News
Iraq election candidates killed before local vote
Two Iraqi Sunni Muslim candidates were killed less than a week before local elections that will be a test of the country's political stability after U.S. troops left more than a year ago.
The election on Saturday to select provincial council members will measure Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's political muscle against Shi'ite and Sunni rivals before the parliamentary election in 2014.
Egypt Judge recuses himself in Mubarak retrial case
The judge in the retrial of the former president on charges of failing to protect demonstrators during the January 2011 revolution sends case to a different court.
KPU mulls amending rule on campaign ad
The General Elections Commission (KPU) is considering amending its 2013 regulation that requires all media outlets to provide equal coverage of every legislative candidate.
Some organizations and politicians have said the regulation would shackle press freedom.
According to Article 46 (1), any media outlets that do not provide equal portion of duration or space to each legislative hopeful will receive sanctions ranging from written warnings to publication or broadcasting bans.
Debate shifts to semi-presidential system
Ex-nuclear negotiator Rohani announces presidential candidacy
Hassan Rohani, director of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council, announced on Thursday that he will run in the presidential election set for June 14.
Rohani said that if he wins the vote, he will introduce a plan to “save” the national economy, revive morality, and establish constructive interaction with the world.
Iran’s former nuclear negotiator also said that he will form a “government of wisdom and hope” if he is elected president.
The Constituent Assembly will be elected and the political isolation law is constitutional, rules Congress
The General National Congress last night confirmed that the assembly that will draft Libya’s new Constitution shall be elected, as opposed to nominated, ending a long drawn-out debate that had kept Congress members from agreeing on other critical issues.
Karadzic Was Innocent, Dodik Tells Hague Tribunal
Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik told the Hague trial of his predecessor Radovan Karadzic that there was no criminal plot to expel Muslims and create a mono-ethnic state.
Somalia acknowledges rape by soldiers
President says rapists "should be fought ... just like al-Shabab" rebels amid concern over conduct of security forces.
My presidential plans are within framework of Islamic system: Shariatmadari
Presidential candidate Mohammad Shariatmadari has said that candidates should not draw up “revolutionary” plans for their term in office, emphasizing that his plans are within the frameworks of the Islamic system. In an interview with the Mehr News Agency published on Monday, Shariatmadari talked about his presidential plans and also elaborated on his views on other candidates. |
Salam begins Cabinet formation consultations
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam embarked Tuesday on the difficult mission of forming a new government whose primary task would be to supervise the upcoming elections.
As part of a two-day nonbinding parliamentary consultations, Salam held a series of meetings with former prime ministers and parliamentary blocs who informed him of their vision for the next Cabinet.
GNC agrees uncompromising law on torture, kidnapping and discrimination
The GNC today passed tough legislation against torture, kidnapping and discrimination, with a final article mentioning specifically holders of public office, bureaucrats and members of the security forces.
Article One of the new law, which deals with kidnapping, provides for sentences of not less than seven years for anyone found guilty of detaining, imprisoning or depriving a person of their liberty, by force, threat or deception. It was stated that this applied to public officials exceeding their authority.
Albania Nationalist Rally Fails to Draw Crowds
A protest by the Red and Black Alliance on Sunday in Tirana, which promised to overturn the government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, failed to muster much popular support.
Komsic’s Party Promises Bosnia Political Alternative
Bosnian presidency member Zeljko Komsic’s party is promising youthful faces and a fresh democratic alternative, but some analysts suggest that ethnic interests dictate that it will struggle for support.
Is it time for change in Malaysia?
The parliament in Malaysia has been dissolved and the gloves are off as political leaders gear up for a fight over corruption, discrimination and the cost of living.
Parliamentary polls will pit the National Front Coalition, which is in power since 1957, against a resurgent opposition.
The ruling group has already been knocked back, suffering its worst ever results in 2008 elections. And it will not be plain sailing this time either.
Berri names Salam to form new government
BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri said Friday that his Development and Liberation bloc has named Beirut MP Tammam Salam to form the new government.
“The bloc announced the nomination of [MP] Tammam Salam to form a national and consensual government, to restore peace among the Lebanese,” Berri told reporters following the bloc’s meeting at his Beirut residence in Ain al-Tineh.
“This is a new page opened by the former majority [March 14] toward the former opposition [March 8],” Berri said.
Albania Names New Ministers After Coalition Dissolves
Parliament approved three new ministers and the post of deputy premier on Thursday, following the exit from the ruling coalition of the Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI.
Reshuffle Due in Albania After Party Quits Govt
The Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI, has withdrawn its ministers from the government after joining the opposition Socialist Party coalition ahead of the elections.
Awareness campaign on constitutional process launched
An official awareness camapign to promote public understanding about the country’s constitutional process is being organised by a coalition of civil society organisations under the leadership of the ‘Organisation for Justice and Peace’.