#BRAZIL: Pres. Bolsonaro Threatens Journalist With Jail After Online Paper Publishes Leaks

[world politics news]

Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has threatened a U.S. journalist with jail for publishing damaging leaks about the country’s historic Car Wash anti-corruption investigation.

Bolsonaro made the threat against Intercept journalist Glenn Greenwald even as he acknowledged that a new measure by his government to facilitate the expulsion of foreigners from Brazil could not apply to the U.S. citizen because he has a Brazilian husband and children.

His threats have been condemned by Brazil's leading journalist organization as potentially stifling freedom of the press in the country

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#MALAYSIA: State Legislature Requires Members To Reveal Assets

[world politics news]

The Perak state legislative assembly has approved a motion which compels all assemblymen and their immediate family to declare their respective assets.

The state assembly is the first to follow a similar move by Malaysia's national parliament, where all members, as well as their families, are required to declare their assets.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#RUSSIA: 1,400 Anti-Gov't Protesters Detained In Moscow

[world politics news]

Nearly 1,400 people were detained in a violent police crackdown on an opposition protest in Moscow, a Russian monitoring group said on Sunday, adding that was the largest number of detentions at a rally in the Russian capital this decade.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was arrested and sentenced on Wednesday to 30 days in jail for calling for Saturday’s protest against election authorities who barred some opposition candidates from running in the September 8 vote for Moscow city council.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SERBIA: Ruling Party Says Poll Identifying Supporters As "Low Education" Voters Unfairly Labels Citizens As "Third-Grade Losers"

[world politics news]

A large number of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s (SNS) voters are pensioners, poor and those with low education or with high school degrees, according to the poll conducted by Birodi. The results of the research have provoked harsh reactions by SNS officials, including its leader and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

The poll has also showed that those who vote for SNS regularly watch the television networks Pink and Happy, which are widely regarded as ruling party’s propaganda tools.

In his op-ed for Politika daily, Vucic said the poll is part of a campaign, “in which is Serbia is being insulted, degraded and its citizens labeled as third-grade losers." The head of SNS parliamentary group Aleksandar Martinovic (photo) has called on the prosecutor’s office to intervene, claiming that Birodi poll was “dangerous phenomena”

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#THAILAND: Future Forward Party Leader Says Court Doesn't Have Authority To Dissolve Party

[world politics news]

Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said the Constitutional Court does not have the authority under Section 49 of the charter to dissolve his party, which has been accused of trying to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.

Last Friday, charter court judges voted 5-4 to accept a petition filed by lawyer Natthaporn Toprayoon, who accused hanathorn and his party executives of trying to bring an end to the monarchy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#PERU: Former Pres. Toledo Arrested In California On Corruption Charges; To Be Extradited

[world politics news]

Former Peruvian Pres. Alejandro Toledo has been arrested in the U.S. on corruption charges. The former leader is wanted in home country for allegedly taking US$20 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company. Toledo, who has lived in California in recent years, was arrested by US Marshals following extradition request from Peru.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: PM Abe's Party Wins Election, But Opposition Makes Gains In Upper House

[world politics news]

Opposition parties saw mixed results in the upper house election on Sunday, with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan making big gains while others struggled to attract support in a crowded field.

The CDPJ, which ran on promises to postpone a planned consumption tax hike and raise the minimum wage to 1,300 yen ($12), won 17 of the 124 contested seats, gaining eight seats compared with its pre-election level to solidify its status as the leading opposition force in parliament.
[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UKRAINE: Pres. Zelenskiy's Party Wins Outright Majority In Parliamentary Election

[world politics news]

Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s Servant of the People party appears to have secured a majority in Ukraine's parliamentary elections, solidifying his mandate for change.  For the first time in modern history, a president will be able to form the government of his own without relying on opposition parties.

 With 91 percent of the ballots counted early on July 23, the comedian-turned-president's party was in the lead in around 129 out of 199 constituencies.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Mob Attacks Demonstrators In Train Station, Injures 45

[world politics news]

At least 45 people were injured in unprecedented late-night violence at a Hong Kong railway station on Sunday, as a rampaging mob of men in white T-shirts attacked protesters who oppose a controversial extradition law to mainland China.

No police officer was in sight as dozens of men, who witnesses suggested were triad gangsters, stormed into Yuen Long train station at around midnight by forcing open closed entrances. They hurled objects at protesters and travelers alike, and assaulted members of the public, including journalists.

Some people protected themselves with umbrellas, while others tried to fight back by hurling helmets at them. By the time riot police arrived, local residents were furious and accused them of deliberately letting the assailants run wild.

Hong Kong has seen millions pour into the streets in often violent demonstrations against the extradition law, which would allow Hong Kong residents to be tried in mainland China, which some say could lead to political repression.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Boris Johnson Is New Conservative Leader And Prime Minister, Inherits Brexit Mess

[world politics news]

Boris Johnson today declared himself "The Dude" after Conservative voters elected him as their party's leader and the next Prime Minister after defeating Foreign  Minister Jeremy Hunt in a landslide.

The new Tory leader will have just 100 days to deliver on his do-or-die promise to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 - after winning twice as many votes as his rival.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BELGIUM: City Of Brussels Considers Confiscating Cars For Traffic Offenses

[world politics news]

The Belgian city of Brussels is considering confiscating the cars of drivers who repeatedly violate traffic rules, following the lead of cities like Antwerp and Mechelen.

There has been a string of accidents in Brussels involving pedestrians in recent weeks. Schaerbeek has seen several hit-and-runs, and just last weekend, a pedestrian was killed in an accident at Place Charles Rogier. Confiscating cars is seen as one way to prevent these accidents.

Over a one year period, Mechelen has taken four cars. The process is gradual; first drivers are told they are breaking the rules, then they get a visit from a police officer before having their cars confiscated.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IRELAND: High Court's Citizenship Ruling Called "Absurd"; May Invalidate Many Applications

[world politics news]

Ireland's high court has ruled that nobody can be granted Irish citizenship if they have spent a single day outside the country in the past year.

The unexpected judgment, handed down by Mr Justice Max Barrett, could affect thousands of people applying for Irish citizenship on the basis of residence in the country.

Experts called the ruling “absurd”, pointing out that the law on citizenship has never been interpreted so strictly before.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: In Debate, PM Abe Says Sales Tax Hike Will Go Ahead In October

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during a debate with opposition leaders that he will go ahead with the planned sales tax hike in October but vehemently denied there will be further increases while he remains in power.

Although rumors that Abe might postpone the tax hike have died down, with an Upper House election in less than three weeks, questions have been raised over whether there might be further tax hikes.

Japanese voters go to the polls tomorrow to elect the House Of Councillors, the upper house of the Diet, the nation's parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#EU: German Defense Min. Narrowly Wins Election As EU Commission Pres.

[world politics news]

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has become the new EU Commission President.

Controversially, she was the only candidate presented to members. Yet, she still only managed to win by 9 votes.

The vote was 383 to 327 in the European Parliament, with von der Leyen barely scraping past the minimum support from 374 MEPs that was required.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IRELAND: YouTube Bans Controversial Political Activist, Freelance Journalist Gemma O'Doherty For "Hate Speech"

[world politics news]

YouTube has permanently removed former European parliament candidate and political activist Gemma O’Doherty’s account for what it says are violations of its policies aimed at protecting against hate speech.

O’Doherty last week posted a video which included criticism of ethnic minorities in Ireland. Her anti-immigration views have riled many in Ireland's political and media establishments.

O'Doherty, a former award-winning journalist and anti-corruption crusader, ran as a candidate in the European Parliamentary elections in May, and previously sought a place in Ireland's presidential ballot.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#INDIA: Bill Would Make Sexual Offenses Gender Neutral

[world politics news]

A bill introduced in the Lower House of parliament proposes amendments in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Criminal procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act to ensure that the words "any man" and "any woman" in the sections relating to sexual offenses in the laws are changed to read as "any person".

This would extend the protection of the law to women and men, as well as to transgender persons for the first time in India.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CUBA: Parliament Creates Office Of Prime Minister; Shrinks Itself

[world politics news]

Cuba's parliament has approved a new electoral law which calls for both a president and a prime minister but has no provision for a multiparty system, maintaining the Communist Party as the only permitted political organisation in the country.

The legislation downsized parliament from the present 605 deputies to 474 seats.
[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#MOROCCO: House Of Councillors Approves Sharia-Compliant Insurance

[world politics news]

Morocco’s House of Councillors voted in favor of advancing legislation regulating Sharia-compliant insurance. The law is the latest step in the development of Islamic finance in Morocco. The legislation still needs to pass the 395-member House of Representatives.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#THEPHILIPPINES: UN Human Rights Commission To Probe Duterte's Controversial Drug War

[world politics news]

The United Nations Human Rights Council approved a resolution seeking action into Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs" that critics say has killed over 27,000 over the last three years and say has turned police and citizens into vigilantes. The resolution calls for a "comprehensive report on the human rights situation" in the Philippines by June 2020, and asks Duterte to cooperate.

Speaking shortly before the resolution was approved, Duterte called the resolution “crazy” but said he would consider allowing UN staff into the country. "Let them state their purpose and I will review it," he said.

The Philippines' UN delegation called the resolution "ill-advised" and "politically motivated" and therefore it "can never be balanced." Members of the Council voted 18 in favor of, and 14 against, the resolution, which was submitted by Iceland and 27 other European countries on July 4. Fifteen other nations abstained from voting.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

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

#GIBRALTAR: Parliament Approves Legal Abortion; Goes To Voters In 2020

[world politics news]

The Gibraltar Parliament last night approved an amendment to Gibraltar's crimes legislation that will allow abortion under certain circumstances. The legislation was approved by 10 votes in favour and seven votes against, but will not come into force immediately. Instead, the legislation will be put to the community in a referendum on March 19, 2020.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#INDIA: Gov't Dodging Questions About Religious Citizenship Bill's Future

[world politics news]

Media in India recently noted an incident in parliament in which a question from a member to the government about its citizenship reform bill received a vague answer.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, in this year's election, said it would reintroduce the Citizenship Amendment Bill in this parliament if it was returned to power. Instead, a response by Minister of State Nityanand Rai simply noted the history of the bill and noted that it died in the last parliament, after being passed in the lower house on Jan. 1.

The bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Buddhist and Parsi citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have been discriminated on grounds of religion. Under current law, the Citizenship Act, 1955, there's no provision for granting Indian citizenship on the basis of religion. The bill is controversial in northeastern India, where it was argued that it violated a treaty that restricted immigration from Bangladesh.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#TUNISIA: PM Bans Niqab In Gov't Offices After Bombing

[world politics news]

Tunisia has banned the wearing of the niqab in state-run buildings, citing security reasons following the terror attacks last month.

The Muslin-majority country's Prime Minister Youssef Chahed signed a government circular "banning access to public administrations and institutions to anyone with their face covered... for security reasons."

The ban on the face-veil comes following the double suicide bombing that shook Tunis on June 27. The attacks left two people dead and several others injured. Witnesses at the time claimed that one of the bombers was donning niqab, however, Tunisia's Ministry of the Interior has denied this.

The ban has been criticized as restricting freeom, but concerns that the nation's booming tourist trade would br affected by the violence has trumped those concerns.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Parliament Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion For N. Ireland During Assembly Deadlock

[world politics news]

Parliament has voted resoundingly to extend same-sex marriage and access to abortion to Northern Ireland, bringing the region into line with the rest of the UK on the two significant social issues.

UK legislators voted on the Labour MP's bill because of a months-long deadlock that has rendered Northern Ireland unable to form a government in the region's devolved Assembly.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: UN Testimony By Singer/Activist Interrupted By Chinese Delegation

[world politics news]

China's delegation to the UN Human Rights Commission twice interrupted Hong Kong singer-activist Denise Ho's speech in Geneva, Switzerland, on behalf of UN Watch, protesting Hong Kong's bill enabling extradition of citizens to China and interference in democracy on the island.

"Will the UN convene an urgent session to protect the people of Hong Kong? Will it suspend China from this Council?" she asked.

Delegates from China interrupted her two times during her 90 second speech.

Read the [FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Former UKIP Leader Barred From Running For Leadership Role Again

[world politics news]

Former UK Independence Party Leader Gerard Batten has been banned by his own party from seeking to lead his party again.

The National Executive Committee has passed a motion to prevent him from being a candidate again.

He resigned in early June, after his party pulled only single digits in the European parliamentary elections, but later changed his mind, saying the party would "fold" without him. A Twitter poll he conducted showed strong support for his candidacy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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