#AUSTRIA: Islamic Veil And Other Face-Concealing Items Banned As Of Today

[world politics news]

New restrictions come into force in Austria on Sunday banning the wearing of the full Islamic veil and other items concealing the face in public places and buildings. Exemptions "under certain conditions" include items like clown disguises "at cultural events," work wear such as medical masks, and scarves in cold weather, the government says. The restrictions are aimed at "ensuring the cohesion of society in an open society," it says. Violations will be punished with a fine of up to 150 euros ($177).

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SAUDIARABIA: King Issues Ruling Allowing Women To Drive By Next Summer

[world politics news]

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has issued a decree allowing women to drive for the first time. Government ministries are to prepare reports within 30 days and the order will be implemented by June 2018. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world to forbid women from driving.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRAQ: Kurdish Regional Leader Says Voters Said "Yes" In Independence Referendum

[world politics news]

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said on Tuesday that Kurds had voted "yes" to independence in a referendum held in defiance of the government in Baghdad and which had angered their neighbors and their U.S. allies. Only Israeli Prime Min. Benjamin Netanyahu offered public support for a "Yes" vote. The Kurds, who have ruled over an autonomous region within Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, consider Monday's referendum to be a historic step in a generations-old quest for a state of their own.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Political Earthquake As Merkel Wins, But Anti-Immigrant Party Wins 3rd Slot With 13% Of Vote

[world politics news]

Sending a message to Chancellor Angela Merkel (who nonetheless won a fourth term in office) the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Sunday became the first openly anti-immigration party to enter parliament with so many seats since World War II, despite calls to stop the alleged "Nazi" Party. Exit polls showed the AfD with around 13% of the vote, making it the third biggest political force in Germany - a stunning result for a party that was founded just four years ago.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Traditional Parties Set To Lose Votes To Right-Leaning Parties

[world politics news]

A poll published by public broadcaster ZDF on Friday shows that both the major parties are likely to suffer major losses, while the small right-wing parties are on the rise.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: Gov"t Arrests 14 Catalan Leaders Promoting Secession

[world politics news]

The Spanish government had arrested 14 members of the Catalan government for promoting the October 1st independence referendum in the region. The arrests prompted mass demonstrations in Barcelona and elsewhere, both for and against the vote.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THEPHILIPPINES: Duterte Says He'll Have Son Killed If In Drug Trade

[world politics news]

Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has said he will have his son killed if drug trafficking allegations against the younger politician are true, and that the police who carry out the hit will be protected from prosecution.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#MYANMAR: Aung San Suu Kyi Addresses Human Rights Complaints Against Gov't

[world politics news]

Aung San Suu Kyi said she "feels deeply" for the suffering of "all people" caught up in conflict-torn Rakhine state in her first comments on the crisis since the latest violence began last month.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRAQ: Kurdish Lawmakers Move Ahead With Controversial Independence Referendum

[world politics news]

Iraqi Kurdish lawmakers have voted to move ahead with a controversial independence referendum. The vote comes amid international opposition and internal political disputes within Kurdish ranks.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CHINA: Gov't May Set Timetable To End Production Of Internal Combustion Engines By 2040s

[world politics news]

China will set a deadline for automakers to end sales of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, becoming the biggest market to do so in a move that may accelerate the push into the electric car market. Xin Guobin, the vice minister of industry and information technology, said the government is working with other regulators on a timetable to end production and sales, mostly likely in the 2040s. The move will have a profound impact on the environment and growth of China’s auto industry, said Xin.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GHANA: Parliament Ready To Vote On Creation Of Special Prosecutor's Office

[world politics news]

A bill is being readied in Parliament to create an Office of the Special Prosecutor, which backers say will enable the government deal with issues of corruption, especially among state officials. Under the bill, an independent prosecutor will head the office and prosecute corruption offenses by state officers. It was one of the major promises made by Pres. Akufo-Addo as part of his plans to deal with corruption in government. One of the bill's few critics is former Attorney General Martin Amidu, who says a clause limits the number of crimes covered, and future presidents may interfere with the office. Backers say the bill is deliberately limited to prevent overreach.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SOUTHAFRICA: Bill Passes That Would Implement Demerits For Drivers Who Break Traffic Laws

[world politics news]

Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi is welcoming the passage of a bill which would ensure that a demerit points system for drivers will be implemented. The demerit points system docks points from the licences of drivers who break traffic rules. This will result in the cancellation of driving licences for repeat offenders. The bill will become law once it has been signed by President Jacob Zuma.


[FULL STORY HERE]

#UGANDA: Women's Rights Group Petitions Parliament To Approve Revised Marriage Bill

[world politics news]

Women activists under Women and Rural Development Network have kicked off a nationwide drive of gathering signatures to petition Parliament to discuss and pass into law the Marriage Bill 2017. A clause regarding cohabitation was removed from the bill after cultural and religious groups opposed it, says organizer Laureen Karayi Nabimanya.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: House Speaker Rebecca Kadaga

#CANADA: Ontario First Province To Set Rules For Legal Pot Sales: Thru Gov't Stores Only

[world politics news]

Ontario is the first province or territory in Canada to lay out its plans for how cannabis will be sold and regulated in response to federal legislation that will legalize recreational use by July 2018. According to details announced at a Friday press conference, the province will set the minimum age at 19, the same as alcohol. The federal Cannabis Act gives provinces the ability to set the age as low as 18, although some medical groups have argued for a higher minimum age due to the effects of cannabis use on brain development.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#USA: House Approves Self-Driving Car Bill, Allowing Up To 100,000 Autonomous Vehicles On The Road

[world politics news]

The U.S. House has unanimously approved the SELF-DRIVE act which would, if approved by the Senate, make it possible for companies working on self-driving cars to field a lot more vehicles per year – as many as 100,000 autonomous test cars annually.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Parties Believed To Be Close To Compromise On Restoring Assembly

[world politics news]

The government believes there are fresh hopes of reaching an agreement between the two main political parties in the North and restoring the power-sharing executive after months of deadlock. Despite public grandstanding by Sinn Fein after the Democratic Unionist Party's offer of an olive branch on the Irish language act last week, government sources say Gerry Adams's party is willing to reach a compromise.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster

#UK: Conservative Politician Gets Irish Passport To Protest #Brexit

[world politics news]

Conservative Charles Tannock, an MEP for London, has acquired an Irish passport in a protest over Brexit, saying "I am quite ashamed to be British in many ways." He told the Irish Times he was a "pretty angry pro-European Tory" and a "passionate remainer" who had applied and received his Irish passport after the EU referendum last year.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ISRAEL: Wife Of PM Netanyahu Set To Be Indicted On Expenses

[world politics news]

Sara Netanyahu is expected to be indicted, pending a hearing, on charges of fraudulently receiving items worth 400,000 shekels ($111,851), Haaretz has learned. Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to inform Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of the charges against her in a few weeks. Sara Netanyahu is suspected of ordering chef’s meals at the prime minister’s official residence, which is against regulations, and concealing the fact that she did so.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#INDIA: Cabinet Reshuffle Brings India Its Second Woman Defense Minister

[world politics news]

Nirmala Sitharaman, who just took oath as the new Cabinet member, has been given the Defense Ministry portfolio, becoming first dedicated woman defense minister of India and only the second woman to hold the crucial ministry after Indira Gandhi. Modi, in his third Cabinet reshuffle, swore in 13 new ministers.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#HUNGARY: PM Bills EU For Walk Construction

[world politics news]

Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, is set to send the EU a bill for €400 million, in order to help pay for the fence it built to keep illegal migrants out.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#KENYA: Supreme Court Nullifies September Presidential Elections

[world politics news]

Kenya's Supreme Court has annulled the result of last month's presidential election, citing irregularities, and ordered a new one within 60 days. The election commission had declared incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta the winner by a margin of 1.4 million votes. Raila Odinga, Kenyatta's opponent, said the commission was "rotten" and demanded resignations and prosecutions. President Kenyatta said he would respect the court's decision but also branded the judges "crooks".

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Alberta MP Leaves Liberal Pty Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

[world politics news]

Calgary MP Darshan Kang is resigning from the Liberal caucus amid allegations that he repeatedly sexually harassed a young female staffer in his office.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CHILE: Pres. Sends Gay Marriage Bill To Congress

[world politics news]

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has sent legislation to Congress seeking to legalize gay marriage, a move that follows a string of social reforms in one of Latin America's most conservative nations. The bill submitted on Monday would allow gay couples to adopt children and would denote marriage as a "union between two people" rather than between a man and a woman, according to reports.

[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]

#INDIA: After 5 Attempts, A Privacy Bill May Be Seriously In The Works This Time

[world politics news]

Despite several private member bills, Parliament has not yet enacted any specific law defining privacy and providing protection against breach of privacy of individuals in India. The Privacy Bill, 2011 was drafted government but has been left hanging since then. Some reports suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown interest in a Privacy Bill. PM Modi is said to have held a few rounds of discussion with his cabinet colleagues on the matter. PM Modi apparently last discussed the Privacy Bill in March, 2015. The Privacy Bill is understood to have been put on hold after objections from intelligence agencies.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ISRAEL: Knesset To Take Up Controversial "Jewish State Bill" Next Month

[world politics news]

The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, is expected to advance the so-called “Jewish State bill” - also referred to as the “Nationality” or “Nation State bill" - next month according to Israeli media, amid ongoing controversies over the bill’s discrimination of Palestinian citizens of Israel. A committee established to promote the bill would be given two consecutive sessions next month, despite the Knesset being in recess during that time. The bill declares that Israel is “the national home of the Jewish people,” and that “the right to realize self-determination in Israel is unique to the Jewish people.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

#RUSSIA: Deputy PM Backs Concept Of A "Crypto-Ruble"

[world politics news]

For the first time, a senior Russian official has thrown his support behind a state-backed crypto-currency. In an interview with Russian broadcaster RBC, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said that he is in favor of a "crypto-ruble" – provided that certain measures are put in place on the security front.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Nearly Half Of Voters Undecided About Merkel's Party In Sept. Election

[world politics news]

Some 45 per cent of Germans appear to believe that Dr Merkel and her Christian Democratic Union, given its steady 15-point lead in polls, will win the September 24th general election. But almost the same number, 46 per cent, say in a poll in Frankfurter Allgemeine they have yet to make up their mind how to vote.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#VENEZUELA: Pres. Maduro Strips Parliament Of Power, Deepening Political Crisis

[world politics news]

Venezuela’s political crisis has deepened after a new pro-government "superbody" stripped the opposition-held parliament of its legislative powers and the fugitive attorney general accused President Nicolás Maduro of links to a corruption scandal. The move by the national constituent assembly, denounced by regional powers and the US, has limited practical impact. The government had in effect neutered the parliament soon after the 2015 election that brought it to power, and the new constituent assembly already has virtually unlimited reach.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#MALDIVES: Army Occupies Parliament, Roughs Up Opposition, To Prevent No Confidence Votes

[world politics news]

The Maldives military locked down the nation’s parliament on Tuesday in what opposition lawmakers said was an attempt to block a motion to impeach the speaker of the house. Imthiyaz Fahmy, from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, tweeted a video of what he said were security forces in plain clothes blocking representatives from entering the chamber.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ZIMBABWE: First Lady Allowed To Leave S. Africa Despite Assault Allegation

[world politics news]

South Africa has granted diplomatic immunity to Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe, allowing her to leave the country without answering questions about an assault allegation. A model says Mugabe attacked her at a hotel.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#NIGERIA: After 104 Days Abroad, Pres. Buhari Returns Home After UK Medical Treatment

[world politics news]

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to the country on Saturday after more than three months in the United Kingdom for medical treatment for an undisclosed "health challenge." The 74-year-old left for London on May 7.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRAN: In Response To US Sanctions, Parliament Votes To Increase Spending On Missiles, Rev. Guard

[world politics news]

Iran’s parliament gave initial approval to a bill to boost spending on Tehran’s missile program and the elite Revolutionary Guards in retaliation for new sanctions imposed by the United States. Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the outlines of the bill to “counter America’s terrorist and adventurist actions” as some chanted “Death to America."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SOUTHAFRICA: Pres. Zuma Narrowly Survives Another No-Confidence Vote In Parliament

[world politics news]

South African President Jacob Zuma survived the sixth push for a vote of no confidence, and for the first time, the vote was held by secret ballot. The embattled Zuma's African National Congress party, which controls Parliament, overcame speculation that a secret vote might prove to be his undoing. The final vote was 198 to 177, with nine abstentions. The motion of no confidence would have needed 201 votes to remove Zuma from office.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Britain Threatens To Treat EU Like Any Other Nation Without Positive Brexit Pact

[world politics news]

Britain is threatening to put in place new laws to slap extra VAT and customs fees onto EU products if Brussels refuses to sign a deal with us post Brexit. Without a new agreement after we quit the bloc, ministers say they would be forced to treat trade with the EU the same as other non-EU countries.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GREECE: Parliament Approves Primary Care Healthcare Reform Bill

[world politics news]

A health ministry bill introducing changes to primary care has been approved in principle, establishing, "a feasible implementation plan for the development of a network of public primary care services," according to Health Minister Andreas Xanthos. The SYRIZA and ANEL parties voted in favor of the bill, New Democracy, Golden Dawn, Democratic Coalition and the Communist Party voted against, while Potami and the Centrists Union voted "present."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ISRAEL: In Trump-Style Rally, Netanyahu Condemns Media, Political Left

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked the media during a Likud Party rally in Tel Aviv. He accused the Left and the media of being one and the same, together on “an obsessive, unprecedented witch-hunt against me and my family, seeking to overthrow the government.... Their goal is to put inappropriate pressure on law enforcement, with no connection to justice.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Survey Shows Support For "Clean Break" With EU When #Brexit Happens

[world politics news]

A survey of more than 20,000 ordinary voters found overwhelming support among both Leavers and Remainers for PM May's strategy of securing a clean break with the EU. It finds that two-thirds of people would rather quit with no deal at all than settle for a soft Brexit which would see the UK stay in the Single Market and continue accepting free movement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall Retiring From Politics

[world politics news]

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has announced that he is retiring from politics after 14 years as the leader of the Saskatchewan Party. Wall, 51, said he would stay on as premier until the party elects a new leader.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#KENYA: Opposition Vows To Overturn "Sham" Election Results

[world politics news]

Kenya's opposition has accused the government of "state terror" and vowed to overturn a "sham" result. Senior opposition official James Orengo said they would not go to court to achieve this. He urged people to stay calm and out of harm's way. Orengo alleged that about 100 people had been killed by the Kenyan security forces but did not offer evidence. Official results gave President Uhuru Kenyatta 54.3%. His challenger Raila Odinga called the election a "charade."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#PERU: Gov't Orders Venezuelan Ambassador Out To Protest Maduro's Constituent Assembly

[world politics news]

The Peruvian government has ordered the Venezuelan ambassador in Lima to leave within five days over a perceived breakdown in Venezuela’s democratic order. Peru said the ouster had followed Venezuela’s failure to respond to a declaration issued by American nations at this Tuesday’s meeting in Lima where they announced they did not recognize President Nicolas Maduro’s new constituent assembly.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#DENMARK: PM Rasmussen Refuses To Drop "Socialist" Home Loan Plan Despite Internal Opposition

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has denied rumors of a spilt within the Venstre (Liberal) party after a minister called a proposal for a state loan system “socialist." The plan calls for the government to take over issuing home loans. According to a news report, Venstre's political group chairman Søren Gade said that he considered the proposal to reflect socialist policy. Rasmussen said that he would move ahead with the proposal, despite the party's internal disagreement over it.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#KENYA: Election Commission Denies Oppo Pty Hacking Claim

[world politics news]

Kenya's electoral commission has denied opposition claims its IT system was hacked in order to manipulate Tuesday's election results. Chief electoral officer Ezra Chiloba told reporters the systems were not compromised at any point.

[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]

#SPAIN: PM Files Appeal Against Catalan Parliament's "Fast-Track" Bills To Pave Way For Referendum

[world politics news]

The Spanish government has filed an appeal with Spain's constitutional court against a reform passed by the Catalan parliament to fast-track bills through the regional parliament, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said. Catalonia's majority separatist lawmakers hope the reform they approved will pave the way for an independence referendum in the wealthy northeastern region called for October 1st which Madrid deems illegal.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Merkel's Coalition Partner Party Faces Losing Majority In Lower Saxony

[world politics news]

The Social Democrats' coalition in the key state of Lower Saxony collapsed, compounding the party's woes as it fights an uphill battle to unseat Chancellor Angela Merkel in next month's general election. The SPD, junior partners in Merkel's right-left national government, lost their ruling majority in the northwestern state of Lower Saxony when a coalition deputy jumped ship.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Lower Saxony Minister President Stephan Weil 

#SWEDEN: IT & EU Minister Admits She Knew of IT Security Issues In 2015

[world politics news]

A further Swedish government minister has been caught up in the scandal around a cyber security slip-up after EU Affairs and Trade Minister Ann Linde confirmed she was made aware of suspected IT security failings in 2015 while she was state secretary to then Interior Minister Anders Ygeman.
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[FULL STORY HERE]

#INDIA: Upper House Amends Education Bill Giving Teachers More Time To Qualify Under 2009 Act

[world politics news]

The Upper House of the legislature has passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, extending the deadline for teachers to acquire the prescribed minimum qualifications for appointment by four years. Under the new Act, the teachers who do not possess the minimum qualifications as on March 31, 2015 will acquire the minimum qualifications within a period of four years - that is, by March 31, 2019.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRELAND: Parliament Members' Bar Tabs To Be Written Off As A Loss

[world politics news]

Bar bills racked up in Dublin's parliament buildings will be written off because there is "no realistic prospect" of them being paid. A report by the Houses of the Oireachtas (Irish houses of parliament) Commission did not say how much would be written off. It said the "amount involved was very small in the overall context of the bar and restaurant receipts". The bars and restaurants involved are regularly used by Irish politicians.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#VENEZUELA: Opposition Leaders Taken From Homes By Maduro Regime Following Election

[world politics news]

Leading Venezuelan opposition figures Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma were taken from their homes early Tuesday, according to their families, after they opposed a controversial election that critics say will let President Nicolás Maduro illegitimately consolidate power.

[FULL STORY HERE]