Joan Isus Correspondent (Politics) ANKARA – Almost 20,000 protesters took the streets of Turkey’s capital Ankara in protest against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, which is being rocked by a graft probe. “Revolution will clean this filth” and “they are thieves” were the most chanted slogans at Sihhiye Square and provide an insight to what extent corruption angered Turkish population. Turkish justice minister Bekir Bozdag said the government might abandon a reform to […]
Antonia Velikova, Correspondent (Politics) SOFIA – Bulgarian president Rosen Plevneliev has issued a warning to David Cameron concerning the British PM’s immigration plans. According to the Bulgarian head of state, Cameron’s immigration policy holds a high risk of turning the UK into a country of “isolation, nationalism and short-term political approaches.” As of January 1, 2014, Bulgarians and Romanians will have equal rights to work and get benefits in the UK as compared with […]
Viktor Tsevtanov, Correspondent (Politics) BRUSSELS – Greece officially assumed the presidency of the European Union’s Council. With the arrival of the new year, Greece took over the presidency from another member state – Lithuania – and is now set to retain the rotating position until June 30, 2014. The Greek presidency means that Athens, which has been bailed out several times by the European Union (EU), will now be in charge of the union’s political […]
Ferhiyo Ismail Ali, Correspondent (Politics) Abortion has been permitted by law in the Roman Catholic Republic of Ireland. The law was passed in July after the death of Savita Halappanavar came to light. She drew attention to the lack of clarity about the legal position. Savita Halappanavar died from septicaemia after her request for an abortion was turned down in October 2012. According to The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act: abortion is permitted solely […]
Viktor Tsvetanov, Correspondent (Politics) KIEV — A month ago Ukraine was on the verge of signing a historic association deal with the European Union; a contract which, by many political experts was deemed to be the irrevocable sign for the country’s European future. Ever since, the course of negotiations between the two sides has changed. Given the mounting pressure exerted by the Kremlin, the Western-facing Ukraine has made a U-turn in its political maneuvering between Brussels […]
Felipe Maciel Correspondent (Politics) Brazil, 1976. An authoritarian military dictatorship had been ruling over the country since the 1964 coup d’état, similar to others that took over many South American nations during the 60’s and 70’s. Juscelino Kubitschek, popular Brazilian president in the 50’s known as JK, had just recovered his political rights that were striped from him when the military government was formed, and had a clear chance of being re-elected, on its […]
Suryatapa Mukherjee, Correspondent (Politics) NEW DELHI – The government on Friday filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking for its review on its December 11 judgment, that recriminalised consensual adult homosexual sex. Although review petitions are usually heard in chambers, Attorney General G E Vahavati asked that the decision be made after hearing oral arguments in an open court. Section 377 is vague, arbitrary, violative of right to equality and right to privacy. The […]
Suryatapa Mukherjee, Correspondent (Politics) NEW DELHI – After eight failed attempts over the past five decades, Indian Parliament today passed the Jan Lokpal bill by which an ombudsman would be established who will have powers to prosecute politicians and civil servants including the Prime Minister. Anna Hazare, the social activist behind the bill, who had been crusading for its passage since 2011, ended his nine-day fast today. The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2013, is […]
Louice Tapper Jansson, Correspondent (Politics) Kiev — In Ukraine, a decision not to sign an agreement with the EU in November has now led to what some call a ‘new revolution’. There is a clash between the government, which is economically dependent on Russia, and the Ukrainian people, who desire to be Westernised. The political crisis in Ukraine was triggered by President Viktor Yanukovych choosing to end talks with EU about an association and free trade […]
Pawas Manandhar, Correspondent (North America) WASHINGTON D.C — In an extensive question and answer session with media giant Haim Saban, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, has reaffirmed his belief in “preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon” and reasserted his commitment to Israel’s security. The session was held in Washington in the Brookings Institution’s Saban Forum in early December, with Saban running questions about the Middle East as well as future […]
