Simon Harris, aged 37, has become Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister, following the unexpected resignation of Leo Varadkar last month.

In a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, April 9, Harris secured the position with 88 votes in favor and 69 against, and was formally inaugurated during a ceremony alongside President Michael D. Higgins.

Taking the helm of the center-right Fine Gael party, Harris faced no opposition in his bid for leadership following Varadkar’s resignation.

However, he now faces impending elections and significant domestic challenges, particularly in addressing housing crises and managing migration opposition.

Addressing parliament, Harris emphasized his vision for a collaborative government marked by unity, respect, and fresh perspectives.

He expressed his commitment to infusing public life with renewed vigor and empathy, acknowledging the pressing demands of the role.

“This is very much a partnership government and I intend to lead us in the spirit of unity, collaboration and mutual respect,” Simon Harris said, watched by his wife and two children.

“I want to bring new ideas and new energy and, I hope, a new empathy to public life. Time is certainly short, and there’s a lot to do.”

Leo Varadkar, who stepped down last month, said that at the age of 45 he no longer felt he was the “best person” to lead the country.

Varadkar, the youngest prime minister when first elected in 2017, said Tuesday said he “always knew” Harris would fill the top job, highlighting his empathy, energy, and political acumen.

“This has perhaps come a little bit sooner than he might have planned or expected. But I know he will rise to the occasion.

“He has the empathy, energy, experience, campaigning skills and political antenna to take us forward,” Varadkar said.

Having risen through the ranks of Fine Gael since joining its youth branch at 16, Harris has gained extensive experience, serving as a county councilor at 22 and entering parliament at 24.

At the time he was the youngest MP and was nicknamed “Baby of the Dail” (Irish parliament).

Harris assumed the position of health minister at 29 and later became the minister for higher education.

Furthermore, Harris’s active presence on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, has contributed to his prominence as one of Ireland’s most visible politicians.

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The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi has appointed Judith Suminwa as the country’s first female Prime Minister.

The announcement of Suminwa’s appointment came on Monday following weeks of uncertainty following Tshisekedi’s electoral victory in December last year.

Taking over from Jean-Michel Lukonde, Suminwa expressed her acknowledgment of the challenges ahead but affirmed her commitment to “work for peace and the development of the country.”

Prior to her appointment as Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa served as the Minister of State for Planning.

She also held positions such as Deputy Coordinator at the Presidential Strategic Monitoring Council (CPVS), overseeing the execution of the president’s initiatives.

Suminwa’s political career also includes notable roles such as Specialist and Coordinator of the Peace and Democracy Consolidation Pillar at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In this capacity, she focused on project management, governance, budget processes, and change management.

Before her tenure with the UNDP, Suminwa served as a Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Budget, where she led the Change Management Unit and supervised the implementation of budgetary and public administration reforms.

KanyiDaily had also reported how Congolese Minister, Tony Mwaba came under media scrutiny over for impregnating his Deputy Minister, Aminata Namasia.

Funeral arrangements for King Charles III have been unveiled amidst reports of his health struggles, with doctors allegedly giving him “two years to live” due to pancreatic cancer.

According to In Touch magazine, funeral proceedings have been planned for King Charles who has only been Britain’s reigning monarch for 18 months,.

Dubbed “Operation Menai Bridge,” the monarch’s funeral processions will look similar to the protocols observed during Queen Elizabeth II’s ceremonies, famously known as “Operation London Bridge.”

Despite his relatively short reign of 18 months, the urgency surrounding King Charles’ final arrangements is palpable as his battle with pancreatic cancer progresses.

A royal insiders told In Touch magazine that the timely prioritization of the funeral plans reflects the severity of Charles’ health condition.

Sources revealed concerns among courtiers that the monarch’s cancer prognosis may be worse than publicly acknowledged.

“It’s a fairly common thing to do among the British royalty, but in Charles’ case expediency is necessary,” says the source, who notes that “some courtiers believe Charles’ cancer is worse than they’re making it out to be.”

“Operation Menai Bridge” is expected to adhere to customary protocols, with the monarch’s body lying in state at Westminster Hall after being moved from Buckingham Palace’s throne room.

His official funeral is slated to occur nine days following his passing, with interment likely at Windsor Castle’s royal vault.

The ceremony is anticipated to exude the solemnity befitting a British monarch, ensuring a dignified farewell for King Charles III.

A separate high ranking royal insider told In Touch that King Charles is not only battling pancreatic cancer, but has just two years to live.

“King Charles is much sicker than the palace lets on and simply isn’t up to the job of running his fractious family, the crown’s business interests and fulfilling the daily duties of the monarchy,” the member of the royal inner circle revealed in early March.

“His cancer is eating him alive. He’s very frail. The situation is desperate.”

Observers are noticing the monarch’s diminishing public appearances, with Princess Anne assuming more duties on behalf of the royal family.

While Prince William’s absence from royal engagements is attributed to Princess Kate Middleton’s cancer treatment, speculation arises regarding Charles’ apparent reluctance to pass the throne to his heir.

However, additional sources told In Touch that more could be at play between Charles and William outside of the family’s respective health crises, as the king is under the impression William is not ready to take the throne.

“Charles knows the pressures of being the monarch, and he just isn’t sure William is ready to take his place,” the third insider revealed, noting that William is “currently facing a public relations disaster.”

“It seems premature, and there could be consequences.”

Amidst these challenges, Queen Camilla’s frustration with Charles’ health decline and weakened status comes to light, with sources citing her notable absence from royal duties as symbolic of her discontent.

“Behind the scenes, Camilla is disgusted by the king’s apparent weakness and is providing him little comfort as he battles his fatal cancer,” a palace courtier told In Touch in early March, highlighting her vacation from royal duties which started on March 4.

“By going on holiday, she was thumbing her nose at stepson William, who is incapable of shouldering the monarchy’s burdens on his own.”

As uncertainties loom over the monarchy’s future, King Charles III’s health battle highlights the fragility of the British institution and the complex dynamics within the royal family.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing treatment in its “early stages.”