#JORDAN: Women Stage Walk-Out After MP Told to "Sit Down" By Parliamentarian

[world politics news]

The demand that a female member of parliament "sit down" while speaking in parliament and for female parliamentarians to 'go home to your husbands" sparked at walk-out by female MPs. Hind al-Fayez, one of Jordan's few female MPs, was verbally attacked by controversial Muslim Brotherhood-allied MP Abdul Majid Aqtash.

#CANADA: Ontario Parliamentarian Seeks Bill to Rise Fines on #Uber's "Bandit Cabbies"

[world politics news]

John Fraser introduced a bill in Ontario's provincial parliament that would raise fines for operating Uber and other “bandit” cabs from $500 to $30,000, a significant new weapon in Ontario's war against the American ride-sharing company.

#UK: UKIP's First MP Says Party Must Avoid Racist Comments to Win Over Youth Vote

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#INDONESIA: Jakarta Governor Jokes That "Jinn" Demons Downed Plane

[world politics news]

Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama suggested Monday that jinn (demons) might be behind the downing of AirAsia flight QZ8501, which crashed en route from Surabaya, East Java to Singapore with 162 people on board. Social media were quick to attack the political leader, who is known for his "wisecracks."

#GREECE: Failure to Elect Head of State Leads To New Elections, Fresh Crisis

[world politics news]

The failure of Greece's parliament to elect a new head of state - falling just 12 votes short of votes needed - immediately triggered a snap election within 30 days, likely to be won by the Leftist, anti-austerity Syriza Party. This is bad news for the EU, which is funding Greece's debt.

#UKRAINE: Parliament Raises Import Duties to Raise Funds For Military Campaign

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#HAITI: Political Crisis As Legislators' Terms End Jan 12 With No Replacements Elected

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#TURKEY: Gov't Wants Power To Ban Websites Without A Court Order

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Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Lütfi Elva

The government is working on legislation that grants the prime minister or a member of the Cabinet the power to ban a website for 24 hours without a court order when public order or national security are at stake. A similar measure was overturned by the Constitutional Court.

#EGYPT: Legal Experts Blast Speed, Number of Pres. Edicts Restricting Rights

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#INDIA: Gov't May Act On Its Own To Enact Ordinances During Parliament's Recess

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The government's considering alternate ways of passing its legislation during parliament's recess. Two bills - to increase foreign participation in the insurance sector and re-auction coal blocks - are stalled in the parliament's Upper House. Ordinances would be in effect for 6 months but must be ratified by parliament to become laws.

#TAIWAN: Legislature Debates Bill to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage for First Time

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#FRANCE: Bill Would Allow Doctors To Put Terminally Ill Into Comas Until Dead

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#JAPAN: #ShinzoAbe Re-Elected PM, Installs New Cabinet Wednesday

[world politics news]

The Japanese Diet easily re-elected Shinzo Abe as Prime Minister Wednesday, and his new cabinet were sworn in, following his party's landslide victory in the Dec. 14 election. He reappointed all members of his previous Cabinet except for Defense Min. Akinori Eto, who refused the post.

#GREECE: Parliament Rejects Pres. Cand. In 2nd Round; New Elections Loom if 3rd Vote Fails

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s candidate for the presidency failed to win enough support in a second round parliamentary vote Tuesday, despite managing to gather eight more votes than in the first round. If he fails again on Monday, snap elections will be held, as early as January.

#CANADA: PM #StephenHarper, Conservatives, Ahead of Liberals in New Poll

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#EGYPT: Committee Refuses to Recognize 2 Political Parties Citing "Technical Reasons"

[world politics news]

Mahmoud Badr of the Tamarod youth movement, which is seeking political party status.

The Political Parties Affairs Committee has refused to give licences to the Masr Al-Orouba Party, founded by former military chief of staff Sami Anan and the Tamarod Movement, which called for mass protests in June 2013 against Muslim Brotherhood rule, leading to the ouster of Islamist Pres. Mohamed Morsi.

#AUSTRALIA: Victoria's #DanielAndrews Seeks Medical Pot Legalization in 2015

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#ISRAEL: #Netanyahu Denied Place on Dec. 31 Primary Ballot; PM Will Appeal

[world politics news]

The Comptroller of the Likud Party has disqualified Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from running in his party's Dec. 31 primary election, citing a campaign meeting held at the party's Tel Aviv headquarters. Netanyahu's camp plans an appeal, disputing whether the Comptroller has the right to deny him a ballot position.

#JAPAN: Former "Your Party" Leader Questioned About Massive Pre-Election Loans

[world politics news]

Prosecutors are questioning "Your Party" founder Yoshimi Watanabe over possible election law violations. He allegedly received $6.6 million in loans in 2010 from the CEO of a cosmetics manufacturer and a $1.4 million loan in 2012 from a man who later held a post in the party.

#GERMANY: Record 17,500 March in Dresden Against "Islamification" of Germany

[world politics news]

Amid calls from Germany's Left against "growing Nationalism," a record 17,500 marched in Dresden Monday against what they sees as a growing "Islamification" of Germany by a record number of immigrants from Muslim nations.

#CHINA: Pres. Xi's Call for Military to "Prepare for War" Alarms US, Regional Neighbors

[world politics news]

Pres. Xi has been urging the nation's military to "be able to win a war," a call that's alarmed neighboring countries. This may simply be a call for better preparedness, for less corruption in the military, or a precursor to a military campaign to distract from the troubled domestic economy.

#UKRAINE: Parliament Seeks NATO Membership, Drop "Non-Aligned" Status In Light of Russian Aggression

[world politics news]

Ukraine's parliament voted 303-8 to seek NATO membership and drop it's official "Non-aligned" status in the face of continued Russian military movement in eastern Ukraine. NATO officials have said the prospect of admitting Ukraine into membership is currently remote, especially since it may mean immediate war with Russia.

#TURKEY: Pres. Erdogan Calls Birth Control "Treason"

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#TUNISIA: In Free Elections, Tunisia Elects 88-Year-Old Moderate Beji Caid Essebsi President

[world politics news]

Veteran politician Beji Caid Essebsi has been confirmed as winner of Tunisia's first free presidential election. He secured 55.68% of the vote in Sunday's run-off, defeating Pres. Moncef Marzouki (44.32%.) Essebsi, 88, has urged all Tunisians to "work together" for stability.

#SPAIN: New "Podemos" ("We Can") Party Hopes to Rally Leftists

[world politics news]

Named after Pres. Obama's slogan, the "We Can" Party in Spain and its popular, semi-official leader Pablo Iglesias hopes to change the nation's politics, but still seeks a full policy platform. After some success in the May EU elections, it hopes to feed off mass economic discontent among young voters.

#IRELAND: Polls Show Gov't Parties Fine Gael & Labour Slipping, Independents Rising

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Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton 

#CHINA: Pres. Xi Warns #HongKong, #Macau To Respect "One China" Policy

[world politics news]

Pres. Xi Jinping warned Hong Kong and Macau on Saturday to remember they are part of “one China”, as pro-democracy campaigners in both semi-autonomous territories call for free elections. Protesters marched through Macau's center as Xi wrapped up his two-day visit marking the 15th anniversary of the handover from Portugal.

#JAPAN 130 Arrested for Election Law Violations

[world politics news]

Police have arrested 130 people on 70 election law violations. More than half were for bribery, including paying daily wages to part-time workers and harassing voters, In one case, a man even pinned a candidate against a wall, while in another case, a suspect tore up posters.

#CANADA: Liberal Ldr #JustinTrudeau Rejects Idea of Coalition with New Democrats If Liberals Win Election

[world politics news]

Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau says he opposes a coalition government with the New Democrats should Liberals win the next election. He also vowed "immediate" action on "climate change" and said he'd meet with all Premiers annually if elected Prime Minister.

#SOUTHKOREA: Small Leftist Party Banned; Accused of Planning Gov't Overthrow

[world politics news]

The Constitutional Court Friday voted 8-1 to ban a pro-North Korean party, the first time a party has been banned. Several Unified Progressive Party members were convicted of plotting to overthrow the government if it went to war with North Korea. It held 5 of the 300 seats in parliament.

#UK: #Poland Will Fight UK Plans To Restrict Right of Migrants to Collect UK Benefits

[world politics news]

Poland is reiterating its opposition to UK PM David Cameron's plans to renegotiate rules with the EU governing migrant workers from other EU nations working in the UK. Cameron wants to change the policy that allows new migrants to immediately begin collecting welfare benefits.

#EU: Court Classification of Obesity as "Disability" Sparks Outrage

[world politics news]

The European Court of Justice has ruled that obesity that hinders employment should be termed a "disability" rather than a failing of the employee. The ruling came after a British municipality fired a 350-pound childcare worker who was overweight. The ruling sparked outrage from dietitians.

#CHINA: #HongKong's Occupy Central Movement Ends With Leaders Saying Pro-Democracy Fight Continues

[world politics news]

As the final protest sites were cleared by Hong Kong police this week, the Occupy Central movement, which opposed the mainland Communist Party's right to select candidates for Hong Kong's next leader, says the fight for democracy will continue. Protests blocking the business district became less popular in recent weeks.

#CANADA: 9 Wildrose Pty Members of #Alberta's Legislature Defect, Including Ldr #DanielleSmith

[world politics news]

The four remaining elected members of Alberta's Wildrose Party and party officers are condemning Party Leader Danielle Smith and eight other elected members of the legislature for defecting to the Progressive Conservatives Wednesday. The floor-crossings leave only five elected members in the legislature, and 72 Progressive Conservatives.

#JAPAN: Osaka Court Rules Tattoo Checks on City Employees is Illegal; Invades Privacy

[world politics news]

The Osaka District Court has ruled that Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's order to check whether municipal office workers had tattoos was illegal and constituted an invasion of privacy.

#RUSSIA: #Putin Promises Economic Turn-Around in Two Years

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At his year-end news conference, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin largely blamed the West for Russia's collapsing economy, with the Ruble in free-fall and prices rising. He avoided questions about whether he'll seek another term in 2018.

#SOUTHKOREA: Pres. Park Geun-hye Concerned Over Pro-North Korea Lectures

[world politics news]

South Korean Pres. Park Guen-hye has expressed concern about "certain people" (notably a Korean-American woman lecturing throughout the country) praising the North Korean dictatorship. It's illegal in South Korea to praise, encourage or propagandize North Korean political ideals.

#RUSSIA: Ruble's Meltdown May Endanger #Putin's Hold on Power

[world politics news]

#MEXICO: Congress Passes National Ban on Using Animals in Circuses

[world politics news]

Mexico's Lower House has passed a Senate bill to ban animals for use in any circus performance throughout the country. The bill is similar to one that banned circus animals in Mexico City that will take effect on January 1.

#SPAIN: PM #Rajoy Tells Catalans He Seeks New Economic Reforms, Won't Compromise On Independence

[world politics news]

Hoping to detract from a growing popular movement in Catalonia for independence, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy told Catalans recently he hopes to inaugurate sweeping new economic and social reforms to ease the country's ongoing and deep recession.

#THENETHERLANDS: Legislation Aims to Force Companies to Pay Foreign Workers At Same Level As Dutch Natives

[world politics news]

Social Affairs Minister Lodewijk Asscher has drafted legislation aimed at stopping companies from paying foreigner workers less than Dutch staff. This said Asscher, puts Dutch workers at a disadvantage.

#HUNGARY: PM #Orban Wants Reporters and Politicians To Submit to Mandatory Drug Tests

[world politics news]

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, who wants to remake his country into a "non-liberal" state and move closer to Moscow, called Friday for mandatory drug testing of journalists and politicians. Orban's critics called it an attack on civil liberties and a cynical attempt to combat his declining popularity.

#SWEDEN: Anti-Immigration Sweden Democrats Surge to 18% in Latest Poll

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#POLAND: Defense Min. Criticizes "Unprecedented" #Russian Military Maneuvers In Baltic Region

[world politics news]

Russia's military is engaging in an unprecedented amount of activity around the Baltic Sea, says Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. He aid that Poland, a member of NATO, was not under threat of attack but Russia's intentions are most likely designed to test how NATO forces in the region reacted.

#HAITI: PM #LaurentLamonthe Resigns Amid Violent Protests Over Elections Delayed Three Years

[world politics news]

Haiti's embattled Prime Minister, Laurent Lamonthe has resigned amid violent protests and a commission report urging him to do so. The country’s long-lasting political deadlock has delayed legislative and municipal elections, which were scheduled to be held in 2011.

#JAPAN: PM #ShinzoAbe Coalition Wins 2/3rds of Lower House in Big Snap Election Victory; Humiliated, Democrat's Ldr to Resign

[world politics news]

PM Shinzo Abe's economic plan got a huge boost Sunday as his Party won 2/3rds of the Lower House in a snap election. Opposition Democratic Party of Japan won 11 more seats, but its leader lost his seat and will now resign. Communists won 21 seats, up from eight.

#USA: Police Plan "Pro-Cop" Rally Friday, Angered by NYC Mayor Who "Threw Them Under the Bus"

[world politics news]

Angered by what they view as "anti-police" rhetoric from New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio after the death of a man at the hands of a police officer, police union officials will hold a "pro-cop" rally on Friday. Some also circulated a petition among police urging the mayor not to attend their funerals if they were killed in the line of duty.

#INDONESIA: #Golkar Party May Try for Third Convention After Rival Factions Install Their Own Chairs

[world politics news]

Politicians have called for a third national convention to unite two opposing camps that have named their own leaders of the country’s oldest party. The first convention saw Aburizal Bakrie re-elected as chairman, but a rival Jakarta convention held a few days earlier elected Agung Laksono.

#SPAIN: "Citizen Security Law" Would Fine Demonstrators Outside Public Buildings $746,000, Bans Filming Police Officers

[world politics news]

A proposed law, which has passed the lower house of parliament, would ban unauthorized protests outside buildings "which provide basic services to the community", which could be defined as hospitals, universities or Spanish parliament. Offenders could be fined $746,000, and police officers could bring fines of $30,000.

#KENYA: Legislators Attempt to Steal Parliament's Mace To Stop Debate on New Terrorism Law

[world politics news]

Two legislators were wrestled to the floor during a debate over a controversial new security law which grants Pres. Kenyatta new powers over security forces in his attempt to fight terrorism. The MPs sought to take the ceremonial mace out of the chamber, which would have stopped the votes.