#CANADA: Amid Soaring Deficits, #Alberta's Premier Notley Will Unveil Budget Balancing Plan

[world politics news]

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says 2018 will focus on Alberta's fragile economy, specifically a road map to get back to budget balance in five years. This year's deficit is pegged at $10.3 billion, with a long-term debt that will spike above $42 billion in the spring. Opposition parties say Notley is optimistic, but not realistic. United Conservative leader Jason Kenney says Alberta spends 20 per cent per capita more than B.C. and that the deficit can be eradicated in six years with a spending freeze coupled with moderate economic growth.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRAN: Major Protests Spread Across Nation Against Corruption, Interventionism, Clerical Rule

[world politics news]

Anti-government demonstrations in Iran has spread to many major cities. Large numbers reportedly turned out in Rasht, in the north, and Kermanshah, in the west, with smaller protests in Isfahan, Hamadan and elsewhere. Protests began this week against rising prices but have spiraled into a general outcry against clerical rule and government policies.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#LIBERIA: Former Soccer Star George Weah Wins First Democratic Presidential Election Since 1944

[world politics news]

Former soccer star George Weah has won Liberia’s presidential election, defeating the vice-president, Joseph Boakai, in a runoff with 61.5% of the vote. Weah will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Liberia’s president next month, after an election fraught with accusations of fraud and irregularities. It will be the country's first democratic transition since 1944 and follows two devastating civil wars.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Nearly Half Of Germans Say They Want Merkel To Resign Before Her Term Ends

[world politics news]

A new survey shows that Germans are losing patience with Chancellor Angela Merkel, after she has failed to form a new government three months after the national election. The poll, conducted by YouGov for the German Press Agency, shows that 47 percent of respondents want Angela Merkel to step down from her office as German Chancellor before the next national election, scheduled to take place in 2021.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: Catalan Separatists Maintain Majority In Regional Assembly Elections

[world politics news]

Catalan separatists retained their absolute majority in the regional parliament in an election this past week that followed a chaotic referendum, a unilateral declaration of independence and Madrid stepping in to take control of the region.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#RUSSIA: Opposition Ldr Alexei Navalny Barred From Running For President In 2018

[world politics news]

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been formally barred from competing in next year's presidential election. The Central Electoral Commission has said Navalny is ineligible because of a corruption conviction which he says is politically motivated. He has urged his supporters to boycott the March vote.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRELAND: Euro. Commission Taking Action Against Ireland Over Non-Compliance With Seafarer Regs

[world politics news]

The European Commission is taking action against Ireland for allegedly failing to comply with EU law on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ qualifications.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Ethics Commission Says PM Trudeau Broke Multiple Federal Ethics Rules

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau broke multiple federal ethics rules when he accepted a ride on the Aga Khan’s private helicopter and stayed on his private island over the holidays in 2016, the ethics commissioner has ruled.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#POLAND: EU Starts Process Of Stripping Poland Of Member State Voting Rights Over Court Reforms

[world politics news]

The European Union has triggered a process that could ultimately see Poland stripped of voting rights in Brussels in an unprecedented step designed to force the country’s conservative government to drop reforms the bloc regards as a threat to the country’s democracy. The country's fellow 27 member states have been advised by the European commission that the legislative program of Poland’s government is putting at risk fundamental values expected of a democratic state by allowing political interference in its courts.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#INDIA: Sonia Gandhi Hands Over Congress Party To Her Son, Rahul

[world politics news]

Rahul Gandhi has taken over as the president of the Congress Party from his mother Sonia Gandhi. He used the occasion of the long-awaited hand-over to launch a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling BJP, calling on Congress Party workers, especially the youth, to stand up to the challenge "the BJP rule is posing to the country and the party."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Leaders Of Anti-Muslim Party Arrested At Hearing On Charges Of "Stirring Up Hatred"

[world politics news]

The deputy leader of far-right group Britain First has been re-arrested after appearing in a Belfast court over a speech she gave in the city. Jayda Fransen, 31, of Anerley, south-east London, was in court over two charges relating to "behavior intended to or likely to stir up hatred." Her lawyer told the court that she intended to plead not guilty. Britain First leader Paul Golding, 35, was also arrested outside the courtroom before the hearing. Golding was accompanying Fransen to the hearing.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#INDIA: BJP Will Remain In Control Of Gujarat State Assembly, Say Exit Polls

[world politics news]

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is projected to win between 99 and 117 seats and the Congress between 64 and 82 in Gujarat state Assembly elections. Exit polls predicted a victory for the BJP, giving it a clear majority. It is the home of BJP Prime Minister Narenda Modi. Soon after voting ended in the second and final phase of the election, an exit poll gave the BJP 115 of the total 182 seats and the Congress 65. Another exit poll gave the ruling dispensation 108 seats and 74 to the opposition Congress.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRIA: Freedom Party Blocks Looming 2018 Smoking Ban In Hotels, Restaurants

[world politics news]

Austria’s Freedom Party has announced that a planned ban on smoking in all bars and restaurants that was due to come into force in 2018 will be scrapped. Party chief Heinz-Christian Strache said the reversal was agreed in ongoing talks to form a coalition with the conservative People’s Party following elections in October.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: House Of Commons To Translate Debates Into Indigenous Languages

[world politics news]

The Canadian government is considering hiring Indigenous language interpreters in the House of Commons, even as MPs grapple with whether to move beyond the chamber's two official languages, English and French. An extra interpretation booth has already been added to the new Commons chamber in the West Block, slated to open next fall as the existing chamber gets a 10-year makeover. From there, specialists will be able to interpret Indigenous languages like Cree and Ojibway, as well as other languages, in real time.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#LIBERIA: Supreme Court Rules Pres. Run-Off Election Can Move Forward; No "Re-Do" Of First Round

[world politics news]

Liberia's Supreme Court announced Thursday that the runoff round between the top two vote-getters of October's poll will go ahead and that there will be no rerun of the first round. That means current Vice President Joseph Boakai and perennial challenger, former football star and current Senator George Weah will face each other in a national poll.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#RUSSIA: Pres. Putin Makes It Official: He's Seeking Re-Election In 2018

[world politics news]

Pres. Vladimir Putin says he will seek another term as president in next year's election. He made the announcement in a speech to workers at a car factory in the Volga city of Nizhny Novgorod. Putin has been in power since 2000, either as president or prime minister. If he wins the March election he will be eligible to serve until 2024.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Social Dems Would Rather Support Merkel Minority Gov't Than Enter Into Coalition

[world politics news]

As members of Germany’s Social Democrats prepare to vote on possible coalition talks with Angela Merkel’s conservatives in Berlin later this week, a new poll says most of the party’s supporters don’t want another "grand coalition."  The poll, published by Spiegel Online, asked supporters of both the SPD and Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union bloc which potential government SPD leaders should back. Among SPD voters, just 28% opted for a grand coalition. However, more than half (57%) said the SPD should support a Merkel-led minority government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRALIA: Dep. PM Barnaby Joyce Easily Wins By-Election Triggered By Dual-Citizenship Crisis

[world politics news]

Australia’s deputy prime minister has easily won a crucial by-election triggered by a dual-citizenship crisis that threatened the ruling coalition’s grip on power. Barnaby Joyce’s emphatic re-election in the poll brought relief to a government that lost its slim parliamentary majority over the citizenship saga, and as it battled falling voter support and internal division.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: Gov't Approves Plan For Abdication of Emperor On April 30, 2018; First Abdication In 200 Years.

[world politics news]

A special panel chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday set April 30, 2019, as the date for Emperor Akihito’s abdication, the first retirement of a sitting Emperor in 200 years. The Chrysanthemum Throne is considered the world’s oldest monarchy. Akihito is 83 years old. The decision, expected to be approved by the government later this month, will pave the way for Crown Prince Naruhito, the eldest son of Emperor Akihito, to ascend the throne the following day, May 1, ushering in a new era that would end the Heisei Era, which started in 1989.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EGYPT: Former PM Shafiq "Deported" From UAE After Claiming He Was Prevented From Leaving; Returns To Egypt

[world politics news]

UAE officials on Saturday took former Egyptian premier and presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafiq from his Abu Dhabi home to be deported back to Egypt. The move comes days after Shafiq, in exile in the UAE since 2012, announced his candidacy in next year's election and then said he was being prevented from leaving the country, angering his Emirati hosts.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#HONDURAS: 4-Day Delay In Pres. Election Vote Count Leads To Vote-Rigging Fears, Rioting

[world politics news]

Honduras is teetering on the brink of its worst political crisis since the 2009 military coup after the beleaguered electoral commission failed for the fourth day to declare a winner in the presidential race amid mounting irregularities and allegations of vote rigging.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#STLUCIA: Marijuana Decriminalization Bill To Be Introduced In Parliament Before Christmas

[world politics news]

A bill that will allow residents to possess and use small quantities of marijuana will go before parliament on December 12 for the first time. According to the country’s latest cabinet notes, the Marijuana Bill will be read a first time and distributed when parliament convenes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: National Health Exec. Wants To Ban Red Coca-Cola Truck Visits Over Kids' Sugar Intake Fears

[world politics news]

The National Health Service's public health boss is urging local councils and shopping centers to ban visits from Coca-Cola’s promotional Christmas trucks because of sugar’s key role in rotting children’s teeth and making them fat. Duncan Selbie, the chief executive of Public Health England, has criticized the soft drink giant’s annual PR stunt, in which 14-ton trucks decorated with fairy lights and fake snow visit towns, cities and landmarks around the UK to advertise its products.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ITALY: Former PM Berlusconi, Barred From Politics, Suggests Police Force General As Possible Next PM

[world politics news]

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi suggested General Leonardo Gallitelli  a member of the Carabinieri (military police) could become prime minister if he wins an election in 2018, according to local media. Berlusconi, a four-time prime minister, is barred from public office because of a tax fraud conviction. He is said to be trying to overturn the ban but is seeking alternative candidates in case he is unsuccessful.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Calls In Parliament To Condemn Trump After He Retweets Videos Of Anti-Muslim Group's Dep. Leader

[world politics news]

Donald Trump's retweets of anti-Muslim videos posted by far-right group Britain First have been raised in Parliament, with MPs demanding the Government condemns the US President. The issue was raised as a point of order by Labour MPs Yvette Cooper and Stephen Doughty, who asked the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, to respond to the tweets. Trump retweeted three videos posted by Jayda Fransen, Britain First's deputy leader.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRELAND: Deputy PM Resigns Amid Scandal, Potentially Averting Snap Election

[world politics news]

Ireland‘s deputy prime minister Frances Fitzgerald has agreed to resign over handling of a police whistle blowing scandal, pulling the country back from the brink of a snap election. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed his deputy would stand down in a phone call to opposition leader, Fianna Fail’s Micheal Martin, whose party threatened to bring down Ireland’s minority government over the affair.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: New Drone Safety Class Legislation Considered

[world politics news]

Drone users in the UK may have to take safety awareness tests under legislation planned by the government. Drones weighing more than 250g could also be banned from flying near airports, or above 400 ft, in a crackdown on unsafe flying.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ROMANIA: Thousands March Against Watered-Down Corruption Commission

[world politics news]

Thousands marched across Romania to protest against plans to reduce the powers of the anti-corruption body. It is the second time this year that attempts to reform graft laws have provoked protests. Thousands marched in the capital, Bucharest, and other cities Sunday to protest the government's proposed changes to the judicial system, which critics say will weaken anti-corruption laws and allow political graft to go unpunished.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Center-Left Social Dems Signal Possible Coalition With Merkel, Ending Crisis

[world politics news]

Germany moved a step towards ending its political crisis Friday when the Social Democrats said they were ready to hold talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's party, in a sign they might offer the veteran leader their key support. "We won't be obstructionist for the sake of being obstructionist," said SPD leader Martin Schulz, dropping his earlier categorical rejection to a governing alliance with Merkel.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Merkel Tanks In Polling As New Election Looms Following Coalition Talks Collapse

[world politics news]

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s worries continue as the latest polls reveal the majority of Germans did not want her to run as a candidate for Chancellor again. The survey, carried out in the coalition talks breakdown, makes worrying reading for Angela Merkel. While Mrs Merkel said yesterday she wanted to stand again in any new snap election the German people appear to be turned off by the prospect. Of those polled, 54 per cent said she should not run for office, according to the polling institute Civey for t-online.de.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#FRANCE: Britain's HSBC And France's Societe Generale Bank Close Marine LePen's Personal, Party Accounts

[world politics news]

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Wednesday said she is filing lawsuits for "political discrimination" against bank Societe Generale, its subsidiary Credit du Nord and Britain’s biggest bank, HSBC, for closing her and her National Front party’s accounts. Le Pen said she and her party were the victims of what she called a "banking banishment" meant to silence them. According to Le Pen, she was informed by phone earlier on Wednesday by HSBC's French boss Thomas Vandeville that her personal account was being shut. She said she had been a client of the bank for 25 years.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Merkel's Coalition Talks Break Down After Free Democrats Walk Out; New Elections Loom

[world politics news]

In Germany’s biggest political upset in years, Free Democratic Party liberals walked out on coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the Greens. Merkel's CDU and their Bavarian allies the CSU, the Greens and the FDP have been struggling to form a coalition for more than a month. It's feared that a new election could be called that would net very similar results, if polling is accurate.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: Sensing Political Fallout After Accident Kills Civilian, Military Confined To Base, Alcohol Banned

[world politics news]

Sensing more political fallout after an allegedly drunk US service member struck and killed a civilian with his truck, U.S. Forces in Japan has confined all service members stationed in Okinawa to their bases, banned alcohol consumption, and will require mandatory training on responsible alcohol use by members of the military serving in the country. The Sunday accident in Okinawa will likely increase negative feeling in the Prefecture, where past criminal acts by American servicemen have sparked angry protests and strengthened persistent calls to remove the base from the region.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ZIMBABWE: BREAKING: Mugabe Steps Down After Party Expels Him In Favor Of Ousted VP

[world politics news]

Pres. Robert Mugabe has agreed to step down after 37 years.  He's due to officially announce his departure on live television tonight. Mugabe reportedly broke down in tears and asked for his dead wife and son before meeting army chiefs Sunday after being ousted as leader of Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF party. The frail 93-year-old has until noon local time on Monday to resign as president or impeachment proceedings will start. He was replaced by the vice president he previously fired, Emmerson 'Crocodile' Mnangagwa, after all ten Zimbabwean provinces passed no-confidence motions against the dictator two days earlier.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Corbyn Ally Richard Leonard Elected Leader of Scotland's Labour Party

[world politics news]

Jeremy Corbyn has strengthened his grip on the Labour party after Scottish members elected a left-wing trade unionist, Richard Leonard, as their seventh leader in the past decade. Announced as the winner in front of cheering supporters in Glasgow, Leonard won a decisive victory over his rival Anas Sarwar, a former Scottish deputy leader, after a fractious contest between the party’s left and right wings in which the Unite union played a significant role.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ZIMBABWE: Mass Demonstrations Call For Mugabe To Step Down

[world politics news]

Thousands of Zimbabweans have taken to the streets to demand President Robert Mugabe's resignation, a spectacle that would have been unthinkable just one week ago. Saturday's rally in Harare, the capital, is backed by the army, which seized power on Wednesday. The mood at Zimbabwe Grounds, where speeches took place, was celebratory.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CAMBODIA: Supreme Court Outlaws Main Opposition Party Ahead Of 2018 Elections

[world politics news]

Cambodia's Supreme Court has dissolved the country's main opposition party, leaving the government with no significant competitor ahead of elections next year. The Cambodia National Rescue Party was accused of plotting to topple the government - charges it denies, and describes as politically motivated. More than 100 party members are now banned from politics for five years. Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has ruled for 32 years.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ITALY: Former PM Berlusconi Seeking Comeback After Coalition Wins Sicily Elections

[world politics news]

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi looks set for another political comeback after a coalition he backed won Sicily's regional elections. The result adds momentum to the newly formed center-right alliance. The vote on the Italian island has been viewed as a crucial test ahead of next year's national election. The 81-year-old billionaire businessman's career has been beset by scandals both in and out of government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ZIMBABWE: COUP! Troops Take The Capitol To "End Purges"; Mugabe Under House Arrest

[world politics news]

Zimbabwe's military has placed President Robert Mugabe under house arrest in the capital Harare, South African President Jacob Zuma says. Mugabe told Zuma in a phone call that he was fine, the South African leader's office said. Troops are patrolling the capital, Harare, after they seized state TV and said they were targeting "criminals". The move may be a bid to replace Mugabe with his sacked deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa's dismissal last week left Mugabe's wife Grace as the president's likely successor.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRALIA: Overwhelming Support For Same-Sex Marriage In Nationwide Vote

[world politics news]

Over sixty-one percent of Australians voted Yes to legalizing same-sex marriage in a survey by mail. 79% of eligible voters participated. The final count was 7.8 million responses in support of same-sex marriage, and 4.9 million against. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addressed the nation minutes after the result was announced, promising to bring the same-sex marriage bill to a vote in Parliament before Christmas. "They have spoken in their millions and they have voted overwhelmingly Yes for marriage equality," he said. "They voted Yes for fairness, Yes for commitment, Yes for love. Australian statistician David Kalisch said the final number of responses was 12,727,920 people, representing 79% of eligible Australian voters.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Christine Forster, the sister of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, celebrates after watching the same sex marriage vote result. 

#HUNGARY: PM Orban Accepts His Party's Nomination To Seek Another 4-Year Term

[world politics news]

Hungary’s right-wing prime minister Viktor Orban accepted his ruling Fidesz Party’s endorsement on Sunday to lead it into an election next year, saying he needed another four-year term in power to make his transformation of the country "irreversible."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CROATIA: Center-Right Gov't Survives No Confidence Vote Called Over Handling Bailout Of Retailer

[world politics news]

The center-right Croatian government has survived a no-confidence vote launched by the opposition over the cabinet's handling of the debt crisis at Agrokor, the country's largest private food and retail company. The vote early Saturday in the Croatian parliament was 78-59 in favor of the center-right government. The vote was triggered by the opposition, which claims the government bailout of the biggest retailer in the Balkans favored some creditors and lacked transparency.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#INDONESIA: Top Court Overturns Discriminatory Religious ID Law

[world politics news]

Indonesia's top court has overturned a law that denied recognition and legal rights to followers of indigenous faiths. The Constitutional Court said articles in the 2013 Civil Administration Law were discriminatory and unjust. The law effectively required followers of faiths not among the six recognized by the government to list one of the official religions on their national identity card or be denied basic rights such as marriage registration and land titles.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Priti Patel Resigns As Int'l Development Min. Following Secret Meetings; Replaced By Penny Mordaunt

[world politics news]

Penny Mordaunt has been appointed by Prime Minister Theresa May as the UK's new International Development Secretary. She replaces Priti Patel, who resigned Wednesday following revelations of secret meetings between her and Israeli politicians while she was on vacation last summer. Mordaunt, a Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, was first elected in 2010 and has served as minister for disabled people since July 2016. She was also the first woman to serve as a minister for the armed forces.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#QATAR: Gov't Will Introduce Minimum Wage Law To Settle Labour Org Complaint

[world politics news]

The UN's International Labour Organisation has closed a complaint over the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, after the nation said it would introduce a minimum wage and allow its labor practices to be monitored by trained inspectors. It is now expected that Qatar will sign a bilateral agreement with the UN protecting laborers, making it the first Gulf country to do so.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: PM May Faces Pressure To Fire Development Sec. Patel After Secret Meetings Revealed

[world politics news]

New revelations have emerged that have made many calling on Prime Minister Theresa May fire Development Minister Priti Patel. She breached the ministerial code by secretly meeting meeting with 12 Israeli politicians including premier Benjamin Netanyahu during a family holiday this summer. She had kept the meetings hidden from the foreign office.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SOLOMONISLANDS: PM Sogovare Ousted In No Confidence Vote

[world politics news]

Manasseh Sogavare has been ousted as the Solomon Islands' prime minister in a vote of no confidence.  Sogavare's third stint as prime minister was his longest, and he came tantalisingly close to that elusive goal in Solomon Island politics: a full term in office. However, 10 months before elections he was politically wounded by recent defections by almost half his cabinet, and narrowly defeated by 27 votes to 23.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRALIA: PM Turnbull Announces New Policies To Deal With Dual Citizenship Crisis

[world politics news]

All federal politicians will be required to publicly detail their citizenship history and status under  Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's new government transparency measures designed to end the crisis that has rocked federal Parliament. Turnbull acted after pressure from the Labor Party and the public following numerous politicians were "outed" as being dual citizens, something forbidden by the Constitution. MPs will be required to provide a statement to Parliament's registrar of interests that outlines where they were born, where their parents were born, and what steps they took to renounce any foreign ties.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ICELAND: Four-Party Coalition Talks Break Down

[world politics news]

The center-left government coalition talks that begun on Friday have been abandoned. The formal talks were initiated on after the leaders of the Progressive Party, the Left-Green Movement, the Social Democratic Alliance and the Pirate Party agreed to make an attempt to form a majority government following the October 28 general elections. According to our sources, the Progressive Party decided to abandon the talks due to the small majority in parliament. The four party coalition would have had 32 MPs in Iceland’s 63 member parliament, the smallest possible majority.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#LEBANON: PM Resigns, Citing Meddling From Iran, Hezbollah Death Threats

[world politics news]

Saad Hariri has announced his resignation as Lebanon's prime minister and implicitly blamed Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, for his decision. In a televised speech on Saturday, he said he suspected there were covert plans to target his life, but he did not elaborate. Hariri, who made the statement during a visit to Saudi Arabia, said Iran planted "disorder and destruction" in the country and meddled in the internal issues of Lebanon as well as other Arab countries.

[FULL STORY HERE]