Thursday, May 31, 2018

#DENMARK: Lawmakers Outlaw Full-Face Veils Worn By Muslim Women; Deny It's A "Burqua Ban"

[world politics news]


Denmark's parliament has voted to ban the niqab and burqa, becoming the fifth European country to pass such a law. Lawmakers voted 75-30 in favor of the legislation which had been put forward by the governing center-right coalition. Politicians insist the law does not target any religion, but it has become known colloquially as the 'burqa ban'.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

#SWEDEN: Support For Anti-Immigration Sweden Democrats Rises Sharply In Polls Ahead Of Sept. Election

[world politics news]


The Sweden Democrats, an anti-immigration party, have gained momentum and are close behind the nation's two other largest parties ahead of the September 9th general election, according to a survey. With 20% in support, according to Ipsos, the party is gaining on the conservative Moderates (22%) and is now only four points behind Prime Minister Stefan Löfven's Social Democrats (24%).

Pictured: Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

#GERMANY: Chancellor Merkel Visits China To Seek "United Front" Against Trump's "America First" Trade Policies

[world politics news]


Chancellor Angela Merkel has made a visit to China, reportedly seeking to "close ranks" with the world's biggest exporting nation and find "a common strategy" with the Communist nation to ward off a trade war. Ahead of the visit, China's envoy to Germany, Shi Mingde, pointed to a "protectionist trend in Germany," and complained about toughened rules protecting German companies from foreign takeovers. It was Merkel's 12th visit to China as chancellor.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Monday, May 28, 2018

#ITALY: Prime Minister-Designate Withdraws Bid After President Rejects Economics Minister Choice

[world politics news]


Italian Prime Minister-designate Giuseppe Conte has given up his bid to form a government after the country's president vetoed his choice of economy minister. The decision was announced following a meeting between the two men. Conte, a political novice, was chosen by two populist parties in an attempt to end 11 weeks of political deadlock. Italy hasn't had a government since elections in March, because no political party can form a majority.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Sunday, May 27, 2018

#IRELAND: Historic, Lopsided Vote Liberalizes Abortion Law in Catholic Nation

[world politics news]


Ireland has voted to repeal the eighth amendment to its constitution, effectively ending its longstanding ban on abortion, by a margin of two to one, official results have confirmed. The Yes campaign won with more than 1.4 million votes, in the national referendum in this historically Catholic nation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Friday, May 25, 2018

#CANADA: Prog. Cons. Ldr Doug Ford Targeted Over Allegations Of Stolen Data Used In Election

[world politics news]


The rookie leader of Ontario's poll-leading Progressive Conservatives came under concerted attack on Saturday over allegations his candidates for next month's election might have used stolen data to further their cause. The leaders of the Liberals and New Democrats called for the police and Elections Ontario to investigate the alleged data theft, while PC Leader Doug Ford dismissed the attack.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Thursday, May 24, 2018

#VENEZUELA: 14 Nations Recall Ambassadors To Venezuela After "Undemocratic" Elections Return Maduro To Power

[world politics news]


A bloc of countries from the Americas opposing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that all its 14 members will recall their ambassadors to the country to protest against what it said was the country's failure to hold a "free and fair" election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

#ITALY: Opponents Raise Questions Over PM Pick Guiseppe Conte's Academic Credentials

[world politics news]


The nomination of Giuseppe Conte, a political newcomer, to serve as Italy's next prime minister  appears to be hanging in the balance after questions arose about whether he padded his academic resume.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

#SAUDIARABIA: A Woman Has Been Appointed Head Of The Kingdom's Cyber Security Division

[world politics news]

A woman who attended George Washington University has been appointed to head up the Saudi Kingdom's cyber security division. Nouf Abdullah Al-Rakan was announced last week as as executive director of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones. Rakan completed her studies at George Washington University, and achieved a fellowship in Project Management. She is a graduate of Windsor's International Young Leadership Program in Britain. She has over 15 years of experience in project and business management in Saudi Arabia, has worked in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Monday, May 21, 2018

#GREECE: After Divisive Debate, Parliament Grants Gay Couples Right To Become Foster Parents

[world politics news]


A bill allowing same-sex couples to become foster parents has passed in Greece's parliament in a 161 to 103 vote. The vote put an end to a long and heated debate. The legislation grants the right to foster children to couples under civil partnership, but clearly states that they cannot adopt children. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras attacked opposition parties for opposing the legislation, accusing them of stoking "anachronistic stereotypes and phobia syndromes."

[FULL STORY HERE]

Sunday, May 20, 2018

#EU: Danish Prime Minister Calls For Smaller European Union Budget Once #UK Leaves After #Brexit

[world politics news]


A smaller European Union should mean a smaller EU budget. That's the argument Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen is making for the post-Brexit EU after the United Kingdom leaves the trading and political bloc next year. Rasmussen tweeted that "a smaller EU should mean a smaller budget!" as the bloc will number 27 members after Brexit. He added that European taxpayers should not be asked "to pay for Brexit."

[FULL STORY HERE]

Saturday, May 19, 2018

#CANADA: Prog. Conservative Leader Doug Ford Attacked For "Trump-Style" "Lock Her Up" Chants At Rally

[world politics news]


Two Ontario party leaders are condemning Progressive Conservative party leader Doug Ford for his supporters' "Trump-style" chants. Ford says he doesn’t condone chants of "lock her up" reportedly directed at Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne at a Progressive Conservative rally on Monday. She said the rhetoric is a "disturbing trend." New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath joined in the condemnation, calling the chants "unfortunate."

[FULL STORY HERE]

Friday, May 18, 2018

#MEXICO: Former First Lady Margarita Zavala Drops Out Of Presidential Race; Was Polling At 5%

[world politics news]


Mexico's former first lady Margarita Zavala on Wednesday announced that she was pulling out of the July 1 presidential race. The 50-year-old wife of 2006-2012 conservative president Felipe Calderon was running as an independent candidate. Polls gave her less than 5% of the vote.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Thursday, May 17, 2018

#IRAQ: Accusations Of Vote-Rigging, Broken Voting Machines In Kurdistan Lead To Gunfights, Calls For Re-Vote

[world politics news]


Electronic voting was used across Iraq for the first time in this past weekend's parliamentary election in an effort to secure the process. But parties at stations across the northeast reported that broken voting machines prevented people casting ballots before the polls closed at 6 pm. Many said this was intentional to swing the outcome. Six Kurdish parties along with the Wataniya bloc, led by Iraq’s vice-president Ayad Allawi, have demanded a re-run of the election in the Kurdistan region, parts of Ninewa and Kirkuk.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

#GERMANY: Bavarian Leader Orders Crosses Installed In Every Government Building As Sign Of "Bavarian Identity"

[world politics news]


Bavarian leader Markus Söder has announced that crosses must hang in all the state's government buildings, saying the move is a "commitment to Bavarian identity and culture." Minister-President Söder implemented his first government declaration in state parliament by saying crosses are to be mandatory in all public offices in the southern German state. The crosses, which are to hang in the entrance area of all state administration buildings, are said by the Christian Social Union politician to have an explicit symbolic value.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Sunday, May 13, 2018

#IRAN: Iranian Lawmakers Speak Out Against #USFlag Burning Protest On Floor Of Parliament

[world politics news]


Ali Motahari, an outspoken member of Iran's parliament, along with several other Iranian political figures, have criticized hardliners who set fire to a picture of the US flag during a session of parliament on May 9, the day after Pres. Trump announced the US would pull out from the nuclear deal with Iran. Motahari said setting fire to the flag, "puts us face-to-face against the American people." Another MP, Alireza Rahimi, tweeted his opposition to the act, saying, "Islamic culture, as well as rationality and political logic rejects acts such as setting fire to the flag of other nations."

[FULL STORY HERE]

Saturday, May 12, 2018

#MALAYSIA: 92-Year-Old Ex-Dictator Makes Comeback By Winning Election As Prime Minister

[world politics news]



After two decades as Malaysia’s prime minister, during which time he censored journalists and dismissed various human rights issues, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister is back for a second crack at the job. This week, 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad led a nail-biting victory for opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance of parties, taking 113 of the 222 seats in parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Friday, May 11, 2018

#USA: "F*** The NRA!" Says #NM Democratic Congressional Candidate In Shocking TV Ad

[world politics news]


New Mexico Democratic candidate for Congress Pat Davis opens a TV ad set to start airing today with the words, "F*ck the NRA." The shocking ad will air on Albuquerque station KQRE uncensored, with the station airing a 15-second "disclaimer" warning viewers that the station could not edit out the offensive words due to Federal Election Commission rules prohibiting censoring or editing campaign ads. Davis is a sitting Albuquerque city councilor, and is running third in polls in the June 5th Democratic primary.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Sikh Cabinet Min. Receives US Apology After Being Forced To Remove Turban At Airport Security

[world politics news]


A Sikh Canadian cabinet minister is revealing his disturbing encounter with airport security guards at a U.S. airport, calling it religious discrimination. Navdeep Bains, an Ontario MP and Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development had already passed through security at the Detroit airport in April 2017, when guards demanded that he remove his turban. He complied. US officials have now issued an apology for the incident.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Thursday, May 10, 2018

#BAHRAIN: Foreign Minister's Tweet Tacitly Recognizes Israel As "State" That Has Right To Defend Itself

[world politics news]


[ORIGINAL TO WORLD POLITICS NEWS] - A tweet posted by Bahrain's foreign minister, Khalid al Khalifa, recognized Israel's right to attack Iran in their recent scuffle in Syria. Bahrain is among several Middle Eastern nations alarmed by Iran's aggressive military actions in the region, and its quest for nuclear weapons. The May 10 Tweet on his official account, @khalidalkhalifa, read: "As long as Iran has breached the status quo in the region and has violates, with its troops and missiles, any state in the region, including Israel, is entitled to defend itself by destroying the sources of danger." The tweet, posted in Arabic, was remarkable in another sense: it was a tacit and explicit recognition of Israel as a "state," something few political leaders in the region will acknowledge publicly. It shows the depths of concern Iran's actions and ambitions have stirred among its neighbors.

Tuesday, May 08, 2018

#ITALY: New Elections Loom As Coalition Talks Falter

[world politics news]


Italy's coalition-building talks have failed, leaving the country facing fresh elections or a neutral caretaker government until the end of the year.President Sergio Mattarella says those were the only two options left after a third round of negotiations were unsuccessful. No single party or alliance won a majority in the March general election.

Pictured: Pres. Sergio Mattarella

[FULL STORY HERE]

Sunday, May 06, 2018

#TUNISIA: First Local Elections Held Since 2011

[world politics news]


Tunisians are heading to the polls on Sunday to vote in the country's first free municipal elections since the removal of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his government in 2011.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Saturday, May 05, 2018

Left-Wing Protesters March Against Macron's Market Reforms

[world politics news]


Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Paris on Saturday to protest against the stream of economic reforms brought in by French president Emmanuel Macron since coming to power a year ago.
[FULL STORY HERE]

Friday, May 04, 2018

#UK: Labour MP Elected First Mayor Of New Sheffield City Region; Will Keep Parliamentary Job

[world politics news]


Labour MP Dan Jarvis has been elected as the first mayor of the Sheffield City Region. Jarvis received 144,154 votes after second preference votes were counted. Conservative Ian Walker came second with 50,619 votes. He was chosen by voters in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. He says he will keep his job as a member of parliament, which won't affect his job performance.

[FULL STORY HERE]