#LEBANON: Frmr. PM Elected Pres., Ending 2+ Yr Crisis

[world politics news]

Former Lebanese prime minister Michel Aoun has been selected by parliament as the nation's 13th president, ending a two-and-a-half year vacancy in the office. The stalemate was ended after a political opponent said he would accept him to end the crisis, in which no one could be found to take the position.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ICELAND: Pirate Party Triples Seats, But Falls Short Of A Majority

[world politics news]

Iceland's pro-transparency Pirate Party, founded just four years ago, has tripled its seats in parliament in this weekend's election, but fell short of a majority needed to for a government on its own. It may now seek to form a coalition with Left-leaning parties. It is in joint second place with the Left-Greens - with 10 seats each. Progressive Party Prime Minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson resigned Sunday after the election results came in.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: PM Rajoy Wins Confidence Vote, Ending Months Of Political Stalemate

[world politics news]

Spain's 10 months without a government ended this weekend, as parliament grudgingly granted conservative Mariano Rajoy a second term as prime minister. After two inconclusive elections and months of fruitless attempts at coalition-building, a controversial decision by the opposition Socialists to abstain allowed Rajoy to be confirmed as prime minister.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Ontario Liberals Ban Pols, But Not Staffers, From Fundraisers

[world politics news]

Ontario’s Liberal government has nixed the idea of using legislation to ban chiefs of staff and other behind-the-scenes political decision makers from attending fundraisers, as they prepare to prohibit politicians from doing the same.

Pictured: Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi 

#EU: Wallonia Agrees On Canada Trade Deal After "Demands" Met

[world politics news]

Belgian political leaders have reached a consensus in support of the landmark EU-Canada trade deal, Prime Minister Charles Michel said, raising hopes it can be signed soon. Politicians from the French-speaking Wallonia region were holding up the deal, but now says their "demands" were met.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: PM Charles Michel and the EU's Jean-Claude Juncker.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Frmr MP Naomi Long Appointed Alliance Party Leader

[world politics news]

Former MP Naomi Long, who has served as deputy Alliance Party Leader for 10 years, is the party's new leader. The East Belfast Assembly Member praised the "good grace and dedication" of retiring leader David Ford as she gave an acceptance speech to 130 party members. Former Stormont Justice minister  retired after 15 years at the head of the party.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EGYPT: Pro-Sisi MPs Win Majority Of Committee Chairs In Parliament

[world politics news]

The pro-Sisi Support Egypt bloc, a parliamentary coalition with more than 300 MPs, has won the lion's share of leading posts on parliament's 25 committees. Under parliamentary by-laws elections for committee heads, two deputies and one secretary must be held the beginning of each legislative season.

#JAPAN: Ruling Liberal Democratic Party Candidates Win Two By-Elections

[world politics news]

Candidates aligned with Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party have won two Lower House by-elections Sunday. A former Lower House member, Masaru Wakasa, won a Tokyo seat. Two other candidates ran, including former TV news reporter Yosuke Suzuki.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRAQ: Parliament Bans Sale, Importation, Production Of Alcohol

[world politics news]

Iraq's parliament has voted to ban the sale, import and production of alcohol, in a surprise move likely to anger some minorities but also to please influential religious parties. Proponents of the ban argue that it is justified by the constitution, which prohibits any law contradicting Islam. But some opponents argue that it also violates the same constitution which guarantees the traditions of religious minorities.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: 19-Year-Old Wins Prog. Conservative Nomination In By-Election

[world politics news]

Sam Oosterhoff, a 19-year-old Brock University political science student, has won the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party nomination to face his New Democrat and Liberal opponents in a Nov. 19 by-election.  He defeated a former Conservative MP and the current PC Party's president Rick Dykstra in the Niagara West-Glanbrook riding, the territory of former PC party leader Tim Hudak.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#NORWAY: Muslims Demand Resignation of Gov't Min. Who Called For Them To Eat Pork

[world politics news]

Norwegian Muslims have called on the country’s integration minister to step down after she said that immigrants should adapt to a culture of pork, alcohol and no face-veils. Sylvi Listhaug, a minister appointed by the anti-immigrant Progress Party, caused outrage on Monday when she made an incendiary post on the eve of an national integration conference.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is JUST THE BEGINNING! #Crowdfunding

We're building a NEW kind of news service. 

Our mass media is failing us. It's failing to give us the news we deserve, and the news we deserve. We need a revolution in Mass Media. This is it.

We're building the Abbott News Service to take on Big Media. We'll bring Americans news via the Internet and other platforms, and will insist on news that's accurate, unbiased and unfiltered.

Consider CROWDFUNDING this excellent service!

Follow THIS LINK and donate TODAY! Thank you.

#SPAIN: Catalans Vow To Keep Bullfighting Ban After Spanish Court Reverses Regional Ban

[world politics news]

The Catalan Minister for Territory and Sustainability, Josep Rull, assured that the government will do everything in its power to keep the ban on bullfighting in Catalonia, a ban which has been reversed  by the Spanish Constitutional Court. Rull insisted that "death and animal torture will not be allowed," despite the court's ruling. Bullfighting was effectively banned in Catalonia in 2012.

#LEBANON: Former Prime Min. Backs Former Rival For President In Bid To End Crisis

[world politics news]

Lebanon's former prime minister, Saad al-Hariri, has backed Michel Aoun, his former political foe and an ally of Hezbollah, to become the country’s president in a move which could help resolve the country's political deadlock. However, the move is very controversial within his own party, which he acknowledged during the announcement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#FRANCE: Senate Approves Law Making Denial Of Armenian Genocide A Crime

[world politics news]

In a move that is bound to create further tensions with Turkey's government, the French Senate has passed a bill making denial of the Armenian Genocide in the early 1900s a crime. It passed narrowly in a 156-146 vote. The House of Representatives passed the bill in June. Fines include imprisonment for up to a year or a fine amounting 45.000 euros for the denial of the Armenian Genocide.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ITALY: PM Renzi's Budget "Full of Good News" For Italians; Lowers Deficit

[world politics news]

Italy's cabinet signed off on the nation's new budget, which will now need to be scrutinized by the European Union. It remains to be seen whether the Commission will be satisfied with Italy lowering its deficit to 2.3% of gross domestic product from the earlier 2.4% target. "It's a budget full of good news for Italy and the Italians," said Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Ontario Parliament's Transgender Bill Bans Words "Mother" And "Father"

[world politics news]

Ontario's Liberal government has proposed a bill to change the word “mother” to “birth parent” in myriad laws to ensure LGBTQ equity, in a move supported by New Democrats and even some Progressive Conservative Party members of the provincial parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: Anti-Nuclear Plant Candidate Wins Governor's Race

[world politics news]

Opposition-backed first-time candidate Ryuichi Yoneyama, who opposes an early restart of a local nuclear power plant, has won the gubernatorial election in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan.
Yoneyama, a 49-year-old doctor and lawyer, trounced the remaining three candidates including Tamio Mori, 67, former mayor of Nagaoka in the prefecture, who was backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.

#CHINA: Former High Court Judge Faces Prosecution For Bribery

[world politics news]

Xi Xiaoming, a former judge of the Supreme People's Court, has been indicted for taking bribes. According to the indictments, Xi and another official took advantage of their posts to seek benefits for others and accepted a huge amount in bribes.

#SPAIN: EU Will Recognize Independent Catalonia, Insists Catalan Leader

[world politics news]

The president of the Catalan region, Carles Puigdemont, told a Paris conference that the EU would recognize an independent Catalonia, citing the example of Slovenia and the former Yugoslavia, as well as Scotland and its dissatisfaction with Brexit.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#BELGIUM: Walloon Regional Parliament Stalls EU/Canada Trade Deal

[world politics news]

Lawmakers in the French-speaking region of Wallonia have voted against the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) between the European Union and Canada, sending negotiations into chaos.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SWEDEN: Head of Moderates Won't Work With "Racist" Sweden Democrats

[world politics news]

Anna Kinberg Batra, Leader of the center-right Moderate Party, has ruled out working with or seeking a coalition with the Sweden Democrats ahead of 2018 elections. She labeled the party "racist" following a series of high-profile gaffes by party leaders.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UKRAINE: Health Min. Wants NATO-Level First Aid Training For Military

[world politics news]

Ukraine's Acting Healthcare Minister says she wants NATO level standards of first aid care for every Soldier in the Ukrainian military by 2020. Ulana Suprun says Ukrainian soldiers should get the same healthcare as American soldiers.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THENETHERLANDS: Government Wants To Expand Right-To-Die Law To Everyone

[world politics news]

The government plans to draft a new law that would allow people who consider their lives to be "completed" to get help to die "in a dignified way." The proposal was welcomed by the country's leading right-to-die organization but criticized by some opposition lawmakers and a group for the elderly. The proposal is the latest step in the development of the liberal Dutch mercy-killing law first adopted in 2002.

#BURUNDI: Parliament Votes Overwhelmingly To Leave Int'l Criminal Court

[world politics news]

Burundi's parliament has voted overwhelmingly to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, a move no other country has taken despite complaints from Africa that the court disproportionately targets the continent. Only two lawmakers voted in favor of staying under the jurisdiction of the Dutch-based ICC, while 94 voted to leave. Pro-government lawmaker Gabriel Ntisezerana said the court was "a political tool used by powers to remove whoever they want from power on the African continent." It now moves to the upper house for approval.

#GERMANY: Merkel's Approval Rating Rebounds In New Poll After 5-Year Low

[world politics news]

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s approval rating jumped nine percentage points in a new poll, after she fell to a five-year low last month. A national broadcaster's poll showed that the Chancellor had popped back over the halfway mark to 54 percent, revealing that most respondents said they were satisfied with her work.

#THENETHERLANDS: Labour Party Minister Attacks Coalition Partner's Election Platform

[world politics news]

A senior Labour Party minister has attacked the election platform published by its coalition partner party, the Dutch Party of Freedom and Democracy. Social Affairs Minister Lodewijk Asscher, who has yet to announce whether or not he will challenge Diederik Samsom for the party leadership, described social welfare cuts in the manifesto as "bizarre" and "disastrous."


[FULL STORY HERE]

#EGYPT: MP Who Suggested New University Students Face "Virginity Test" Faces Ethics Probe

[world politics news]

MP Ilhami Agina is facing a probe by parliament's ethics committee after more than 200 MPs demanded he be investigated after saying during a media interview that women who wish to enroll at a university should undergo a mandatory "virginity test" upon admittance, and periodically thereafter to ensure good behavior.


[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Upper House Calls For EU To Ban Internal Combustion Engine By 2030

[world politics news]

The Federal Council (Bundesrat) has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban on new internal combustion engine cars by 2030. From then on, citizens would have to buy a zero-emissions vehicle, whether it's electric or running on a hydrogen fuel cell. The Bundesrat is asking the European Commission to implement the same ban across the European Union.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THEPHILIPPINES: Foreign Sec. Says Nation May "Break Up" With USA, Turn To China, Russia

[world politics news]

Amping up increasingly anti-American rhetoric from the Philippines, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. says America has "failed" the Philippines. Yasay’s statement was posted on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs as Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said he might soon "break up" with the US over its criticism of his bloody anti-drug war and instead turn to China and Russia. In July, Duterte said of his foreign minister, "Yasay speaks for me. Everything that he says... comes from my guidance."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: MP's Seeking UN To Vote Against China Seat On Human Rights Council

[world politics news]

MPs from all major parties are calling for Canada to vote against major human rights abusers in their bid for seats on the UN Human Rights Council. The UN will vote Oct. 28 to select 14 countries for the 47-member Human Rights Council. Countries sit on the council for three years, with a crop of seats coming open every year. China, Cuba, Russia and Saudi Arabia all currently sit on the council and are all up for another term.

Pictured: The UN Human Rights Council, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ISRAEL: White House Sharply Rebukes PM Netanyahu Over New Settlement Activity

[world politics news]

The US State Dept. has accused Israel of misleading the US in a rare sharp rebuke over its plans to build hundreds of new settlement homes deep inside the occupied West Bank. The White House said the construction of 300 housing units will be on land "far closer to Jordan than Israel," and said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had misled the Obama administration over the location of the housing, thus damaging trust. The State Department said building the units, "is another step toward cementing a one-state reality of perpetual occupation."

#IRELAND: Polling Shows Sharp Drop For Fianna Fáil Party

[world politics news]

A new opinion poll suggests a sharp drop in support for Fianna Fáil, with the party now tied with the governing Fine Gael Party as the most popular party. The Ipsos/MRBI poll for The Irish Times indicates that support for the party is down seven percentage points to 26% since the last survey in July. The survey, when undecideds were excluded, shows a two point increase for Fine Gael to 26% and a three point gain for Sinn Féin to 19%. The Labour Party remained unchanged at 5%.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Government buildings, via Wikimedia Commons

#POLAND: Gov't Bill To Further Restrict Abortion Rejected By Parliament

[world politics news]

In a setback for governing conservatives, Poland's parliament has overwhelmingly rejected proposed legislation that would have restricted nearly all abortions in the nation, following mass protests. Lawmakers, including those from the ruling Law & Justice Party, voted 352-58, rejecting an independent parliamentary group's proposal to further restrict Poland’s already tight restrictions on the termination of pregnancy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#TAIWAN: Mainland China Warns Pro-Independence Pres. On "One State" Policy

[world politics news]

Mainland China is determined to safeguard national sovereignty and the “one China” principle, a Beijing official has claimed after Taiwanese Pres. Tsai Ing-wen insisted that the island would not bow to pressure from the mainland. Relations between mainland and Taiwan have deteriorated since Tsai, of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party become the island’s president.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Corbyn Starts Rebuilding Shadow Cabinet With 2 Women, Chakrabarti And Abbott

[world politics news]

Jeremy Corbyn has begun reshuffling his top team, with Shami Chakrabarti appointed shadow attorney general and Diane Abbott named shadow home secretary. Corbyn is rebuilding his team after a mass walk-out of shadow cabinet members opposed to his leadership in the aftermath of the EU referendum in June.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: Upper House Lawmaker Onada Reveals Dual Citizenship; Will Renounce

[world politics news]

Kimi Onoda, 34, a lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has admitted to having dual citizenship in Japan and the United States, which could have serious consequences for her, if legal action was taken, including removal from office. Onoda, elected to the Upper House for the first time in July, has apologized. She said she is undertaking procedures to renounce her U.S. citizenship. She was born to a U.S. father and a Japanese mother in the United States and has citizenship of both countries.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#USA: Donald Trump Fights For His Political Life After Lewd Tape Released

[world politics news]

A 2005 audio and video tape released last night in which he speaks lewdly about groping and kissing women has thrown the presidential campaign of Donald Trump into chaos. Major Republicans began distancing themselves from the GOP nominee almost immediately, with House Speaker Paul Ryan canceling a Saturday appearance with Trump in Wisconsin and others pulled their endorsement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Note: This is a rare inward-looking, America-centric post here, due to the newsworthiness and gravity of the issue and its impact on the US election. We will have further, fuller analysis as this story develops.

#CANADA: Judge Suspends Montreal City Council's Pit Bull Ban During Challenge

[world politics news]

The city of Montreal passed a controversial ban on the pit bull breed last week, but a judge has ruled that it should be suspended for the duration of the Montreal SPCA's legal challenge, which could take months, say legal analysts. The ruling prompted outrage from the breeds fans and defenders throughout the world.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#MYANMAR: Parliament Ends Law Former Gov't Used To Stifle Dissent

[world politics news]

Parliament voted today to abolish the Emergency Provisions Act, which, since its passage in 1950, was widely applied by the former military government to stifle political activists by threatening harsh penalties, including a potential death sentence for leaking state secrets.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ESTONIA: Parliament Elects Nation's First Female President After Heated Debate

[world politics news]

Estonia’s parliament has selected a new president who will be the country’s first female leader. Kersti Kaljulaid, a European Union accountant, won Monday’s vote 81-0, with 20 members absent or abstaining. Her selection follows two failed votes and weeks of heated debate. Kaljulaid, 46, will succeed the current president, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is stepping down next week after two five-year terms in the ceremonial post.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: PM Trudeau Budgets For 3 New Cabinet Positions

[world politics news]

The opposition in parliament is raising concerns about prime minister Trudeau proposed budget after it was discovered that it included funding for up to 3 new cabinet positions, potentially costing $250,000 each.

#CANADA: Alberta Premier Won't Support Federal Carbon Tax Without Pipelines

[world politics news]

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley backs a national carbon price but won’t support the federal Liberal government’s plan, without progress on pipelines, which will help fund the tax. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will set a minimum carbon price for provinces in 2018 of $10 per ton, rising to $50 by 2022. But Notley, a New Democrat, will introduce her own carbon tax based on the equivalent of $20 per ton of carbon emissions on Jan. 1, 2017.

#SPAIN: Catalan Pres. Calls 2017 Independence Referendum; Spain Displeased

[world politics news]

Catalan regional lawmakers have approved regional President Carles Puigdemont's plans to call a referendum next year on independence from Spain, which has been without a fully functioning government since December. Puigdemont told lawmakers he would hold an independence referendum in September 2017 whether or not the central government in Madrid agrees to one.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Leftist Politician Admits He Smuggled Refugee Into Germany; Faces Prosecution

[world politics news]

Left Party politician Diether Dehm could lose his immunity as an elected official after he admitted to smuggling a refugee into Germany. Public prosecutors are considering lifting Dehm’s immunity as a member of the Bundestag (German parliament) and pursuing an investigation into him. Dehm admitted that he brought a young African refugee from Italy into Germany in his car's trunk to reunite him with his father.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#COLOMBIA: Voters Narrowly Reject Peace Deal With FARC Rebels

[world politics news]

Voters have narrowly rejected a peace deal between the government and the Marxist group, FARC. The deal would have ended 52 years of war and allowed FARC fighters to re-enter society and form a political party. But 50.2% opposed the deal while 49.8% favored it. Some attribute the result to Pres. Juan Manuel Santos' unpopularity. He championed the Yes vote. Many "No" voters wanted the rebels to face harsher punishment.

[FULL STORY HERE]

UK: PM Theresa May Makes It Official: Brexit Process Begins Next March

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Theresa May has ended weeks of speculation and revealed that she will launch formal Brexit talks with EU leaders before the end of March 2017. She says she will trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty early next year, sparking the start of a two-year countdown within which time a withdrawal deal with the EU must be agreed.

#UK: Shadow Chancellor Says Labour Gov't Would Introduce £10 Minimum Wage

[world politics news]

Labour's John McDonnell has pledged that a Labour government would introduce a living wage that would likely be more than £10 an hour. The shadow chancellor told his party's conference in Liverpool that he would task a new body to set the wage at an appropriate level, which studies have suggested would be above £10.

#SPAIN: BREAKING: Socialist Party Leader Sanchez Resigns After Party Supports Coalition

[world politics news]

Socialist Party leader Pedro Sanchez has resigned. Sanchez stepped down after losing a vote by the party's federal committee over supporting the formation of a conservative-led governing coalition - a move he strongly opposes. Spain has been in a political limbo for the past nine months. The results of a general election in December 2015 left a hung parliament. Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party has sought to form a coalition government but Sanchez has blocked their attempts.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: Socialist Leader Sanchez Faces Revolt, May Resign If Coalition Supported

[world politics news]

Spain's Socialist Party has been dealing with an internal "coup" attempt this week after half of its leadership quit in a bid to oust leader Pedro Sanchez and unblock the country's political deadlock. Sanchez says he will step down Saturday if the party votes to pursue a coalition with interim Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Conservatives, which he has blocked for months.