#FRANCE: Macron Parties During Riots?

[world politics news]

Pres. Emmanuel Macron is facing criticism after he was seen dancing at an Elton John concert this past week while Paris descended into chaos amid protests over the "execution" of a teenager by police after a traffic stop last Tuesday. 

The French leader appeared footloose and fancy-free during Wednesday's concert while his nation's Capitol city was torched and looted by rioters.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: Parliamentarians Question RCMP's Use Of Facial Recognition Program

[world politics news]

An attempt by members of Parliament to find out more about the RCMP's use of controversial facial recognition software hit a wall as one MP accused police officials of being "intentionally evasive."

The standing committee on access to information, privacy and ethics met this morning to continue its study of the use of the emerging technology in Canada.

Federal Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien has said the RCMP's use of facial recognition software created by the U.S.-based Clearview AI violated Canada's privacy laws.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: Civil Liberties Groups Outraged Over Police Threats To Arrest Reporters

[world politics news]

Civil liberties and legal rights groups are expressing outrage after Ottawa Police threatened members of the media with arrest for reporting on the ongoing crackdown of peaceful protesters calling for an end to COVID-19 mandates. 

On Friday, the official Ottawa Police Twitter account warned that media attending the protest zone would be “subject to arrest.” 

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SINGAPORE: Robots To Police Anti-Social Behavior Tested

[world politics news]

There are new sheriffs in town in Singapore, and they are unnerving many who live there.

Called "Xavier," the robots are equipped with seven cameras that enable them to detect "undesirable social behavior," for instance if you incorrectly park your bike, if you smoke in an unauthorized area or if social distancing is not being respected.

According to project manager Michael Lim, these machines are a new weapon against insecurity.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: BLM-Supporting City Council Candidate Mocks Dead Police Officer

[world politics news] 

An Edmonton, Alberta city council candidate and Black Lives Matter advocate celebrated the death of slain Calgary police officer Sgt. Andrew Harnett on Twitter earlier this week, only days after his passing. 

According to the Post Millennial, in a reply to a Tweet eulogizing the young officer’s passing, Abdulhakim Dalel called the young Sgt. a “corrupted Police Officer!” [sic] before posting laughing emojis. 

Dalel has been quoted by multiple news outlets over the years to talk about issues pertaining to racism, including in the Toronto Star and BlogTO.

Dalel is now running for Edmonton City Council for Ward 7. He also ran for the NDP's nomination in the Federal riding of Edmonton Griesbach in 2015, but lost to Janis Irwin, who subsequently lost to Conservative MP Kerry Diotte.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.  

#FRANCE: Parliament Passes First Reading Of Law Forbidding Showing Police Officers' Images

[world politics news] 

A draft law that would make it a crime to circulate an image of a police officer in certain circumstances passed the first hurdle in France's parliament on Tuesday despite protests from rights activists and journalists.

A draft law that would make it a crime to circulate an image of a police officer in certain circumstances passed the first hurdle in France's parliament on Tuesday despite protests from rights activitsts and journalists.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: Calgary Plans Taking $20 Million From Police Budget

[world politics news] 

Shifting $20 million from the Calgary police budget to address gaps in crisis and outreach services will be on the table during city council’s budget deliberations later this month.

The council approved a motion earlier this month that asks city officials to bring information about reallocating $10 million of Calgary Police Service funding in both 2021 and 2022 for a new “community safety investment framework.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NEWZEALAND: High Court Rules Minister of Police Acted Improperly During Ammunition/Gun Confiscations

[world politics news]

A High Court decision found that the Minister of Police had acted against property rights when he banned some classes of commonly held ammunition without compensation, but that it was legal because Parliament endorsed this decision by passing legislation to do so.

On April 10, New Zealand's government passed the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019, banning semi-automatic firearms, magazines, and parts.

The case was brought by the Council of Licenced Firearms Owners, which called the ruling "an embarrassment for the government."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SCOTLAND: Parliament Urges Ending Exports Of Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets To US

[world politics news]

The Scottish Parliament voted in favor of the immediate suspension of exports of riot gear from the U.K. to the U.S.

The successful motion, lead by Minister Patrick Harvie, was backed by a 52-0 vote with 11 abstentions in which the parliament stated it “stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and considers that the U.K. Government must immediately suspend all export licences for tear gas, rubber bullets and riot gear to the U.S.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THEPHILIPPINES: Pres. Duterte Issues "Shoot to Kill" Order For "Troublemakers" During Quarantine

[world politics news

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has told security forces they should shoot dead anyone causing "trouble" in areas locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

About half the country's roughly 110 million people are currently under quarantine -- including millions in deep poverty, left jobless by tough restrictions on movement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#HONGKONG: Street Battles Becoming More Violent, Even As Fewer Participating

[world politics news]

Months of social unrest in Hong Kong moved into a new phase Saturday, with both anti-government protesters and police using fresh strategies.

Fewer people were taking to the streets, but some were shouting "revolution," and spitting rage-filled epithets against Mainland China, rather than just opposition to an unpopular Mainland extradition bill, which the government has "shelved" but not cancelled permanently.

Police again used tear gas, and petrol bombs were thrown by demonstrators, who once more had gathered illegally across the city in defiance of protest bans issued by the authorities.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Belfast Is "Awash With Drugs" Says Lawmaker; Calls For Higher Police Presence

[world politics news]

A Northern Ireland lawmaker is calling for a greater police presence on the streets of Belfast after witnessing drug use in public during a New Year's Day stroll with his young children. Christopher Stalford, a member of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly, says he was walking along the Connswater Greenway in mid-morning when he witnessed several incidents of cannabis use in public. The Democratic Unionist Party lawmaker said, "Frankly, I have the impression that Belfast is awash with drugs."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#AUSTRALIA: Parliament Passes "Dangerous" Bill Forcing Businesses To Allow Gov't To Snoop On Employees

[world politics news]

Australia’s parliament has passed a controversial anti-encryption bill that grants Australian police greater powers to issue “technical notices” - a nice way of forcing companies - even websites - operating in Australia to help the government hack, implant malware, undermine encryption or insert back doors at the behest of the government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CHINA: Police Officers To Be Given Exemption From Prosecution For Damage To Property During Arrests

[world politics news]

Starting in February, Chinese police officers will no longer be held legally responsible for damage to the property of individuals or organisations caused during the performance of their duty. Guo Lin, a spokeswoman for the public security ministry, says the regulation was necessary to enable officers to do their work without fear of retribution.

In the event of an officer damaging the legitimate rights or interests of a citizen or institution, the injured party would, however, still be entitled to compensation from the relevant public security authority, she said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: Concerns Raised After Revelation That Premier's Chief Of Staff Ordered Police To Raid Illegal Pot Shops

[world politics news]

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's chief of staff ordered senior political aides to direct police to raid outlaw cannabis stores the day marijuana became legal in Canada, and to show "people in handcuffs," according to a report in the Toronto Star.

Dean French reportedly made the demand in two conference calls on Oct. 17. He was met by stiff resistance from staff in the community safety ministry and the attorney general's office. Reports have also surfaced of conservative party officials expressing concerns about a government official ordering police to conduct operations.

Pictured: Doug Ford, left, and his chief of staff, Dean French.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ITALY: Former PM Berlusconi, Barred From Politics, Suggests Police Force General As Possible Next PM

[world politics news]

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi suggested General Leonardo Gallitelli  a member of the Carabinieri (military police) could become prime minister if he wins an election in 2018, according to local media. Berlusconi, a four-time prime minister, is barred from public office because of a tax fraud conviction. He is said to be trying to overturn the ban but is seeking alternative candidates in case he is unsuccessful.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THEPHILIPPINES: Pres. Duterte: Police May Shoot "Idiots" Resisting Arrest

[world politics news]

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told police on Monday they were free to kill 'idiots' who violently resist arrest, two days after the funeral of a boy who was gunned down and left next to a pigsty by anti-drugs officers.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THEPHILIPPINES: Pres. Duterte Puts Out "Dead Or Alive" Bounties On Police Officers

[world politics news]

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday announced "dead-or-alive" bounties worth $40,000 each for policemen he accused of helping an accused narco-politician, and said he preferred they be killed.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CHINA: Top Police Authority Issues New Guidelines For Protecting Good Samaritans

[world politics news]

China's top police and security authority has announced new guidelines to ensure that Good Samaritans who are injured while helping someone in need are to be better protected. The Ministry of Public Security issued the draft guideline on how to protect and reward good Samaritans, stipulating that medical fees should be paid for by the person responsible for an accident or by those being helped.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#KENYA: Senate Speaker Orders Probe Into Police Surrounding Parliament During Session

[world politics news]

The speaker of Kenya's Senate has ordered a probe into why police cordoned off parliament during a session in which the ruling coalition pushed through a series of election reforms. Ekwee Ethuro directed the House National Security Committee to look into the matter and report back to the House. "This is not a police state. This is a democracy," Ethuro told senators.