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.

Norway: Support for EU membership growing, poll says 

 Estonia: Christian Democratic Party calls for ban on Saturday gay pride parade

Congo: Pres. Kabila leads Vice President in presidential election vote count 

Australia: Law requiring illegals to be held in offshore camps passed legislative hurdle 

Azerbaijan: Opposition newspaper editor imprisoned for libeling ruling party lawmaker

Japan: Frontrunner in PM race criticized for alleged visit to controversial war shrine 

Australia: Calls within ruling Liberal party to allow 'conscience' vote on stem cell research 

Belarus: European watchdog group decries jail sentences of four election observers

Scotland: Former Scottish Socialist Party leader wins defamation suit against tabloid that alleged sexual 
improprieties 

Sierra Leone: President sets 2007 election date 

Senegal: Rap artists fear backlash for speaking out politically with music 

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

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

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

South Africa: Trade negotiator laments Monday's breakdown of WTO trade talks, which were
suspended after five years of discussions led to impasses

Zimbabwe: Dep. Information Minister first to be arrested in corruption crackdown 

Cuba: Castro celebrates 1953 attack on army barracks that sparked his revolution

India: U.S. House approves nuclear cooperation deal with India; exemption from the U.S. Atomic Energy Act approved

Somalia: U.S. urges neighbors not to "meddle" in Somalia

Germany: Foreign Ministry to sign protocol to make Nazi-era documents available to researchers

Russia: Presidents of Commonwealth of Independent States meet to seek reform of the group 

Italy: Border restrictions on workers from Eastern European nations to be eased

Poland: New PM to call for better foreign relations, better roads in first speech Wednesday 

Ukraine: Parliament restores PM Yuri Yekhanurov to office, saying January dismissal was unconstitutional

Nigeria: Vice President denies wrongdoing in bribery probe 

Congo: Rioting as opposition seeks delay in historic national elections 

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 

Australia: PM Howard may override capital territory's counter-terrorism laws 

UK: Tory Shadow International Development Secretary proposes Africa-wide free trade zone 

 Somalia: Talks between Islamists and Gov't break down after continued rumors of Ethiopian troops entering country to support gov't

Cameroon: Poorly negotiated unity agreements plague both Cameroon and Germany, says former East German Foreign Minister

Turkey: Opposition parties criticize advisor to PM for secret meetings with foreign ambassadors 

Kenya: Pres. Kibaki back on top of 2007 election polls; Lib. Dem. opponent edges closer 

 UK: Foreign minister condemns Israeli bombardment of Lebanon

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

Turkey: Failure of EU to solve Cyprus problem is "poisoning" Turkey/EU relationship, says foreign minister; Turkey hopes to gain entry into EU, but public opinion turning against EU

Venezuela: U.S. press freedom group accuses Chavez of using courts to curb freedom of the press 

Zimbabwe: Mugabe moves to shut down discussion over succession 

Kenya: Law may protect MP from treason charges 

Afghanistan: Gov't stages first public mass alcohol destruction; drink banned by constitution

Ivory Coast: Youth riot as voter ID plan fails 

Yemen: 23 acquitted of trying to make war against the U.S.; accused were said to be planning trip to Iraq;
21 sent to jail on forged documents charge

Australia: Howard expects dive in the polls next week after party infighting over his possible retirement; accusations that he may not retire as planned

Thailand: PM may call for Oct 15 election, despite threat of dissolution of parties due to corrpution 

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" 

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 

Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands: Gov. seeks help obtaining more funds from U.S. Feds 

Fiji: Gov't ministers take Air Fiji to task over service

Jordan: Prosecutor suspends board running opposition party's main charity ahead of taking control of party's financial arm

Kuwait: Cabinet approves electoral reform; number of constituencies would shrink from 25 to 5

Latvia: Party to run former Olympic gold medalist for parliamentary seat 

Serbia: PM says no to Kosovo independence 

Georgia: Top lawmaker accuses Russia of arming separatists 

Zimbabwe: Opposition politician faces charges of organizing intra-party violence 

Somalia: Riots leave 97 dead; warlord turns in weapon in surrender 

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 

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 

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

Macedonia: PM concedes defeat in parliamentary vote to nationalist party 

Romania: PM calls president's comments on Iraq pullout proposal "totally iinappropriate" for a head of state 

Ecuador: Peruvian President elect calls on U.S. to resume free trade deal  talks with Ecuador;
talks ended in May when Ecuador nationalized oil industry 

India: PM Singh puts mining privatization plans on hold; further study needed

Europe: Socialist Euro parliament group to throw out Slovak colleagues over far-right alliance 

Japan: Defense minister calls for missle defense shield "as soon as possible"

Macedonia: Polls close on parliamentary elections; seeking EU and NATO entry; minor election violence reported among ethnic Albanians

France: 38 convicted on political corruption charges 

Lithuania: Gediminas Kirkilas confirmed by parliament as PM, ending deadlock

Kazakhstan: Two largest parties - run by president and his daughter - merge 

UK: Baroness Hayman elected first Lord Speaker in House of Lords; new position replaces Lord Chancellor as presiding officer

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 

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 

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 

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 

Spain: PM to open peace talks with ETA Basque separatist group 

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 

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

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

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 

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

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

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