Dara Calleary resigns as Minister for Agriculture
Just 37 days after taking over from former Minister for Agriculture Barry Cowen following a past drink driving controversy, Dara Calleary has today resigned from his position in the cabinet. This comes after a list of more than 80 people (mostly currently elected reps) had attended a gala dinner to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Oireachtas Golf Society which was in breach of newly enacted Covid-19 regulations. Many currently believe that Taoiseach Micheál Martin will wait until three weeks’ time, once the Dáil has reconvened to name a successor however there are many TDs insisting that the Dáil be recalled immediately.
UN Security Council condemns military coup in Mali
The UN Security Council has this week condemned the actions of soldiers in Mali who participated in a coup of the country and has called for an immediate release of all government officials who were detained by the soldiers. The soldiers themselves said that they would oversee that elections took place in a “reasonable” time. In an address on national television President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita announced his resignation stating that “(I must) submit to it, because I don’t want any bloodshed”. The African Union has suspended Mali’s membership until constitutional order is restored within the country.
New Zealand PM postpones election
Earlier this week New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern chose to delay the original 19th September general election in favour of an election on the 17th October following calls from opposition and coalition parties to postpone. This comes in light of the recent new case of coronavirus which emerged following the countries 102 days without a community transfer. While the decision was welcomed by many, co-leader of the Green Party James Shaw accused some parties of “naked political self-interest” following calls from the opposition National Party to postpone elections until November or even next year given the current governments’ approval ratings.
Lukashenko accuses opposition of attempting to seize control
Current President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has accused the oppositions creation of a ‘Coordination Council’ as an attempt to cease power following his extremely controversial and questionable re-election to power in Belarus. Lukashenko warned that the authorities would be taking “adequate measures” against participants. He also accused the opposition of preparing to cut ties with the countries closest ally Russia who have said they are prepared to intervene in the country’s affairs should it be needed. This comes after mass protests in the country and criticism from EU governments and rights groups following the detrainment of close to 7,000 protesters.
45 people die in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya
This week 45 migrants and refugees died off the coast of Libya following the deadliest shipwreck this year. In a statement from the UN agencies for refugees and migration 37 people survived the sinking after the engine of the ship exploded off the coast of the town of Zwara. The survivors were later detained once they disembarked from the ship. The UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have called for countries to review their approach when dealing with similar situations as the number of migrants and refugees to perish at sea rises to 302 this year alone.
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