#UK: Sir Ed Davey Elected Leader Of Liberal Democratic Party

[world politics news]

Sir Ed Davey has won the race to become the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The acting leader will now take over on a permanent basis after beating his competitor, fellow Member  of Parliament Layla Moran.

Davey secured 63.5% of the vote, compared to 36.5% for Moran.

At an event in London, Davey said it was time for the party to "wake up and smell the coffee" after only securing 12% of the vote in the last general election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#TUNISIA: Vote of No Confidence In New Gov't Planned

[world politics news]

Tunisia’s Assembly of People’s Representatives, or parliament, decided to hold a plenary session for the vote of confidence in the government of Prime Minister-designate Hichem Mechichi on Sept. 1, Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) reported on Tuesday.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: PM SHINZO ABE EXPECTED TO STEP DOWN OVER HEALTH CONCERNS

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to step down as prime minister amid speculation over his health, NHK reported Friday, throwing the political center of Nagatacho in turmoil over the question of who will take over.

Abe was expected to speak to reporters at 5 p.m. local time.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#THAILAND: Gov't Approves Controversial Purchase Of Chinese Submarines

[world politics news]

The ruling coalition voted yesterday to confirm the purchase of two more Chinese submarines, sparking public outrage as the economy sinks and businesses close from the impact of the Covid-19 ‘lockdowns’ and border closure.

The Royal Thai Navy has been pushing for the purchase since last year. The House subcommittee for Procurement, ICT, State Enterprises and Revolving Funds, which is vetting the annual budget for 2021, voted 5:4 to spend 22.5 billion baht on the subs.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: PM Abe Returns To Hospital After Check-Up; Sparking Health Fears

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returned Monday to a Tokyo hospital where a week ago he underwent what an aide called "a regular health checkup," the visit coming on the same day he marks a record as Japan's longest-serving prime minister in terms of consecutive days in office.

Abe was taken to Keio University Hospital for a follow-up to his previous visit, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Speculation about the 65-year-old's health has been swirling since he spent more than seven hours at the hospital on Aug. 17. Questions began being asked about his health after a magazine reported he had vomited blood in July.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Erin O'Toole Wins Conservative Party Leadership Contest

[world politics news]

Erin O'Toole has won the leadership for the Conservative Party.

On the third and final ballot, O'Toole took 57% of the votes, compared to 43% for second-place contender Peter MacKay.

O'Toole claimed victory after taking support from Leslyn Lewis, who finished with a surprisingly strong performance but finished in third spot. Derek Sloan dropped off after the first ballot.

The results were delayed by several hours because the machine used to open ballot envelopes damaged several thousand voting cards.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#USA: Joe Biden Accused Of Plagiarizing Late Canadian Politician

[world politics news]

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, a man not unaccustomed to allegations of plagiarism, is now being accused of copying the words of former New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton.

At a speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, Biden’s final address included the lines, “For love is more powerful than hate. Hope is more powerful than fear. And light is more powerful than dark.”

Social media was quick to point out that the words were eerily similar to ones found in a letter Layton wrote before he died in 2011.

“My friends, love is better than anger,” said Layton in his letter. “Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#NEWZEALAND: High Court Rules First Gov't-Ordered Lockdown Was Illegal

[world politics news]

New Zealand’s High Court has ruled that the country’s first nine-day, Covid-19 lockdown from March 26 to April 3 was unlawful as it infringed on people’s rights and freedoms without a legal basis.

The High Court of New Zealand ruled on Wednesday that the country’s stay-at-home orders, under threat of punishment, were in breach of civil liberties after lawyer Andrew Borrowdale launched a suit against the government in July.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Finance Minister Resigns After falling Out With Trudeau

[world politics news]

Canada’s Finance Minister Bill Morneau resigned as both minister and MP following a week of growing public tension between himself and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over COVID-19 pandemic economic policies. Morneau, who has been Trudeau’s sole finance minister since his election as prime minister in 2015, made the announcement during a snap press conference Monday evening.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#NEWZEALAND: PM Ardern Delays Election Amid Outbreak Fears

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has decided to delay the election until October 17.

Announcing the decision this morning, Ardern said the re-emergence of Covid-19 in the community was a cause for concern during the election period.

And while the Electoral Commission said voting could safely happen under alert level 2, Ardern said she also had to factor in participation of voters, fairness and certainty.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#TAIWAN: Surprise Mayoral Win For Ruling Party In Southern Port City Of Kaohsiung

[world politics news]

Former Taiwanese vice-premier Chen Chi-mai won a landslide in Kaohsiung’s mayoral by-election on Saturday, recapturing the southern port city for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party after its surprise loss two years ago.

The by-election followed a vote to recall defeated presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu, from the main opposition party Kuomintang, amid voter dissatisfaction over his record and decision to run for president less than a year after he took office as Kaohsiung mayor.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CZECHIA: 2021 Census To Offer Only Two Gender Choices

[world politics news]

The 2021 Czech census will simplify and eliminate some questions and only include two gender options, assigned automatically when you put in your birth number, according to news details released this week by the Czech Statistical Office.

Most participants will be able to fill out the details online in about 15 minutes.

In addition, Czechs will be able to fill out the form for people in your household who can’t use the computer well, such as elderly people and children.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BOUGAINVILLE: Pacific Nation Holds First Election

[world politics news]

Bougainville, who voted for independence at the end of last year, will vote this month on a new parliament.

The vote is the first since the independence vote, and the winner will be able to negotiate the terms of the country’s independence.

What is significant about the election is that a record number of women are nominated, a total of 43. In the 2015 election, the number was 35.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SCOTLAND: Education Minister Narrowly Survives No Confidence Vote

[world politics news]

John Swinney will continue to serve as Scotland’s Education Secretary despite coming closer than any minister in Holyrood history to losing a vote of no confidence.

A motion accusing him of the “mismanagement” of the nation’s schools was defeated by only nine votes, after the Greens leant him their backing alongside the SNP.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#NORTHERNIRELAND: China Consulate Removes Alleged Praise Of National Security Law By NI Leaders From Website

[world politics news]

A report from the Chinese authorities claiming Stormont’s leaders said they respected new security laws in Hong Kong has been amended to remove the controversial statement.

The comments were initially attributed to Northern  Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill during a teleconference with Chinese consul general in Belfast Madame Zhang Meifang last month.

A translated version of a report which appeared on the consulate’s website claimed the ministers stated that the Northern Ireland Executive “understands and respects Hong Kong’s national security legislation”.

Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill moved to distance themselves from the comments after an Irish News report on the website account

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Founder Of Paper Critical Of Gov't Arrested, Sends Shockwaves Thru Media

[world politics news]

Hong Kong’s arrest of local media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying sparked a round of international condemnation, with Washington, Brussels and others calling the move the latest example of the government’s use of a new national security law to silence political dissents.

The paper's Twitter feed reported that police rifled through news materials in the newsroom in an attempt to intimidate reporters.

The rapid responses to the move against Apple Daily founder Lai and others linked to the newspaper, which is known for its criticism of Beijing and the Hong Kong government, included US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s charge that the arrest was proof that the Chinese government has “eviscerated” Hong Kong’s freedoms.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BELARUS: Mass Protests After Disputed Election

[world politics news]

Protests broke out across Belarus on Sunday evening after an exit poll predicted an overwhelming victory for authoritarian incumbent President Aleksander Lukashenko.

Independent Belsat television showed large crowds being attacked by police in Minsk, amid reports that a few local polling stations were saying that in their counts opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was doing better than Lukashenko.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CROATIA: Parliament Installs New PM, Andrej Plenkovic

[world politics news]

Croatia’s parliament on Thursday voted in a new government under former prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, president of the leading party, the Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ.

The new coalition government comprising the HDZ, two liberal formations, the Croatian People’s Party, HNS, and Reformists and all eight national minority MPs, obtained the support of 76 of the 151 MPs in parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IRELAND: Head Of Govt Admits Coalition Got Off To "Rocky Start"

[world politics news]

Tanaiste (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has admitted that his new Government has gotten off to a “rocky start” and made some errors that could have been avoided.

The newly formed coalition between Mr Varadkar’s Fine Gael party, Fianna Fail and the Greens has been beset by difficulties since it formed at the end of June.

There were complaints from TDs who did not get Cabinet roles, Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen was sacked following controversy over his 2016 drink-driving arrest, while Green Party leader Eamon Ryan appeared to fall asleep ahead of a Dail vote on legislation relating to lower-paid jobs.
[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#RUSSIA: EU Imposes Sanctions On Individual Hackers, Russia Denies

[world politics news]

Russian officials have dismissed as “baseless” restrictions imposed by the European Union on individual Russians and an intelligence unit accused of cybercrimes. Moscow has hinted at a mirrored response to Brussels' sanctions.

The EU blacklisted four Russian individuals and the special technologies unit of Russia’s military intelligence agency, known as the GRU, which Brussels accuses of committing cyberattacks. A number of nationals and entities from China and North Korea were hit by sanctions as well.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ITALY: Gov't Puts Pressure On Tunisia To Halt Migrants

[world politics news]

Italy is putting political pressure on Tunisia after a recent wave of migrants arrived on its southern shores and islands.

Italian authorities are struggling to manage migrant numbers on the island of Lampedusa, which is 100 miles from the Tunisian coast, transferring hundreds of migrants on ferries to the mainland daily.

They said the huge numbers arriving in packed dinghies and small boats across the channel of Sicily also carried a risk of COVID-19.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: EU Economic Recovery Package Helps Macron In Latest Poll

[world politics news]

French President Emmanuel Macron's popularity shot up by six points in July to reach the 50% threshold in an opinion poll on Wednesday, after clinching a deal with other European leaders on an economic recovery package and reshuffling his government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: Parliament Considers Sanctions On China Over Hong Kong Security Law Crackdown

[world politics news]

A multi-party group of Japanese lawmakers has been formed to address human rights violations in connection with Beijing's sweeping new national security law imposed on Hong Kong.

The group held its inaugural meeting July 29, where 24 lawmakers from the Upper and Lower Houses were on hand to discuss ideas for a bill to slap sanctions against individuals and organizations that have committed human rights abuses, including those in Hong Kong. Citizens of Hong Kong living in Japan testified before the committee.

The bill would be similar in language to one passed by the United States Congress.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Gov't Postpones Elections For A Year, Blames Uptick In COVID-19 Cases

[world politics news]

The Hong Kong government has postponed September's parliamentary elections by a year, saying it is necessary amid a rise in coronavirus infections.

Hong Kong is currently experiencing a spike in Covid-19 infections, and reported 121 new cases on Friday.

However, the opposition has accused the government of using the pandemic as a pretext to stop people from voting.

On Thursday, the government banned 12 pro-democracy candidates from running in the elections.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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