The Thai polling has now ended in a general election boycotted by the opposition and blighted by protests. Anti-government activists forced some polling stations in Bangkok and the south to close but a large majority elsewhere were said to be peaceful. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called the vote to head off weeks of mass protests… Continue reading Thailand elections 2014: Yingluck Shinawatra’s party expected to win after opposition boycott
Category: Economy & Politics
Economy and Politics news articles.
Chris Christie knew about George Washington Bridge traffic jam
A lawyer for Chris Christie’s former ally David Wildstein said the New Jersey governor knew about the closures of local lanes leading to George Washington Bridge to New York City while they were happening. David Wildstein said he had evidence to show Chris Christie knew about the lane closures, which caused a huge traffic jam… Continue reading Chris Christie knew about George Washington Bridge traffic jam
Thailand elections 2014: Violent clashes in Bangkok ahead of Sunday’s poll
Violent clashes involving anti-government protesters have erupted ahead of Sunday’s elections in Thai capital, Bangkok. According to local media, several people have been injured by gunfire. The violence erupted during a stand-off between supporters and opponents of PM Yingluck Shinawatra. The shots were fired as demonstrators blockaded a building where ballot papers are being stored,… Continue reading Thailand elections 2014: Violent clashes in Bangkok ahead of Sunday’s poll
Barack Obama tours local businesses for minimum wage rise
President Barack Obama is taking his campaign for a minimum wage rise to the streets, visiting local businesses after his State of the Union address. Barack Obama travelled to a Maryland Costco store and a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, steel plant. The visits promote a proposed national minimum wage increase to $10.10 per hour over the current… Continue reading Barack Obama tours local businesses for minimum wage rise
State of the Union 2014: Barack Obama promises to bypass Congress to tackle economic inequality
In his annual State of the Union address, President Barack Obama has promised to bypass a fractured Congress to tackle economic inequality. Barack Obama pledged to “take steps without legislation” wherever possible, announcing a rise in the minimum wage for new federal contract staff. On Iran, the president said he would veto any new sanctions… Continue reading State of the Union 2014: Barack Obama promises to bypass Congress to tackle economic inequality
Ukraine’s parliament debates protest amnesty
Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraine’s first post-independence president, has warned the country is on the “brink of civil War” as parliament debates an amnesty for protesters. Leonid Kravchuk, president from 1991 to 1994, opened the debate in parliament by urging everyone involved to “act with the greatest responsibility”. President Viktor Yanukovych wants any amnesty conditional on demonstrators… Continue reading Ukraine’s parliament debates protest amnesty
State of the Union 2014: Barack Obama to unveil minimum-wage raise
President Barack Obama will unveil a minimum-wage raise as he delivers his annual State of the Union address later. The president is expected to bypass a fractured Congress to act on income inequality. The White House said Barack Obama would unveil an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for new… Continue reading State of the Union 2014: Barack Obama to unveil minimum-wage raise
Ukraine: PM Mykola Azarov offers his resignation
Ukraine’s PM Mykola Azarov has offered his resignation. In a statement, Mykola Azarov said the move was designed to create “social and political compromise”. In his resignation statement, PM Mykola Azarov said: “To create additional opportunities for social and political compromise and for a peaceful solution to the conflict, I made a personal decision to… Continue reading Ukraine: PM Mykola Azarov offers his resignation
Trey Radel to resign from Congress
Florida Republican congressman Trey Radel who was convicted on cocaine possession charges, will resign from Congress on Monday. Trey Radel’s future in Congress had been in question following his guilty plea to misdemeanor cocaine possession after being arrested in Washington, D.C. in November, and a subsequent leave of absence from his official duties to attend… Continue reading Trey Radel to resign from Congress
Viktor Yanukovych offers PM position to opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk
President Viktor Yanukovych has offered the position of Ukraine’s prime minister to one of the opposition leaders, Arseniy Yatsenyuk. The offer came after talks on Saturday with opposition leaders in a new effort to end the worsening unrest that has spread across Ukraine. Earlier, protesters in Kiev tried to occupy the energy ministry. The protests… Continue reading Viktor Yanukovych offers PM position to opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk
Venezuela tightens foreign currency controls
Venezuela’s government has announced measures to address the country’s foreign currency crisis and boost the economy. Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez says Venezuelans travelling abroad will no longer be allowed to obtain foreign exchange at the official rate of 6.3 bolivars per US dollar. They will have to pay a higher rate, determined by weekly currency… Continue reading Venezuela tightens foreign currency controls
European Commission halts talks on EU-US free trade deal
The European Commission has decided to suspend talks on EU-US free trade deal amid concern that hard-won social protections in Europe might be undermined. The trade negotiations began in 2013 but now the Commission has launched a three-month public consultation on the proposed investment rules for firms. The aim is to close legal loopholes. Consumer… Continue reading European Commission halts talks on EU-US free trade deal
China economic growth at slowest pace since 1999
China’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 7.7% in 2013 from a year ago, the slowest pace of growth since 1999, official figures show. Chinese economy is the world’s second largest. The growth rate was higher than the government’s target of 7.5% and the same as in 2012. The data highlights the challenge policymakers face in… Continue reading China economic growth at slowest pace since 1999
Silvio Berlusconi returns to political stage after deal with center-left rival
Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has decided to return to the centre of the political stage, striking a reform deal with a centre-left rival. Silvio Berlusconi, 77, was thrown out of parliament in 2013 after a tax fraud conviction. The former prime minister still heads the opposition Forza Italia party and held lengthy talks with… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi returns to political stage after deal with center-left rival
Egypt referendum results: 98% of voters backed new constitution
The results of a two-day referendum showed that the proposed new Egyptian constitution has been backed by 98.1% of people, officials say. Turnout was 38.6% of the 53 million eligible voters, the election committee said. The draft constitution replaces one introduced by Islamist President Mohamed Morsi before he was ousted. The referendum is being seen… Continue reading Egypt referendum results: 98% of voters backed new constitution
Egypt votes on new constitution
Egypt has begun voting in a two-day referendum on a new constitution, which could pave the way for fresh elections. The new charter aims to replace the constitution passed under Islamist President Mohamed Morsi months before he was ousted by the army. The military wants a strong “Yes” vote to endorse Mohamed Morsi’s removal. Mohamed… Continue reading Egypt votes on new constitution
Valerie Trierweiler remains in hospital after shock of Francois Hollande affair
Francois Hollande’s official partner, Valerie Trierweiler, is to remain in hospital, where she has been since Closer magazine accused the French president of having an affair with actress Julie Gayet. Valerie Trierweiler had been expected to leave hospital on Monday, but her aides said doctors had told her she needed more rest. France’s first lady… Continue reading Valerie Trierweiler remains in hospital after shock of Francois Hollande affair
Francois Hollande and Julie Gayet: President under pressure to clarify relationship
President Francois Hollande is coming under pressure in France to clarify his personal situation, after Closer magazine reported on his alleged secret affair with actress Julie Gayet. Francois Hollande is making a key policy announcement on Tuesday amid fears it may be overshadowed by the allegations. One French paper said the report was “catastrophic” in… Continue reading Francois Hollande and Julie Gayet: President under pressure to clarify relationship
Ariel Sharon dies after 8 years in coma
Former Israel’s PM Ariel Sharon has died at the age 85 after spending 8 years in a coma following a stroke. Ariel Sharon was a giant of the Israeli military and political scene, but courted controversy throughout his long career. The head of the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv said Ariel Sharon had died… Continue reading Ariel Sharon dies after 8 years in coma
Chris Christie sued by New Jersey residents over bridge scandal
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is being sued by six residents over claims his office created gridlock on to the George Washington Bridge as part of a political vendetta. The traffic mayhem was allegedly instigated in revenge against a mayor who declined to endorse Chris Christie. Lawyer Rosemarie Arnold, who filed the lawsuit, said her… Continue reading Chris Christie sued by New Jersey residents over bridge scandal
US unemployment rate falls to five-year low of 6.7% in December 2013
The US jobless rate fell to a five-year low of 6.7% in December as companies created 74,000 new jobs, latest figures show. However, the number of jobs created was the lowest for three years and was well under half the number expected by analysts. The US had bad weather in December, which may have stalled… Continue reading US unemployment rate falls to five-year low of 6.7% in December 2013
Central Africa Republic’s interim President Michel Djotodia resigns
Central Africa Republic’s interim President Michel Djotodia has resigned. Michel Djotodia made the announcement at a regional summit in Chad aimed at ending violence that has engulfed the country. CAR’s entire transitional assembly is attending the meeting in Chad organised by regional leaders. Michel Djotodia, CAR’s first Muslim leader, had been resisting pressure to go.… Continue reading Central Africa Republic’s interim President Michel Djotodia resigns
Chris Christie speaks on George Washington Bridge gridlock scandal
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has decided to fire his top aide Bridget Anne Kelly, who allegedly orchestrated traffic mayhem to pursue a petty political vendetta. Chris Christie, who is seen as a potential Republican White House candidate, apologized for the scandal, which he said “embarrassed and humiliated” him. The gridlock was allegedly engineered to… Continue reading Chris Christie speaks on George Washington Bridge gridlock scandal
US trade deficit narrows to its lowest level in four years in November 2013
According to new figures, the US trade deficit narrowed to its lowest level in four years in November 2013, as rising sales of oil pushed exports to a record high. The trade gap dropped by 12.9% to $34.3 billion in November, the smallest monthly deficit since October 2009, the US Commerce Department said. Imports fell… Continue reading US trade deficit narrows to its lowest level in four years in November 2013
Bangladesh elections 2014: Awami League wins boycotted poll
Bangladeshi ruling party Awami League has won a violent general election whose outcome was never in doubt, after a boycott by the main opposition party. Fewer than half the 300 parliamentary seats were contested – reports say the Awami League has a two-thirds majority. At least 18 people died during Sunday’s vote and dozens more… Continue reading Bangladesh elections 2014: Awami League wins boycotted poll