Politics Archives - Page 14 of 59

Despite Chagos’ triumph, Mauritius’ election for government is uncertain.

9Nov

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Despite Chagos’ triumph, Mauritius’ election for government is uncertain.

Mauritius votes Sunday in an election overshadowed by a wire-tapping scandal that has rocked the Indian Ocean archipelago amid fears that rights are eroding in one of Africa’s biggest success stories. The legislative poll comes as the country celebrates the historic deal last month that saw Britain relinquish sovereignty of the remote Chagos Islands to Mauritius following a long-running legal dispute. But Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth’s hopes of an easy re-election were battered when secretly recorded phone calls of politicians, diplomats and journalists began to be leaked online in October. The authorities responded last week by banning social media until after the election. But an uproar from the opposition and local media forced an embarrassing climbdown within 24

Before the elections, Mauritius lifts its ban on social media.

8Nov

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Before the elections, Mauritius lifts its ban on social media.

The Mauritius government has ended its recent suspension of social media, which threatened voters’ access to information ahead of the general elections on November 10. On November 1, the Mauritius communications authority had directed internet service providers in the country to suspend access to all social media platforms until after the elections. Following swift and widespread outcry from the business community, civil society, and opposition politicians, the government rescinded the ban just a day later. The government announced the ban after leaked audio recordings surfaced on the internet, which the government described as “a serious threat to national security and public safety.” The recordings included phone calls and conversations

China’s Xi Jinping Responds to the Election Victory of Donald Trump

8Nov

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

China’s Xi Jinping Responds to the Election Victory of Donald Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping called President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him on his win in Tuesday's election. Messages from foreign leaders began pouring in after the former president's landslide victory over Vice President Kamala Harris became apparent early on Wednesday. "President Xi pointed out that China and the U.S. gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation," Xie Feng, China's ambassador to Washington, said in a post on X. China's foreign ministry on Thursday cited Xi as saying he hopes both sides will "uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation"— three elements the country frequently underscores in discussions about its relations with other states. Xi stressed he hopes the two countries wil

Reports that SpaceX ordered suppliers to relocate outside have angered Taiwan.

8Nov

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

Reports that SpaceX ordered suppliers to relocate outside have angered Taiwan.

Taiwan’s government says it is paying close attention to reports that Elon Musk’s SpaceX asked Taiwanese suppliers to move manufacturing to other countries because of “geopolitical” concerns. Reuters reported on Wednesday that SpaceX’s request to suppliers in Taiwan’s multibillion-dollar industry appeared to have prompted some to shift locations to Vietnam, Thailand and other places. In response, Taiwan’s economic affairs minister, JW Kuo, said the industry was strong and “should be able to cope”, but that the government was monitoring the situation. “There is no such information on its official website, but some foreign media are reporting it, and we are paying close attention to it. I think the supply chain in Taiwan is very strong and it should be able to cope with the

China is preparing for new economic, tech, and Taiwan-related disputes with Trump.

8Nov

By Nectar GanNo Comments

China is preparing for new economic, tech, and Taiwan-related disputes with Trump.

The first time China faced Donald Trump in the White House, there was a trade war, a breach of protocol involving Taiwan’s former leader, and a president-to-president bromance that turned sour. As President-elect Trump prepares to start his second term in office, China is bracing for unpredictability in its ties with the United States and renewed tensions over trade, technology and Taiwan. A new tariff war looms Perhaps the biggest consequence for China — if Trump stays true to his campaign promises — is his threat to slap blanket 60% tariffs on all Chinese exports to the U.S. Tariffs like that would be a blow to China’s already unstable economy, which is suffering from high youth unemployment, a lengthy property slump and government debt. A 60% duty o

China receives the troubled leader of Myanmar on his first visit since the coup.

6Nov

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

China receives the troubled leader of Myanmar on his first visit since the coup.

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing is on his first visit to China since he ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The significant losses his regime has suffered in the civil war at the hands of poorly-armed insurgents has raised questions over how long he will remain at the helm. So, the invitation to visit China - an important ally, neighbour and Myanmar's largest trading partner - is significant, although it is not a state visit. It is a long way from a Chinese endorsement of his disastrous handling of the post-coup chaos in Myanmar, but it does suggest that Beijing sees him as an essential part of a solution to the conflict there. Leading a large delegation of officials and business figures, Min Aung Hlaing arrived

How US elections have been affected by the Middle East throughout time

5Nov

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

How US elections have been affected by the Middle East throughout time

The Middle East has been a focal point in US foreign policy for decades, shaping American political narratives, policy decisions, and, crucially, presidential elections. While issues like domestic economics and healthcare are often seen as primary concerns for voters, foreign policy — especially concerning the Middle East — consistently emerges as a significant factor in shaping public opinion and electoral outcomes in the US. This is due to the region’s impact on multiple aspects of American life, from national security to energy prices, as well as ideological and strategic alliances. The situation in the Middle East encompasses a range of critical issues, including terrorism, oil supply, and the U.S.-Israel relationship, all of which resonate deeply with American voters and have a subst

High-level political talks between China and Japan are held in Beijing.

5Nov

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

High-level political talks between China and Japan are held in Beijing.

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, and Takeo Akiba, secretary general of Japan's National Security Secretariat, held consultations under the China-Japan high-level political dialogue mechanism in Beijing on Monday. Noting that China-Japan relations are at a critical stage of improvement, Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the two sides should follow the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, stick to the right direction of improving and developing bilateral relations, and build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. Wang said the Japanese side should establish an...

Bangladesh increases Adani repayments to prevent a power outage.

5Nov

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

Bangladesh increases Adani repayments to prevent a power outage.

Bangladesh is ramping up payments to Adani Power after the Indian conglomerate cut electricity supplies by half, reportedly over an unpaid $800m bill. Two senior government officials told the BBC they are already processing partial payments to Adani, which supplies 10% of the electricity used by Bangladesh. “We have addressed payment glitches and already issued a $170 million [£143m] letter of credit to Adani group,” a senior Bangladesh Power Development Board official told the BBC. Adani supplies Bangladesh from its 1600 megawatt coal-fired plant in eastern India. The company hasn't responded to BBC queries about cuts to its supply to Bangladesh, which suffers regular power shortages. Officials say the company has threatened to suspend all supplies if the money owed to it is

The unexpected election outcome in Japan may signal the return of “revolving door” leadership.

5Nov

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

The unexpected election outcome in Japan may signal the return of “revolving door” leadership.

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party suffered an unexpected major defeat in the October 27 Lower House election, where Prime Minister Ishiba's snap election gamble backfired. While this loss marks a potential victory for Japanese democracy by breaking the LDP's nearly 70-year dominance, it raises concerns about regional stability. The LDP, even with coalition partner Komeito, fell short of a majority with just 215 seats out of 465. While this political shift might strengthen Japan's democratic process, it could compromise Japan's crucial role as a stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific region. The Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP’s) surprisingly poor showing in Japan’s Lower House election on 27 October is at first blush a victory for democracy in Japan. The snap election called by Prime Min