Smooth Afghan election raises questions about Taliban's strength

World / Politics Apr 7, 2014

Smooth Afghan election raises questions about Taliban's strength

A bigger-than-expected turnout in Afghanistan's presidential election and the Taliban's failure to significantly disrupt the vote have raised questions about the capacity of the insurgents to tip the country back into chaos as foreign troops head home. The Taliban claimed that they staged more than ...

'Obamacare' enrollment figures lift Democrats ahead of polls

World / Politics Apr 5, 2014

'Obamacare' enrollment figures lift Democrats ahead of polls

Reuters — A rare burst of good news on President Barack Obama's health care program has given Democrats their first glimmer of hope in months on an issue that has helped drag the party down ahead of November's U.S. congressional elections. A better-than-expected enrollment of ...

World / Politics | ANALYSIS Apr 5, 2014

U.S. election donations cap removed by ruling

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the overall cap on federal election contributions is sending ripples across American politics, as states have begun backing away from their own restrictions on donations and lawyers are forecasting a new wave of challenges to campaign ...

Vote might tip Afghan tribes into new war

World / Politics | ANALYSIS Apr 4, 2014

Vote might tip Afghan tribes into new war

Growing violence in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar ahead of the presidential election next week highlights a rift between Pashtun tribes that could tip the country back into civil war. The fate of Kandahar, birthplace of the Taliban insurgency, is crucial. Some Afghans fear that a ...

Erdogan dominates Turkey election conversation

World / Politics Mar 30, 2014

Erdogan dominates Turkey election conversation

by Constanze Letsch

Turkey may be in turmoil and the vast city of Istanbul in ferment, bridling at the antics of a government struggling to cope with scandal and sleaze, but in Kasimpasa quarter, the prime minister's troubles raise barely a shrug. A conservative, lower-middle-class district bordering the ...

National / Politics Mar 24, 2014

Hashimoto admits snap poll failed

Toru Hashimoto admits that his signature policy of merging the Osaka prefectural and municipal governments failed to gain enough support during his overnight re-election as mayor.