Tuesday, August 15, 2006

VENEZUELA: Chavez announces campaign for unprecedented third term

This post, and those below it, are from 2006, and were the first "test" of the blog.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

U.S.: Bush extends year-long ban on Burma imports; cites military regime's failure to move towards democracy
Turkey: Moderate armed forces head replaced by "hardliner" expected to press U.S. to stop 
Kurd incursions from Northern Iraq 
Zimbabwe: Rival opposition leaders vow unity to unseat ruling party
Somalia: Four more ministers resign from cabinet, citing PM's failure to bring stability to nation 
Ukraine: Political archrivals seek "unity pact"
Latvia: Protests lodged after Latvian diplomat filmed having sex with male in Belarus, take shown on state-run TV  
Congo: Pres. candidate rejects election results; say "irregularities" in historic poll; results not 
known for two weeks; election hailed by African neighbors, Kofi Annan 
 Cuba: Castro relinquishes power while undergoing surgery for intestinal bleeding

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Bermuda: Deputy PM will not challenge leader of Progressive Labour Party in October leadership election 
Jamaica: Nurses return to work after two-day strike following "progress" in talks with labor ministry 
India: BJP Party's minority committee charges that leftist parties "alienated" Muslims from the BJP and from Hinduism
India: Pact with Bhutan signed to assist in hydroelectric power plants and to buy fuel they create 
Philipines: 2006 national census cancelled due to lack of funds; "aging" nation's average age is 21.4; in 1970 it was 16.9, says census board
Quatar: New law requires small firms to maintain books for daily inspection
Iran: President awards Venezuela's Chavez a medal for his work against "imperialism" 
Kuwait: Law sent to parliament to give $300 million in aid for Lebanon reconstruction 
Congo: UN sets up "committee of the wise" to assist in post-election transition 
Angola: Finance Minister touts 20.6 percent growth rate; highest in the world 
Ukraine:  Pres. Yuschchenko vetoes possible coalition gov't; does not want Communists in coalition

Friday, July 28, 2006

Taiwan: Opposition makes second attempt to impeach Pres. Chen over embezzlement charges 
Peru: Pres. Garcia sworn in; plans $400 million investment program in rural areas; will counter Chavez' anti-US rhetoric 
Singapore: Police set strict rules, limited venues for IMF World Bank protests during Sept. mtg. 
Spain: PM vows an "all-out" campaign against illegal immigration from Africa 
Hungary: President signs tax increases into law; designed to cut deficit 
Lithuania: Center-left minority coalition gov't takes office after time of scandals
Zambia: President dissolves parliament, calls for new elections 
Zimbabwe: Supreme Court rules electoral court was improper, may cause repressive
constitutional  amendments to be repealed

Somalia: 17 members of cabinet resign; possible sign power sharing deal with Islamists
coming

Monday, July 24, 2006

Russia: Chavez of Venezuela in Russia to seal deal for 30 fighter jets and 30 helicopters; 
supplements deal for 100,000 Kalishnikov rifles, first delivery was in June
Kosovo: Serb and Kosovar leaders meet for the first time  in Vienna to discuss future of the region; 
no handshakes, no pleasantries exchanged in closed-door meeting 
Burma: Association of Southeast Asian Nation criticizes Burma for lack of democratic reforms
South Africa: Human Rights Commission slams lack of planning, poor implementation in anti-poverty programs by gov't 
Zambia: Media banned from making "speculative analysis" in lead-up to national election 
 Philippines: Pres. Arroyo stresses economy in annual address
UK: Troubled Child Support Agency to be axed; replaced with more efficient body 
UK: Tory leader Cameron in Afghanistan for secret visit to troops 

Friday, July 21, 2006

New Zealand: US Sec. of State Rice says US can "move on" from past nuclear row with NZ
New Zealand: US Sen. McCain brushes off incident with Foreign Minister Peters; Peters cut off McCain and shut down news conference during Washington visit
Australia: New South Wales Premier accused by his party of acting like a "choirboy" and caving in to the Catholic Church after opposing stem cell research
Turkey: PM warns of incursions by Iraqi Kurds into Turkey; 15 Turkish soldiers killed; cross-border attacks "beyond the limits of tolerance" PM Erdogan warns Pres. Bush
 Congo: Catholic Church, UN warn of unfairness of election campaign
Argentina: Venezuela joins MERCOSUR economic trading bloc Friday during Argentinian conference; Chavez and Cuba's Castro attend
Oman: House gives approval to US-Oman free trade agreement; allows Oman companies to to oversee and run U.S. ports

Saturday, July 15, 2006

EU: President condemns Israeli blockade against Lebanon; says it "contravenes international law"
Vietnam: Military officials cautious over U.S. offer of joint military cooperation, including exercises 
EU: Foreign ministers to discuss thorny Kosovo issues at Monday meeting
Zimbabwe: Pres. Mugabe blames the West for economic problems, promises turnaround 
 Romania: Pres. Traian Bãsescu highlights Black Sea regional cooperation
Georgia: Gas pact reached with Azerbaijan
Estonia: Gov't approves bill merging public TV, radio services 
Mexico: Defeated pres. candidate Lopez Obrador accuses businesses of financing campaign against him
Russia: Defense Minister decries Hezbollah's "Terrorists" methods and Israel's response "unacceptable" 

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Six-member Gulf Cooperation Council take steps towards monetary union in 2010

Link: (GCC Website)
Somalia: Warlords surrender weapons to Islamist militias 
Philippines: Gov't considers moratorium on 'nonessential' development loans 
South Africa: President Mbeki to 'talk tough' to G8 over Africa committments not met 
UK: Former army commander expresses "horror" at  Deputy PM Prescott running gov't during Blair break this summer; Prescott facing probe
UK: Leftwing challenge to PM heir apparent Gordon Brown could bring other challengers 
Ivory Coast: Voter ID documentation process slow to start ahead of October elections 
Belarus: Court sentences former presidential candidate Alexander Kozulin to 5 1/2 years in prison; planned opposition rallies claiming fraud in election; charged with "hooliganism"
Guatemala: Former dictator Efrain Rios Montt denies genocide charges 

Monday, July 10, 2006

Angola: Gov't must improve sanitation and water to avoid cholera outbreaks, warns warns Doctors Without Borders 
Iran: Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati says privatization of state companies will "help secure social justice and uproot poverty and discrimination"
Russia: Duma passes "anti-extremism" bill critics say will help silence gov't opponents 
Hungary: PM says growth will slow to 2% in 2007, 3% in 2008, lower than earlier estimates 
Russia: U.S. considering nuclear assistance deal; pegged to cooperation on non-proliferation 
Spain: Judge orders arrest of two former Guatemalan military dictators; to face genocide trials
Philippines: Gov't spokesman says it's "slaying the corruption dragon" despite negative ratings
Nepal: Health of 84-year-old PM is improving, say doctors 
U.S.: Senate committee backs nuclear deal with India 
U.K.: Costly child support agency reforms "aren't working" say audit office 

Saturday, July 08, 2006

East Timor: Ramos Horta named new PM ending weeks of unrest 
Analysis: "Leftist tide" in Central  and South America "may be ebbing" following Calderon victory in Mexico, results elsewhere
Nigeria: New foreign minister alleges foreign ministry "enmeshed in financial scandals"
Philippines: Pres. Arroyo unveils massive reforestation effort
Latvia: Three members of popular New Era Party expelled over corruption suspicions 
Japan: Hot economy prompts first interest rate hike in six years 
Poland: Identical twin of president is set to be nominated for post of prime minister 
Congo: Journalist shot dead ahead of election 
India: Ruling Congress Party faces mounting criticisms of reform plans 
U.K.- Deputy PM Prescott will run gov't during Blair vacation in Aug. despite allegations 
Uganda: President promises rebel leader sought for war crimes amnesty 
Thailand: 15 new parties formed in July as two major parties face dissolution threat
Thailand: Secretary to PM warns that violence to oust gov't would not be accepted by int'l community 
Cyprus: New UN-hosted talks to begin today between rival Greek/Turkish factions; seen as a breakthrough
EU: U.S. is "winning the race" for skilled migrants, say EU officials 

Friday, July 07, 2006

Venezuela: Carribean Community (CARICOM) to support Venezuela's bid for non-permanent seat on UN Security Council; U.S. opposed
Taiwan: President Chen vows to "do a better job" after surviving recall attempt by opposition
Mexico: Calderon wins presidential race after vote recount
Ivory Coast: President and rebel leaders agree to break deadlock in peace talks
Venezuela: Nation joins MERCOSUR regional free trade group; worries expressed
over Chavez "politicizing" group 
Kenya: Electoral commission unveils new election rules;  parties must reveal procedure for nominations, candidates must follow them
Australia: PM Howard rules out  taking other nations' nuclear waste 
Pakistan: No-confidence motion petition signed by 74 members of national assembly against PM Aziz
Bulgaria: Savoy Affair involving former royals in Bulgaria and Italy continues

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Turkey: EU official  plays down veto by Turkey's president of ombudsman bill; says won't effect EU enlargement bid by Turkey
Israel: Law proposed to limit immunity of Knesset members who express support for terror groups 
UK: Deputy PM Prescott faces investigation for undeclared visit at home of casino operator
UK: PM Blair admits he decided on replacing nuclear power facilities with new ones before starting review
Yemen: President files for new term in office; calls for nuclear energy for Yemenis 
Thailand: PM's comments may have been an offense to the king, says legal expert; constitution calls for "revered worship" of the king; PM said "charismatic figure" is causing political problems
Zimbabwe: Gov't accused of jamming Voice of America radio signals 
Sri Lanka: Rebels demand EU peacekeepers leave by 1 Sept after EU labels Tamil Tigers a terror group 
India: Foreign secretary meets Sri Lankan president over devolution package 

Monday, July 03, 2006

Greece: EU warns gov't that deficits could rise above mandated ceilings next year 
Hungary: PM Reggel admits "viscous cycle of false promises" made by political parties to electorate over weak economy 
Estonia: Special summer session to be called to elect president 
U.S.: Sen. Lieberman to seek election on general election ballot even if he loses Democratic Primary in CT 
Europe: Brussels official calls for no more referenda on EU Constitution; but some nations likely to demand a vote when next round of discussions begin next year
Russia: Free trade, energy talks to begin next year with European Union 
Mexico: Presidential election "up in the air" after Sunday's vote 
Ghana: Parliament Moves to Save Cash-Strapped Food And Drugs Board 

Sunday, July 02, 2006

UK: Commons debates ending "need for a father" rule for invitro fertilization; seen as "discriminatory" 
towards lesbians, single women 
Jamaica: Five constituencies in breach of upper, lower limits for number of voters, commission 
sought to fix problem 
Rwanda: Senate to summon Health Minister Ntawukuriryayo to answer questions about hospital's funding
Chad: African Union panel calls for former president to face human rights abuse trial within Africa 
Japan: 600 troops pulled from Iraq; but gov't pledges heavy spending on rebuilding efforts
Vietnam: More southern "capitalists" enter top leadership of Communist Party, marking shift
Thailand: Illegal workers documented by new ID program; eligible for welfare, labour benefits
Kuwait: Opposition MPs call for no reappointment of "controversial" cabinet ministers 
India: Four left-leaning parties say Congress Party is "shedding crododile tears" over price rises 
India: Parties urge adoption of quotas for "Other Backward Classes" (OBCs) for higher educational institutions in upcoming legislative session 

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Fiji: Union leader slams MP over calls for a retirement age of 55
Barbados: PM Owen Arthur says "xenophobia" hampers free movement of  labor in Carribean region; single market and economy planned for 2008
Afghanistan: Native reporters protest new press restrictions imposed by Karzai government
EU: European Commission set to fine Microsoft $2.5 million per day; says it's not complying 
with 2004 antitrust ruling
Kuwait: Reformists make gains in national elections; vow to reduce corruption 
Netherlands: Government resigns following pull-out of D66 Party from coalition; party protesting actions of immigration minister towards Somali immigrant's citizenship.

(See link in previous post)
China: Thousands march in Hong Kong demanding universal sufferage; celebrations mark 9 years after British hand-over
Mexico: Nation votes tomorrow; leftist Obrador leads in polls 
UK: Labour, Tories both suffer in by-elections 
Russia: Ruble becomes fully convertable currency as of today 
France: PM Dominique de Villepin will not compete in 2007 presidential race
Cameroon: MPs call for investigation of frmr. Agriculture minister; say gov't funds
ended up in private hands in 2004
 
Czech Rep.: President Vaclav Klaus refuses to accept PM Jiri Paroubek's offer to resign during nation's political deadlock
Europe: EU media commissioner calls for EU-regulated radio spectrum to ensure access and improve competition 
Analysis: Islamist parties making gains in Middle Eastern elections
Zimbabwe: Ruling party Politiburo urges Mugabe to rebuff calls for a transition out of power 

Friday, June 30, 2006

Germany: Bundestag passes wide-ranging constitutional reforms aimed at clarifying parliamentary powers
 Switzerland: Cabinet seeks agriculture free trade deal from EU
Kuwait: Women fail to win any parliamentary seats in first-ever female voting; 27 out of 249 candidates were female
Bangladesh: Parties close to agreement on electoral reform, but continue feuding on other issues 
Sri Lanka: Talks begin in Oslo, Norway to save ceasefire
Sudan: President rules out deployment of UN troops to Dafur region 
Syria: Neighbors Iraq, Jordan, Beirut delay diplomatic exchanges with Syrian gov't 
Jordan: Recent prosecutions suggest gov't "getting tough" on corruption, says gov't official
 Romania: President 'slams' plan for full pull-out of troops from Iraq
France: Senate, National Assembly pass "iTunes Law" that may require Apple to ensure compatability with other download services

Thursday, June 29, 2006

France: Former Socialist PM Jospin could stand in presidential elections next year 
Turkey: PM tells EU Parliament Muslim cartoons show need for "curbs" on free speech
Estonia: Border guards on eastern frontier fall "below critical" despite EU aid 
Thailand: Court rules voters may not be required to use rubber stamps to mark ballots
Libya: Some in gov't oppose final payments to Lockerbee survivor families 
Tanzania: "Bureaucrats and experts" to blame for not warning government of oncoming famine
Papua New Guinea: "Network within gov't departments" defrauded the state of millions, says police commissioner
New Zealand: Immigration minister "wary" of accepting more workers from poor Pacific nations 
U.S.A.: Senate endorses U.S.-Oman free trade deal 
Dem. Rep. of Congo: First free election in 40 years kicks off with 200 parties, 10,000 candidates
 Nepal: New parliament sworn in, king's powers stripped after months of direct rule
Bahrain: Shiite opposition vows to contest this year's legislative elections, drop four-year boycott
China: Internal political reforms will turn China into democracy, says party official
Pakistan: Concerns renewed over U.S.-India nuclear deal
Russia: Duma calls for thorough investigation of diplomats' murder in Baghdad 
Lithuania: Social Democratic Party member Gediminas Kirkilas nominated as PM; first choice was rejected by parliament
Latvia: President returns labor law failing to offer sexual orientation protections; provision required by EU 
Serbia: Nation will not accept 'imposed solution' over Kosovo's fate, says PM Kostunica 
 Mauritania: Voters approve new constititution limiting presidential terms; had broad, multi-party support
Peru: Lame duck Peruvian Congress approves U.S.-Peru trade deal
Ukraine: Tens of thousands protest in Kiev over doubling of gas, electicity prices 
Thailand: Prosecutors recommend disbanding ruling political party and main opposition party 
Netherlands: Somali-born ex-MP allowed to keep citizenship despite asylum app. lie exposure
Vietnam: 44% of National Assembly defy PM over cabinet minister accused of corruption; rare defiance in Communist gov't

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Haiti: EU links increased development aid to continuance of democractic reforms
Havana: 'Latin American Parliament' conference calls for regional civil defense system against natural disasters 
Venezuela: Chavez to speak at July 1 African Union Summit 
Canada: Parliamentary committee calls for halt to deporting illegals while policy debated
Spain: PM Zapatero defends planned talks with outlawed leftist party 
Hungary: Planned austerity package won't be as severe as 1990s version, says PM 
Vietnam: Nguyen Tan Dung elected PM by National Assembly, vows to fight corruption, bureaucracy
 Mexico: Presidential campaign wraps up
Montenegro: Nation becomes 192nd UN Member State 

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

New Zealand: PM Clark unveils $30 million boost for early childhood education 
Portugal: PM Jose Socrates, on Korean visit, pledges to boost trade with S. Korea "five-fold" in next few years
Japan: Cabinet Sect'y Abe tops poll to succeed Koizumi as head of Liberal Democratic Party in September vote 
Israel: PM Olmert discusses problems of evacuees from Gaza and Samaria in special Knesset session 
 Yemen: President vows to seek re-election amdist "pressure" from the public
USA: Bush calls on Senate to approve line-item veto; has passed the House 
Venezuela: U.S. close to anti-drug accord with Venezuela after calls to restrict U.S. agents' powers
Bolivia: President "caves in" to Catholic Church on religious education ban proposal
Ukraine: coalition nominates Yulia Tymoshenko - "Orange Princess" - for PM 
China: Deals signed with Angola, South Africa on trade, political relations 
Kyrgyzstan: Parliament rejects 2003 treaty with Kazakhstan
Italy: Italians reject constitutional amendments 
Philippines: Pres. Arroyo signs death penalty ban into law
Finland: Left Alliance in turmoil after leader resigns 
Venezuela: Election officials invite EU to witness Dec. presidential election

Monday, June 26, 2006

South Korea: Gov't to compensate families of Communists who fought Japanese occupation
UK: Blair chides G8 over world trade deal 
South Africa: Opposition party to question Arts & Culture minister over German trip during World Cup
Europe: EU trading partners say new chemicals regulations could have "grave consequenses"
Italy: Constitutional overhaul would give PM more powers; two-day referrendum ends today
Iraq: Leading Sunni politician backs PM's reconciliation plan
India: Gov't acts to stem rising prices in commodities of wheat, sugar
Sierra Leone: VP drafts act to harmonise laws nationwide
France: Senate passes tough immigration bill, following National Assembly's passage last month
Australia: Parliament passes Do Not Call register
Canada: Conservatives to take aim at dismantling "long-gun" registry in fall session
Thailand: PM Thaksin vows to lead his party in election, despite possible dissolution for corruption
East Timor: PM quits after weeks of protests over military firings
Kuwait: 28 women contest 50 seats in June 29 legislative election
Turkey: Former PM Yilmaz likely presidential candidate for new centrist party
Japan: Opposition parties unite in call for Bank of Japan Gov. to resign
Belgium: Mosques in Brussels could get government funds
Romania: Conservatives vote to remain in governing coalition
Japan: Diet passes law aimed at lowering high suicide rate

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Mauritania: Oil-rich nation held historic vote Sunday
Brazil: President Lula to stand for re-election in October
UK: More: Tories to announce Bill of Rights (Times of London)
Somalia: 'Radical' wanted by U.S. heads new Somali body
UK: Tories to introduce US-Style "Bill of Rights"
Australia: Senate to Recommend Test Seasonal Worker Scheme

The Mission of This Blog

The mission of this blog is simple: To link to political news around the world.

This site was inspired by a fist fight. Several, actually. Not involving me, but involving politicians in Japan and South Korea, and elsewhere. That seems to be the only time Westerners really pay attention to politics outside their own nation. And that's a shame, because that's not politics, it's entertainment.

This site aims to link to SERIOUS news articles about political discussions, debates and elections in nations throughout the world.

It is not a site for political commentary, and is not about anything other than politics. No sport(s), entertainment or those "odd" news items of the day (including parliamentary fist fights.)

It simply links to articles about politics throughout the world. Period.

In fact, this may be the longest post you will ever see on this blog.

I will be seeking out journalists from around the globe to post politics-related links from their part of the world, making this a content-rich, valuable site you can visit once a day and leave educated.

Thanks,
Stephen Abbott
Manchester, NH USA