In a landmark victory for women's rights and representation, Claudia Sheinbaum has become the first woman to be elected Mexico's president by a landslide. Despite facing a male-dominated political landscape and the ongoing issue of violence, Sheinbaum won around 58-60% of votes, with a lead of over 30 percentage points ahead of her main opponent. The 61-year-old scientist and former Mexico City mayor gave a rousing victory speech, thanking her supporters and promising to fulfill her duties with dedication and purpose.
Claudia Sheinbaum Breaks Barriers as Mexico's First Female President
In a historic milestone, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has shattered the glass ceiling in Mexican politics, becoming the first woman to be democratically elected president. Her landslide victory marks a pivotal moment for women's empowerment and representation in the nation.
Background
Born in Mexico City in 1962, Sheinbaum holds a master's degree in environmental engineering and a PhD in environmental sciences. She has dedicated her career to environmental activism and public service. As Mexico City's mayor from 2018 to 2024, she implemented progressive policies on sustainability, transportation, and social programs.
Election Victory
In the 2024 presidential election, Sheinbaum faced an uphill battle against a male-dominated field of candidates. Despite the challenges, she emerged victorious with a resounding 58-60% of the vote. Her closest opponent, Ricardo Anaya, trailed behind with less than 30% of the total.
Challenges and Opportunities
As Mexico's first female president, Sheinbaum inherits a complex nation grappling with long-standing issues such as violence, corruption, and economic inequality. She has pledged to prioritize public safety, education, and social justice while also promoting economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Top 5 FAQs
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5. What is Sheinbaum's stance on gender equality? Sheinbaum is a vocal advocate for women's empowerment and has made it a central theme of her presidency. She has pledged to promote gender equality in all areas of society, including education, employment, and politics.
Ukraine's General Staff claims to have targeted a Russian airfield with long-range drones designed by Iran, and recently received a batch of Mirage fighter jets from France to aid in their ongoing conflict with Russia. While the Russian Defence Ministry has reported downing Ukrainian drones, it did not mention the airfield specifically. This attack comes as Ukraine tries to slow the Russian army's push along the front line, with previous successful strikes on oil refineries and other facilities.
The United States has deported 104 Indian migrants on a military aircraft, landing them in Amritsar, India yesterday. The move has caused a political controversy, with the US defending their actions as crucial for national security while Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar downplayed the deportations as routine. However, opposition leaders have pointed out that the Indian government has previously arranged special flights to evacuate citizens from crisis zones, questioning why a similar measure was not taken for these deportees.
Several Indian parliamentarians, including opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Akhilesh Yadav, staged a demonstration in the Parliament complex to protest the treatment of Indian deportees by US authorities. The deportees claimed to have been cuffed and shackled throughout their 40-hour journey on a US military aircraft, leading to widespread condemnation from the opposition parties. The leaders called on the Modi government to provide a detailed statement on the matter and demanded to know why the government did not arrange for the deportees to be brought back with dignity and respect on an Indian plane. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also shared a video of one of the deportees highlighting their ordeal, urging the Prime Minister to listen to their pain and ensure that Indians are treated with dignity and humanity, not handcuffs.
A US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar, Punjab on Wednesday afternoon, drawing a large crowd and increased security measures at the airport. The deported individuals include women, minors, and men hailing from various states in India. The Punjab government has made arrangements to transport the deportees back to their respective places, with the assurance of friendly welcome and assistance from the state police and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. However, family members of the deportees from Gujarat are claiming they had no knowledge of their relatives' deportation and that they had left for Europe for vacation. Former deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel expressed sympathy for the deported individuals, stating that they went to the US in search of job opportunities and should not be seen as criminals.
The son of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V has been designated as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community. With a major presence in India, the Aga Khan family has a deep connection with Hyderabad, where the only Aga Khan Academy is located. Prince Rahim Aga Khan visited Hyderabad in 2024, reinforcing the community's ties with the city. The educated and experienced Prince is set to lead the Shia Ismaili Muslims across the world, carrying on the legacy of his revered father.
US President Donald Trump surprised many by suggesting that the United States should "take over" Gaza and redevelop it into a thriving and luxurious area, dubbing it "the Riviera of the Middle East." This proposal raised questions and potential backlash, as many Middle Eastern countries have previously rejected the idea of resettling Palestinians outside of Gaza. As Trump's close ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the plan "worth paying attention to," adding to the controversy surrounding the statement. Meanwhile, Trump also addressed the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions, stating that it would be "unfortunate" if the country thought it could develop atomic bombs.
The US President's decision to freeze funds for USAID has caused the organization to halt its work in India. Elon Musk, a close aide of Trump, has called USAID a "criminal organization" and the president himself has referred to the organization as a group of "radical left lunatics." As a result, all projects being implemented with USAID's support in India have been suspended until further notice. This move has raised concerns about the implications on healthcare and other partnerships between the two countries.
World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, aims to raise awareness and educate about the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer. In 2025, the event will focus on the theme "United by Unique," highlighting the importance of personalized and people-centred care. This initiative, led by the Union for International Cancer Control, strives to reduce the global cancer burden and ensure that it remains a top global health priority. With its origins in the Paris Charter for the New Millennium, World Cancer Day continues to bring together individuals and organizations from around the world to combat this deadly disease.
The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh witnessed its third grand Amrit Snan on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, attracting devotees from all over the world. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been personally monitoring the situation since 3.30 am and officials have confirmed that the sacred dip is going on smoothly. The first of the akharas, including the ash-smeared Nagas, completed their bath by 6 am, with the Juna Akhara's Nagas being a major highlight of the event. To add to the spiritual atmosphere, rose petals were showered in the area using a helicopter.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah joined millions of pilgrims at the Mahakumbh mela in Prayagraj, where over 13.21 crore people have already taken a dip in the holy waters. Accompanied by his family and top seers, Shah performed various rituals including the 'jal aachman' and 'aarti' at the Triveni Sangam. His visit was marked by unprecedented security measures as the area was made a no-vehicle zone. Shah expressed his eagerness to take part in this symbol of harmony and unity and receive the blessings of saints.