Disorder is rife as Haitians head to polls
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haitians were electing legislators to Parliament on Sunday after a yearslong wait, but the vote was plagued with delays, disorder and occasional fistfights and rock throwing.
The legislative elections had been postponed for nearly four years because of a political showdown between Haiti’s executive and opposition, and they have been billed as a crucial test of the country’s electoral system ahead of a presidential vote in October. Sunday’s first round seeks to fill two thirds of the 30-member Senate and the entire 119-member Chamber of Deputies.
But a number of polling stations across the country of 10 million people had to wait for ballots a few hours after voting was supposed to start. In sections of Port-au-Prince, voters also grew exasperated after being told they couldn’t cast ballots because their names weren’t on official voting lists.
Iraqi PM unveils bold government reforms
BAGHDAD – Iraq’s prime minister unveiled a bold plan Sunday to abolish three vice presidential posts and the offices of three deputy premiers, hoping to cut spending amid mass protests against his government as the Islamic State group still holds a third of his nation.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s Cabinet backed the plan, which still needs parliamentary approval, but it’s unclear whether it could end the endemic corruption in Iraq’s political system, where many senior appointments are determined by party patronage and sectarian loyalties.
The plan also effectively would push out of government former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, widely criticized for inflaming sectarian tensions and appointing loyal, less-qualified senior officers to Iraq’s military ahead of the IS group’s advance last year. While al-Maliki issued a short statement approving of the proposed plan, he previously criticized al-Abadi’s rise to power last year and repeatedly has urged the current government to address the country’s corruption and sectarian crises.
Singapore celebrates success amid change
SINGAPORE – Singapore threw a big party Sunday for its 50th anniversary of independence and unrivaled economic success in a region struggling with poverty and political instability, even as the city-state began feeling the pinch of a midlife crisis.
As fighter jets screamed through the sky and nationalist songs blared, leaders made speeches, and people took advantage of free rides on trains and buses. While marveling at the island’s leap from a poor colonial port to a wealthy metropolis, Singaporeans are also grappling with a growing resentment over political restrictions, an influx of foreign labor and a rising cost of living.
The weekend of celebrations culminated Sunday with a military parade and a fireworks display. The sense of unity and pride in Singapore’s achievements was reinforced with a tribute video dedicated to its founder and longest-serving leader, Lee Kuan Yew, who died in March at age 91.
6 U.S. F-16 jets arrive in Turkey to fight IS
ANKARA, Turkey – Six U.S. F-16 fighter jets arrived at Turkey’s southern air base Sunday to join the U.S.-led coalition fight against Islamic State militants, the U.S. military said.
The U.S. European Command said in a statement that the U.S. Air Force deployed a “small detachment” of six F-16 jets, support equipment and about 300 personnel at Incirlik Air Base. The detachment is part of the 31st Fighter Wing based at Aviano Air Base, Italy.
Turkey carried out airstrikes against IS targets in Syria last month after a suicide bombing that killed 32 people and the killing of a soldier by IS militants and agreed to allow the U.S. to use the strategically located base. The moves ended months of reluctance by Turkey, giving it a more active role in the U.S.-led coalition against the terrorist group.
Associated Press
