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The article discusses the early parliamentary elections set for June 30 and July 7, 2024. Topics include the electoral framework of the Assemblée Nationale, consisting of 577 seats filled through absolute majority votes, and the significance of these elections, which were called after President Emmanuel Macron's coalition suffered a heavy defeat in the 2024 European Parliament elections; and the implications for government formation.

The article details the historic parliamentary elections held on July 4, 2024, where the Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer. Topics include the significant challenges faced by the Conservative Party; the impact of internal divisions within the Labour Party stemming from its previous leadership; and the potential influence of smaller parties, such as the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats.

The article details the July 28, 2024, presidential election, in which Nicolás Maduro claimed victory amid claims of political repression. Topics include the contentious political climate leading up to the election; the contrasting candidates, with Maduro seeking a third term against opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia; and the significant discrepancies between pre-election and exit polls.

The article outlines the early presidential elections scheduled for June 28, 2024. Topics include the circumstances surrounding Raisi's death, which involved a helicopter accident in poor weather conditions that also claimed the lives of several officials; the subsequent appointment of First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president under Article 131 of Iran's constitution; and the political implications of the election.

The article discusses the U.S. Space Force, which is under the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and created by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 (NDAA). The force is created to respond to increasing space, cyberspace and missile threats against the U.S. Also cited are the growing great power competition among the U.S., China and Russia, and the force's field commands like the Space Operations Command (SpOC) and Space Systems Command (SSC).

The article reports on the parliamentary elections held on June 28, 2024. Topics include the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) securing a reduced majority with 68 seats; the opposition Democratic Party winning 42 seats, indicating a shift in political power; and the discussions for a potential coalition government with the Democratic Party and the HUN Party.

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The article discusses findings of report on how Africa is undergoing unprecedented turbulence as political crises ripple through the region. Topics include information on how soft power is increasingly a key element of foreign policy in the Horn of Africa; how fragmented global relations are mirrored across the Horn as erosion of the rules-based international order pushes boundaries; and how leaders must focus on long-term strategic goals centred on national interests.

The article discusses the 2021 and 2022 reports on the potential or observed effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the international security environment, particularly in areas like the world order, global governance, the U.S.' global leadership, and China's potential role as global leader. Other topics include the power competitions and relations between the U.S., China, and Russia, and the U.S. defense strategy.

The US apparel market experienced a challenging year in 2023 due to political turmoil, global wars, disruptions in shipping and logistics, and increased energy costs. As a result, consumer confidence in apparel spending weakened. The latest data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) shows that apparel imports from all sources fell by 22% in 2023. China remained the largest supplier of apparel to the US, despite a decline in shipment volumes. Other major suppliers, such as Vietnam and Bangladesh, also saw decreases in shipment volumes. The article suggests that US apparel brands and retailers are still struggling to reduce their reliance on China, despite efforts to do so. China was found to be the cheapest source of apparel for the US in early 2024. The article also highlights the market shares of different apparel suppliers to the US, with China maintaining its dominance. The news may frustrate executives who are eager to reduce dependence on China. Efforts are being made to strengthen trade partnerships with countries in the Western Hemisphere and close loopholes that allow goods produced through forced labor and counterfeit products to enter the US market. The effectiveness of Section 301 China tariffs in addressing concerns with China's policies and practices is also being questioned. [Extracted from the article]

House Rule XI, clauses 2(m)(1) and (3), authorizes House committees and subcommittees to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents. Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 1 authorizes Senate committees and subcommittees to subpoena witnesses and documents. In turn, most House and Senate committees have adopted their own rules on subpoena provisions containing procedures for exercising this grant of power from their parent chamber. Committee rules may cover authorization, issuance, and service of subpoenas; may cover just one or two of these actions; or may be silent on exercise of the subpoena power. A subpoena must be authorized pursuant to committee rules. Once authorized, if the committee seeks to take the next step, a subpoena must be issued pursuant to committee rules—signed and given to an individual to serve a subpoena to the person named in it. Most House and Senate committees have included in their rules one or more provisions on committees’ and subcommittees’ power to authorize subpoenas by majority vote. Most House committees have also delegated to their chair the power to authorize subpoenas. Many of these rules delegating authority also require the chair to consult or notify the committee’s ranking minority member. Most Senate committees’ subpoena rules delegate the power to authorize subpoenas to the chair with the agreement of the ranking minority member. In addition to rules on authorizing subpoenas, the rules of most committees in both chambers also address issuing subpoenas. Most House committees’ rules delegate authority to issue subpoenas to the chair, while several committees allow another committee member who has been designated by the committee to sign a subpoena. Most Senate committees’ rules delegate authority to issue subpoenas to the chair and allow another committee member designated by the chair to sign a subpoena. Some committees’ rules enable subcommittees to authorize subpoenas; other committees’ rules do not explicitly provide this authority. Requirements or limitations pertaining to subpoenas may appear in committees’ rules, such as conditions placed on a chair’s exercise of subpoena authority or on a ranking minority member’s role in authorizing a subpoena. Committees’ other procedural rules affect scheduling and conducting meetings to authorize a subpoena. These other rules may deal with the notice for and agenda of a meeting, the quorum to conduct business, and voting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers global news briefs. Japanese politician Fumio Kishida was elected as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and as prime minister. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte announced his candidacy as vice presidential candidate in the 2022 elections. In Tunisia, President Kais Saied consolidated power by suspending parliament and dismissing Prime Minister Hichem Mechini.

The article offers global news briefs. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies are allegedly preparing a military coup to remain in power. Also cited are the coup d'etat that toppled the government of President Alpha Conde, the recall by France of its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia due to rift over a submarine deal, and the move by U.S. President Joe Biden to offer safe haven to Hong Kong residents due to China's crackdown on civil liberties in its territory.

The article focuses on Slovakia's 2024 presidential election, which took place in two rounds in March and April 2024. Topics include Slovak president Peter Pellegrini's populist victory over Ivan Korcok, signaling a shift towards a Russia-friendly stance under Prime Minister Robert Fico's influence. It mentions that the election outcome has raised concerns about Slovakia's alignment with Western allies and the future of media independence under Pellegrini's leadership.

The article explores the challenges and opportunities in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia from 2018 to 2021. Topics discussed include reconfiguration of power dynamics; escalation of tensions in the internal politics of Ethiopia and to some extent, Somalia; and delay in the implementation of the Eritrea-Ethiopia peace deal.

The article discusses the possible effects of the renewed great power competition among the U.S., Russia and China to the U.S. defense strategy and its issues for U.S. Congress. Other topics include the U.S.' 2017 National Security Strategy and 2018 National Defense Strategy, nuclear deterrence, nuclear arms control, and the global allocation of U.S. military force deployments.

The article focuses on U.S.-Taiwan relations have been unofficial since January 1, 1979. It mentions the U.S. security interests and commitments related to Taiwan have led some U.S. policymakers, including some Members of Congress, to expand efforts to deter armed conflict over Taiwan. It also mentions 2016 inauguration of President Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) marked Taiwan's third peaceful transfer of political power.

The article focuses on soft power as an alternative to hard power in East Asia. Topics discussed include an examination of the definition of smart power and the soft power concept, the soft-power employment in Japan, China, and the U.S. in Asia, the four key elements of an enhanced U.S. soft-power strategy involving reassurance trips, military capabilities and presence, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP), and regional bilateral and multilateral forums, and the context of hard and soft power.

The article provides updates on emerging markets. Bearish moves have been in developed markets where dollars rose across the board and major equity indices dropped sharply. An investigation on former security leader Zhou Yongkang shows China President Xi JiPing's growing political power which can provoke a backlash from inside the Communist Party. A turnaround in Egyptian economic growth will be driven by fixed investment due to greater clarity on the economic policy front and low base effects.

A country report for Cuba as of October 2013 is presented. Political and economic forecasts through 2018 are provided including the efforts by President Raul Castro to save the socialist system, the government's plan to scrap its dual-currency system and the projected improvement in economy following the transfer of political power to younger technocrats. Also mentioned are political framework, climate for investment and trade and social conditions.

The article focuses on the soft-power strategies of the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Topics include the Iranian activities, American policy in the Middle East, and the emergence of the Arab Spring in Damascus, Syria in 2011. Also mentioned are the relation of the U.S. with many allies in the region, failure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to undermine Iranian influence, and the need for the U.S. to adopt soft- and hard-power strategy in the region.

The article presents the Political Stability Index created by the journal that is based on a given country's record of peaceful transitions of power, ability of a government to stay in office and carry out its policies.

The article presents a table of Global Gender Gap Index for various countries by the World Economic Forum, which provides information on the basis of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, and political empowerment.

A chart is presented showing the results of the Political Stability Index as of 2013, which is based on countries' peaceful transitions of power, ability of a government to stay in office and carry out its policies.

A chart is presented depicting the political stability of some countries including Albania, Brazil and China.

The article presents five year forecasts for most likely regimes, international business and key economic risks for Nicaragua as of December 2012. The re-election of President Daniel Ortega and the landslide victory of his political party in November 2011 are making investors wary due to the heavy concentration of political power in the executive and judiciary branches. The forecast is that many obstacles to investments will persist due to the political situation and poor infrastructure.

A country report for Nigeria as of December 2012 is presented. During the 2013-17 forecast period, it expects President Goodluck Jonathan and his People's Democratic Party to remain in power until the 2015 elections. It cites the militant Islamist group Boko Haram as the main threat to political stability. Also expected is for real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to average more than seven percent in 2014-17.

The article offers information on the 2013-2017 economic and political outlook in Libya. It says that Libya's political power has been transferred from appointed officials to elected representatives while its economic policy is expected to combine a central government role in reconstruction. It mentions that Minister Abdelbari Al-Arusi of oil and gas in Libya has announced plans to spin off National Oil Corp.'s petrochemicals and refining activities into a new company.

A country report for Poland as of December 2012 is presented. During the 2013-17 forecast period, it expects Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centre-right Civic Platform to remain in power until the 2015 parliamentary election. Also expected is for the general government deficit to shrink to three percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013. The projected annual decline in inflation level during the forecast period is 2.8%.

A country report for Nigeria as of October 2012 is presented. During the 2013-17 forecast period, it expects President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling People's Democratic Party to remain in power until the 2015 elections or beyond. It cites various social tensions, particularly the rise of Islamist fundamentalism, as main threats to political stability. It expects real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to average more than seven percent during the 2014-17 period.

The article discusses the assessment in Oman's political and economic risks. It mentions the threats of the expanded powers of the Shura Council in the country's political scene. It notes the possible occurrence of public activism and unrest as discontent arises from unhappiness over economic conditions. It also emphasizes that income from Omani oil production will support government spending.

The article presents the assessment of the political, financial, economic, and composite risks of Zimbabwe as of 2012. It mentions the intention of power-sharing in the country as a temporary arrangement from its inception and the improbability of elections to take place before mid-2013. It states the reforms prioritized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) pertaining to sustainable political transition. Also discussed is the economic risk of the country's rising prices.

A chart is presented which depicts the political stability level of various countries as of 2012 based on the ability of the government to stay in office, peaceful transitions of power, and domestic violence.

The article focuses on the calculated political stability index of different countries which is based on the peaceful transitions of power and stability of governance in the midst of threats.

The article provides an overview of the political condition of Botswana from 1965-2012 including the country's stable democratic political system, educational paradigm and political power.

The article focuses on the 2012-2012 forecast for Fiji, which military commander and prime minister Commodore Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama appears to be more determined to hold on to his power. While civil liberties and security forces were given extensive powers after the abrogation of the democratic government, Bainimarama was able to tame the Methodist church in Fiji as well as trade unions. Political uncertainty was one of the risk factors named by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The article presents an outlook on the political and economic sectors of Thailand for 2012-2016. The power struggle that has destabilised Thailand is expected to continue despite the victory of the Puea Thai Party over the Democrat Party (DP) in the July 2011 general election. The monetary policy is anticipated to remain loose in the first half of 2012 in line with the support of the Bank of Thailand, the central bank, to the economy.

This publication presents political and economic outlook for Oman as of March 2012. The monarchy is expected to remain in power over the forecast period due to the implementation of political reforms. Military ties with the West are expected to continue while having cordial relations with Iran. An expansionary fiscal policy to support economic development will be maintained by the government.

The article describes the economic and political status of Egypt as of September 22, 2011. It considers the political situation as highly uncertain, months after the transfer of political power from President Hosni Mubarak to the 18-member Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. It highlights the September 9 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo by pro-democracy protestors. It relates social stability with economic stability in the country. It advises Egypt to liberalize its economy.

The article provides a forecast for Ecuador as of July 2011. It states that President Rafael Correa has increased his effort to concentrate political power in the executive branch. He is expected to win another term in 2013 and to confront a more combative legislative opposition. The damage caused by his heavy-handed treatment of foreign oil companies is shown in the steel decline in output since 2006. Economic forecasts for 2011 and for 2012 to 2016 are also presented.

This entry provides a report on Ecuador as of July 2011. President Rafael Correa has increased his effort to concentrate political power in the executive branch. The president is expected to confront a more combative legislative opposition. Economic forecasts for 2011 and for 2012-2016 are offered. Also included are political data, forecast scenarios and investment and trade conditions.

A country report for Thailand as of October 2011 is presented. It expects continued power struggle in the domestic political scene during the 2012-16 forecast period in spite of the victory of the Puea Thai party. The projected gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2011 is 3.8%, while its annual average growth during the forecast period is 4.8%. Also expected is an average inflation rate of 3.1% per year.

The article presents the economic and political outlook for Portugal from 2011 to 2015. It cites that the government coalition of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Popular Party (CDS-PP) is expected to remain in power from 2011-2015. This entry also includes information on the country's economic policy, fiscal policy, economic performance, economic growth and political structure.

A country report for Romania as of August 2011 is presented. It expects the Romanian government to remain in power until the 2012 election. During the 2012-15 period, a more stable and majority government is expected. Predictions on the domestic economy include an average annual economic growth of 4.7% in 2013-15 and a stable current-account deficit. It notes a plan by the government to establish a Ministry of European Affairs in a bid to enhance European Union (EU) funding absorption.