Independent vote monitor says Russian elections are “most secret” ever
London, UK Reuters The head of an independent vote-monitoring group that Russia has labelled a “foreign agent” says the presidential election that began on Friday and is widely expected to re-elect Vladimir Putin is the least transparent the country has seen. Stanislav Andreichuk, co-chairman of Golos (Voice), said the use of electronic voting for the […]
Australian voters’ divisions, indifference doom Indigenous referendum
Sydney, Australia Reuters Upbeat polls and big-name endorsements greeted Australia’s referendum campaign for Indigenous reconciliation when it kicked off in earnest just seven months ago, raising hopes for a historic change to the constitution. But by the time votes were counted this weekend in the country’s first referendum in nearly 25 years, the proposal for […]
Updated: Australia rejects Indigenous referendum
Updated: 8am (AEDT) Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia on Saturday decisively rejected a proposal to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution, in a major setback to the country’s efforts for reconciliation with its First Peoples. Australians had to vote “Yes” or “No” in the referendum, the first in almost a quarter of a century, on the […]
Voting begins in Australia in landmark Indigenous Voice referendum
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australians began voting on Saturday in a historic referendum, the first in almost a quarter of a century, to decide whether to recognise its First Peoples in the constitution, as requested by the country’s Indigenous leaders six years ago. Australians will simply write “Yes” or “No” on the ballot paper, after a […]
Australia debates Indigenous referendum as pamphlets launched
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Parties on both sides of a debate on whether to constitutionally recognise Australia’s Indigenous people released their official pamphlets on Tuesday, which will start being delivered to letterboxes across the country. Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum later this year on whether they support altering the constitution to include a […]
“The world is watching”, say architects of Australia’s Indigenous referendum
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia has a chance to fix its image as a global outlier by voting in favour of constitutionally recognising its Indigenous people, architects of the proposed change said. Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum later this year on whether they support altering the constitution to include a “Voice to […]
Australian Government introduces Indigenous referendum bill in parliament
Sydney, Australia Reuters The Australian Government on Thursday took the first formal step towards holding a referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution and set up an Indigenous “Voice to Parliament” to advise lawmakers on matters that impact their lives. Introducing the bill in parliament, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the referendum, to be held […]
Australians urged to support Indigenous recognition ahead of referendum
Adelaide/Sydney, Australia Reuters A First Nations group leading the push for the constitutional recognition of Australia’s Indigenous people called on all citizens on Thursday to vote in favour of the change to help bring the country together. Australia is preparing for a landmark referendum to change its constitution to include an Indigenous “Voice”, which is […]
Lifestory: Tusse – from child refugee to Sweden’s Eurovision Song Contest contender
ILZE FILKS, writing for Reuters, speaks with Sweden’s 2021 Eurovision Song Contest contender…
Humanitarian aid failing women, reports finds, prompting calls for new “feminist” approach
Dakar, Senegal Thomson Reuters Foundation About 0.1 per cent of humanitarian funding goes to addressing violence against women and girls worldwide, charities said on Monday, prompting calls for a new “feminist” approach to foreign aid. Less than $US2 was allocated to each woman or girl at risk of rape or abuse in conflict zones from […]