First round of polls is underway in France. Voters will select 577 members of the national assembly. This is first test for President Macron, however Left coalition remains Macron's biggest threat.

France's parliamentary elections: Can Macron hold on to his majority?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan kicked off his re-election bid with a plan to invade Syria. Is Erdogan flexing his military muscles to hide his failing economic policies? What are his chances in 2023? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Erdogan announces 2023 re-election bid

There looks to be no sign of elections in the island nation of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is currently battling its worst economic crisis.

Sri Lanka faces worst economic crisis: No elections in Sri Lanka for now

Meanwhile Nigeria's ruling party on Wednesday picked former Lagos state governor Tinubu as its candidate to run for the president's office in elections that are scheduled to be held in February 2023.

Nigeria Presidential Elections 2023: Bola Tinubu to run for President

France will head to the polls on June 12th and June 19th for parliamentary elections. Re-elected president Emmanuel Macron will attempt to win a ruling majority in parliament for his second term in office.

French Parliamentary polls: Will Emmanuel Macron camp win absolute majority?

Pakistan's economy needs $36 billion to survive. Islamabad is struggling to find a creditor. The crisis has led to speculation. Reports say the military held a meeting to discuss the situation. Will snap elections be called in Pakistan? Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Will Pakistani "establishment" call for snap elections?

In an unexpected turn of events, a former leftist rebel and populist businessman has now taken the top two spots in Colombia's presidential elections that were held on the 29th of May.

Colombia Elections: Leftist Gustavo Petro claims top spot, businessman Hernandez finishes 2nd

As Colombia hopes for change with its presidential elections on May 29th, all candidates met for a final debate on Friday. While the race is between Petro and Gutierrez, Petro takes 40% opinion poll votes.

Colombia Presidential Election: Petro takes 40% opinion poll votes

Colombians&nbsp;vote on Sunday to choose a new president from among a former rebel promising generous social programs, a center-right candidate warning against a leftist economic model, and an eccentric business magnate.

Gustavo Petro, a leftist former mayor of Bogota and member of the M-19 guerrilla group and current senator, is consistently leading opinion&nbsp;polls&nbsp;with around 40 per cent&nbsp;support, ten points below what he would need to secure the presidency without a June second round.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/polarised-election-bogota-voters-weigh-presidential-options-483108">'Polarised election': Bogota voters weigh presidential options</a>

The 62-year-old has attracted backing on promises to redistribute pensions, offer free public university, and battle deep inequality.

His main opponent is Federico Gutierrez, the center-right former mayor of Medellin, who has around 25 per cent support.

Watch |&nbsp;Colombia Presidential Election: Petro takes 40% opinion poll votes

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Gutierrez has emphasized his own plans for a basic income for 5 million households, economic growth of 5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;per year, and more efficient government spending in response to accusations he is an ideological successor to unpopular President Ivan Duque.

Gutierrez, 47, has said Petro is a threat to democracy and warned the leftist's economic plans, including a ban on new oil and gas projects, will ruin Colombia's economy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-conflict-to-cartels-all-you-need-to-know-about-colombia-482849#nearly-six-decades-of-conflict-482843">From conflict to cartels: All you need to know about Colombia</a>

Polling third in the six-way race is construction magnate and former mayor of Bucaramanga Rodolfo Hernandez, with about 20&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;support.

Hernandez, who is running independently, is known for whimsical social media videos, including of him riding an electric scooter, and anti-corruption promises. The 77-year-old is himself facing an ongoing investigation into whether he intervened in a tender to benefit a company his son lobbied for. He has denied wrongdoing.

The country's Registrar has said there is no possibility of electoral fraud, after candidates repeatedly expressed concerns about irregularities during March legislative&nbsp;elections which electoral officials classed as procedural errors.

Polls&nbsp;will open at 8 a.m. local time and close at 4 p.m. (2100 GMT). Officials have said they expects results around four hours later.

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Colombians vote on Sunday to choose a new president from among a former rebel promising generous social programs, a center-right candidate warning against a leftist economic model, and an eccentric business magnate.

Colombians vote on Sunday to choose a new president from among a former rebel promising generous social programs, a center-right candidate warning against a leftist economic model, and an eccentric business magnate. Gustavo Petro, a leftist former mayor of Bogota and member of the M-19 guerrilla group and current senator, is consistently leading opinion polls with around 40 per cent support, ten points below what he would need to secure the presidency without a June second round. Also read | 'Polarised election': Bogota voters weigh presidential options The 62-year-old has attracted backing on promises to redistribute pensions, offer free public university, and battle deep inequality. His main opponent is Federico Gutierrez, the center-right former mayor of Medellin, who has around 25 per cent support. Watch | Colombia Presidential Election: Petro takes 40% opinion poll votes Gutierrez has emphasized his own plans for a basic income for 5 million households, economic growth of 5 per cent per year, and more efficient government spending in response to accusations he is an ideological successor to unpopular President Ivan Duque. Gutierrez, 47, has said Petro is a threat to democracy and warned the leftist's economic plans, including a ban on new oil and gas projects, will ruin Colombia's economy. Also read | From conflict to cartels: All you need to know about Colombia Polling third in the six-way race is construction magnate and former mayor of Bucaramanga Rodolfo Hernandez, with about 20 per cent support. Hernandez, who is running independently, is known for whimsical social media videos, including of him riding an electric scooter, and anti-corruption promises. The 77-year-old is himself facing an ongoing investigation into whether he intervened in a tender to benefit a company his son lobbied for. He has denied wrongdoing. The country's Registrar has said there is no possibility of electoral fraud, after candidates repeatedly expressed concerns about irregularities during March legislative elections which electoral officials classed as procedural errors. Polls will open at 8 a.m. local time and close at 4 p.m. (2100 GMT). Officials have said they expects results around four hours later. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombians head to polls in divisive presidential election

Colombia Presidential election: Petro and Gutierrez go head to head

Police detain Imran Khan supporters demanding fresh elections in Pakistan

The World Health Organization's (WHO) members re-elected Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as Director General by a strong majority for another five years, the president of the World Health Assembly said on Tuesday.

The vote by secret ballot, announced by Ahmed Robleh Abdilleh from Djibouti at a major annual meeting, was seen as a formality since Tedros was the only candidate running.

Ministers and delegates took turns to shake hands and hug Tedros, a former health minister from Ethiopia, who has steered the UN agency through a turbulent period dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The president had to use a gavel several times to interrupt the applause.&nbsp;

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach tweeted on Tuesday: "Just re-elected as ⁦Director General of #WHO: @DrTedros⁩. 155/160 votes, spectacular result. Congratulations, fully deserved. Germany recently overtook the United States as the UN health agency's top donor.

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Today at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHA75?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WHA75</a> Member States re-elected <a href="https://twitter.com/DrTedros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTedros</a> to serve a second five-year term as Director-General of the WHO. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's new mandate officially commences on 16 August 2022. 
 
👉 <a href="https://t.co/kNUVAeDFff">https://t.co/kNUVAeDFff</a> <a href="https://t.co/MK5jjA4YyQ">pic.twitter.com/MK5jjA4YyQ</a>
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1529112549307961344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The World Health Organization's (WHO) members re-elected Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as Director General by a strong majority for another five years, the president of the World Health Assembly said on Tuesday.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) members re-elected Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as Director General by a strong majority for another five years, the president of the World Health Assembly said on Tuesday. The vote by secret ballot, announced by Ahmed Robleh Abdilleh from Djibouti at a major annual meeting, was seen as a formality since Tedros was the only candidate running. Ministers and delegates took turns to shake hands and hug Tedros, a former health minister from Ethiopia, who has steered the UN agency through a turbulent period dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The president had to use a gavel several times to interrupt the applause. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach tweeted on Tuesday: "Just re-elected as ⁦Director General of #WHO: @DrTedros⁩. 155/160 votes, spectacular result. Congratulations, fully deserved. Germany recently overtook the United States as the UN health agency's top donor. Today at #WHA75 Member States re-elected @DrTedros to serve a second five-year term as Director-General of the WHO. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's new mandate officially commences on 16 August 2022. 👉 https://t.co/kNUVAeDFff pic.twitter.com/MK5jjA4YyQ — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 24, 2022 ×

Tedros re-elected as head of World Health Organization

Australia has voted for a change in a new Prime Minister. His name is Anthony Albanese, and he has led the Australian Labor party into government after a nine-year hiatus. But who is he?

Who is Anthony Albanese, Australia’s new prime minister?

After weeks of intense electoral battle, Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese has now claimed victory in the country's national election, this came after an incumbent Australian PM Scott Morrison conceded defeat. What are the challenges for new government in Australia?

Australia's election: Labor party returns to power after 9 yrs

After weeks of intense electoral battle, Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese has now claimed victory in the country's national election. He will take oath as Australian PM on Monday. But, who is Anthony Albanese and what change will Albanese bring in Australia? Watch this report!

Who is Anthony Albanese and what change will he bring in Australia?

Australians will head to polls on Saturday to choose their new Prime Minister. Will Scott Morrison retain power? What is the China factor in Aussie politics? Watch this report to find out!

Australia Elections 2022: The China factor in Aussie politics

After 10 hours of hustle and bustle, polling stations have closed in Australia. 17 million people have casted voted to elect their new Prime Minister, the battle boiled down to two candidates- incumbent Scott Morrison and Australian Labor party leader Anthony Albanese. For more details, we're joined by Adam Hancock, Freelance Journalist.

Australian Election 2022: 17 million Australians cast their vote

Scott Morrison said, "I congratulated Albanese on his victory." Meanwhile, this is an end of a nearly a decade of conservative rule in Australia. Indian PM Narendra Modi has also congratulated Australia's PM-elect Albanese.

Australia Election: Change of Guard in Canberra: Australia ousts PM Scott Morrison

Australia elections 2022: Candidates campaigning on different areas to seek victory

After promising a fresh approach during his second term, French president Emmanuel Macron reshuffled his cabinet yesterday naming a few new ministers all in a bit to create a fresh momentum ahead of parliamentary elections next month.

France: Emmanuel Macron reshuffles cabinet ahead of parliamentary elections

Polls are underway in Australia, 17 million people are voting for their next Prime Minister. The battle is boiled down to two candidates incumbent Scott Morrison and Australian Labor party leader Anthony Albanese.

Polls underway in Australia: 17 million to choose between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese

As per recent reports, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded defeat in elections. Labour leader Anthony Albanese who is heading a coalition is set to form the next government in Australia

Australia Election 2022: Australian PM concedes defeat; labor party to form the next govt

Australia Elections: Opposition narrowly ahead of Conservative in poll survey

Australians will head to polls on Saturday to choose their new Prime Minister. Meanwhile, opposition is hoping to end 9 years of conservative rule. Opinion polls have predicted the change in government.

Australian Elections 2022: Opinion polls predict change in government

Australia&nbsp;posted its lowest&nbsp;jobless&nbsp;rate&nbsp;in 48 years Thursday, a potential pre-election&nbsp;boost to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is fighting to stay in power.

The unemployment&nbsp;rate&nbsp;dipped to 3.85 percent in April, the official statistics body said, delivering a dose of good news two days&nbsp;before&nbsp;federal&nbsp;elections.

It was the lowest unemployment level since 1974 -- when flared trousers were in fashion and US president Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal.

"More Australians are in work now than ever&nbsp;before," said the ruling conservative Liberal-National Party coalition's employment minister, Stuart Robert.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-election-ruling-conservative-coalition-narrows-gap-with-the-main-opposition-labor-party-479993">Australia election: Ruling conservative coalition narrows gap with the main opposition Labor Party</a>

"Even in the face of global shocks like the war in Europe,&nbsp;Australia's economy has remained resilient," he boasted. "Now is not the time to risk our economy on an opposition that has no plan and makes things up on the run."

Opinion polls show the ruling conservative coalition lagging a little behind the opposition Labor Party in a tightening&nbsp;election&nbsp;race.

But surveys indicate the rising cost of living, not employment, is a priority for voters.

Opposition Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese's economic credentials have been questioned by Morrison, notably since he forgot the unemployment&nbsp;rate&nbsp;when quizzed by reporters more than a month ago.

Albanese has said he supports a rise in the minimum wage in line with inflation, which has shot up to 5.1 percent as prices soar in the shops, at gasoline stations and on the housing market.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: China's shadow over Australia's Election

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Australia's economy created an additional 92,400 full-time jobs in April, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.

Also read |&nbsp;In ongoing bitter trial, Johnny Depp’s lawyers grill Amber Heard during cross-examination over fights

That helped to trim April's seasonally adjusted unemployment&nbsp;rate&nbsp;just slightly below the revised 3.93-percent&nbsp;rate&nbsp;of the previous month.

'Staff shortages'

"Overall, today's data remain consistent with a still-tightening labour market and continued difficulty for firms in finding labour," said National&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;Bank economist Ted Nugent.

"This should see stronger wages growth emerge as the year progresses."

Many employers say they are struggling to find staff in the tight jobs market.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-ongoing-bitter-trial-johnny-depps-lawyers-grill-amber-heard-during-cross-examination-over-fights-479972">In ongoing bitter trial, Johnny Depp’s lawyers grill Amber Heard during cross-examination over fights</a>

"We're definitely still feeling staff shortages," said Matt Jenkins, human resources manager at Sydney restaurant group Applejack Hospitality.

"I know for chefs, they can have multiple job offers at a time. And even candidates that we're speaking to, they're sitting on offers for weeks while they still canvass the market," he told AFP.

Bruno Goncalves, co-owner of Edes Restaurant and Bar in central Sydney, said he found it particularly hard to recruit experienced staff.

More foreign jobseekers were becoming available, he said, since the re-opening of&nbsp;Australia's international borders, which were shuttered for nearly two years to keep out the Covid-19 virus.

Those foreign candidates were mostly inexperienced, leaving the business with supervisory managers and "fresh, zero-experienced" workers but very few experienced bar and waiting staff.

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Australia posted its lowest jobless rate in 48 years Thursday, a potential pre-election boost to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is fighting to stay in power.

Australia posted its lowest jobless rate in 48 years Thursday, a potential pre-election boost to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is fighting to stay in power. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.85 percent in April, the official statistics body said, delivering a dose of good news two days before federal elections. It was the lowest unemployment level since 1974 -- when flared trousers were in fashion and US president Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal. "More Australians are in work now than ever before," said the ruling conservative Liberal-National Party coalition's employment minister, Stuart Robert. Also read | Australia election: Ruling conservative coalition narrows gap with the main opposition Labor Party "Even in the face of global shocks like the war in Europe, Australia's economy has remained resilient," he boasted. "Now is not the time to risk our economy on an opposition that has no plan and makes things up on the run." Opinion polls show the ruling conservative coalition lagging a little behind the opposition Labor Party in a tightening election race. But surveys indicate the rising cost of living, not employment, is a priority for voters. Opposition Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese's economic credentials have been questioned by Morrison, notably since he forgot the unemployment rate when quizzed by reporters more than a month ago. Albanese has said he supports a rise in the minimum wage in line with inflation, which has shot up to 5.1 percent as prices soar in the shops, at gasoline stations and on the housing market. Also watch | Gravitas: China's shadow over Australia's Election Australia's economy created an additional 92,400 full-time jobs in April, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said. Also read | In ongoing bitter trial, Johnny Depp’s lawyers grill Amber Heard during cross-examination over fights That helped to trim April's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate just slightly below the revised 3.93-percent rate of the previous month. 'Staff shortages' "Overall, today's data remain consistent with a still-tightening labour market and continued difficulty for firms in finding labour," said National Australia Bank economist Ted Nugent. "This should see stronger wages growth emerge as the year progresses." Many employers say they are struggling to find staff in the tight jobs market. Also read | In ongoing bitter trial, Johnny Depp’s lawyers grill Amber Heard during cross-examination over fights "We're definitely still feeling staff shortages," said Matt Jenkins, human resources manager at Sydney restaurant group Applejack Hospitality. "I know for chefs, they can have multiple job offers at a time. And even candidates that we're speaking to, they're sitting on offers for weeks while they still canvass the market," he told AFP. Bruno Goncalves, co-owner of Edes Restaurant and Bar in central Sydney, said he found it particularly hard to recruit experienced staff. More foreign jobseekers were becoming available, he said, since the re-opening of Australia's international borders, which were shuttered for nearly two years to keep out the Covid-19 virus. Those foreign candidates were mostly inexperienced, leaving the business with supervisory managers and "fresh, zero-experienced" workers but very few experienced bar and waiting staff. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia reports 48-year-low jobless rate before election

Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies are likely to lose their majority in Lebanon's parliament following Sunday's elections, in a major blow to the heavily armed faction that reflects anger with ruling parties.

Lebanon Parliamentary Poll Results: Hezbollah group and allies are likely to suffer loses

Countdown to the final results of parliamentary elections in Lebanon is on. The political fight was for 128 seats divided among 11 religious groups.

Countdown to final results of Lebanon Parliamentary Elections 2022

A heavy defeat is looming for chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats party in a key regional election. Preliminary results from the vote in Germany's most popular state claims that Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats party is about to suffer a crushing defeat.

Regional election in Germany: Olaf Scholz's SPD candidate admits defeat

Polls have opened in Lebanon, candidates are competing for 128 seats that are divided among 11 religious groups. In the crisis hit nation, power is divided according to a sectarian power sharing system.

Lebanon Elections 2022: Sign of hope or looming disaster?

The citizens of Lebanon have sealed the fate of candidates vying for 128 seats divided among 11 religious groups. The voting in the crisis hit nation has closed. Watch this report by WION's correspondent Ghadi Francis.

Lebanon elections 2022: Election newcomers aim to unseat Lebanon's elite

WION's Ghadi Francis spoke to Lebanese MP Faisal Karami over the ongoing elections. He said, we've been suffering from a long time depression and bad decisions by the government that has been using the people for their own benefits. Watch the conversation!

'Lebanon is reeling under prolonged depression,' says Lebanese MP Faisal Karami on WION

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