News

Civil Society Campaigners Protest Toxic Stench of Trash Burning

Oct 23 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

We Want Accountability civil society demonstrators gathered by the municipality of al-Jdeideh protesting the outspread burning of garbage that has spread in several areas in Lebanon diffusing a toxic stench, the National News Agency said on Friday.

The campaigners gathered by the municipality of al-Jdeideh in al-Bauchrieh

demanding that the municipalities intervene and put an end to this “phenomenon in light of the health hazards as the result of inhaling the toxic smoke and foul smell.”

MHP leader warns of ‘chaos’ under single-party AKP rule after Nov. 1

Oct 23 2015
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet

Turkey’s nationalist opposition leader has given a stark warning a week before the Nov. 1 snap elections, suggesting the rise of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) to power as a single-party government might lead to “chaos,” as it would encourage President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to impose his aspirations for a presidential system.

“The Nov. 1 elections are more important than the June 7 elections. The results of this election may lead to notable chaos [and] nightmares [for the country],” Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said late on Oct. 22.

Document reveals police were warned of possible ISIL attack before Ankara blasts

Oct 23 2015
Turkey
Source: 
Todays Zaman

A document recently brought to public attention by the FOX TV channel has revealed that in September, the National Police Department warned police stations across the country to take strict security precautions because the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was planning to carry out a large-scale attack in Turkey.

Davutoğlu promises to find spouses for unmarried if AK Party is elected

Oct 23 2015
Turkey
Source: 
Todays Zaman

Acting prime minister and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu signaled his party's intention to establish a matchmaking agency in order to assist those who wish to get married, during an election rally on Thursday.

Davutoğlu's remarks, which sparked wide commentary on Turkish social media, came during a rally in Şanlıurfa, where he called on people to turn to the government if they have difficulty finding a spouse.

Mashnouq on Attending Mustaqbal-Hizbullah Talks: Patience Does Not Mean Surrendering

Oct 22 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq sought to quell claims that he may not attend the next round of dialogue between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah, saying that such a decision would be his alone and not someone else's, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday.

He told the daily: “Patience does not mean surrender.”

“I have waited a whole year to announce a central stance on issues and I hope this is clear,” he said in reference to his recent criticism of Hizbullah.

ECP asserts its authority to examine party funds

Oct 22 2015
Pakistan
Source: 
Dawn

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asserted its unlimited powers to scrutinise funding of the political parties at any time.

In its detailed judgment on admissibility of a petition accusing the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) of receiving foreign funding in violation of the rules and misuse and concealment of the funds so received, the ECP said the Political Parties Order, read with the Political Patties Rules, 2002, was clear and unambiguous.

Rule 4 requires a party to maintain an account indicating sources of funds audited by a chartered accountant.

ECP asks Punjab, Sindh govts to identify sensitive polling stations for LG elections

Oct 22 2015
Pakistan
Source: 
Dawn

Iftikar A. Khan.-

ISLAMABAD: In order to determine where army and Rangers personnel should be deployed, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought reports from governments of Punjab and Sindh about ‘sensitive polling stations’ to be set up for the upcoming local government elections.

“Army and Rangers personnel cannot be deployed at all the polling stations,” ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad told reporters on Tuesday after screening of a video clip prepared for training of presiding officers and other election staff.

Last phase of LG polls in Punjab, Sindh on Dec 5

Oct 22 2015
Pakistan
Source: 
Dawn

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan approved on Wednesday a proposal to change the polling date for the last phase of local government elections in Punjab and Sindh to Dec 5.

An ECP official told Dawn that a notification about the change would be issued soon. In the original schedule, the polling date was Dec 3.

The commission agreed to change the date at the request of Tehreek Nifaz-i-Fiqah Jafria during a meeting between a TNFJ delegation and ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad on Monday.

Challenges women face in local body polls

Oct 22 2015
Pakistan
Source: 
Dawn

Xari Jalil.-

LAHORE: After a hectic day of door-to-door campaigning, Rubina Shaheen finally gets some time to breathe but not for long as local elections are just around the corner.

Rubina is contesting for the chairperson slot on PTI’s ticket for UC 200 which encompasses parts of Gulberg. And though the city is already marked with posters and banners, these are mostly of men. Nowhere around the main roads is there even the printed name of any woman contesting election.

Khalil: World Bank Loans under Threat Because of Parliament Paralysis

Oct 21 2015
Lebanon
Source: 
Naharnet

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil warned that danger is approaching the “structure of the state” as the parliamentary paralysis and failure to stipulate loans of the World Bank has pushed the latter to issue a warning that it would exclude Lebanon from its aid list, As Safir daily reported on Wednesday.

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