Former Ukraine’s PM Yulia Tymoshenko has announced she is planning to run for presidency in May elections. Yulia Tymoshenko was released from prison in February following the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, after three years in jail. She has already served twice as prime minister and ran for president in 2010. Yulia Tymoshenko was a… Continue reading Yulia Tymoshenko to run for Ukraine’s presidency
Category: Economy & Politics
Economy and Politics news articles.
Ukraine to raise gas prices for domestic consumers by 50%
Ukraine’s interim government has decided to raise gas prices for domestic consumers by 50% in an effort to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid package. An official at Ukraine’s Naftogaz state energy company said the price rise would take effect on May 1st, and further rises would be scheduled until 2018. Ukrainians are accustomed… Continue reading Ukraine to raise gas prices for domestic consumers by 50%
Venezuela revokes Maria Corina Machado’s Congress mandate
Venezuela has stripped leading opposition congresswoman Maria Corina Machado of her mandate after she spoke before the Organization of American States (OAS) last week. Maria Corina Machado had been invited by Panama to give her account of the recent wave of unrest in Venezuela. But Venezuela’s authorities say Maria Corina Machado “acted as a Panamanian… Continue reading Venezuela revokes Maria Corina Machado’s Congress mandate
France local elections 2014: Marine Le Pen’s National Front makes significant gains
French far-right National Front party has made significant gains in local elections, winning an outright majority in Henin-Beaumont on the first round. The National Front is in first place in some other towns it is targeting, according to projections. President Francois Hollande’s Socialists have lost ground overall and may lose control of some major towns.… Continue reading France local elections 2014: Marine Le Pen’s National Front makes significant gains
Taiwan: Hundreds of students occupy government headquarters over China trade deal
Hundreds of Taiwanese students have occupied government headquarters to protest at a trade deal with China. Police used water cannon and dragged out students one by one, clearing the building by dawn on Monday. Close to 60 people were arrested and more than 100 hurt, reports said. The protesters say the agreement with China would… Continue reading Taiwan: Hundreds of students occupy government headquarters over China trade deal
Adolfo Suarez: Former Spanish prime minister dies from respiratory infection at 81
Former Spanish Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez, has died at 81. Adolfo Suarez guided Spain through the turbulent years following the death of fascist dictator Francisco Franco. The former prime minister was taken to hospital on Monday suffering from a respiratory infection. King Juan Carlos turned to Adolfo Suarez upon General Francisco Franco’s death in 1975… Continue reading Adolfo Suarez: Former Spanish prime minister dies from respiratory infection at 81
Thailand elections results: February 2 vote unconstitutional
Thailand’s February 2 general election has been declared invalid by the country’s Constitutional Court. The snap poll was called by PM Yingluck Shinawatra amid major anti-government protests in Bangkok. The ruling party was expected to win, but the opposition boycotted it and protesters disrupted voting, meaning the election has not been completed. The vote was… Continue reading Thailand elections results: February 2 vote unconstitutional
Taiwan’s parliament occupied by protesters
Taiwan’s parliament has been occupied by hundreds of students and activists protesting against a trade deal with China and defying police efforts to evict them. The protesters, who burst into the chamber late on Tuesday, say the agreement with China would hurt Taiwan’s economy and leave it vulnerable to pressure from Beijing. The deal was… Continue reading Taiwan’s parliament occupied by protesters
Silvio Berlusconi public office ban upheld by Italy’s highest court
Italy’s Court of Cassation has confirmed a two-year ban from public office imposed on Silvio Berlusconi after he was found guilty of tax fraud. The ban means former PM Berlusconi will be unable to stand in elections for the European Parliament in May. After last year’s verdict, he was also stripped of his senate seat… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi public office ban upheld by Italy’s highest court
El Salvador presidential elections 2014: Salvador Sanchez Ceren’s victory confirmed
Left-wing rebel Salvador Sanchez Ceren’s victory in a tight presidential run-off election has been confirmed by El Salvador’s electoral court. The electoral court said Salvador Sanchez Ceren won 50.11% of the votes in the March 9 poll, defeating conservative candidate Norman Quijano, who polled 49.89%. Norman Quijano had challenged the result, alleging fraud. The court’s… Continue reading El Salvador presidential elections 2014: Salvador Sanchez Ceren’s victory confirmed
Venice referendum on splitting from Italy
Venice and the surrounding region are voting on whether to break away from Italy. Recent opinion polls suggest that two thirds of the 4 million electorate favor splitting from Rome, but the vote will not be legally binding. The poll was organized by local activists and parties, who want a future state called Republic of… Continue reading Venice referendum on splitting from Italy
Slovakia presidential election 2014: Robert Fico and Andrej Kiska go to second round
Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico and independent challenger Andrej Kiska will run for a second round of the country’s presidential elections. In Saturday’s first round, Robert Fico polled 28.2% with Andrej Kiska on 24% on a turnout of 43.4%. Independent conservative Radoslav Prochazka was third with 20.8%. As no candidate gained 50% of the votes, a… Continue reading Slovakia presidential election 2014: Robert Fico and Andrej Kiska go to second round
Slovakia presidential election 2014: PM Robert Fico challenged by independent Andrej Kiska
Slovakia votes in a presidential election that pits current PM Robert Fico against independent challenger Andrej Kiska. PM Robert Fico is seen as the frontrunner, ahead of businessman-turned-philanthropist Andrej Kiska. Opinion polls predict a two-candidate run-off vote will follow as no one is expected to win an outright majority. Robert Fico’s leftist Smer party won… Continue reading Slovakia presidential election 2014: PM Robert Fico challenged by independent Andrej Kiska
Sarkoleaks scandal: Atlantico website ordered to remove Nicolas Sarkozy tapes
French news website Atlantico has been ordered by a Paris court to remove the recordings of secretly taped conversations of Nicolas Sarkozy during his time as president. Judges also sentenced Nicolas Sarkozy’s former aide, Patrick Buisson, to pay damages for making the recordings, some of which involved the former president’s wife Carla Bruni. Nicolas Sarkozy… Continue reading Sarkoleaks scandal: Atlantico website ordered to remove Nicolas Sarkozy tapes
Salvador Sanchez Ceren becomes first ex-rebel to serve as El Salvador president
Salvador Sanchez Ceren – a former El Salvador left-wing rebel – has won a tight presidential run-off election, the country’s electoral tribunal has announced. However, Salvador Sanchez Ceren’s rival has the right to appeal and officials say a final declaration cannot yet be made. Conservative candidate Norman Quijano had earlier called for a new poll… Continue reading Salvador Sanchez Ceren becomes first ex-rebel to serve as El Salvador president
Dianne Feinstein: CIA searched Senate computers
Head of the US Senate intelligence committee Dianne Feinstein has publicly accused the CIA of improperly accessing computers used by congressional staff. Senator Dianne Feinstein said on the Senate floor that such activities “may have undermined the constitutional framework” of government oversight. The Senate panel was investigating allegations of abuse during a CIA detention and… Continue reading Dianne Feinstein: CIA searched Senate computers
Cyprus central bank governor Panicos Demetriades resigns
Panicos Demetriades – the governor of Cyprus central bank – has resigned after reportedly experienced difficulties with the government and had been criticized for his handling of the country’s 10 billion-euro bailout. There was no official statement on Monday about why Panicos Demetriades had stepped down. Panicos Demetriades’ departure comes after Cyprus’ bailout was thrown… Continue reading Cyprus central bank governor Panicos Demetriades resigns
North Korea elections 2014: Kim Jong-un elected to rubber-stamp parliament with unanimous vote
Kim Jong-un has been elected to North Korea’s rubber-stamp parliament with a unanimous vote from his district, state media say. Kim Jong-un’s 100% approval from his Mount Paektu constituency reflects the “absolute support” of people in the country, KCNA news agency says. The elections for the Supreme People’s Assembly on Sunday had just one name… Continue reading North Korea elections 2014: Kim Jong-un elected to rubber-stamp parliament with unanimous vote
Venezuela: Thousands of students and opposition supporters join anti-Maduro rally
Students and opposition supporters have joined an anti-Nicolas Maduro rally in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. The government deployed hundreds of government security forces to prevent a crowd banging pots and pans from marching towards the food ministry. There were similar marches in at least five other Venezuelan cities. In eastern Caracas, police fired tear gas against… Continue reading Venezuela: Thousands of students and opposition supporters join anti-Maduro rally
North Korea elections 2014: People vote for rubber-stamp parliament
North Korea is voting in a five-yearly election to approve members of the rubber-stamp parliament, the Supreme People’s Assembly. Each of the 687 districts has only one candidate running for office, with electors required to write only “yes” or “no” on the ballot paper. Campaign posters across the capital, Pyongyang, have urged a “yes” vote.… Continue reading North Korea elections 2014: People vote for rubber-stamp parliament
US economy creates 175,000 new jobs in February 2014
According to US Labor Department figures, the US economy added 175,000 new jobs in February, but the unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.7%. The jobs figures were better than many had been expecting and marked a rebound from two weak months. It had been thought the figures would be affected by recent harsh weather, which… Continue reading US economy creates 175,000 new jobs in February 2014
India general elections 2014: Lok Sabha polls take place in nine phases in April and May
India’s Election Commission has announced the country’s general election will take place in nine phases in April and May. Polling to elect a new Lok Sabha, or lower house, will be held from April 7 to May 12. Votes will be counted on May 16. With some 814 million eligible voters, India’s election will be… Continue reading India general elections 2014: Lok Sabha polls take place in nine phases in April and May
China announces 7.5% growth target and increased defense budget
At the opening of its annual parliament session, China has announced a growth target of 7.5% and plans to raise its defense budget by 12.2%. China’s PM Li Keqiang said that economic development was the central task of the government, but “painful structural adjustments” were needed. Japan voiced concern at the defense move, citing a… Continue reading China announces 7.5% growth target and increased defense budget
Singapore becomes world’s most expensive city to live in 2014
Singapore is the world’s most expensive city to live in 2014, according to an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey. The city has topped 131 cities globally on the EIU list. Singapore’s strong currency combined with the high cost of running a car and soaring utility bills contributed to its topping the list. The city is… Continue reading Singapore becomes world’s most expensive city to live in 2014
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to run for Egypt’s presidency
Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has indicated he will run for Egypt’s presidency. Abdul Fattah al-Sisi was quoted by the state news agency Mena as revealing that “official procedures” regarding his candidacy were expected in the coming days. It is the clearest indication yet that Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will stand in the election which is… Continue reading Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to run for Egypt’s presidency