Colombians are voting in a runoff election between incumbent President Juan Manuel Santos and his conservative rival Oscar Ivan Zuluaga. The campaign has been dominated by discussions on the ongoing peace talks with the leftist FARC rebel group. President Juan Manuel Santos, who launched the negotiations in November 2012, lost the first round of the… Continue reading Colombia elections 2014: Juan Manuel Santos and Oscar Ivan Zuluaga face runoff poll
Category: Economy & Politics
Economy and Politics news articles.
Afghanistan elections 2014: Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani face second round
Voters in Afghanistan are deciding who will succeed President Hamid Karzai after run-off polls. The choice was between former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani. The head of the election commission said turnout was good and most polling stations had opened but admitted some places had run out of ballot papers.… Continue reading Afghanistan elections 2014: Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani face second round
Eric Cantor to resign as House Majority Leader after losing Virginia primary election
According to Republican officials, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor intends to resign his leadership post by the end of July after losing Virginia primary election Tuesday night in a major upset. Eric Cantor, who became the first House Majority Leader to ever lose a re-election, plans to step down from his leadership position by the… Continue reading Eric Cantor to resign as House Majority Leader after losing Virginia primary election
Who is David Brat?
David Brat is the tea party’s new star after defeating House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the biggest primary upset in recent memory. David Brat, born on July 27 1964, gained a Ph.D. in economics at the American University in Washington, D.C., before going on to work as an economics professor at Randolph-Macon College, a… Continue reading Who is David Brat?
King Felipe VI: Spain’s parliament backs royal succession
The Spanish parliament has backed the abdication of King Juan Carlos and accession of his son Crown Prince Felipe by a large majority. The succession had the backing of both the ruling centre-right Popular Party and the opposition Socialist party despite some Socialist misgivings. Radical leftists in the chamber had demanded a referendum. Madrid and… Continue reading King Felipe VI: Spain’s parliament backs royal succession
Eric Cantor loses Virginia Republican Party primary election to David Brat
Eric Cantor has lost a Virginia Republican Party primary election to David Brat, a challenger from the hard-right Tea Party movement. Little-known economics professor David Brat defeated the second-ranking House of Representatives member 56%-44%. David Brat’s shock victory exposed conservative dissatisfaction with Eric Cantor, who was first elected in 2000. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor… Continue reading Eric Cantor loses Virginia Republican Party primary election to David Brat
Hillary Clinton releases new book Hard Choices
Hillary Clinton is seeking to refine remarks she made about her and former President Bill Clinton being broke when they left the White House while on a high-profile media tour for a new book. In an interview on the day her book Hard Choices was being released, Hillary Clinton told ABC’s Good Morning America that… Continue reading Hillary Clinton releases new book Hard Choices
Harpsund summit: Angela Merkel backs Jean-Claude Juncker for European Commission presidency
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has restated her support for Jean-Claude Juncker to take over as president of the European Commission, at a mini-summit in Sweden. Angela Merkel said that while she was “happy” to say she wanted Jean-Claude Juncker for the top job, it was not “the main topic” of the two-day talks. British PM… Continue reading Harpsund summit: Angela Merkel backs Jean-Claude Juncker for European Commission presidency
Syria elections 2014: Bashar al-Assad wins third term
President Bashar al-Assad has won a third term in office after securing 88.7% of votes in Syria’s presidential election, the parliamentary speaker has announced. Earlier, Syria’s constitutional court put the vote turnout at 73.47%. Voting took place in government-controlled areas, but not in parts of the north and east held by rebels. Tens of thousands… Continue reading Syria elections 2014: Bashar al-Assad wins third term
Venice Mayor Giorgio Orsoni arrested in flood barrier fraud probe
Venice Mayor Giorgio Orsoni is among 35 people arrested in Italy over alleged corruption in connection with new flood barriers built to protect the city. Giorgio Orsoni and dozens of officials and businessmen are being held over claims of bribery during the public tender process of the Moses project. Seventy-eight mobile barriers will be used… Continue reading Venice Mayor Giorgio Orsoni arrested in flood barrier fraud probe
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi wins Egypt’s presidential election with 96.9% of votes
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has been declared the winner of last week’s presidential election in Egypt. The former army chief said he wanted “freedom” and “social justice”, echoing the slogan of the 2011 revolution. Abdul Fattah al-Sisi spoke after election officials announced that he had received 96.9% of the vote and his sole challenger, left-winger Hamdeen… Continue reading Abdul Fattah al-Sisi wins Egypt’s presidential election with 96.9% of votes
Seattle council passes $15 minimum wage
Seattle council has voted unanimously to raise the city’s minimum wage to the highest level of any major US city – $15 per hour, twice the national minimum. Wages would begin to rise next year, ultimately reaching $15 from Washington state’s minimum of $9.32 over three to seven years, depending on the business. A councilor… Continue reading Seattle council passes $15 minimum wage
King Juan Carlos abdication: Spain’s cabinet to discuss accession of Crown Prince Felipe
Spain’s cabinet will discuss today the next steps in the process of King Juan Carlos’s abdication and the accession of his son, Crown Prince Felipe. King Juan Carlos announced on Monday his intention to abdicate after nearly 40 years on the throne. Ministers will discuss the steps needed to approve Crown Prince Felipe’s accession to… Continue reading King Juan Carlos abdication: Spain’s cabinet to discuss accession of Crown Prince Felipe
Syria elections 2014: Presidential poll takes place amid heightened security
Syrians are voting in the country’s presidential elections amid heightened security. The poll takes place three years into a civil war in which tens of thousands of people have died and millions more are displaced. President Bashar al-Assad is widely expected to win a third seven-year term in office. However, critics of the Syrian government… Continue reading Syria elections 2014: Presidential poll takes place amid heightened security
Dow Jones and S&P 500 close at record levels
US shares closed at record levels, helped by strong data on the manufacturing sector. The Dow Jones rose 26 points to close at 16,743, its second consecutive record close. The broader S&P 500 added just a point, but that was enough to secure its third consecutive record session. US factories remained busy in May, according… Continue reading Dow Jones and S&P 500 close at record levels
Salvador Sanchez Ceren sworn in as El Salvador’s president
Former El Salvador’s left-wing rebel leader Salvador Sanchez Ceren has been sworn in as the country’s president. Salvador Sanchez Ceren, 69, of the FMLN party, becomes the first former guerrilla to lead the Central American country following his March victory. In his inauguration speech, he promised to fight corruption and violence, and to govern “for… Continue reading Salvador Sanchez Ceren sworn in as El Salvador’s president
Malawi elections 2014: Peter Mutharika sworn in as president as Joyce Banda admits defeat
The leader of Malawi’s Democratic Progressive Party, Peter Mutharika, has been sworn in as the country’s president after the High Court rejected a request for a recount following allegations of vote-rigging. He urged the 11 other presidential candidates to “join me in rebuilding the country”. Outgoing President Joyce Banda had alleged ballot fraud but has… Continue reading Malawi elections 2014: Peter Mutharika sworn in as president as Joyce Banda admits defeat
Thai coup 2014: Elections will not be held for more than a year
Thailand’s military coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has said elections will not be held for more than a year, to allow time for political reconciliation and reform. In a televised address, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha called on all sides to co-operate and stop protesting. He repeated warnings against any resistance to the military. The Thai army… Continue reading Thai coup 2014: Elections will not be held for more than a year
US economy shifts into reverse in 2014 Q1
The US economy contracted in 2014 Q1 to an annualized rate of 1%, official estimates have shown. It is the worst economic performance since 2011 Q1. It is also a big fall on the 2.6% rise in economic output in 2013 Q4. The US Commerce Department’s first reading of gross domestic product (GDP) showed the… Continue reading US economy shifts into reverse in 2014 Q1
Egypt elections 2014: Abdul Fattah al-Sisi wins presidential poll with 93% of votes
Egypt’s former military chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has won an overwhelming victory in the country’s presidential election, according to partial results. Abdul Fattah al-Sisi gained over 93% of the vote with ballots from most polling stations counted, state media say. Turnout is expected to be about 46% despite a massive push to get more people… Continue reading Egypt elections 2014: Abdul Fattah al-Sisi wins presidential poll with 93% of votes
Thai coup: General Prayuth Chan-ocha gets royal endorsement at Bangkok ceremony
Thai coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has received royal endorsement at a ceremony in the capital, Bangkok, after taking power in a coup last week. Prayuth Chan-ocha was formally appointed to run the nation at the army headquarters. The 86-year-old monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, did not attend the ceremony. The military seized power in the… Continue reading Thai coup: General Prayuth Chan-ocha gets royal endorsement at Bangkok ceremony
Egypt elections 2014: Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s victory predicted
Egypt is voting in new presidential election, for the second time in two years. A huge security operation has been mounted for the polls to elect a successor to Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected leader who was ousted by the army last year. Analysts predict an easy victory for Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, the former… Continue reading Egypt elections 2014: Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s victory predicted
EU elections 2014: France’s National Front heading for victory
France’s National Front has come first in the country’s elections to the European Parliament according to exit polls in what PM Manuel Valls has declared a “political earthquake”. Eurosceptic parties also made big gains in other European countries – also coming first in Denmark. The centre-right EPP looked set to be the biggest bloc in… Continue reading EU elections 2014: France’s National Front heading for victory
Ukraine elections 2014: Petro Poroshenko claims victory with more than 55% of votes
Petro Poroshenko has claimed outright victory in Ukraine’s presidential election. Billionaire Petro Poroshenko, known as the “chocolate king”, won more than 55% of the vote in the first round, exit polls suggest. Announcing he had won, the 48-year-old businessman promised to forge closer links with the EU and restore peace in restive eastern regions. Pro-Russian… Continue reading Ukraine elections 2014: Petro Poroshenko claims victory with more than 55% of votes
Wojciech Jaruzelski dies aged 90
General Wojciech Jaruzelski, Poland’s last Communist leader, has died aged at the age of 90 after a long illness, Polish media say. Wojciech Jaruzelski led Poland from 1981, when he declared martial law and ordered the arrest of the pro-democracy Solidarity leader Lech Walesa. He lifted martial law two years later and after growing unrest… Continue reading Wojciech Jaruzelski dies aged 90