#ITALY: "Stand Your Ground" Style Self-Defense Bill Passes Lower House

[world politics news]

The Chamber of Deputies, Italy's lower house of parliament, has voted in favor of a draft law on self-defense in the home.

The bill specifies that "defense is always legitimate" in a person's home. It aims to protect a person who acts in self-defense in response to a perceived threat from an intruder.

Under current legislation, a person who harms an intruder, even in cases of self-defense, can be held responsible for damages.

The bill is reminiscent of USA's "stand your ground" laws, which often allow a person to use lethal force to defend themselves against an intruder on their property.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SOMALIA: Legislation To Require 30% Women In National Legislature Passes Lower House

[world politics news]

Somali women leaders attending a UN-sponsored conference have called on lawmakers to approve a pending electoral reform bill that would enshrine the principle of a 30% gender quota in future national legislatures. The bill has passed the lower house, and is now before the nation's Senate. After the 2016 election, female representation in the federal parliament rose from 14% in the outgoing legislature to 24%.


[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ISRAEL: Netanyahu's Party Launches Video, Billboard Campaign Against Media Figures

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party launched a campaign against media figures it believes have been urging the Attorney General to file charges against him, which he did this week.

The billboard features photos of journalists and the words “They won’t decide” and was placed along a prominent high way in Tel Aviv. Netanyahu had said in news conferences and online videos that the media and left-wing activists "won’t decide" who will win the upcoming elections.

Likud followed up the billboard with a video on Netanyahu’s Facebook page with the message: "For three years the Left and media have been hounding the attorney-general so that he would submit an indictment at any cost."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#OMAN: Social Media Legislation Aimed At "Attacks On Private Persons, The Country, Groups"

[world politics news]

A new law being prepared by the Shura Council, Oman's 86-member lower house of parliament, will not limit a person's ability to say his or her opinion, according to Council Member H.E. Ali al Maashani. "We are not thinking of limiting a person's ability to speak their opinion, given that the opinion is headed in a positive direction. We are only talking about the ethical implications of attacking either a private person, the country, or a group of individuals," said al Maashani, who heads the council's Media and Culture committee. Currently, Oman's Penal Law contains legislation designed to protect individuals from personal attacks.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SPAIN: Gov't Signs Off On Royal Decree Protecting Britons In Case A "No Deal" Brexit Happens

[world politics news]

The Spanish government has signed off on a Royal Decree that protects the rights of British subjects even in the event of a No Deal Brexit. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the Parliament on Wednesday that his Cabinet would sign a Royal Decree to "prepare for all eventualities of a messy Brexit." The move comes after the Czech parliament passed similar legislation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Treasury Head Resigns From Trudeau Cabinet, "Loss Of Confidence" In PM

[world politics news]

Treasury Board President Jane Philpott has resigned from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s cabinet over his handling of the SNC-Lavalin affair.

The Liberal MP was just named to the post of president of the Treasury Board in January, during the same cabinet shuffle that removed Jody Wilson-Raybould from the post of attorney general.

Her decision marks a stunning blow to the government as it is fighting to pivot from the controversy to promoting its carbon tax promises while the House of Commons is on a two-week break.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh Wins A Seat In Parliament

[world politics news]

New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh won election to a seat in parliament in British Columbia's Burnaby South special election Monday, finally allowing him to lead his party from within the House of Commons. He was elected head of the national NDP in 2017, but hasn't held a seat in parliament until now.

In his victory speech, Singh thanked supporters and promised to fight against poverty and continue his party's campaign for a universal pharmacare plan. Singh's win came in one of three federal byelections held Monday in B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Group In Parliament Seeks Crackdown On Money Laundering In UK Overseas Territories

[world politics news]

Tax havens under the UK's jurisdiction could be forced to be more open about who owns assets held there. A group led by Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell and Labour's Margaret Hodge want UK overseas territories to introduce a beneficial ownership register. This, they hope, will shine a light on money laundering and the proceeds of people trafficking and other crimes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Agriculture Minister Resigns Over Possible Article 50 Extension

[world politics news]

Agriculture minister George Eustice has resigned from the government, saying Theresa May’s decision to allow a vote on delaying article 50 would be “the final humiliation of our country."

 Eustice says he will still vote for the prime minister’s Brexit deal but the loss of yet another minister is a fresh blow to May.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CZECHIA: Parliament Moves To Protect Britons In The Event Of A "No Deal" Brexit

[world politics news]

The Czech Parliament has approved a government plan to guarantee the short-term rights of British citizens in the country in the event of a "no-deal" Brexit. The lower house approved the plan in January, and the upper house, or the Senate, has followed suit in a 72-1 vote. The plan means that the roughly 8,000 Britons currently living in the country would retain their rights immediately after Brexit, even if Britain pulls out of the EU in March with no deal.

Pictured: Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SUDAN: After Nearly 30 Years In Power, Pres. al-Bashir Steps Down As Party Leader; May Be Toppled

[world politics news]

Sudan's embattled President Omar al-Bashir has resigned his position as chairman of the ruling party after more than two months of protests against his nearly three-decade rule, the party said. Some speculated that his actual grip on power may be slipping, and that his next step may be to step down.

According to a party statement released on Friday, al-Bashir delegated his powers as chairman of the National Congress Party to its deputy chairman, Ahmed Harun, until the party's next general conference. Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes committed in Sudan's Darfur region.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CHINA: Official Communist Gov't "Social Credit" Blacklist Restricts Travel, Trading

[world politics news]

Millions of Chinese citizens and businesses have been labelled as "untrustworthy" on an official government blacklist, banning them from any number of activities, including accessing financial markets or travelling by air or train.

The government’s "social credit system" is part of the Communist government's efforts to boost “trustworthiness” in society and is expected to give each of its 1.4 billion citizens a personal score.

Its goal is to pressure citizens to avoid bad behavior, although human rights advocates argue it does not take into account individual circumstances, or rights and freedoms.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Conservatives Call On Trudeau To Resign After Former AG Says He Pressured Her In Criminal Case

[world politics news]

The leader of the Conservative Party opposition, Andrew Scheer, has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign after his former attorney general said Trudeau pressured her to make a deal in a criminal case.

Former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould said there were repeated attempts by Trudeau and his office to pressure her to help “find a solution” for SNC-Lavalin, a Montreal-based engineering company facing criminal prosecution. She described calls, meetings, emails and texts from several government offices - including Trudeau’s chief of staff - even after a decision had been made not to offer the company a deferred prosecution agreement.  Scheer said her testimony proves that Trudeau has "lost his authority to govern."

Trudeau rejects her characterization of events, saying he and his office always acted appropriately and professionally. He declined to resign, citing upcoming elections.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ISRAEL: Attorney General Says PM #Netanyahu Will Be Indicted On Bribery, Fraud, Breach Of Trust Charges

[world politics news]

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced his intention to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery on Thursday in a blockbuster decision that could decisively impact the April 9 national election.

Netanyahu's  conservative Likud Party is running neck-and-neck with an alliance of left-leaning parties in the polls.

Mandelblit said that Netanyahu will be indicted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in four cases. Charges against Netanyahu's wife will not go forward, on the advice of prosecutors.


[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#EGYPT: Transportation Minister Resigns Following Deadly Cairo Train Crash

[world politics news]

Egypt's transportation minister resigned Wednesday after a deadly train crash in Cairo killed at least 25, and left over 50 injured.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly accepted Hisham Arafat's resignation, a cabinet satement the statement said. Egypt has consistently been criticized for the safety of its rail service.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#MALDIVES: Legislation Giving Sweeping Powers To President "Sabotaged" By Absent Lawmakers

[world politics news]

Lawmakers from the Maldives' four-party ruling coalition have been accused of sabotaging a bill on granting sweeping powers to commissions formed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to recover stolen assets and investigate unresolved murders in the nation, which lies in the Indian Ocean.

Speaker Gasim Ibrahim ended Tuesday’s sitting of parliament without putting the bill to a vote as the number of lawmakers present was one short of the 43 members of parliament needed to pass laws. Many lawmakers refused to enter the chamber to vote on the measure. Even some coalition lawmakers were reportedly opposed to empowering the inquiry commissions.

Pictured: Parliament Speaker Gasim Ibrahim.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Labour Party Commits Itself To Seeking Second Brexit Referendum

[world politics news]

Labour Party Leader Jeremy Cornyn says his party will seek a second vote on Brexit, after weeks of wavering on the decision. The opposition party will file legislation to delay Brexit and prevent a "no-deal" break from The European Union from happening.

The decision was condemned by Brexit supporters, who called it a "betrayal" of the 2016 vote, in which over 17 million Britons voted to leave the single trading bloc.

Nigel Farage, leader of his newly created "Brexit Party," noted that millions of Labour supporters actually voted to Leave the EU. "Five million people who voted for Brexit then voted for Jeremy Corbyn the following year. For them, this is a disaster," he said. "A majority of Labour seats voted to Leave."

Pictured: Nigel Farage

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SCOTLAND: Legislation Would Make It Illegal To Spank A Child; Church Of Scotland Lends Support

[world politics news]

The Church of Scotland is getting behind legislation to make hitting a child as a form of punishment illegal. The Children Equal Protection from Assault Bill, introduced by Scottish Green Member of Scottish Parliament John Finnie, would create a law to abolish the defense of "reasonable chastisement of a child."

Under current legislation, a person can claim that the physical punishment of a child is justifiable as a parental right or as a right of having charge or care of the child. However, the court does also consider a number of factors such as the nature of the action and duration. The Church of Scotland, and a number of other organisations wrote submissions to parliament's Equality and Human Rights Committee in support of the bill.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: All Students To Get US$254 Gov't "Caring And Sharing" Cash Handout Because Of Budget Surplus

[world politics news]

A HK$2,000 (US$254.) cash handout looks likely for all Hong Kong students as Finance Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po sweetens his budget. Chan had indicated there would be less giveaways in this year's budget compared with 2018 due to a lower surplus.

That has led to an expectation there will be no HK$4,000 handouts under a "Caring and Sharing" plan. But two large pro-establishment parties - the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Federation of Trade Unions - suggested that Chan should not only continue with a HK$2,000 (US$509.) cash handout for a defined scope of students but extend it to all students in Hong Kong.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#RUSSIA: Bill Advances Thru Duma That Would Let Gov't Isolate Internet From Rest Of The World

[world politics news]

Russian lawmakers have advanced a contentious draft bill that seeks to give the authorities the power to unplug the national internet network from the outside world.

Deputies of the Duma submitted the measures to tighten state control over the internet in December, citing the need to respond to an “aggressive” U.S. national cybersecurity strategy. Although Russia’s state media regulator and major tech firms backed the steps to unplug from foreign servers, experts criticized the bill as being too vague and impossible to implement.

Opponents are raising concerns about state interference into the online activities of citizens. Critics have also raised fears that it would lead Russia to follow China’s example in establishing an isolated internet landscape.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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