Sri Lankan President’s coalition wins majority in snap election
Colombo, Sri Lanka Reuters Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leftist coalition won a thumping victory in a snap general election, gaining power to push through his plans to fight poverty in the island nation recovering from a financial meltdown. Dissanayake’s Marxist-leaning National People’s Power (NPP) coalition won 137 seats of 196 for which direct […]
Spurred by shared grievances, BRICS gathers pace
London, UK Reuters As US election jitters hung over this week’s meeting of global finance chiefs in Washington, a smiling Vladimir Putin was in the Russian city of Kazan welcoming leaders of countries which together make up nearly half the world’s population. The BRICS club of emerging economies may be a long way from rivalling […]
World Bank says 26 poorest countries in worst financial shape since 2006
Washington DC, US Reuters The world’s 26 poorest countries, home to 40 per cent of the most poverty-stricken people, are more in debt than at any time since 2006 and increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters and other shocks, a new World Bank report showed on Sunday. The report finds that these economies are poorer today […]
One killed as Kenyan anti-government protests intensify again
Nairobi, Kenya Reuters At least one person was killed in renewed anti-government protests across Kenya on Tuesday, a Reuters reporter said, as police clashed with demonstrators demanding that President William Ruto step down. Youth-led protests that broke out a month ago against proposed tax hikes have continued even after Ruto withdrew the legislation and fired […]
Shehbaz Sharif elected Pakistan’s Prime Minister for second term
Karachi, Pakistan Reuters Pakistan’s newly formed parliament elected Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday as Prime Minister for a second time, three weeks after uncertain national elections caused delays in the formation of a coalition government. He beat Omar Ayub, the candidate backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who secured 92 votes. Sharif returns to […]
Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan urges IMF to call election audit, his lawyer says
Islamabad, Pakistan Reuters Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan will write to the IMF urging it to call for an independent audit of the country’s controversial 8th February national elections before it continues talks with Islamabad, his lawyer said on Thursday. Pakistan averted default last summer thanks to a short term International Monetary Fund bailout, but […]
Niger arrests politicians after coup, other juntas voice support
Niamey, Niger Reuters The junta that seized power in Niger last week detained senior politicians on Monday, their party said, defying international calls to restore democratic rule, while fellow military rulers in West Africa expressed their support. The overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum has sent shockwaves across West Africa, pitting Niger’s former Western allies against […]
Lebanon’s crisis deepens as presidential vote collapses
Beirut, Lebanon Reuters The powerful Hezbollah group and its allies thwarted a bid by their rivals to elect a top IMF official as Lebanon’s president on Wednesday, sharpening sectarian tensions and further dimming prospects for preventing a collapse of the state. Four years since Lebanon went into a financial meltdown that marks its worst crisis […]
Pakistan ups security as 11 killed in Ramadan food stampedes
Islamabad, Pakistan AP Pakistan on Thursday boosted security after 11 people were killed in stampedes at free wheat distribution centres for the poor since the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan last week, officials said. Cash-strapped Pakistan last week launched the initiative to distribute free flour among low-income families to ease the impact […]
Debt-laden African countries charged “extortionate” rates, UN chief says
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Reuters Heavily indebted African countries are getting a raw deal from the international financial system which charges them “extortionate” interest rates, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday. The United Nations chief wants far-reaching reforms to the structure of international finance to serve the needs of developing countries more efficiently, he […]