Georgia's upcoming presidential election, where the president will be chosen by parliament for the first time since 2017 reforms, is raising concerns about the country's EU ties. The ruling Georgian Dream party, which recently won parliamentary elections and announced plans to pause EU membership efforts, has nominated Eurosceptic Mikheil Kavelashvili. Current pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili, who opposes Georgian Dream, has refused to recognize the parliamentary election results, highlighting tensions over Georgia's future direction.
A hard-right candidate has emerged victorious in the first round of Romania's presidential election, signaling a potential shift in the country's political landscape. The win highlights the growing influence of right-wing politics in Romania, as voters express dissatisfaction with the current political establishment.
Donald Trump secured a victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The article outlines ten key takeaways from the election night, highlighting factors that contributed to Trump's win and the implications for American politics. The analysis includes voter turnout, campaign strategies, and the political landscape moving forward.
Polls have closed in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state in the presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with 19 electoral votes at stake. Both candidates campaigned extensively in the state, which is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the election outcome. In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Bob Casey faces a strong challenge from Trump-backed David McCormick. Early results for U.S. House races have been called for several Democratic incumbents. The state also has key races for Attorney General, Auditor General, and Treasurer.
E. Jean Carroll's attorney has suggested the possibility of suing Donald Trump for a third time, following the former president's recent public statements about her. Trump has been ordered to pay $83.3 million in damages to Carroll for previous defamatory remarks, and is currently appealing the verdict. Carroll's attorney indicated that Trump's recent comments could warrant another lawsuit, while Carroll herself expressed willingness to pursue further legal action if advised by her lawyers.
Senegalese President Macky Sall has indefinitely postponed the presidential election scheduled for February 25, citing the need for an open national dialogue to ensure a free, transparent, and inclusive election. This comes amid controversy over the disqualification of opposition leaders and allegations of Constitutional Council judges' links to presidential hopefuls. The postponement has sparked concerns about potential instability, with the influential League of Imams and Preachers of Senegal warning against the risks of delaying the elections. Senegal's parliament has approved an inquiry into the Constitutional Council's workings, while voters are set to choose a successor to President Sall, who is not seeking a third term.
Venezuela's highest court upheld a ban on opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado, dealing a blow to the prospect of a free presidential election. The ban was based on allegations of fraud and tax violations, and accuses her of seeking economic sanctions imposed by the US on Venezuela. The ruling comes after an agreement between President Nicolás Maduro and the US-backed opposition to level the playing field ahead of the election later this year. The US has threatened to reverse some sanctions relief if Maduro's government fails to lift bans preventing Machado and others from running for office and release political prisoners.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide if former President Donald Trump can appear on the Colorado ballot for the 2024 presidential election after the state's highest court ruled he engaged in insurrection, barring him under the 14th Amendment. This decision could have a significant impact on Trump's candidacy and the broader democratic process, as it's the first major application of this constitutional provision since the Civil War. The outcome will influence not only Colorado but potentially other states considering similar actions, and the court aims to resolve the matter quickly to avoid prolonged uncertainty.
Following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, bipartisan lawmakers have reformed the electoral count process to prevent a repeat of the chaos that ensued during the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. The changes, included in a year-end spending bill signed by President Biden in December 2022, clarify the vice president's ceremonial role, designate a single official per state to submit electors, create an expedited court review process for electoral challenges, and raise the objection threshold in Congress. While these reforms reduce the risk of Congress overturning valid election results, experts warn of remaining vulnerabilities at state and local levels that could be exploited in future elections.
Senegal's Supreme Court has upheld the libel conviction of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, which could prevent him from running in the upcoming presidential election. Despite a previous court order for his reinstatement on the electoral roll, the conviction disqualifies him according to electoral regulations. Sonko's lawyer has vowed to continue the fight, while the final list of presidential candidates will be published on January 20. Sonko's legal troubles have previously led to deadly unrest in Senegal, but there has been no immediate public protest following the latest ruling.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has officially endorsed former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. Scalise praised Trump's previous tenure, criticizing President Biden's administration for high costs, inflation, and border issues. The endorsement aligns with Scalise's conservative stance and support for Trump's policies. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee criticized Scalise's endorsement as an extension of Trump's influence over the House GOP. Trump's campaign faces challenges, including being removed from primary ballots in some states due to the January 6 Capitol riots and the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause.
The 2024 presidential election is expected to bring increased volatility to the stock market, which could impact Americans' 401(k) plans, as historical data shows lower average returns in election years. With a higher percentage of US household financial assets in stocks than ever before, the election's outcome could influence market performance and, consequently, retirement savings. Experts suggest that younger investors can withstand short-term volatility, but those nearing retirement should consider diversifying with less volatile assets. Historical trends also indicate that the market's performance in the three months leading up to an election can predict the winning party, with positive returns often favoring the incumbent. Investors are advised to balance safety and risk, especially in election years, to avoid missing out on potential rebounds while protecting their portfolios from downturns.
A hit Netflix series in Taiwan, "Wave Makers," has sparked a #MeToo reckoning in the country, with more than a dozen real-life accusations involving political figures and others. The show's sexual harassment plot line has attracted the most attention and made waves in real life. The allegations have rocked the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), prompting resignations in its upper ranks and public apologies from President Tsai Ing-wen. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party has also been hit, and has vowed to probe a sexual harassment allegation against one of its lawmakers.
The Netflix hit show "Wave Makers" has sparked a wave of #MeToo allegations in Taiwan, causing high-level resignations within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and prompting President Tsai Ing-wen to issue a public apology. The accusations have caused the DPP's favorability ratings to plummet just as Taiwan gears up for a tough presidential election campaign. The ruling party risks losing to the nationalist Kuomintang, which prioritizes closer ties with China. The accusations haven't been limited to the DPP, with people across Taiwan coming forward with experiences of harassment by university professors, doctors, directors, and baseball umpires.
