* Moscow terror attack: President Putin calls for ‘Humanism, Mercy’ as death penalty debate grows     * No Immediate Relief From High Court, Arvind Kejriwal To Stay In Custody     * 2 gambling scandals are now threatening pro sports, and the problems may run deeper     * No immediate dollar estimate on bridge damage or timeline for reopening, Buttigieg says     * REQUIEM FOR A RAPPER: Sex trafficking investigation against Diddy heating up

2015?

Posted in Featured, View Point

Published on January 02, 2015 with No Comments

Viewpoint

The year begins with yet another mystery concerning the lost aircraft of Air Asia, once again bringing the helplessness of man against technology despite a total dependency on the latter.  Interdependency took a hit just days before Christmas when two New York police officers were killed in apparent retaliation for the civilian deaths. Hours later, a Florida cop was killed responding to a call. The animosity between police and the people they’ve sworn to protect has taken a turn for the worse in US, the country that believes in setting moral standards and standards for human rights for other nations to follow, has a serious task at hand. US will have to keep reminding itself of Chris Cruthcher said,“…racist thought and action says far more about the person they come from than the person they are directed at.”
Certain prominent elections that would be of interest include the parliamentary election at United Kingdom in May, Turkey’s parliamentary election in June, Myanmar’s parliamentary election in late October or early NovemberSpain’s parliamentary election in December 2015 and Saudi Arabia’s municipal elections on a date to be determined. Municipal elections ordinarily wouldn’t make a list of global elections to watch. Saudi Arabia’s 2015 municipal elections are an exception not because of the issues at stake but  because of who gets to vote and run in them. Three years ago, King Abdullah announced that women would be permitted to cast votes and stand as candidates. That’s a big leap for Saudi Arabia, who still aren’t allowed to drive, and still need to be accompanied in public by a male under “guardianship laws”. The concern would be, will the King keep his promise? If he does, will the women get a chance to cast the vote independently   or the male member will accompany and influence her right.

Sri Lanka too presents an interesting case for pollsters and the elections scheduled for January 8th  looks set  be a close race for the first time in nearly a decade. In November, President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced the country would go to the polls on January 8 – nearly two years ahead of schedule – in an attempt to seek a fresh mandate amid waning popularity. In a dramatic turn of events following the news, Rajapaksa’s health minister Maithripala Sirisena quit to become the president’s rival candidate, backed by the leading opposition party United National Party (UNP). An interesting scenario!

Instability in Russia, stagnation in Europe, and uncertainty in China all have the capability to influence the world economy. Crude witnessed an unprecedented fall last year, and the direction it takes in 2015 would be of prime interest.

President Obama’s call for United States to “normalize relations” with Cuba, including allowing trade and tourism, is a massive change, and how his change materialised in 2015, could shape a lot not only for this year but also for 2016 when US holds it presidential elections. Who officially enters the 2016 presidential race, would  be of prime  interest in 2015.So far, only one  – former Democratic Virginia Senator . Jim Webb – has formed a presidential exploratory committee. And just one other – former Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush – has indicated he’s “actively” exploring a White House run. But expect many more to jump in at the beginning of 2015. On the Democratic side, most are anticipating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will enter the presidential race.

Not to forget Canada’s parliamentary elections set to take place in October. Polls show that Prime Minister Stephen Harper faces tough odds for re-election.His main rival is Thomas Mulcair of NDP, but chances of Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau can’t be underestimated. Prime Minister Harper has been supporting United States for confronting Russian aggression in Ukraine and misdemeanour of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The shooting incident at the Parliament House in Ottawa has pushed counterterrorism to the forefront of Canadian politics. World would be closely watching how the world alliance shapes up against ISIS and bring this terrorist organisation on its knees. Last year, Pakistan’s helplessness in tacking terror became apparent, and world would hope and expect that Pakistan comes clear of its role in state sponsored terror.

President Obama is scheduled to visit India and it would be crucial for both countries which are on the threshold of mega changes in their socio-economic scenario. While this makes Obama the lone American President who visited India twice during his term in office, it also marks a huge change in trajectory for Prime Minister Modi,from one who was not allowed a visa to US to hosting a US president.

On the sporting front ICC Cricket World Cup is less than two months, all eyes will be at Australia and on India the defending champions.  Their first world cup without Sachin Tendulkar, Man of the tournament in the last edition Yuvraj Singh. With Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announcing his retirement on the last day of 2014, the ODI world cup would perhaps provide an answer to the reason and test his intent to “concentrate on the ODIs”.

 

No Comments

Comments for 2015? are now closed.