Bloomberg Thai authorities removed a plaque proclaiming Thailand “belongs to the people, not the monarchy†a day after protesters installed it during a rally that drew tens of thousands of people seeking greater democracy. The Fine Arts Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration removed the plaque, and the cultural heritage agency also filed a complaint against the protesters for breaking ...
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Myanmar locks down biggest city over virus
Bloomberg Myanmar locked down most of Yangon province, home to its largest city, for two weeks to contain a record surge in coronavirus infections ahead of the general elections scheduled for November. The strict stay-at-home order from Monday bars more than one member of a family venturing out for shopping and curbs travel from Yangon township to other cities except ...
Read More »Thai activists call for strike as thousands protest monarchy
Bloomberg Thailand’s anti-government protesters, emboldened by their biggest demonstration since the 2014 military coup on September 19, called for a general strike next month as the movement challenges long-held taboos including questioning the monarchy’s powers. Organisers of the rally handed a list of demands to a representative of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Privy Council on Sunday, and installed a plaque on ...
Read More »Belarus parents in crosshairs bring crowds to shelter
Bloomberg Hundreds of people rallied in the Belarus capital, challenging the authorities’ increasing threats against protesters with children, while police detained more than 200 women at a weekly march against President Alexander Lukashenko’s 26-year rule. A crowd gathered outside a shelter for endangered children, demanding a first-grader be reunited with his mother, Alena Lazarchyk. He was taken there when she ...
Read More »US top court in political wars post RBG death
Bloomberg Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s (RBG) death has pulled the US Supreme Court deep into the nation’s bitter political wars, threatening lasting damage to the reputation of a governmental branch that has struggled to remain above the partisan fray. President Donald Trump and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell are vowing to fill the seat despite the impending election. Outraged Democrats ...
Read More »UK faces ‘tipping point’ in battle to stop virus spread
Bloomberg UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that national restrictions could be reimposed unless the recent spike in coronavirus infections is brought under control. Speaking on Sky TV’s “Sophy Ridge on Sunday,†Hancock said the UK is facing a “tipping point†in the battle to limit the spread of the disease. A further 4,422 new Covid-19 cases were reported on ...
Read More »Italy regional vote may fuel tension in Conte coalition
Bloomberg Italian voters go to the polls until Monday, starting from Sunday, in regional elections that could weaken the year-old coalition of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte as it struggles to pull the country out of the worst recession in living memory. Seven of the nation’s 20 regions will choose new legislatures, in addition to mayoral elections across the country and ...
Read More »Republicans face calculation in vote on Trump nominee
Bloomberg Senate Republicans face a critical choice on replacing the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — vote on her successor before Election Day, or wait until immediately afterward — when Trump will still be president no matter the November 3 outcome until next January. The choice comes down to a calculation of the politics. Senate Majority Leader Mitch ...
Read More »Myanmar all set to hold November election
Bloomberg Myanmar will hold the November 8 general election as planned by ensuring social distancing measures at polling stations across the country even as Covid-19 cases surge, an election commission official said. “We don’t have any plan to postpone the general election for Covid-19 reason,†Myint Naing, a member of the Union Election Commission, told reporters in an online briefing ...
Read More »Tropical Storm Beta to drench Texas, Louisiana
Bloomberg Slow-moving Tropical Storm Beta is likely to reach hurricane strength as it meanders across the western Gulf of Mexico and Texas coast, bringing heavy rain as far as Louisiana, as well as raking off-shore energy fields with high winds next week. Winds from Beta could hit 80 miles (129 km) per hour by Monday, making it a Category 1 ...
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