graft

Aircraft carrying Malawi vice president and nine others goes missing

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Aircraft carrying Malawi vice president and nine others goes missing

An aircraft carrying Malawi’s vice president, Saulos Klaus Chilima, and nine others has gone missing, the southern African nation’s presidency said on Monday.Chilima, 51, was aboard a military aircraft that left Lilongwe, the capital, at 09:17 a.m. (0717 GMT), Malawi’s Office of the President and Cabinet said. It said search and rescue operations were ongoing. “All efforts by aviation authorities to make contact with the … Read more

Iranian President Raisi, ’s memorial muted amid public discontent

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Iranian President Raisi, ’s memorial muted amid public discontent

Fact: President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran was killed in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border along with his foreign minister and seven others.

Anger, anxiety, acrimony: Slovaks weigh what led to Fico shooting

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Anger, anxiety, acrimony: Slovaks weigh what led to Fico shooting

Slovak opposition party leader Michal Simecka, his wife, and child received death threats following an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. The shooting highlighted deep political divides and toxic debate in Slovakia, with politicians calling for tolerance. Fico’s rapid policy changes raised concerns over the rule of law, leading to increased tensions and anxiety among the population. The suspect in the shooting targeted government policies on Ukraine, corruption, and public media reforms. Anxiety has grown in Slovakia since the parliamentary election campaign, with President Zuzana Caputova receiving death threats. The upcoming European elections have added to the unease, reflecting a global trend of increasing aggression in politics.

Panama’s Mulino wins presidency with support from convicted former leader

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Panama’s Mulino wins presidency with support from convicted former leader

Jose Raul Mulino won the presidential election in Panama, replacing his former boss Ricardo Martinelli on the ballot. Mulino’s pro-investment and pro-business government plans to prioritize unity and addressing economic issues. He faces the challenge of mending social divisions and restoring faith in the government. Mulino plans to focus on infrastructure investment, higher minimum wage, and job creation. The new government will also need to address issues like corruption, public debt, and the closure of a major copper mine. Mulino will take office on July 1 for a five-year term.

Cyprus government and banks piling-up cash

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Cyprus government and banks piling-up cash

By end-February 2024, the government had accumulated cash deposits of over €3.5 billion at the Central Bank and €2.1 billion at commercial banks.

Why Spain’s Prime Minister Sanchez is taking a break from public duties

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Why Spain’s Prime Minister Sanchez is taking a break from public duties

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has decided to suspend his public duties until next week to consider whether he wants to continue leading the government after a court launched a preliminary investigation against his wife, Begona Gomez. The court is investigating allegations of influence peddling and business corruption against Gomez, who is accused of using her influence to secure sponsors for a university master’s degree course. Sanchez has defended his wife, claiming she has done nothing illegal and is being attacked to weaken him politically and personally. The outcome of this investigation could lead to Sanchez remaining as prime minister, resigning, or facing a confidence vote. In Spain, corruption cases involving politicians and their associates are not uncommon, with high-profile scandals resulting in convictions.

Indians vote in huge election dominated by jobs, Hindu pride and Modi (updated)

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Indians vote in huge election dominated by jobs, Hindu pride and Modi (updated)

– India’s multi-day election has begun with nearly one billion eligible voters.
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a rare third term, focusing on issues such as growth, welfare, and Hindu nationalism.
– The election pits Modi’s BJP against an alliance of opposition parties promising affirmative action and more handouts.
– Voter turnout on the first day of voting was estimated at 60%, with the highest turnout in Tripura at 80% and the lowest in Rajasthan at 51%.
– The BJP is expected to win a majority, despite concerns about unemployment, inflation, and rural distress.
– Hindu nationalism is a key election theme, with Modi’s government accused of treating minority Muslims unfairly.
– Modi aims to win 370 of parliament’s 543 seats, hoping for a two-thirds majority.
– The opposition alliance has struggled to unite, facing challenges from the government.
– Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party emphasized the importance of the election for Indian democracy.

Vietnam tycoon sentenced to death in $12 billion fraud case, state media reports

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Vietnam tycoon sentenced to death in $12 billion fraud case, state media reports

Real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was sentenced to death in Vietnam for her involvement in a .46 billion financial fraud case. Lan, the chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, was found guilty of embezzlement, bribery, and violating banking rules. The trial was part of a crackdown on corruption led by the ruling Communist Party, resulting in the prosecution of many officials and executives. Lan and her accomplices were accused of siphoning over billion from Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank through unlawful loans to shell companies. Lan plans to appeal the verdict.

Tens of thousands march in Budapest against Orban

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Tens of thousands march in Budapest against Orban

Tens of thousands protested against Viktor Orban’s government in Budapest, led by lawyer Peter Magyar, who plans to launch his own party. Protesters marched to parliament shouting for Orban to resign, wearing national colors and flags. Magyar, a former insider, revealed corruption within the government, sparking investigations. 68% of voters are aware of Magyar’s political movement, with 13% likely to support his party.

Pakistan court suspends Imran Khan’s jail sentence in graft appeal

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Pakistan court suspends Imran Khan’s jail sentence in graft appeal

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan had his 14-year jail sentence suspended by a Pakistani court after winning an appeal for his conviction for graft. The charges against him and his wife included unlawfully selling state gifts worth over 140 million rupees received during his premiership. Khan remains in jail on other sentences imposed before the national polls, which also disqualified him from holding public office for 10 years. The legal cases against Khan were seen as politically motivated to keep him out of politics, according to him and his party.