implementation was contingent on the completion of the next census and subsequent constituency redrawing, a process still underway and expected to delay enforcement beyond the next election cycle.

Women currently account for about 14% of members in the lower house and 17% in the upper house, with representation in state legislatures averaging around 10%, according to official data.

The failure of the bill highlights ongoing political divisions over electoral reforms and gender representation, as well as the challenges of securing broad consensus for constitutional amendments in India’s increasingly polarized parliament.

Luxon dismissed suggestions of dissent within his party, telling a press conference he remained confident of continued backing from lawmakers. “I talk to my caucus all the time. I’m very confident I have the full support of my caucus,” he said, adding that his government would be re-elected if a vote were held immediately.

The comments follow a report by the New Zealand Herald that some National Party members could move against Luxon when parliament reconvenes, although the report indicated that any initial effort was unlikely to take the form of a formal leadership challenge or confidence vote.

The developments come amid weakening polling numbers for the ruling coalition. Several recent surveys have shown the National Party struggling to secure more than 30% support, raising concerns about its ability to retain power in the next general election scheduled for November 7.Luxon’s personal approval ratings have also come under pressure.

A March RNZ-Reid Research poll showed opposition leader Chris Hipkins leading preferred prime minister rankings with 20.7% support, compared with 17.3% for Luxon.

The polling trends underscore growing political headwinds for the government as it approaches the election cycle, with voter sentiment indicating a tightening contest between the incumbent coalition and the opposition bloc.

Addressing the lower house, Modi said the measures, which include increasing the number of legislators, extending quotas for women to state assemblies and redrawing constituency boundaries, would move India in a “new direction.” He said greater representation of women would bring “new strength, fresh thinking, and a greater sense of sensitivity” to governance.

The government said the proposed boundary changes reflect population shifts since constituencies were last fixed following the 1971 census, arguing the reforms are necessary to align representation with demographic realities.

The proposals come from the ruling National Democratic Alliance, which does not hold the two-thirds majority required to pass constitutional amendments in both houses of parliament, and is seeking support from smaller parties and opposition groups ahead of a vote expected this week.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, said they support the principle of women’s reservation but accused the government of attempting to use constituency redrawing to its political advantage. They called for immediate implementation of the quota without linking it to broader structural changes.

The bills propose increasing the strength of the lower house by about 55% to around 850 members, alongside proportional expansion in state legislatures, by the next general election scheduled for 2029.They also aim to operationalise the one-third reservation for women in both parliament and state assemblies by that timeline.

The quota was approved in legislation passed in 2023 but tied to a future census, delaying its implementation beyond the next election cycle.The proposed changes require ratification by at least half of India’s state legislatures before becoming law.

India currently does not reserve seats for women in parliament, despite women comprising nearly half of the country’s 968 million voters.

Women account for about 14% of members in the lower house and 17% in the upper house, while representation in state legislatures stands at roughly 10%.