Politics

Bloomberg Thai pro-democracy activists rejected a parliament-initiated plan to form a reconciliation committee, calling it a “political ploy to buy time,” and reiterated the demand for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha. The Thai parliament is setting up a committee to discuss the demands of the protesters in a bid to ease political tensions and restart the stalled ...

Bloomberg Boris Johnson was set to push fresh coronavirus lockdown rules through the UK Parliament on Wednesday, facing down rebels in his own Conservative Party who reject the erosion of civil liberties they entail. The regulations were due to take effect from Wednesday, enforcing the closing of gyms and non-essential shops in England, and restricting social contact between households. The ...

Bloomberg Election Day 2020 was underway and for American voters the choices couldn’t be more stark. Donald Trump was a novelty four years ago, a reality television star and real estate developer with a penchant for bombast and Twitter insults. The 74-year-old president has erased any notion that the Oval Office would tame him, thrilling Republicans by cutting regulations and ...

Bloomberg Temporary extra fencing has been erected around the White House, plywood affixed to storefronts in Manhattan and the National Guard put on notice in Portland, Oregon, as US cities braced for possible unrest on election day. “We don’t see specific reports or threats at this point,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters. “We are ready for all ...

Bloomberg The European Union (EU) held off launching legal action immediately against the UK over Boris Johnson’s plan to rewrite parts of the Brexit divorce deal, saying it is still considering its next move. The bloc had given the UK until October 31 to respond to its demand to withdraw parts of the Internal Market Bill that breach the Brexit ...

Bloomberg Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara secured a third term as leader of the world’s biggest cocoa producer in an election boycotted by key opposition leaders. Ouattara, 78, garnered 94.3% of ballots, while his nearest rival —independent candidate Kouadio Konan Bertin — obtained 1.99%, the electoral commission announced on Tuesday. Voter turnout was 53.9%, commission head Ibrahime Kuibiert-Coulibaly said. The ...

Bloomberg Thailand may rope in a former prime minister to lead a reconciliation committee proposed by the parliament to resolve key issues raised by pro-democracy protesters. House Speaker Chuan Leekpai has approached at least four former premiers and representatives of several political parties to be part of the panel, which may also include protest groups. A special parliament session proposed ...

Bloomberg Hurricane Eta has strengthened into one of the Atlantic’s most powerful storms of the year, packing winds of 233 kilometres an hour as it roars towards Central America. The storm, a Category 4 major hurricane, is expected to dump rain by the foot on Central America after it slams into the coast of Nicaragua on Tuesday, delivering life-threatening storm ...

Bloomberg As troops in the Himalayas hunker down for the brutal winter, the outcome of the worst clashes in decades is becoming clear: China has pushed further into territory once patrolled exclusively by India. A summer of fighting saw India lose control over about 300 square kilometres (115 square miles) of land along the disputed mountainous terrain, according to Indian ...

Bloomberg Three gunmen attacked Afghanistan’s largest university killing at least 19 people and wounding 22 others, the latest bout of violence to wrack the capital Kabul as the government and Taliban engage in negotiations to end the 19-year-conflict. Afghan special forces arrived at Kabul University shortly after the attack began late morning, fighting the assailants and saving the lives of ...