
Russia responds to fresh EU sanctions with travel bans
Russia's foreign ministry said on Friday it was expanding the list of people banned from visiting in response
2023-06-23 20:18

UK elections watchdog says new voter ID law stopped thousands from casting ballots
Britain’s electoral watchdog says about 14,000 people were prevented from voting in last month’s local elections because of a new law requiring voters to show photo identification
2023-06-23 19:29

Cambodian lawmakers approve changes to election law that disqualify candidates who don't vote
Pro-government Cambodian lawmakers unanimously approved changes to the country’s election law on Friday that will ban anyone who fails to vote from running as a candidate in future elections, a move critics say is aimed at crippling the opposition’s chances in the polls. The measure was approved with minimal debate by all 111 lawmakers present in the National Assembly. All members of the assembly belong to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party. Hun Sen, who has been in power for 38 years, declared last week that the law would be amended ahead of July’s general election to compel candidates for public office to prove their civic responsibility. The amended law will take effect after approval by the Senate, a formality. Hun Sen’s critics say the action as his latest tactic to marginalize his political opponents, some of whom are considering an election boycott. He announced the plan less than a month after the main opposition party was barred from participating in the polls because it could not provide all of the paperwork required for registering. The Candlelight Party said it was unable to provide one document to the National Election Committee because it had been seized in a police raid several years ago. Cambodia’s Constitutional Council refused to overturn the election committee’s decision not to register the party, drawing widespread criticism that the election would not be fair without its participation. The ruling drew international condemnation. The U.S. State Department said it was “deeply troubled” by the decision to bar the Candlelight Party and urged the government “to reverse course to ensure its citizens can participate in a fair, multiparty democracy.” That action against the Candlelight Party was similar to what happened ahead of the 2018 general election, when the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party posed a serious challenge to Hun Sen’s party. It was dissolved months ahead of the polls by a controversial court ruling that alleged it had plotted the illegal overthrow of the government. The party’s disbanding enabled Hun Sen’s party to win all the seats in the National Assembly. Under the amended election law, prospective candidates must have voted in at least two elections to qualify as a candidate in elections at the commune, district, municipality, provincial and national levels. Most prominent opposition figures are in self-imposed exile to avoid being jailed on various charges they say are trumped up and unfair, and the amendment would prevent them from running in future polls without any further action needed to bar them. Opposition figures still inside the country who fail to vote would face the same consequences. The amended law would also discourage an election boycott by placing opposition figures who wish to contest future polls in the awkward position of appearing to be hypocrites if they urge people not to vote while they themselves cast ballots. It will also discourage boycotts by allowing the election committee to impose a fine of 5 million-20 million riels ($1,200-$4,800) on anyone who encourages people not to register or vote. Anyone who incites people to use threats or violence against candidates or political party officials can also be fined and disqualified as candidates for five years. Political parties that fail to remove disqualified candidates can be fined 10 million-30 million riels ($2,420-$7,270). Hun Sen, 70, is an authoritarian ruler in a nominally democratic state. He and his party hold all the advantages of incumbency in the election in terms of political organizing, personnel, finances and media influence. About 9.7 million Cambodians are registered to vote for the 125-seat National Assembly. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Cambodian leader says people who don't vote will be barred from being candidates in future elections Trump legal team gave tapes to Jack Smith as MAGA loyalists turn on each other – live Infighting among Putin's lieutenants seems to reveal signs of 'deep dysfunction'
2023-06-23 19:18

Analysis-With U.S. labor tight, union workers make bolder contract demands
By Lisa Baertlein and Bianca Flowers Workers at aerospace supplier Spirit AeroSystems were the latest U.S. union employees
2023-06-23 18:56

Arctic Monkeys CONFIRMED for Glastonbury tonight after fears Alex Turner wouldn't be well enough
Emily Eavis has confirmed Arctic Monkeys are still headlining Glastonbury after Alex Turner was struck down with a sore throat.
2023-06-23 18:55

Factbox-European companies cut jobs as economy sputters
Decades-high inflation and the impact of war in Ukraine have forced companies across Europe into lay-offs or hiring
2023-06-23 18:52

Factbox-EU targets sanctions circumvention with 11th package against Russia
BRUSSELS The European Union formally adopted on Friday its 11th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion
2023-06-23 18:28

Republican 2024 hopefuls converge on DC under the shadow of Trump
Sen. Ted Cruz dazzled the crowd, a surging Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker delivered the keynote and Donald Trump was not yet a candidate for president when the Faith and Freedom Coalition held its annual Road to Majority conference in 2015.
2023-06-23 17:25

Biden and Harris joining key reproductive rights groups ahead of Dobbs anniversary
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to join a trio of key reproductive rights activist groups to mark the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs Supreme Court decision Friday, highlighting what's expected to be a major Biden campaign plank for the 2024 presidential election.
2023-06-23 17:23

Greek elections a one-horse race after conservatives topple left-wing strongholds
Greeks heading to the polls Sunday for a second general election in five weeks, with conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis expected to win reelection by a large margin
2023-06-23 14:19

Koreas Speed Up Drone Race After Unprecedented Incursions
As the two Koreas near the anniversary of the start of their conflict in 1950, both sides are
2023-06-23 13:17

Victor Wembanyama's 6-Foot-1 Sister Eve Also Plays Basketball and His Little Brother Is 6-foot-7
Victor Wembanyama's sister Eve was by his side at the NBA Draft. As was his "little" brother, Oscar.
2023-06-23 12:27