Somalia’s parliament has approved the cabinet chosen by newly-appointed Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali. Lawmakers voted Saturday 397 to 21 in favor of Mr. Ali’s choices, which include 18 ministers and deputy ministers and 9 state ministers. Mr. Ali told parliament the new government would focus on fighting corruption and improving Somalia’s tenuous security situation. […]
Belgian King Says Extended Political Stalemate Hurts Country’s Well-being
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 3:20 pm (UTC-5)
Belgian King Albert says the country’s lengthy political stalemate could permanently damage its residents and hurt the cause of European integration. The monarch said Wednesday he had hoped that a new government could be sworn in Thursday, Belgium’s National Day. But King Albert said that “unfortunately” that would not happen as lawmakers from the Dutch-speaking […]
Thai Panel Certifies Yingluck’s Election, Easing Fears of Instability
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
Thailand’s election commission on Tuesday endorsed the election to parliament of Pheu Thai leader Yingluck Shinawatra, clearing the way for her to become the nation’s first female prime minister. The commission said it had voted unanimously to dismiss complaints that Ms. Yingluck violated election laws by involving banned politicians — including her elder brother — […]
Senegal’s President Looks to Third Term
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 9:45 pm (UTC-5)
Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade says he is confident he could win re-election, a strong indication that he plans to run for another term in February despite street protests against his rule. In his first major speech since the protests last month, Mr. Wade said Thursday he is willing to hold elections earlier than February if […]
Obama Leads 2012 Republican Challengers in Polls, Fundraising
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
A new public opinion poll shows U.S. President Barack Obama ahead of all leading Republican candidates and possible contenders for the 2012 presidential race. The Quinnipiac University survey, released Wednesday, indicates Mr. Obama hitting 50 percent or above when pitted against every Republican candidate except former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. But President Obama still tops […]
Thai Election Commission Fails to Certify Yingluck’s Election
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 6:00 am (UTC-5)
Yingluck Shinawatra says she is still confident of becoming Thailand’s first female prime minister despite an obstacle thrown up by the country’s election commission. Ms. Yingluck was among 142 of the 500 winning candidates in this month’s election whose victories were not certified by the commission late Tuesday because of complaints of fraud or other […]
Thai Election Commission Fails to Certify Yingluck’s Election
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 12:05 am (UTC-5)
Thailand’s election commission has thrown up an obstacle on Yingluck Shinawatra’s path to becoming the nation’s first female prime minister. Ms. Yingluck was among 142 of the 500 winning candidates in this month’s election whose victories were not certified by the commission late Tuesday because of complaints of fraud or other issues. Outgoing Prime Minister […]
Polls Show Sinking Approval for Japanese Government
Posted July 12th, 2011 at 4:25 pm (UTC-5)
New opinion polls show support for Japan’s government has sunk to its lowest level since Prime Minister Naoto Kan came to power a year ago. In surveys released Tuesday by NHK television and the Asahi newspaper, approval of the Democratic Party of Japan cabinet stood at about 15 percent, down from the low- to mid-20s […]
Indian Prime Minister Reshuffles Cabinet
Posted July 12th, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reshuffled his cabinet Tuesday in a move aimed at tackling allegations of corruption and mismanagement. No major changes were made to the government’s top ministries such as finance, defense, foreign affairs and home affairs. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh was moved to the rural development ministry. Ramesh made waves after halting […]
Nigerian President Appoints More Cabinet Ministers
Posted July 12th, 2011 at 7:05 am (UTC-5)
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed several new cabinet ministers, including naming career diplomat Olugbenga Ashiru as Nigeria’s new foreign minister. Mr. Jonathan also appointed Bart Nnaji as power minister, as he continues to fill out his cabinet after being sworn in for his first full term as president last month. The Nigerian president has […]
