Wednesday, January 31, 2018

#THAILAND: Politicians Decry Legislature's Delay Of Elections By 90 Days

[world politics news]


Politicians have slammed the National Legislative Assembly for passing a bill that effectively delays the general election by 90 days. The NLA approved the section of an election bill that sets the election's effective date 90 days after it is published in the Royal Gazette. The result is the general election can only be held 150 days after it takes effect, or by the end of February at the latest.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

#ARGENTINA: Pres. Calls For 25% Reduction Of Gov't; No Raises This Year For High Ranking Officials

[world politics news]


"We want to be an example of austerity. We’re going to eliminate one out of every four political appointments within the executive branch”, announced Argentine president Mauricio Macri in a public address from the presidential palace. This government reduction equates to the indefinite layoff of around 1,000 employees.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: National Legislature Meets To Take Up Constitutional Reforms, Labor Issues, Casinos

[world politics news]


After months of turmoil over a snap election, opposition realignment and stalled legislative progress, this year’s regular Diet session kicked off this week. The five-month-long process will see the nation’s lawmakers discuss a slew of important bills - including work on amending the constitution, casinos, and labor reform - for the first time since the end of last year’s ordinary session in June. A fall session of the legislature, convened in September, lasted just a few minutes after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hustled to dissolve it by calling a snap election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Monday, January 29, 2018

#BRAZIL: Former Pres. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Loses Corruption Appeal, May Be Banned From Running

[world politics news]


An appeals court in Brazil has unanimously upheld a corruption conviction imposed last July on ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. While he can still take his appeal to a higher court, the decision could rule Lula out as a candidate for October's presidential election. The ex-leader, who governed from 2003 to 2011, had been favorite to win.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Sunday, January 28, 2018

#CANADA: Immigration Min. Re-Assures That Genital Mutilation Warning Will Remain In Citizenship Guide

[world politics news]


Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen says Canada's updated citizenship guide will include a warning to newcomers about the illegal practice of female genital mutilation. This comes after conservatives raised concerns that the reference would be dropped from the newest version. A copy some saw in advance of publication did not include the wording. A petition to keep the warning received over 25,000 signatures online.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Saturday, January 27, 2018

#AUSTRIA: Far-Right Candidate Linked To "Songbook" Celebrating The Holocaust

[world politics news]


The far-right candidate in an Austrian state election was under pressure on Tuesday following a magazine report about song lyrics celebrating the Holocaust and other Nazi atrocities.
According to the Falter weekly, Udo Landbauer of the Freedom Party (FPÖ), which is in the national governing coalition, is deputy chair of a student fraternity behind a songbook containing the texts.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Friday, January 26, 2018

#SWEDEN: Center-Left Coalition Announces Push To Ban Smoking In Public Places

[world politics news]


The Swedish government wants to ban smoking at outdoor restaurants, train platforms, playgrounds and other public places. Health Minister Annika Strandhäll announced the center-left coalition government's new legislative proposal to stub out smoking in certain public places at a press conference at Stockholm Central Station on Friday.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Thursday, January 25, 2018

#CANADA: Ontario Oppo. Ldr Patrick Brown Resigns Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

[world politics news]


Ontario's Opposition leader is stepping down amid allegations of sexual misconduct, dealing a severe blow to his party just months before the province heads to the polls. Patrick Brown announced the decision in a statement issued early Thursday morning, following a hastily-called news conference in which the Progressive Conservative leader "categorically" denied what he called "troubling allegations" about his conduct and his character. Brown said that after consulting with caucus, friends and family, he decided to step down as leader but would stay on as a member of the provincial legislature to clear his name.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

#GERMANY: Possible Coalition Partners Reportedly Abandon 2020 CO2 Targets

[world politics news]


Preliminary grand coalition talks have just restarted, but already, the parties involved have given up the 2020 climate goals. Some politicians in Berlin are alarmed by reports of a cancellation of the climate goals for 2020 by a possible future new government. That would amount to deceiving voters, the opposition says. But other reports note that opposition parties, including the Social Democrats, don't want to "punish" factory workers and other natural allies with the severe cuts that would result from implementing it.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

#UK: Prime Minister's Cabinet Reshuffle Plans Thrown Off Course By Resignation, Stubborn Ministers

[world politics news]


Theresa May’s planned cabinet reshuffle was thrown off course when senior members of the cabinet refused to move and Justine Greening quit the government after turning down a job as work and pensions secretary. Earlier, Jeremy Hunt rejected a new position as business secretary and instead persuaded the prime minister to allow him to remain at health in a beefed-up role taking on more responsibility for social care.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Thursday, January 04, 2018

#EGYPT: Parliament Considers Law Banning Atheism Amid Crackdown On Dissidents

[world politics news]


Egyptian parliament has in recent days discussed a proposed bill to criminalize atheism. The draft law was submitted by Amr Hamroush, the head of parliament’s Committee on Religion, who argues that lack of belief in God is a form of contempt of religion, which is punishable by up to five years in prison under Egyptian law.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Wednesday, January 03, 2018

#IRELAND: Health Min. Denies Controversial Abortion Vote Delay; Change Would Allow Limited Abortions

[world politics news]


A vote to allow abortions up to the 13th week of pregnancy in this strongly Catholic nation will not be delayed, says Health Minister Simon Harris. A newspaper report had hinted that the vote would be delayed until October.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Tuesday, January 02, 2018

#GERMANY: Lawmaker May Face Prosecution For "Incitement" Over Anti-Muslim Tweet

[world politics news]


A prominent lawmaker with the nationalist and anti-Islam Alternative for Germany party has run into trouble with police and Twitter over her response to a Cologne police tweet offering New Year greetings in Arabic. Beatrix von Storch tweeted her objections to Saturday's tweet, saying: "Do they think they will calm the barbaric, Muslim, group-raping hordes of men this way?" Von Storch's Twitter account was blocked for several hours Monday over a suspected breach of rules on hate speech. Police Tuesday filed a criminal complaint to prosecutors over suspected incitement. New Year celebrations in Cologne were overshadowed two years ago when hundreds of women complained of being groped and robbed, mostly by groups of migrants.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Monday, January 01, 2018

#SPAIN: Scandal-Plagued Ruling Popular Party To Stand Trial For Alleged Evidence Destruction

[world politics news]


Spain's ruling Popular Party (PP) will stand trial for allegedly destroying laptops used by a former treasurer being tried over a suspected slush fund, a court ruling published on Friday said. It will be the first time that a political party goes on trial in the country.

[FULL STORY HERE]