London Mayor Sadiq Khan has turned up the heat on Jeremy Corbyn over anti-Semitism in the party by saying it’s “depressing, saddening and completely unacceptable” that British Jews have been made to feel alienated by Labour.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
#UK: London Mayor Kahn Calls Out Corbyn, Labour Party's Anti-Semitism
[world politics news]
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has turned up the heat on Jeremy Corbyn over anti-Semitism in the party by saying it’s “depressing, saddening and completely unacceptable” that British Jews have been made to feel alienated by Labour.
[FULL STORY HERE]
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has turned up the heat on Jeremy Corbyn over anti-Semitism in the party by saying it’s “depressing, saddening and completely unacceptable” that British Jews have been made to feel alienated by Labour.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Thursday, March 22, 2018
#NORWAY: Controversial Justice Minister Resigns After "No Confidence" Vote Of Oppo. Parties
[world politics news]
Sylvi Listhaug has resigned as Norway's Minister of Justice following a motion of no confidence against her by opposition parties. Parliament had been set to vote on the motion of no confidence on Tuesday. But the minister preempted the vote by announcing her resignation early Tuesday morning, stating she could not allow the Progress Party to lose power over her departure.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Sylvi Listhaug has resigned as Norway's Minister of Justice following a motion of no confidence against her by opposition parties. Parliament had been set to vote on the motion of no confidence on Tuesday. But the minister preempted the vote by announcing her resignation early Tuesday morning, stating she could not allow the Progress Party to lose power over her departure.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
#JAPAN: PM Abe's Cabinet Begins Process Of Lowering Age of "Adult" To 18 From 20
[world politics news]
The cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has adopted bills to amend the Civil Code and other laws to lower Japan's adult age from 20 to 18. The Abe government plans to introduce the bills, including ones to maintain the ban on drinking, smoking and gambling by people under 20, to the ongoing ordinary session of the Diet for enactment. If the bills are passed into law, the new adult age will be implemented on April 1, 2022, to mark the first change in the definition of adult in the country's modern period.
[FULL STORY HERE]
The cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has adopted bills to amend the Civil Code and other laws to lower Japan's adult age from 20 to 18. The Abe government plans to introduce the bills, including ones to maintain the ban on drinking, smoking and gambling by people under 20, to the ongoing ordinary session of the Diet for enactment. If the bills are passed into law, the new adult age will be implemented on April 1, 2022, to mark the first change in the definition of adult in the country's modern period.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Sunday, March 18, 2018
#HUNGARY: PM Orban Defiant At Mass Re-Election Rally; Condemns EU For Forced Mass Migration
[world politics news]
Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told a huge rally in Budapest that they must fight the "external forces and international powers" who want to allow mass immigration into their country. Orban is seeking a third consecutive term when elections take place on April 8.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told a huge rally in Budapest that they must fight the "external forces and international powers" who want to allow mass immigration into their country. Orban is seeking a third consecutive term when elections take place on April 8.
Saturday, March 17, 2018
#NORWAY: Speaker Of Parliament Resigns Over Ballooning Costs Of Renovation Project
[world politics news]
President of the Norwegian parliament Olemic Thommessen has resigned over controversy relating to a construction contract renovating the grounds and facilities at the Storting Assembly that has seen costs balloon from 1.1 billion kroner in 2015 to 2.3 billion kroner in a February 2018 estimate.
[FULL STORY HERE]
President of the Norwegian parliament Olemic Thommessen has resigned over controversy relating to a construction contract renovating the grounds and facilities at the Storting Assembly that has seen costs balloon from 1.1 billion kroner in 2015 to 2.3 billion kroner in a February 2018 estimate.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Friday, March 16, 2018
#AUSTRALIA: Home Affairs Min. Dutton Says Australia Should Open Doors To White S. African Farmers
[world politics news]
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said he was exploring giving South Africa's white farmers access to fast-track visas on humanitarian grounds, after that nation's parliament had begun discussing taking white farmer's land without compensation. The new South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced a torrent of criticism for earlier remarks about taking land by force. He seeming backtracked after severe international criticism, saying this week, "We will not allow land grabs. We will not allow land invasion - because it is illegal. It begins to violate rights of other South African citizens."
[FULL STORY HERE]
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said he was exploring giving South Africa's white farmers access to fast-track visas on humanitarian grounds, after that nation's parliament had begun discussing taking white farmer's land without compensation. The new South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced a torrent of criticism for earlier remarks about taking land by force. He seeming backtracked after severe international criticism, saying this week, "We will not allow land grabs. We will not allow land invasion - because it is illegal. It begins to violate rights of other South African citizens."
[FULL STORY HERE]
Thursday, March 15, 2018
#THEPHILIPPINES: Pres. Duterte Withdraws From Int'l Criminal Court After It Stars Extrajudicial Killings Investigation
[world politics news]
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte moved to quit the International Criminal Court on Wednesday after it began investigating his brutal war on drug dealers. Duterte announced he is withdrawing the Philippines from the Rome Statute which gives the Hague-based ICC the authority to investigate crimes on its soil.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte moved to quit the International Criminal Court on Wednesday after it began investigating his brutal war on drug dealers. Duterte announced he is withdrawing the Philippines from the Rome Statute which gives the Hague-based ICC the authority to investigate crimes on its soil.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
#SPAIN: Catalan Gov't Seeking Replacement For President After Exiled Puigdmont Abandons Comeback Bid
[world politics news]
Catalan separatists have begun the challenging search for a new candidate to lead their region after deposed President Carles Puigdemont, in self-exile in Belgium and wanted in Spain, abandoned his comeback bid. Fears that the presidency could become a "part-time" job has eliminated another popular contender for the job.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Catalan separatists have begun the challenging search for a new candidate to lead their region after deposed President Carles Puigdemont, in self-exile in Belgium and wanted in Spain, abandoned his comeback bid. Fears that the presidency could become a "part-time" job has eliminated another popular contender for the job.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
#INDIA: Congress Party Pres. Rahul Gandhi Says He'd Have Junked Rollout Of Demonetization; Rips Modi's Policies
[world politics news]
On a trip to Malaysia, Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi criticized PM Narenda Modi's policy of demonetization, which removed high-value banknotes from circulation. Asked how he would have rolled out the policy differently, he said, "If I was the Prime Minister and somebody had given me a file with 'demonetization' written on it, I would thrown it in the dustbin," he continued to say he would have "rolled it out through door and into the junkyard." Congress Party blames the policy for an economic slowdown.
[FULL STORY HERE]
On a trip to Malaysia, Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi criticized PM Narenda Modi's policy of demonetization, which removed high-value banknotes from circulation. Asked how he would have rolled out the policy differently, he said, "If I was the Prime Minister and somebody had given me a file with 'demonetization' written on it, I would thrown it in the dustbin," he continued to say he would have "rolled it out through door and into the junkyard." Congress Party blames the policy for an economic slowdown.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Monday, March 12, 2018
#CANADA: Brother Of Late Toronto Mayor Chosen To Lead Ontario Conservatives After Chaotic Leadership Race
[world politics news]
Doug Ford, Jr., the brother of late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, has been chosen by Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party as its leader. He goes up against Premier Katherine Wynne, a Liberal Party member in the June 7 provincial election. It was an upset over favorite Christine Elliott, who had lost leadership races twice before. The election was brought on by the resignation of party Leader Patrick Brown, who faced sexual misconduct allegations.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Doug Ford, Jr., the brother of late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, has been chosen by Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party as its leader. He goes up against Premier Katherine Wynne, a Liberal Party member in the June 7 provincial election. It was an upset over favorite Christine Elliott, who had lost leadership races twice before. The election was brought on by the resignation of party Leader Patrick Brown, who faced sexual misconduct allegations.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Sunday, March 11, 2018
#CHINA: Pres. Xi Jinping To Hike Military Budget By 8.1% Due To "Profound Changes" In The World
[world politics news]
China has announced it will boost its military spending by 8.1 percent this year to counter “profound changes” to the international geopolitical landscape. The budget increase, which comes days after Vladimir Putin boasted about Russia’s upgraded nuclear arsenal, brings China’s annual defense spending to 1.11 trillion yuan ($175 billion).
[FULL STORY HERE]
China has announced it will boost its military spending by 8.1 percent this year to counter “profound changes” to the international geopolitical landscape. The budget increase, which comes days after Vladimir Putin boasted about Russia’s upgraded nuclear arsenal, brings China’s annual defense spending to 1.11 trillion yuan ($175 billion).
[FULL STORY HERE]
Saturday, March 10, 2018
#GERMANY: Alternative For Germany Party Says Merkel Gov't "Covering Up" Mass Entrants Of Migrants By Plane, Violating EU Law
[world politics news]
The Alternative For Germany Party has accused the German government of covering up an "outrageous scandal" in which would-be asylum seekers are freely allowed to board planes within Europe in order to go and claim asylum in Germany. Migrants entering Germany by plane from another European country would violate the EU’s Dublin Agreement, which states that asylum seekers must claim asylum in the first safe country they arrive in. The party obtained figures from the German Interior Ministry, showing nearly a third of all asylum seekers in Germany now arrive by plane. In 2017, Germany registered 186,000 new asylum cases
[FULL STORY HERE]
The Alternative For Germany Party has accused the German government of covering up an "outrageous scandal" in which would-be asylum seekers are freely allowed to board planes within Europe in order to go and claim asylum in Germany. Migrants entering Germany by plane from another European country would violate the EU’s Dublin Agreement, which states that asylum seekers must claim asylum in the first safe country they arrive in. The party obtained figures from the German Interior Ministry, showing nearly a third of all asylum seekers in Germany now arrive by plane. In 2017, Germany registered 186,000 new asylum cases
[FULL STORY HERE]
Friday, March 09, 2018
#SOUTHKOREA: Court Refuses To Issue Arrest Warrant For Frmr. Defense Min. Alleging "Political Meddling" In 2012 Election
[world politics news]
A Seoul court has denied prosecutors' request to issue an arrest warrant for former Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, who is accused of interfering with a ministry investigation into the military's political intervention ahead of the 2012 presidential election. They say there was little risk of him fleeing the country. Kim, who headed the ministry from 2010-2014, is suspected of pressuring his ministry's officials into toning down and covering up an inquiry into a massive political maneuver carried out by the military's cyber command.
[FULL STORY HERE]
A Seoul court has denied prosecutors' request to issue an arrest warrant for former Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, who is accused of interfering with a ministry investigation into the military's political intervention ahead of the 2012 presidential election. They say there was little risk of him fleeing the country. Kim, who headed the ministry from 2010-2014, is suspected of pressuring his ministry's officials into toning down and covering up an inquiry into a massive political maneuver carried out by the military's cyber command.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Thursday, March 08, 2018
#UK: Anti-Muslim Britain First Group Leaders Convicted On Hate Speech Charges; Harassed Innocent Muslims, Court Says
[world politics news]
The leader and deputy leader of far-right group Britain First have been found guilty of religiously-aggravated harassment. Paul Golding, 36, and Jayda Fransen, 31, were arrested over the distribution of leaflets and posting of online videos during a Muslim gang-rape trial. They had targeted homes and people in Kent whom they believed were connected to a rape trial at Canterbury Crown Court where three Muslim men and a teenager were convicted of rape and jailed.
[FULL STORY HERE]
The leader and deputy leader of far-right group Britain First have been found guilty of religiously-aggravated harassment. Paul Golding, 36, and Jayda Fransen, 31, were arrested over the distribution of leaflets and posting of online videos during a Muslim gang-rape trial. They had targeted homes and people in Kent whom they believed were connected to a rape trial at Canterbury Crown Court where three Muslim men and a teenager were convicted of rape and jailed.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Wednesday, March 07, 2018
#POLAND: Legislator Says Germany Owes $850 Billion To Poland As World War II Reparations; Germans Disagree
[world politics news]
Polish parliamentarian Arkadiusz Mularczyk says the German government owes his nation over $850 billion in reparations for damage caused during World War II. Germany has in the past denied such a claim, saying that a 1953 agreement with the Polish government settled all claims. Poland counters that the deal was made with the Soviet puppet government, and doesn't count.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Polish parliamentarian Arkadiusz Mularczyk says the German government owes his nation over $850 billion in reparations for damage caused during World War II. Germany has in the past denied such a claim, saying that a 1953 agreement with the Polish government settled all claims. Poland counters that the deal was made with the Soviet puppet government, and doesn't count.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
#ITALY: Center-Right Coalition Takes Parliament Poll, Euroskeptic Party Leader Says It Has "The Right To Govern"
[world politics news]
A center-right coalition including Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia and the anti-immigrant League Party won about 37 per cent of the parliamentary vote, according to preliminary results.The Euroskeptic League Party has taken the reins of the coalition after winning 18 per cent of the vote with leader Matteo Salvino declaring that the center-right bloc has won "the right and the duty to govern." The Five-Star Movement Party won 31% of the vote, becoming the largest party.
[FULL STORY HERE]
A center-right coalition including Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia and the anti-immigrant League Party won about 37 per cent of the parliamentary vote, according to preliminary results.The Euroskeptic League Party has taken the reins of the coalition after winning 18 per cent of the vote with leader Matteo Salvino declaring that the center-right bloc has won "the right and the duty to govern." The Five-Star Movement Party won 31% of the vote, becoming the largest party.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Monday, March 05, 2018
#UK: Scottish Parliament Rushes Thru Alternative Brexit "Continuity" Bill Amid Warnings About Haste
[world politics news]
A large majority of the members of the Scottish Parliament have rushed through legislation designed to ensure continuity in the face of a rapidly approaching "Brexit" between the UK and Europe. The lopsided 86 to 27 vote fast-tracks the legislation, which Conservative MSP's argued was "bad legislation" that lacked proper oversight or debate.
Pictured: Michael William "Mike" Russell, a Scottish National Party member of the Scottish Parliament who is Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe.
[FULL STORY HERE]
A large majority of the members of the Scottish Parliament have rushed through legislation designed to ensure continuity in the face of a rapidly approaching "Brexit" between the UK and Europe. The lopsided 86 to 27 vote fast-tracks the legislation, which Conservative MSP's argued was "bad legislation" that lacked proper oversight or debate.
Pictured: Michael William "Mike" Russell, a Scottish National Party member of the Scottish Parliament who is Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Sunday, March 04, 2018
#GERMANY: Merkel Gets Renewed Coalition With Social Democrats, But Is Greatly Weakened
[world politics news]
Social Democrats have agreed to another "loveless" coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel, ending four months of horse-trading and gridlock in Germany, after two minor parties refused to work with her during a fourth term, which she won in October. Sixty-six percent of the Social Democrats, in a mail-in ballot, supported the coalition. They had their worst showing at the polls last year since the Second World War. The SPD's youth chief Kevin Kühnert, ran an impassioned campaign against the planned coalition, forcing the party membership to vote, and saying he wouldn't withhold criticism.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Social Democrats have agreed to another "loveless" coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel, ending four months of horse-trading and gridlock in Germany, after two minor parties refused to work with her during a fourth term, which she won in October. Sixty-six percent of the Social Democrats, in a mail-in ballot, supported the coalition. They had their worst showing at the polls last year since the Second World War. The SPD's youth chief Kevin Kühnert, ran an impassioned campaign against the planned coalition, forcing the party membership to vote, and saying he wouldn't withhold criticism.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Saturday, March 03, 2018
#ISRAEL: Church of the Holy Sepulchre Reopens After 3-Day Closure; Proposed Tax Legislation Suspended
[world politics news]
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem reopened this week after Israeli officials suspended a plan to impose taxes on church properties in the holy city. The iconic church, revered by Christians as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, had been closed for three days to protest the Israeli tax plan.
[FULL STORY HERE]
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem reopened this week after Israeli officials suspended a plan to impose taxes on church properties in the holy city. The iconic church, revered by Christians as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, had been closed for three days to protest the Israeli tax plan.
[FULL STORY HERE]
#SOUTHKOREA: Law Proposed To Shorten Work Week From 68 To 52 Hours
[world politics news]
A parliament committee has passed a bill aimed at shorting working hours in South Korea. The National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee endorsed the bill, which calls for reducing the country's maximum statutory working hours to 52 hours a week from the current 68. Under the current law, the maximum working hours in Korea were 68 hours per week, as the law excluded Saturdays and Sundays as part of the 40 hour 'working days', making it possible to work an additional 16 hours during the weekend on top of any extended working hours.
[FULL STORY HERE]
A parliament committee has passed a bill aimed at shorting working hours in South Korea. The National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee endorsed the bill, which calls for reducing the country's maximum statutory working hours to 52 hours a week from the current 68. Under the current law, the maximum working hours in Korea were 68 hours per week, as the law excluded Saturdays and Sundays as part of the 40 hour 'working days', making it possible to work an additional 16 hours during the weekend on top of any extended working hours.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Friday, March 02, 2018
#ETHIOPIA: Parliament Declares "State of Emergency" To Focus on "Masterminds of Conflict" In The Nation
[world politics news]
The House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) in its first urgent meeting today has approved the state of emergency that was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on Feb. 16. After thoroughly debating on the matter, 395 of the 490 total attending members supported the approval and 88 opposed while 7 abstained. The state of emergency is declared to protect the constitution and constitutional order from threat and safeguard the well-being of citizens, which was unable with the regular law enforcement.
[FULL STORY HERE]
The House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) in its first urgent meeting today has approved the state of emergency that was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on Feb. 16. After thoroughly debating on the matter, 395 of the 490 total attending members supported the approval and 88 opposed while 7 abstained. The state of emergency is declared to protect the constitution and constitutional order from threat and safeguard the well-being of citizens, which was unable with the regular law enforcement.
[FULL STORY HERE]
Thursday, March 01, 2018
#EU: Euro Pres. Tusk Lays Out Options To Avoid "Hard" Post-Brexit Border Between EU's Ireland And N. Ireland
[world politics news]
One of the EU’s most senior leaders has said all member states will accept the first draft of the Brexit withdrawal treaty published on Wednesday, amid furor in Westminster over the EU’s plan for avoiding a hard border on Ireland. Donald Tusk, the European council president, said he was “absolutely sure that all the essential elements of the draft will be accepted by all”. He stressed that the bloc’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier – whose team drafted the Ireland protocol – had the full support of the EU institutions and the 27 member states that will remain in the union when Britain leaves.
[FULL STORY HERE]
One of the EU’s most senior leaders has said all member states will accept the first draft of the Brexit withdrawal treaty published on Wednesday, amid furor in Westminster over the EU’s plan for avoiding a hard border on Ireland. Donald Tusk, the European council president, said he was “absolutely sure that all the essential elements of the draft will be accepted by all”. He stressed that the bloc’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier – whose team drafted the Ireland protocol – had the full support of the EU institutions and the 27 member states that will remain in the union when Britain leaves.
[FULL STORY HERE]
#SOUTHAFRICA: White Farmers To Have Land Confiscated Under Constitutional Amendment Plan
[world politics news]
White South African farmers will be removed from their land after a landslide vote in parliament. The country's constitution is now likely to be amended to allow for the confiscation of white-owned land without compensation, following a motion brought by radical Marxist opposition leader Julius Malema. It passed by 241 votes for to 83 against. The policy was a key factor in new president Cyril Ramaphosa's platform after he took over from Jacob Zuma in February. The same policy in Mugabe's Zimbabwe led to mass famine and economic collapse.
[FULL STORY HERE]
White South African farmers will be removed from their land after a landslide vote in parliament. The country's constitution is now likely to be amended to allow for the confiscation of white-owned land without compensation, following a motion brought by radical Marxist opposition leader Julius Malema. It passed by 241 votes for to 83 against. The policy was a key factor in new president Cyril Ramaphosa's platform after he took over from Jacob Zuma in February. The same policy in Mugabe's Zimbabwe led to mass famine and economic collapse.
[FULL STORY HERE]
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