NY ex-mayor confirms considering running for presidencyFebruary 9, 2016 - 11:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The billionaire former mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, has confirmed he is considering running as an independent candidate for the U.S. presidency. He said he was "looking at all the options''. His aides told U.S. media last month he was eyeing a bid but this is the first time he has acknowledged he may run. Last month the unnamed advisers said he had been alarmed by the increasingly polarized nature of the race. Donald Trump remains frontrunner to be Republican party nominee, while Democrat favorite Hillary Clinton is facing a strong challenge from self-declared socialist Bernie Sanders. In his interview with the Financial Times, Bloomberg was damning about the quality of the debate in the 2016 race, saying U.S. voters deserved "a lot better". "I find the level of discourse and discussion distressingly banal and an outrage and an insult to the voters," he said. No third-party candidate has ever won a U.S. presidential election. Bloomberg was a Democrat before turning Republican in 2001, then later becoming an independent. But despite pro-business views, his liberal stance on issues such as gun control and abortion mean that an independent bid from Bloomberg would be most damaging to the Democrats. Photo: Reuters Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |