Tajikistan amends constitution to extend Rakhmons rule By: Agencies on May 23, 2016DUSANBE: Tajikistan’s president Imomali Rakhmon will be able to run for an unlimited number of terms after a series of constitutional amendments were backed in a weekend referendum. The changes won support of 94.5 percent of voters, Central Election Commission chairman Bakhtiyor Khudoyorzoda told reporters on Monday citing preliminary results, adding that turnout was 92 […]
Japan manhunt after millions stolen in hours-long ATM heist By: Agencies on May 23, 2016TOKYO: A manhunt is underway for criminals who looted millions from Japan’s cash machines nationwide in an hours-long heist, officials and reports said Monday. Armed with fake credit card details from South Africa’s Standard Bank, the thieves hit 1,400 convenience store ATMs in a coordinated attack earlier this month. The international gang members, reportedly numbering […]
Trump gives British politicians a Love, Actually moment By: By Peter Apps on May 23, 2016It’s been a difficult year for the “special relationship” between Britain and the United States. US policymakers — including the president himself — have been struggling to set a non-patronizing tone as they nudge British voters to stay in the European Union. British politicians have struggled to respond. And then there is Donald Trump. If […]
Yes, the nation is polarised: So why arent the most extreme candidates winning? By: By Bill Schneider on May 23, 2016“I have a mandate from the people, “ Donald Trump insists. The GOP front-runner is using that argument to resist pressure from Republicans to moderate his abrasive style and become more “presidential.” Trump does , of course, have some claim to a mandate to lead the Republican Party. He defeated 16 other Republican contenders. As […]
Whatever happens, Sanders will be a force at the convention By: By Robert L Borosage on May 23, 2016The Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July seems set to continue the fierce nomination battle — and launch a major debate about what the party stands for. Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, won the Oregon primary handily on Tuesday and was barely edged out in Kentucky. Last week, he took West Virginia by […]
Suu Kyi calls for space as Kerry presses her on Myanmars Rohingya By: Agencies on May 23, 2016NAYPYITAW: Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi asked to be given “enough space” to address the plight of her country’s Rohingya Muslim population, as visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the Nobel laureate to promote respect for human rights. Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar remain displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since […]
Three dead, 11 injured in concert shooting in Austria By: Agencies on May 23, 2016A man shot dead two people and wounded 11 others before turning the gun on himself at a concert organized by a motorcycle club in western Austria on Sunday, a police spokeswoman said. The shooting took place at around 3 a.m. (2100 GMT) at the concert in Nenzing, a market town near the border with […]
Spains center-right PP to strengthen position in election: poll By: Agencies on May 23, 2016Spain’s center-right People’s Party (PP) is on course to increase its share of the vote in a general election next month, a poll showed on Sunday, but it may not be enough to end political stalemate in the country. An alliance of left-wing parties led by newcomer Podemos could overtake the Socialist party as the […]
Tajik leader strengthening grip on power in volatile region By: Agencies on May 23, 2016President Imomali Rakhmon seems set to strengthen his power by referendum on Sunday as Tajikistan, on the front line against militancy and crime from neighbouring Afghanistan, sinks deeper into an economic crisis and simmering discontent. Many of the hundreds of thousands of Tajiks working in recession-hit Russia have been forced to return home, either because […]
Taliban leader Mansour: man of war, not peace talks By: Agencies on May 22, 2016KABUL: Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, who according to US officials was probably killed in a drone strike, took over as head of the insurgent movement last July following the revelation that the group’s founder Mullah Omar had been dead for two years. He was initially thought to favour peace talks with the government, […]