A bitterly divided America went to the polls on Tuesday for a high-stakes midterm election seen as a referendum on the first two years of the mercurial presidency of Donald Trump. Supporters of Harley Rouda, a Democratic candidate for the House in California's 48th District, hold signs and cheer at a get-out-the-vote rally in Laguna Beach, California on Election Day With control of Congress and Trump's agenda at stake, early voting hit record levels and turnout appeared high across the country. All eyes are on the several dozen razor-thin races that will decide if Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives and Senate or if one or both chambers flip Democratic. All 435 seats in the House, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships are up for grabs as Americans cast their ballots. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to win the House for the first time since the Tea Party wave of 2010, and the latest polls give them a good chance to do so. "I … [Read more...] about Election Day test for Trump as America votes
America votes
At historic summit, Trump refuses to confront Putin on vote row
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and US President Donald Trump shake hands before a meeting in Helsinki, on Monday (Jul 16). (Photo: AFP) The US and Russian presidents came out of their meeting in Helsinki expressing a desire to talk again on global challenges, after discussing an array of issues from Syria, Ukraine and China to trade tariffs and the size of their nuclear arsenals. There were indications of an arrangement to work together and with Israel to support a ceasefire in southern Syria, suggesting that the US administration is backing off its demand that Moscow's ally Bashar al-Assad step down. If that is anathema to many in Washington, Trump's apparent concessions to Putin over the elections controversy drew stinging condemnation from across the political divide. Standing alongside the Kremlin boss at a joint news conference, Trump acknowledged that his intelligence chiefs believe Russia hacked and leaked Democrats' emails containing politically damaging … [Read more...] about At historic summit, Trump refuses to confront Putin on vote row
FIFA to choose between North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup
The North American bid leader Carlos Cordeiro (centre) has urged FIFA voters not to let politics cloud their decision AFP/Anders Kjaerbye The choice is clear - between a slick bid based on gleaming stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada or an ambitious attempt from Morocco based on as-yet largely unbuilt facilities. On the eve of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, 207 FIFA member nations will cast their vote in a congress of world football's governing body. Morocco's bid for 2026 was only cleared to advance to the runoff vote earlier this month, despite a FIFA evaluation report which classified the north African nation's stadia, accommodation and transport as "high risk." The report left the US-Canada-Mexico bid as the clear front-runner after giving it a rating of four out of a possible five. Morocco received only 2.7 out of five, but advanced despite red flags being raised over several critical components of the bid. A FIFA summary of the bid task force's findings warned that … [Read more...] about FIFA to choose between North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup
Burundians to vote in referendum to extend president’s rule
NAIROBI — Burundians vote Thursday in a referendum on constitutional reforms that are set to shore up the power of President Pierre Nkurunziza, enabling him to rule until 2034. The referendum comes as Burundi remains mired in a deep political crisis -- triggered by Nkurunziza’s run for a controversial third term in 2015 -- that has killed 1,200 and forced 400,000 from their homes. Voting in Thursday’s straight yes or no ballot is due to begin at 6:00am (0400 GMT) with polls closing at 4:00pm. Some 4.8 million people, or a little under half the population, have signed up to vote, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which is running the referendum. The changes will be adopted if more than 50 per cent of cast ballots are in favour. But with opponents cowed, beaten, killed or living in exile, there seems little doubt the amendments will pass, enabling the 54-year-old -- in power since 2005 -- to remain in charge for another 16 years. … [Read more...] about Burundians to vote in referendum to extend president’s rule
Costa Rica center-left easily wins presidency in vote fought on gay rights
The center-left’s Carlos Alvarado Quesada decisively defeated a conservative Protestant singer in Costa Rica’s presidential runoff election on Sunday by promising to allow gay marriage, protecting the country’s reputation for tolerance. A former minister and fiction writer, Quesada, 38, had 61 percent of the vote with results in from 95 percent of polling stations, a far bigger lead than predicted by opinion polls that foresaw a tight race. “My commitment is to a government for everybody, in equality and liberty for a more prosperous future,” he told thousands of cheering supporters blowing horns and waving Costa Rica’s red, white and blue flag. “There is much more that unites us than divides us.” His rival, Alvarado Munoz, a 43-year-old former TV journalist known for religious dance songs, quickly conceded, sinking to his knees, arms raised, in front of supporters, some of them crying. “We didn’t win the election,” he … [Read more...] about Costa Rica center-left easily wins presidency in vote fought on gay rights