#JAPAN: Emperor Akihito Gives Final Speech As Emperor In Long-Planned Abdication Ceremony

[world politics news]

Japanese Emperor Akihito abdicated the throne Tuesday, bringing the three-decade-long Heisei era to a close. A ceremony to mark the occasion was held at the Imperial Palace. Akihito gave his last speech to the people in his current role.

"Since ascending the throne 30 years ago, I have performed my duties as the Emperor with a deep sense of trust in and respect for the people, and I consider myself most fortunate to have been able to do so. I sincerely thank the people who accepted and supported me in my role as the symbol of the State."

The ceremony was long-planned, as the Japanese parliament, the Diet, passed legislation last year to allow the 85-year-old monarch to resign his office due to age and ill-health. He is the first Emperor in Japan to do so in over 200 years. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, formally ascends the throne later today. A new era - called Reiwa, meaning order and harmony - will begin in Japan's unique calendar, which assigns a name to each emperor's "era."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SPAIN: Socialists Retain Power, But Rightist Vox Party Makes Huge Gains

[world politics news]

As expected, Spain's ruling socialist Party and its leader, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, won the most seats in the country's parliamentary election Sunday but must seek support from smaller parties in order to stay in power, which they expected to do, easily.

The election's real story is the anti-migrant right-leaning Vox Party was set to enter the lower house of Parliament for the first time with about 10% of the vote, which Will give it 24 seats.

The new nationalist party burst onto the scene this year, dramatically increasing its vote over the previous election's tally. In 2016, 47,182 people voted for Vox. In 2019, the figure increased to 2,673,828.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#HONGKONG: Four Leaders Of 2014 Pro-Democracy Demonstrations Jailed

[world politics news]

Hong Kong reopened one of the most emotional and divisive chapters in its history as four of nine democracy leaders and key activists convicted on public nuisance charges over the 2014 Occupy protests were jailed for up to 16 months.

Two founders of the city’s biggest civil disobedience movement, academics Benny Tai Yiu-ting, 54, and Dr Chan Kin-man, 60, were both given the longest jail terms, at 16 months, while legislator Shiu Ka-chun, 49, and League of Social Democrats vice-chairman Raphael Wong Ho-ming, 30, received eight months each. Two others' sentences were delayed over health issues. Former lawmaker Lee Wing-tat, 63, had his eight-month term suspended for two years in light of his years of public service.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#BAHRAIN: King Restores Citizenship Of 551 Prisoners, Reversing Court Decision To Strip Them Of Citizenship

[world politics news]

The citizenship of more than 500 people in Bahrain has been restored after an intervention by King Hamad. The leader issued an order to reinstate the citizenship of 551 prisoners whose nationality had been revoked by the courts.

King Hamad, who can reverse judicial decisions, requested that the authorities take "the nature of crimes committed" into account. The order didn't specify the crimes for which the prisoners had been convicted.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Oppo Leader Corbyn Says "No" To Attending June State Dinner During UK State Visit

[world politics news]

The leader of the official opposition will snub Pres. Trump with he makes his second state visit to the United Kingdom in June. Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn says he won't attend a state dinner with the Queen and Prime Minister May at Buckingham Palace with Trump when he visits from June 3-5, because he doesn't want to "honor" him with "a red carpet."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#FRANCE: Pres. Macron Plans Tax Cuts To Soothe Angry "Yellow Vest" Workers

[world politics news]

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to income cut taxes for the middle class but said the French would have to work more as he outlined his response to months of "yellow vest" protests.

Thursday's move is the result of a three-month long national debate, during which Macron rolled up his sleeves to discuss issues from taxes to local democracy and decaying shopping streets with mayors, students and hard-up workers.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Victims Of Forced Sterilization Law To Receive Apology, Compensation

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to issue a statement offering a state apology to those who were subject to forced sterilization under a now-defunct eugenics law after a redress bill clears the Diet.

His statement and the bill’s expected enactment this month to provide ¥3.2 million ($28,600) in state redress to each victim are unlikely to settle compensation disputes, however, as victims are demanding much larger payments. The Eugenic Protection Law was enacted in 1948, and was only repealed in 1996.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#TAIWAN: Gov't Agencies Banned From Using Telecom Products From "Dangerous Nations" - Includes Mainlamd China

[world politics news]

Taiwanese government agencies have been banned from using telecommunications services or equipment that pose a national threat, Taipei said on Friday, mirroring a similar move by the United States last year.

The ban, which was based on an executive order Premier Su Tseng-chang approved on Thursday, was targeted at all “dangerous countries”, which “no doubt includes China”, said the spokeswoman of the Executive Yuan, the self-ruled island’s cabinet.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#BRUNEI: Kingdom Defends Stoning Gays To Death; Letter To European Union Calls For "Tolerance" and "Understanding" Of Policy

[world politics news]

Brunei has written to the European Parliament defending its decision to start imposing death by stoning as a punishment for gay sex, claiming convictions would be rare as it required two men of "high moral standing piety" to be witnesses.

In a four-page letter to MEPs, the kingdom’s mission to the European Union calls for “tolerance, respect, understanding” with regard to the country’s desire to preserve its traditional values and "family lineage."

The new penal code, which also provides for amputation in the case of thieves and whipping for people wearing clothes associated with the opposite sex, went into effect April 3, despite international condemnation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UKRAINE: Voters Elect Inexperienced TV Comedian Their New President In Landslide Rebuke Of Incumbent Poroshenko

[world politics news]

A Ukrainian comedian and TV actor known for playing a president on TV has been elected president in real life - and in a landslide result that defeated the incumbent.

Volodymyr Zelensky took more than 73% with incumbent Pres. Petro Poroshenko trailing far behind, with only 24%. "I will never let you down," Zelensky told celebrating supporters. Poroshenko, who admitted defeat after the first exit polls were published, has said he will not be leaving politics. He said the president elect, who is only 41 and has zero experience in politics, is too inexperienced to stand up to Russia effectively, as Ukraine battles a Russia-backed civil war in its eastern regions.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NORWAY: Justice Minister Resigns After His Partner Firebombs Their Own Car To Fake Attack

[world politics news]

Norway’s Justice Minister Tor Mikkel Wara has resigned after his partner was formally suspected of staging attacks against the couple – including the firebombing of their car – to give the impression they were being threatened. Wara, 53, had taken temporary leave from his position after it emerged that the Norwegian security service PST was investigating his partner, Laila Anita Bertheussen.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NORTHMACEDONIA: Controversial National Name Change Dominates Election For Largely Ceremonial Presidency

[world politics news]

What would normally be an inconsequential election for the largely ceremonial post of president in North Macedonia has morphed into an unofficial referendum on the June 2018 Prespes Agreement which settled, at least on paper, the name dispute between Greece and its newly-renamed neighbor, North Macedonia.

The country, which lies north of the Macedonia region in Greece, has long fought to keep its similar name, after becoming an independent nation after Yugoslavia broke apart in the early 1990s. Greeks demanded they change their name, saying there was only "one Macedonia."

North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev fought to get the deal with Greece ratified, but this issue still eclipses all others in the presidential election campaign.

While the presidency is largely ceremonial, the president must sign off on legislation and is the supreme commander of the armed forces.  Outgoing President Gjorge Ivanov has on multiple occasions refused to sign off on legislation and was in most cases bypassed.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: A Tradition Since 1980, Edmonton, Alberta Pride Parade Cancelled After Racial Justice Groups Make Financial Demands

[world politics news]

The Annual Pride Parade in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was canceled after two groups demanded tens of thousands of dollars from the organizers, and the creation of seminars on climate change and racial oppression. Unable to fully comply with the demands set forth by two opposing groups - RaricaNow and Shades of Colour Edmonton - the board of the Edmonton Pride Festival released a statement advising that the entirety of the LGBT-centric events, a tradition in the community since 1980, would be cancelled.

Two members of the organizing group told The Edmonton Journal that "a number of demands couldn't be approved because they would fundamentally change the structure and the mission of the society while jeopardizing its not-for-profit status."

The organizers had in previous years disinvited police and military participants in the parade, along with conservative politicians who wanted to march with them. Last year's parade route was physically blocked by protesters upset with a lack of of focus on racial justice issues.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#EGYPT: Parliament Approves Amendment Allowing Another 10 Years For President

[world politics news]

Egypt's parliament has approved constitutional amendments that would allow President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to stay in power until 2030. He is due to step down in 2022, when his second four-year term ends.

But the amendments, which must be put to a referendum within 30 days, would lengthen his current term to six years and allow him to stand for one more. They would also give al-Sisi more power over the judiciary and further enshrine the military's role in politics.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Shock Poll Shows Brexit Party In First Place For EU Parl. Elections

[world politics news]

After three years of failed attempts to get the UK out of the European Union, the newly launched Brexit Party is topping a recent poll with 27% of the vote, according to the UK polling firm YouGov.

Last week, in its first poll on next month's' EU Parliamentary elections, the firm saw Nigel Farage’s party storming into third place with 15% of the vote, before the Brexit Party had even formally launched.

Now, YouGov's second poll shows the Brexit Party leapfrogging into first place on 27% of the vote, ahead of both the Conservative and Labour Parties.

Farange says it is likely the party will contest British parliamentary elections in the future, as well, a prospect surely to send shockwaves through the Conservative Party establishment.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: Jason Kenney's United Conservatives Defeat Notley's NDP In Alberta Election

[world politics news]

Alberta's Jason Kenney dreamed of uniting his province's two conservative parties in order to stop splitting the vote in provincial elections. His dream paid off as his United Conservative Party roared into power in yesterday's election, defeating the left-of-center New Democrats.

Kenney ran a campaign promising to scrap the carbon tax and usher in a new era of fiscal conservatism.

Kenney, 50, was first elected to the Alberta legislature when he won a byelection in Calgary-Lougheed in December. In 2017, he successfully campaigned to merge the Wildrose Party with the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta, ending vote-splitting that was causing them to lose elections to the New Democrats. He was then elected the party's leader.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#EU: Populist Parties Form "European Alliance of Peoples and Nations" Group To Contest EU Elections

[world politics news]

Italy’s Matteo Salvini has formally launched his much-anticipated bid to unite European right-leaning populist parties ahead of EU elections in May. "We want to reform Europe," he declared during a press conference at a swanky hotel in central Milan. "For many people, the EU is a nightmare, not a dream," said the Italian interior minister and deputy prime minister.

Salvini's League Party in Italy has teamed up with Germany's populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, whose leader and currently the group’s only Member of the European Parliament, Jörg Meuthen was by his side. Also at the table were representatives from the Danish People's Party and the Finns Party of Finland, who are for now the only other confirmed members. The new group will be called European Alliance of Peoples and Nations (EAPN), Meuthen said, and is open to "anyone for whom conservatism and patriotism are important."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#AUSTRIA: Interior Minister Warns Of "Massive New Migration Wave" If Action Isn't Taken By EU

[world politics news]

Austrian interior minister Herbert Kickl has written to the European Union, warning of a renewed migrant crisis and calling for immediate preventative measures to be taken. In the letter, published by the Krone newspaper, Kickl cited figures from European Union law enforcement agency Europol suggesting that a “large-scale movement of people from Turkey to Europe” is about to take place.

There are presently “tens of thousands” of migrants in these areas already, including about 5,000 each in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, as well as about 60,000 asylum seekers in Greece, and about 5.6 million Syrian refugees in the Middle East, according to Kickl, who said there is "a clear potential for a massive new migration wave if action is not taken quickly."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: New Democrat Activist Slurs Calgary Day Before Tight Election

[world politics news]

The day before provincial elections in Alberta, a New Democratic Party insider has called Calgary a narrow-minded cow town."

Derek Leebosh, the Vice President of public affairs at Environics, tweeted his opinion on Calgary, calling Canada’s third largest city a “narrow minded cow town." He later deleted the tweet, but not before it caused an online backlash.

Leebosh said Calgary was becoming a “real city” that votes more “like Denver or Winnipeg,” also stating that Calgary was becoming less “narrow minded” in his view.

The ruling New Democrats are facing a tough challenge from Jason Kenney's United Conservatives.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#FINLAND: Populist Finns Party Wins Strong Second In Election

[world politics news]

The euroskeptic Finns Party won 39 seats in the 200-seat Finnish legislature in Sunday's election, one fewer than the center-left Social Democratic Party that received the most votes.

Finns Party chairman Jussi Halla-aho also received the most votes by far of any candidate who ran for the Eduskunta legislature. Finnish media are suggesting that could put him in the role of kingmaker in the next government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#INDONESIA: Presidential Election Enters Final Days; Pres. Widodo Seeks Second Five-Year Term Wednesday

[world politics news]

Indonesian president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo touted his infrastructure achievements and “clean” human rights records as campaigning wrapped up on Saturday, ushering in a three-day cooling-off period ahead of Wednesday’s general election.

Some 200,000 Indonesians, mostly dressed in white, flocked to Jakarta’s main stadium to support Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma’ruf Amin, in a show of force that brought the capital’s downtown area to a standstill since the early morning.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALDIVES: Former President's Party Wins Landslide, Promises China Debt Probe

[world politics news]

Maldives former president Mohamed Nasheed's party won a landslide in the archipelago’s parliamentary election. His Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is set to secure 65 seats in the 87-member parliament, giving it a clear majority to push for reforms including imposing the country’s first income tax and instituting a minimum wage for the first time.

Pres. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is also from the MDP and unseated pro-China leader Abdulla Yameen in September, had urged voters to back his call for an investigation the scale of debts to China, which the party fears could run as high as US$3 billion and risks sinking the economy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SCOTLAND: Scottish Parliament Rejects Green Party Proposal To Declare "Climate Emergency"

[world politics news]

A proposal by the Scottish Green Party to declare a "Climate Emergency" has been rejected in the Scottish Parliament. The proposal would have stopped the extraction of fossil fuels and banning fracking in the oil-rich region of the UK. The Scottish National Party, Labour Party, and the Scottish Conservatives all argued too many jobs and livelihoods depend on the oil and gas industry in Scotland.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: China-Funded School Program Does Not Allow Criticism Of China

[world politics news]

Parents are accusing a public school program funded by the Chinese government of brainwashing their children. The New Brunswick provincial public school program uses Chinese teachers and curriculum to educate students about Chinese culture, but does not allow criticism of the communist regime.

While in existence since 2007, a recent change to the contract for the Confucius Institute does not allow the school district to cancel the program early.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ISRAEL: Netanyahu Wins Fifth Term As PM With Allied Parties' Support

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clinched a clear victory early Wednesday morning in Israel’s general elections. In Tuesday’s contest, his Likud party was tied with Blue and White, both winning 35 seats in the Knesset. But his right-wing/ultra-Orthodox bloc held a decisive lead and Netanyahu was thus safely en route to forming a majority governing coalition with their support.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.