Costa Ricans To Pick President In Run-Off Election

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April 3, 2022

Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban looked set for a fourth consecutive win in Sunday’s election, as voters endorsed his ambition of a conservative, “illiberal” state and shrugged off concerns over Budapest’s close ties with Moscow.

Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine had appeared to upend Orban’s campaign in recent weeks, forcing him into awkward maneuvering to explain decade-old business relations with Russia.

But he mounted a successful campaign to persuade his Fidesz party’s core electorate that the six-party opposition alliance of Peter Marki-Zay promising to mend ties with the European Union could drag the country into war.

Preliminary results with 57.6% of national party list votes counted showed Orban’s Fidesz party leading with 55.7% of votes versus 32.5% for Marki-Zay’s opposition alliance. Fidesz was also ahead in the vast majority of single-member constituencies.

Based on current partial results, the National Election Office said Fidesz would have 134 seats, a two-thirds majority, and the opposition alliance would have 58 seats.

A far-right party called Our Homeland would also make it into parliament, passing the 5% threshold.

His comfortable victory, which looks all but certain now, could embolden Orban, 58, in his policy agenda which critics say amounts to a subversion of democratic norms and a muzzling of the media.

One of Europe’s longest-serving leaders, Orban has emerged as a vocal supporter of anti-immigration policies and an opponent of tough energy sanctions against Moscow.

Jordan’s Prince Hamza Renounces Royal Title

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April 3, 2022

Prince Hamza bin al-Hussein, a former heir to Jordan’s throne who was placed under house arrest last year, announced on Sunday he was giving up his royal title in protest over Jordan’s current policies.

Hamza was accused last April of trying to destabilize the monarchy in a foreign-inspired plot, but was spared punishment after pledging allegiance to King Abdullah, his half-brother.

In the letter published on his Twitter account, Hamza said what he had witnessed in recent years made it difficult for him to endorse policies pursued by Jordan’s institutions.

Hamza, was named Crown Prince when King Hussein died in 1999 and Abdullah became king, but lost that title five years later when Abdullah installed his own son as heir.

Last year he was placed under house arrest after making accusations about corruption and authoritarian rule. The feud shook Jordan’s image as a haven of stability in the unpredictable Middle East.

A former royal chief adviser and a minor royal were later sentenced to 15 years in jail for involvement in an alleged plot to bring Hamza to power.

His statement on Sunday was brief, saying he would continue to serve Jordan in his private life, without mentioning the king or any future role for himself.

Last year’s crisis prompted major Western and regional powers to rally behind King Abdullah in rare public support for a staunch U.S. ally that plays a pivotal role in regional security.

The monarch said the crisis had been “the most painful” because it came from both inside the royal family and outside.

US Shooting In Sacramento Leaves Several Dead

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April 3, 2022

At least six people have died following a shooting in downtown Sacramento, California, according to local police on Sunday, adding that there had been “at least 15 shooting victims,” with the six fatalities included.

Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester told reporters that officers were still looking for whoever was responsible and residents have been urged to avoid the area where the violence occurred.

Lester called for the public’s help in helping to identify the suspects and provide any information they can to help solve the crime.

Police did not provide much more detail, other than to say that a “large police presence will remain and the scene remains active.”

The shooting took place in the downtown area of the city which is full of bars and restaurants.

California Governor Gavin Newsom posted a statement on Twitter in which he said gun violence could no longer be tolerated.

Newsom tweeted, “Yet another mass casualty shooting — leaving families with lost loved ones, people injured, and a community in grief. We are working closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation. We cannot continue to let gun violence be the new normal.”

Just over a month ago and in the same city, a man shot and killed his three children along with another person before turning the weapon on himself.

The US murder rate is notoriously high among more-developed countries. Of the G20 members, only South Africa, Brazil and Russia tend to record higher murder rates per capita, while Argentina’s figures are roughly the same.

Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic Projected To Win Presidential Election

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April 3, 2022

Serbia’s incumbent president Aleksandar Vucic is set to win the country’s presidential vote, according to a projection by pollsters Ipsos and CeSID published on Sunday night.

Based on a sample of the partial polling station count, Vucic received 59.8% of the votes while the opposition candidate Zdravko Ponos got 17.1% of the votes.

The same projection suggested that Vucic’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) was set to win the most seats in parliament, with 43.6% of the votes which compares to 12.9% support for the United for Victory opposition alliance, and 11.6% for the Socialist Party of Serbia.

Some 6.5 million voters also decided on the make-up of the next parliament as well as local representatives in the capital, Belgrade, and some dozen other towns and municipalities.

Opinion polls showed that Vucic was highly likely to be reelected and that his party would again dominate the 250-member assembly.

Opposition candidates were seen as having a chance of winning a majority in Belgrade, which would be a major setback for the populists.

Amid high tensions in Europe caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Vucic campaigned on ensuring peace and stability for the country.

Belgrade has joined in the UN resolution condemning the Russian attack on Ukraine but refused to impose sanctions against Moscow. Vucic has in the past boasted of having close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia has also backed Serbia’s claims on Kosovo, a former province that declared independence in 2008 with widespread Western support.

Vucic, who was the minister of information in the government of former strongman Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, accused of grave war crimes in former Yugoslavia, has recast himself as a pro-European politician ever since his party came to power in 2012.

France President Macron Vows Inflation Relief At Election Rally

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April 3, 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron held his first election rally on Saturday, ahead of the first round of voting in the country’s presidential election on April 10.

Macron spoke to tens of thousands of supporters in Nanterre, close to the French capital, in his only major appearance before the polls. He promised voters more social justice and support to improve their purchasing power amid fast-rising inflation in France.

He said his project for 2022, it’s solidarity and social progress, adding that it was unfair that citizens who work should have to spend their whole salary filling up their petrol tanks and shopping.

According to Macron, who is running for his second term, working people should be able to receive a tax-free bonus of up to €6,000 ($6,620) as of the summer,

Amid soaring energy prices, Macron said his government had already put around €20 billion into capping electricity and gas prices.

Macron made his only rally appearance before the first round of the presidential election on April 10

Saturday’s rally comes after several weeks in which Macron has been more focused on international diplomacy over the war in Ukraine than domestic affairs, allowing Le Pen to gain ground on issues closer to home for the French public.

The latest survey by pollster Elabe, published on Wednesday, showed far-right leader Marine Le Pen winning 47.5% of the vote in a likely run-off against Macron scheduled for April 24.

The poll showed Macron gaining 52.5%, a reduced margin of victory compared to the same poll conducted a week earlier.

Macron has gained support in some quarters for what is seen as his strong leadership over the Ukraine conflict.

Jordan’s Prince Hamzah Bin Hussein Renounces Title Of Prince

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April 3, 2022

Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, the former heir to the throne of Jordan, has said he is renouncing his title of prince.

Prince Hamzah said his “personal convictions” were not in line with the “modern methods of our institutions”.

The prince is the fourth son of the late King Hussein and younger half-brother of the ruling King Abdullah.

He was put under house arrest last year after accusing the country’s leaders of corruption, incompetence and harassment.

In March, Jordan published an apology purportedly signed by Hamzah and asking his half-brother, King Abdullah for forgiveness.

In a statement posted to twitter on Sunday, Hamzah said: “Following what I have witnessed in recent years, I have come to the conclusion that my personal convictions which my father instilled in me, and which I tried hard in my life to adhere to, are not in line with the approaches, trends and modern methods of our institutions.

“From the matter of honesty to God and conscience, I see nothing but to transcend and abandon the title of prince. I had the great honour of serving my beloved country and my dear people over the years of my life.

“I will remain as I have always been and as long as I live, loyal to our beloved Jordan.”

Maqam Echahid, A Centrepiece For Algerian Independence

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April 3, 2022

Maqam Echahid is an iconic concrete monument which commemorates the Algerian War for Independence, built in the capital city Algiers.

Algeria fought the French for independence between 1954 and 1962, which was one of the most vital decolonization wars in the history of the country.

Maqam Echahid or Martyrs’ Memorial in English, was opened in 1982 on the 20th anniversary of Algeria’s independence, overlooking Algiers.

Built by the Canadian company Lavalin, based on a model created in the institute of Fine Art of Algiers by the Algerian painter Bashir Yelles, with some help of the Polish sculptor Marian Konieczny, and it is 92 meters (302 feet) high.

It represents a three different palm leaves which shelter the Eternal flame beneath, and at the end of each palm leaf stands a statue of a soldier, each representing a stage of Algeria’s struggle.

On top of the monument, above the three supporting fins, at 14 metres (47 ft) from the ground, is an Islamic style turret with a diameter of 10 metres (33 feet) and a height of 8 metres (25 feet), topped by a dome of 6 metres (20 feet).

It rests on an esplanade that burns an “eternal flame” and includes a crypt, an amphitheater and the Museum of El Mujahid (underground).

Similar like the Azadi Tower in Iran, from where actually the inspiration came, this monument is a centerpiece of the Algerian independence, and shall continue to be one of the most important in the country.

Nigerian Conservation Foundation To Create 10 More Reserves

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April 3, 2022

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) says it plans to create 10 additional reserves under its Green Recovery Nigeria Project.

Mrs Folake Salawu, Coordinator, NCF Green Recovery Nigeria said the reserves would be located in different parts of the country.

Salawu said that the foundation would also partner with all national parks to ensure the conservation of biodiversity, including forest areas.

She also said that the foundation was currently working with stakeholders in identifying the additional areas for the project.

According to her, the NCF is also in negotiation with stakeholders on identifying the location of the additional 10 parks.

“Presently, we are partnering with all the national parks in Nigeria to ensure the conservation of biodiversity, including forest areas.

“We have a flagship conservation area in Lagos called the Lekki Conservation Centre and we are presently working with partners in Finima Nature Parks, Rivers State.

“We are also working with the national park in Omo River, in Ogun State and others across the country.

“We are in the process and our target is to create additional 10 reserves,” she said.

The coordinator said that NCF would work with all stakeholders across the six geo-political zones to identify where the reserves could be located.

“We will work with all stakeholders across the six geo-political zones to identify where these reserves can be and then collaborate with communities to achieve It.

“We are presently on course and we have one coming up shortly, the Gusape Reserve in Abuja.

“We already have support from the local communities, FCT government and the federal government. They have allocated a space for us.

“The good news is that we are already in the process of securing resources to kick-start the reserves.

“It is going to come on board as one of our 10 new parks and reserves that we will be coming up with as part of our green recovery plan.

“The Gusape Reserve will come on board this year,”she said.

World Bank To Develop Comprehensive Programme For Road Safety Management In Bangladesh

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April 3, 2022