Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, who secured the backing of Ireland’s left-leaning parties including Sinn Féin, has won the country’s presidential election in a landslide victory against her center-right rival.
Official results showed strong voter support for Connolly as president, a largely ceremonial role in Ireland. She won 63% of first-preference votes once spoiled votes were excluded, compared to 29% of her rival Heather Humphreys, of the center-right party Fine Gael.
Connolly, 68, said Saturday evening at Dublin Castle that she would champion diversity and be a voice for peace and one that “builds on our policy of neutrality.”
“I would be an inclusive president for all of you, and I regard it as an absolute honor,” she said.
Humphreys conceded she had lost earlier Saturday before vote counting had finished.
Special Interest Glance
U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Thursday Israel's parliament vote on West Bank annexation, saying it amounted to an "insult." Vance's scathing remark came as his visit wrapped up Thursday and after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would now be traveling to Israel.
Trump has filed administrative complaints with the Department of Justice alleging that his rights were violated by DOJ investigations into his illegal retention of classified documents and the role Russia played in the 2016 election.
Gaza's Hamas-run civil defence says 11 people were killed, all from the same family, after the bus they were in was hit by an Israeli tank shell in northern Gaza.
The world on Monday celebrated the release of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, as the first phase in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan held in the shaken region.





























