Georgia’s parliament has approved billionaire politician Bidzina Ivanishvili as the country’s new prime minister. Mr. Ivanishvili’s Georgia Dream movement won the October 1 parliamentary election, ending the nine-year rule of President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement party. With a vote of 88 to 54 Thursday, lawmakers approved Mr. Ivanishvili and his new Cabinet. In remarks […]
Tokyo’s Fiery Governor Quits to Form New Party
Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, whose outspoken nationalism has often angered neighboring China, says he is resigning to form a new political party ahead of a general election. Ishihara told a news conference Thursday he plans to run for parliament in the elections, which must be called by August. He was a parliamentarian for the Liberal […]
Obama, Romney Concentrate on “Swing States”
U.S. President Barack Obama is crisscrossing the nation on a marathon campaign tour Thursday, while Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is concentrating his campaign efforts on the swing state of Ohio. Mr. Obama has stops planned in the U.S. states of Florida, Virginia, Illinois, and Ohio Thursday. In Illinois, he will cast his ballot for […]
Obama Aide Slams Romney’s Tough Talk on China as ‘Irresponsible’
A foreign policy adviser to President Barack Obama says Republican Mitt Romney’s pledge to label China a currency manipulator on his first day in office is irresponsible and risks upsetting U.S.-China relations. At a debate Wednesday at Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Obama’s former senior Asia policy aide Jeff Bader said it is “astonishing” Mr. Romney […]
Georgia’s Next PM Says Will Quit in 18 Months
Georgia’s future prime minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili, says he plans to quit politics in 18 months. The billionaire politician made the announcement to opposition lawmakers in parliament on Wednesday. Mr. Ivanishvili, who has previously said he has no long-term political aspirations, says he will stick to his election promises but leave politics after a year-and-a-half. He […]
Obama, Romney Push to Win Over Undecided Voters
With two weeks until the election, President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney are making a final appeal to voters who still have not made up their minds. Polls show the presidential race tied, and winning support of uncommitted voters, especially in so-called swing states, is crucial. During a rally Tuesday in Florida, […]
Chinese Leftists Urge Fair Treatment of Bo Xilai
A group of Chinese leftists has signed a petition urging parliament not to expel disgraced leader Bo Xilai, saying he could be exposed to an unfair and politically motivated trial. The letter, signed by hundreds of academics and former officials, was published on the far-left Red China website. It comes as China’s largely ceremonial parliament […]
Foreign Affairs the Focus at Third Obama-Romney Debate
U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, are set to debate for a third and final time Monday, this time on foreign affairs. For months during the long campaign leading to the November 6 election, surveys showed voters giving the Democratic incumbent a strong foreign policy edge over Mr. Romney, especially for […]
Obama, Romney Tied in Latest Poll
A new poll says U.S. President Barack Obama and presidential challenger Mitt Romney are tied ahead of their third and final debate Monday. The NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed support for the candidates among likely voters at 47 percent each. Monday’s 90-minute debate in the closely contested state of Florida will focus entirely on […]
Romney, Obama Take On Battleground States
U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are stepping up their appeals to voters in battleground states that could be key in determining the outcome of the November election. Mr. Obama reached out to women voters Friday during a appearance in Virginia. He said Mr. Romney could “turn back the clock” for women […]