The Nigerian government has decided to shut schools and government offices across the capital Abuja, while a World Economic Forum conference takes place next week. A big security operation is being promised to protect more than 1,000 delegates at the three-day meeting, after two deadly bomb attacks in Abuja. An explosion late on Thursday killed… Continue reading World Economic Forum 2014: Nigeria to close Abuja schools and government offices
Category: Economy & Politics
Economy and Politics news articles.
Thailand elections 2014: Opposition calls for 6-month delay
Thailand’s opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has called for elections scheduled for July to be pushed back by up to six months. In a 10-point package of proposals, Abhisit Vejjajiva said PM Yingluck Shinawatra and her government should resign, allowing an interim cabinet to oversee a referendum on reforms. Yingluck Shinawatra has not responded to the… Continue reading Thailand elections 2014: Opposition calls for 6-month delay
US economy adds 288,000 jobs in April 2014
According to the latest figures from the Labor Department, the US economy created 288,000 jobs in April, the strongest monthly job creation since January 2012. The largest jobs gain came in professional and business services, which added 75,000 jobs during the month. The unemployment rate fell to 6.3%, according to the Labor Department. However, economists… Continue reading US economy adds 288,000 jobs in April 2014
Ukraine $17 billion bailout approved by IMF board
The IMF has approved a $17.1 billion bailout for Ukraine to help the country’s beleaguered economy. The loan comes amid heightened military and political tension between Ukraine and neighboring Russia. The loan is dependent on strict economic reforms, including raising taxes and energy prices. The money will be released over two years, with the first… Continue reading Ukraine $17 billion bailout approved by IMF board
Rob Ford to take leave of absence to seek help for substance abuse
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will take a leave of absence to seek help for substance abuse, his lawyer Dennis Morris announces. Dennis Morris said his client acknowledged he had an abuse problem and wanted to do something about it. Rob Ford, who is seeking re-election in October, has been stripped of many of his powers… Continue reading Rob Ford to take leave of absence to seek help for substance abuse
US economic growth slows to 0.1% in 2014 Q1
US economic growth slowed sharply in 2014 Q1, growing at an annual rate of 0.1%. The rate is the slowest for a year and a large fall on the 2.6% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) in the final quarter of last year. An unusually cold and disruptive winter, coupled with tumbling exports, contributed to… Continue reading US economic growth slows to 0.1% in 2014 Q1
India elections 2014: Narendra Modi accused of election code violation
Narendra Modi has been accused by India’s Election Commission of violating the election code. India’s main opposition BJP’s prime ministerial candidate violated poll laws by flashing his party’s symbol and making a political speech while voting was going on in the seventh phase of the election, it said. Narendra Modi addressed journalists and supporters after… Continue reading India elections 2014: Narendra Modi accused of election code violation
Iraq elections 2014: Heavy security at first poll since US troops withdrawal
Iraq is voting in the first parliamentary elections since the withdrawal of US troops three years ago. Polling began at 07:00 local time and closes at 18:00. PM Nouri al-Maliki is hoping to win a third term in office amid a growing insurgency in the west of the country. Iraq is experiencing its worst unrest… Continue reading Iraq elections 2014: Heavy security at first poll since US troops withdrawal
Kenya legalizes polygamy
President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law a bill legalizing polygamy in Kenya. The new bill brings civil law, where a man was only allowed one wife, into line with customary law, where some cultures allow multiple partners. Controversy surrounded an amendment to the bill, supported by many male lawmakers, allowing men to take more… Continue reading Kenya legalizes polygamy
Zimbabwe: Morgan Tsvangirai kicked out of his MDC party
Zimbabwe’s opposition party – Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) – says it is suspending its leader Morgan Tsvangirai, amid deepening divisions in its ranks. A statement issued by the party after a meeting in Harare accused Morgan Tsvangirai of a “remarkable failure of leadership”. It also said Morgan Tsvangirai had deviated from the party’s democratic… Continue reading Zimbabwe: Morgan Tsvangirai kicked out of his MDC party
Afghanistan elections 2014: Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani to face run-off vote
Afghanistan presidential election preliminary results show the poll will go to a second round, after no candidate reached the 50% needed for an outright win. Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah won most votes with 44.9%. Former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani came second with 31.5%. They are now expected to face a run-off vote on… Continue reading Afghanistan elections 2014: Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani to face run-off vote
India elections 2014: Narendra Modi to submit nomination papers in Varanasi
Bharatiya Janata Party’s leader Narendra Modi, the man with the biggest chances of winning India’s elections, is to submit his election nomination papers as Indians vote in the sixth phase of their poll. Narendra Modi arrived in the holy city of Varanasi as supporters from BJP poured onto the streets. Varanasi will be the scene… Continue reading India elections 2014: Narendra Modi to submit nomination papers in Varanasi
Julius Malema campaign ad banned by SABC
SABC, South Africa’s public broadcaster, refused to broadcast a campaign ad from the Economic Freedom Front (EFF) as it incited violence. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) denied that the advert was banned because it came from the EFF. EFF’s election ad calls for people to “destroy e-Tolls”, a controversial new road tolling system. The… Continue reading Julius Malema campaign ad banned by SABC
Syria announces presidential election for June 3
The Syrian plan to hold a presidential election on June 3 has been dismissed by the US as a “parody of democracy”. UN chief Ban Ki-moon also condemned the plan, saying it could torpedo efforts to broker a deal to end the three-year civil war, which has killed 150,000. Syrian government forces have made gains… Continue reading Syria announces presidential election for June 3
Rob Ford kicks-off re-election campaign at Toronto Congress Centre
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is set to kick off his re-election campaign at an event his brother and campaign aide has called “history in the making”. Rob Ford is expected to deliver a 20-minute speech at the Toronto Congress Centre, where he celebrated his mayoral win in 2010. He has been stripped of many of… Continue reading Rob Ford kicks-off re-election campaign at Toronto Congress Centre
India elections 2014: Voting starts in biggest phase of polling
India is voting in the biggest day of the general election pitting the ruling Congress party against the main opposition BJP. Polling takes place in 121 seats in 12 states, including the key states of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and West Bengal. The nine-phase vote began on April 7 and will conclude on… Continue reading India elections 2014: Voting starts in biggest phase of polling
China’s economy expanded by 7.4% in 2014 Q1
China’s economy grew by 7.4% in 2014 Q1, better than what many were expecting. However, it is a slowdown from 7.7% growth in the final quarter of last year. Other data released with the gross domestic product (GDP) figure showed industrial output rising 8.8% in March from one year ago. Retail sales for the month… Continue reading China’s economy expanded by 7.4% in 2014 Q1
Silvio Berlusconi ordered to do community service for tax fraud conviction
Italy’s ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi should serve a one-year sentence for tax fraud doing community service, a Milan court has ruled. Silvio Berlusconi, 77, was convicted of tax fraud in connection with TV rights purchased by his firm Mediaset. The alternative to community service had been house arrest. It is not yet clear what form his… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi ordered to do community service for tax fraud conviction
Afghanistan elections 2014: Abdullah Abdullah ahead in poll count
Afghanistan’s former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah is slightly ahead of Ashraf Ghani in the country’s presidential election, partial results have shown. With about 500,000 votes in 26 provinces counted, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has 41.9% with Ashraf Ghani on 37.6%. Some seven million votes were cast in total across Afghanistan’s 34 provinces in the April 5… Continue reading Afghanistan elections 2014: Abdullah Abdullah ahead in poll count
US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew urges countries to contribute to Ukraine’s economic rescue
In a statement to the International Monetary Fund, US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has urged other countries to contribute more to the economic rescue of Ukraine. Jacob Lew told the IMF that Ukraine’s “sizeable financing needs” meant other nations must add to its $1 billion (720 million euros) loan guarantee. The appeal came as Ukraine’s… Continue reading US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew urges countries to contribute to Ukraine’s economic rescue
ObamaCare row: Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius resigns following healthcare rollout
Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is resigning amid problematic launch of President Barack Obama’s healthcare law, US media report. The ObamaCare – regarded by the president’s supporters as one of his main domestic achievements – has been marked by early technical problems and delays. Kathleen Sebelius has been health secretary since Barack Obama took office in… Continue reading ObamaCare row: Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius resigns following healthcare rollout
Narendra Modi’s wife: BJP leader admits for first time he is married to Jashodaben Chiman Modi
Controversial prime ministerial candidate of India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Narendra Modi has for the first time publicly admitted that he is married. Narendra Modi, 63, made the declaration when he filed election nomination papers. He married Jashodaben when he was 17 but the couple have lived apart. Narendra Modi has always avoided… Continue reading Narendra Modi’s wife: BJP leader admits for first time he is married to Jashodaben Chiman Modi
China’s exports and imports decline in March 2014
The Chinese exports and imports fell sharply in March 2014, adding to recent indicators pointing to a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy. China’s exports fell by 6.6% in March when compared with the previous year. Imports dropped by 11.3% in the same month, when compared with the same time last year. This is the… Continue reading China’s exports and imports decline in March 2014
India elections 2014: Second phase of Lok Sabha polling under way in North Eastern
Indians are voting on the first big day of the general election pitting the ruling Congress party against the main opposition BJP. Polling is being held in 91 seats in 14 states, including in the capital Delhi and the key states of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Orissa. The nine-phase vote began on Monday, April… Continue reading India elections 2014: Second phase of Lok Sabha polling under way in North Eastern
Philippine Supreme Court backs birth control law defying Catholic Church
Philippine top court has approved a birth control law, in a defeat for the Catholic Church. The law requires government health centers to distribute free contraceptive products. The Supreme Court had deferred implementation after the law’s passage in December 2012 after church groups questioned its constitutionality. Supporters of the law cheered as the court found… Continue reading Philippine Supreme Court backs birth control law defying Catholic Church