British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sets July 4 election date to determine who governs the UK

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sets July 4 election date to determine who governs the UK
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech calling for a general election, outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, May 22, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 22 May 2024
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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sets July 4 election date to determine who governs the UK

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sets July 4 election date to determine who governs the UK
  • “Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future,” Sunak said
  • The center-left Labour Party is strongly favored to defeat Sunak’s party

LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday set July 4 as the date for a national election that will determine who governs the UK, choosing a day of good economic news to urge voters to give his governing Conservatives another chance.
“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future,” Sunak said.
Sunak’s center-right party has seen its support dwindle steadily after 14 years in power. It has struggled to overcome a series of crises including an economic slump, ethics scandals and a revolving door of leaders in the past two years.
The center-left Labour Party is strongly favored to defeat Sunak’s party.
Speculation about an imminent election mounted after Sunak called a Cabinet meeting for Wednesday afternoon – rather than the usual Tuesday – and Foreign Secretary David Cameron flew back early from a trip to Albania to attend.
The election will be held against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis and deep divisions over how to deal with migrants and asylum seekers making risky English Channel crossings from Europe.
The announcement came the same day official figures showed inflation in the UK had fallen sharply to 2.3 percent, its lowest level in nearly three years on the back of big declines in domestic bills.
The drop in April marks the greatest progress to date on five pledges Sunak made in January 2023, including halving inflation, which had climbed to above 11 percent at the end of 2022. Sunak hailed the new figure as a sign his plan was working.
“Today marks a major moment for the economy, with inflation back to normal,” Sunak said Wednesday. “Brighter days are ahead, but only if we stick to the plan to improve economic security and opportunity for everyone.”
Voters across the United Kingdom will choose all 650 members of the House of Commons for a term of up to five years. The party that commands a majority in the Commons, either alone or in coalition, will form the next government and its leader will be prime minister.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, a former chief prosecutor for England and Wales, is the current favorite. The party’s momentum has built since it dealt the Conservatives heavy losses in local elections earlier this month.
The Conservatives have also lost a series of special elections for seats in Parliament this year, and two of its lawmakers recently defected to Labour.
Following on his party’s successes in the local elections, Starmer, 61, last week announced a platform focused on economic stability after years of soaring inflation as he tries to win over disillusioned voters.
He also pledged to improve border security, recruit more teachers and police and reduce lengthy waiting lists at hospitals and doctors′ clinics across the country.
Elections in the UK have to be held no more than five years apart, but the prime minister can choose the timing within that period. Sunak, 44, had until December to call an election. The last one was in December 2019.
Many political analysts had anticipated that a fall election would give Conservatives a better chance of maintaining power. That’s because economic conditions may improve further, voters could feel the effect of recent tax cuts, interest rates may come down and a controversial plan to deport some asylum-seekers to Rwanda — a key policy for Sunak — could take flight.
Sunak had been noncommittal about the election date, repeatedly saying — as late as lunchtime on Wednesday — that he expected it would be in the second half of the year.
Although inflation has fallen, Sunak’s other promises — to grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists to see a doctor at the state-run National Health Service and stop the influx of migrants crossing the English Channel — have seen less success.
He has struggled after entering office following the disastrous tenure of Liz Truss, who lasted only 49 days after her economic policies rocked financial markets. Truss had been chosen by party members after Boris Johnson was ousted over a series of ethics scandals.


Macron expected to name new French PM after deadlock

Macron expected to name new French PM after deadlock
Updated 22 sec ago
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Macron expected to name new French PM after deadlock

Macron expected to name new French PM after deadlock
  • Centrist French politician Francois Bayrou is seen as one of Macron’s possible picks for prime minister
  • Macron confronted with the complex political equation that emerged from snap parliamentary elections this summer
PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron was expected Friday to name a new prime minister after days of deadlock over finding a candidate to replace Michel Barnier, whose ousting by parliament pushed France into a fresh crisis.
Centrist French politician Francois Bayrou, leader of the centrist MoDem party and seen as one of Macron’s possible picks for prime minister, was to meet the president at 8:30 am (0730 GMT), sources close to the talks, asking not to be named, said.
But it was not immediately clear whether Macron planned to receive Bayrou to announce his appointment or to inform him he had chosen another candidate.
Whoever is named will be the sixth prime minister of Macron’s presidency after the toppling of Barnier, who lasted only three months. The new premier faces an immediate challenge in thrashing out a budget that can pass in parliament.
Macron has been confronted with the complex political equation that emerged from snap parliamentary elections this summer — how to secure a government against a no-confidence vote in a bitterly divided lower house where no party or alliance has a majority.
Barnier was ousted in a historic no-confidence vote on December 4 and there had been expectations Macron would announce his successor in an address to the nation even a day later.
But in a sign of the stalemate after inconclusive legislative elections this summer, he did not name his successor then and has missed a 48-hour deadline he gave at a meeting of party leaders on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Macron left France on a day-long trip to Poland but cut his visit short in an apparent bid to finalize the appointment.
“The statement naming the prime minister will be published tomorrow (Friday) morning,” an aide to the president, asking not to be named, said late Thursday just after Macron touched down from the trip to Poland.
“He is finishing his consultations,” the aide added, without giving further details.
The announcement is likely to come in a written statement, with the new cabinet to be revealed at a later date.
Each prime minister under Macron has served successively less time in office and there is no guarantee the new premier will not follow this pattern.
All the candidates widely floated so far have encountered objections from at least one side of the political spectrum.
“They are stuck,” said a person close to Macron, asking not to be named, adding that “each name gets blocked.”
“No one is in agreement around the president,” added the source, expressing hope that Macron would surprise everyone with an unexpected choice.
Macron’s apparent top pick, veteran centrist Bayrou, raises hackles on the left — wary of continuing the president’s policies — and on the right, where he is disliked by influential former president Nicolas Sarkozy.
Beyond Bayrou, prime ministerial contenders include former Socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, current Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, a Macron loyalist, and former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Another name being discussed in the media is Roland Lescure, a former industry minister, but the nomination of the former Socialist risks inflaming the right.
These “are names that have been around for years and haven’t seduced the French. It’s the past. I want us to look to the future,” Greens leader Marine Tondelier said Thursday.
“The French public want a bit of enthusiasm, momentum, fresh wind, something new,” she told France 2 television.
Opinion polls indicate the public is fed up with the crisis, with just over two-thirds of respondents to an Elabe poll published on Wednesday saying they want politicians to reach a deal not to overthrow a new government.
In a separate IFOP poll, far-right National Rally (RN) figurehead Marine Le Pen was credited with 35 percent support in the first round of a future presidential election — well ahead of any likely opponent.
In a critical moment, Le Pen on March 31, 2025 faces the verdict in an embezzlement trial on charges she denies. If convicted, she could lose the chance of standing in the 2027 elections and with it her best chance yet of winning the Elysee Palace.

South Korea opposition leader urges president’s party to support impeachment over martial law

South Korea opposition leader urges president’s party to support impeachment over martial law
Updated 3 min ago
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South Korea opposition leader urges president’s party to support impeachment over martial law

South Korea opposition leader urges president’s party to support impeachment over martial law
  • The beleaguered president survived an initial impeachment attempt a week earlier
  • Opposition parties have introduced another impeachment bill and plan to hold a vote on Saturday
SEOUL: South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said on Friday the best way to restore order in the country is to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, a day ahead of a planned parliamentary vote over Yoon’s short-lived imposition of martial law.
Yoon’s move to impose military rule on Dec. 3 was rescinded barely six hours later but it plunged the country into a constitutional crisis and widespread calls for him to step down for breaking the law.
The beleaguered president survived an initial impeachment attempt a week earlier when his People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote, preventing a quorum.
At least seven members of the PPP have since declared their intention to support impeachment on Saturday, nearing the eight PPP votes needed to reach the 200 vote threshold alongside the 192 opposition party lawmakers.
Yoon on Thursday vowed to “fight to the end,” blaming the opposition party for paralyzing the government and claiming a North Korean hack into the election commission made his party’s crushing defeat in an April parliamentary election questionable.
Democratic Party leader Lee called Yoon’s remarks “a declaration of war” against the people. “It proved that impeachment is the fastest and the most effect way to end the confusion,” he said.
Yoon survived the first attempt to impeach him last Saturday when most of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote. Since then at least seven PPP members have publicly supported a vote to impeach him.
Opposition parties have introduced another impeachment bill and plan to hold a vote at 4 p.m. (0700 GMT) on Saturday.
Lee called on PPP members to “join and vote yes for impeachment,” saying “history will remember and record your decision.” A vote to impeach Yoon would send the case to the Constitutional Court, which has up to six months to decide whether to remove him from office or reinstate him.
There was more criticism of Yoon’s defiant address on Thursday, including his claim that a hack by North Korea last year may have compromised the computer system of the National Election Commission, without citing evidence.
Yoon cited as one reason for declaring martial law a refusal by the commission to cooperate fully in a systems inspection which meant the integrity of the parliamentary election held in April could not be assured.
On Friday, the Secretary General of the commission, Kim Yong-bin, denied the possibility of election fraud, saying voting is entirely done by paper ballots and the courts have dismissed all 216 claims of irregularities raised as groundless.
Yoon is separately under criminal investigation for alleged insurrection over the martial law declaration.

Taiwan says Chinese ships have left, signaling drills over

Taiwan says Chinese ships have left, signaling drills over
Updated 13 December 2024
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Taiwan says Chinese ships have left, signaling drills over

Taiwan says Chinese ships have left, signaling drills over
  • Beijing has not confirmed the drills and its defense ministry did not say whether the maneuvers had taken place
  • China claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and opposes any international recognition of it

TAIPEI: Chinese navy and coast guard ships have returned to China, signaling the end of a massive maritime exercise, Taiwanese authorities said Friday.
Taiwan’s coast guard released images it said showed Chinese vessels sailing north in rough seas past the island on Thursday, on their way to China.
“All the Chinese coast guard went back to China yesterday, thus, although they haven’t officially made any announcement, we consider it over,” Hsieh Ching-chin, deputy director general of Taiwan’s coast guard, said.
Beijing has not confirmed the drills and its defense ministry did not say whether the maneuvers had taken place when asked at a press conference on Friday.
But ministry spokesman Wu Qian said that “whether or not we hold exercises, and when we hold them, are decided by us alone, based on our own needs and the circumstances of our struggle,” according to an official social media account of the armed forces.
“Safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, and the common interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait are the (military’s) sacred duties,” Wu said.
“No matter whether it holds exercises, the People’s Liberation Army will not be absent or soft-hearted when it comes to striking down (Taiwanese) ‘independence’ and pushing for unification,” he said, referring to the Chinese armed forces.
Taiwanese authorities said this week that Beijing’s biggest maritime drills in years stretched from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea.
About 90 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels took part in the exercises, which included simulating attacks on foreign ships and practicing blockading sea routes, a Taiwan security official said Wednesday.
There was no announcement by Beijing’s army or Chinese state media about increased military activity in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea or Western Pacific Ocean.
However, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent visit to the United States and a call with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson sparked fury in Beijing.
While Taiwan regards itself as a sovereign nation, China claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and opposes any international recognition of it.
The Taiwan security official said China began planning the massive maritime operation in October and aimed to demonstrate it could choke off Taiwan while also drawing a “red line” ahead of the next US administration.
As Chinese ships returned to China on Thursday, Taiwan’s military and coast guard closed emergency response centers set up in response to the huge maritime mobilization.
“The nine ships went back to Chinese ports last night in two groups,” Hsieh said of vessels that had been in waters to the southeast and southwest of Taiwan.
A defense ministry spokeswoman said Friday that Chinese warships and coast guard vessels had been detected returning to China.
Beijing has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan in recent years as it pressures Taipei to accept its claims of sovereignty.
China has refused to rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, leaving the island to face the constant threat of invasion.
The latest exercise exceeded Beijing’s maritime response to then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in 2022, the security official said. Those war games were China’s largest ever around Taiwan.


Russian forces advance toward strategic city in Ukraine’s east, war blogger says

Russian forces advance toward strategic city in Ukraine’s east, war blogger says
Updated 13 December 2024
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Russian forces advance toward strategic city in Ukraine’s east, war blogger says

Russian forces advance toward strategic city in Ukraine’s east, war blogger says
  • The fall of Pokrovsk, an important logistics center for the Ukrainian military, would be one of Ukraine’s biggest military losses
  • Control of the city would allow Moscow to severely disrupt Ukrainian supply lines along the eastern front

MOSCOW: Russian forces are just 1.5 kilometers outside the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk after Russian units pushed up from the south toward the road and rail hub which had a pre-war population of 60,000 people, a prominent pro-Russian blogger said on Friday.
Russia controls a chunk of Ukraine about the size of the American state of Virginia and is advancing at the fastest pace since the early days of the 2022 invasion, according to open source maps.
Yuri Podolyaka, a prominent Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger, said Russian forces were now just 1.5 km from the city after a push from the south.
Podolyaka said members of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups, special forces which penetrate the front ahead of the advance, were already in the city.
Reuters was unable to verify battlefield accounts from either side due to reporting restrictions.
Ukraine’s military said in recent days that Russian troops destroyed or captured several Ukrainian positions near the city.
The fall of Pokrovsk, an important logistics center for the Ukrainian military, would be one of Ukraine’s biggest military losses in months.
Control of the city, which the Russian media call “the gateway to Donetsk,” would allow Moscow to severely disrupt Ukrainian supply lines along the eastern front and boost its campaign to capture the city of Chasiv Yar, which sits on higher ground offering potential control of a wider area.
Squeezing the Ukrainian military’s access to the road network in the vicinity would make it harder for Kyiv’s troops to hold pockets of territory either side of Pokrovsk, which could allow Russia to consolidate and advance the front line.
The city also hosts a mine which is Ukraine’s only domestic coking coal supplier for its once-giant steel industry.
Ukrainian steelmaker Metinvest BV has halted some operations at the mine because of its proximity to advancing Russian troops along the front line of the war with Russia, an industry source said on Thursday.


Filipino on Indonesia death row says planned transfer a ‘miracle’

Filipino on Indonesia death row says planned transfer a ‘miracle’
Updated 28 min 54 sec ago
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Filipino on Indonesia death row says planned transfer a ‘miracle’

Filipino on Indonesia death row says planned transfer a ‘miracle’
  • Mary Jane Veloso was arrested and sentenced to death in 2010 after the suitcase she was carrying was found to be lined with 2.6 kilograms of heroin
  • Last week, Indonesia’s senior law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said a ‘practical arrangement’ had been signed for her repatriation

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia: A Filipino inmate on death row in Indonesia said from prison Friday that her planned transfer was a “miracle,” in her first interview since Manila and Jakarta signed an agreement last week to repatriate her.

Mother of two Mary Jane Veloso, 39, was arrested and sentenced to death in 2010 after the suitcase she was carrying was found to be lined with 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin, in a case that sparked uproar in the Philippines.

Both she and her supporters claim she was duped by an international drug syndicate, and in 2015, she narrowly escaped execution after her suspected recruiter was arrested.

“This is a miracle because, honestly, even now, it still feels like a dream. Every morning when I wake up, I think about my aspirations, aspirations that I never had any certainty about,” she said when asked about the decision.

“That’s why I always prayed to God, ‘Lord, I only ask for one chance to go home and be with my family’. And God answered that prayer.”

Last week, Indonesia’s senior law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said a “practical arrangement” had been signed for her repatriation.

He said her transfer could happen “around December 20” before Christmas and that he had heard her death penalty would be reduced to life imprisonment.

Veloso’s case sparked outrage in the Philippines, with rallies of support and world boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao pleading for her life.

Her supporters said she was headed to work as a maid when she was arrested in Indonesia.

She now dreams of being reunited with her family after 14 years in prison, and wants to advocate for other women if released.

“What I’m certain about is my first priority: focusing on my family,” she said.

The prisoner said she had feelings of “happiness” since hearing news of the repatriation agreement.

“After almost 15 years, that is what I am waiting for... I can go home to my country,” she said.

“I need to prepare mentally to face it all, to face my family, to face everybody out there.”

Veloso’s family are due to arrive next week on central Java island where she is being held, with a Christmas farewell party organized for her, an Indonesian official said.

Her mother Celia Veloso, 65, called for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos to grant her clemency so she can spend Christmas with her family.

“We are excited to finally be with my daughter,” she said on Friday.

“Her two kids are pining to be with her too.”

Veloso said she had learned how to play volleyball in prison, and showed off traditional Indonesian batik clothing she had made.

She said she will gift a butterfly painting to the prison, symbolizing her transformation.

“I was once like a caterpillar — unwanted, looked down upon,” she said.

“But through this painful process I’ve grown into who I am today, a butterfly, reborn and ready to face a colorful future.”

An official in Indonesia’s coordinating law, human rights, immigration and corrections ministry said the government was “still preparing everything” for her transfer.

The agreement states the execution of Veloso’s sentence upon return to the Philippines “will be governed by Philippine laws,” with Manila given the authority to grant her clemency.

The Philippine presidential office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Discussions over the transfer of other high-profile detainees include Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, a welder arrested in 2005 at a secret drugs factory near Jakarta.

Jakarta is also in talks with Australia over the release of the five remaining members of Australia’s “Bali Nine” who are serving life sentences.

Muslim-majority Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest drug laws and has executed foreigners in the past.

At least 530 people were on death row in the Southeast Asian nation, mostly for drug-related crimes, according to data from rights group KontraS, citing official figures.

As of early November, 96 foreigners were on death row in Indonesia, all on drug charges, according to data from the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections.

Despite the ongoing negotiation for prisoner transfers, the Indonesian government gave the signal last week that it will resume the executions — on hiatus since 2016 — of drug convicts on death row.