#SIERRALEONE: Parliament Abolishes Death Penalty

[world politics news]

Sierra Leonean lawmakers voted to abolish the death penalty Friday, becoming the latest African country to move toward banning capital punishment.

A majority of MPs voted in favor of an amendment abolishing the death penalty, according to a journalist who was present in the chamber.

Capital punishment will be replaced with life imprisonment or a minimum 30-year jail term for crimes such as murder or mutiny.

It has been more than 20 years since an execution has taken place in Sierra Leone.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ITALY: Opposition Party Stages Anti-Vax Passport Demonstration In Parliament

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A session of the Italian Parliament has turned to chaos after a group of opposition MPs protested the country's 'Green Pass' Covid vaccine certification system, which is soon to become mandatory for accessing most public venues.

The protest was held by members of the Brothers of Italy (FdI) Party in the parliamentary chamber on Thursday. Footage from the scene shows the MPs rushing to the center of the chamber, shouting and waving placards reading "No Green Pass."

 

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has urged all Italians to get Covid-19 vaccinations after his government approved the restrictions on the unvaccinated.

From August 6, entry to stadiums, museums, theatres, cinemas, exhibition centres, swimming pools and gyms will only be allowed upon presentation of a “green pass."

The pass, which is an extension of the EU’s digital Covid certificate, will also be required in order to be served indoors at restaurants.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#TUNISIA: President Suspends Parliament, Seized Power In "Coup"

[world politics news]

President Kais Saied said he would assume executive authority with the assistance of a new prime minister, in the biggest challenge yet to a 2014 democratic constitution that split powers between president, prime minister and parliament.

Crowds of people quickly flooded the capital's streets, cheering and honking car horns in scenes that recalled the 2011 revolution that brought democracy and triggered the Arab spring protests that convulsed the Middle East.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BRAZIL: YouTube Removes 15 Videos Of Pres. Bolsonaro

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YouTube has removed videos posted by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for violating its content policies, in the strongest measure yet that tech giants in the social media–loving country have taken toward censoring the president. 

YouTube has said that if Bolsonaro breaks the video-sharing service’s rules again, his channel may be suspended for a week and, in case of recurrence, he should be permanently banned.

The video platform told the outspoken leader last week that 15 of his videos had been removed from his channel for spreading COVID-19 misinformation - some of which promoted alleged coronavirus "cures" that critics say can sometimes cause collateral health damages like kidney failure.    

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#MEXICO: Elections Marred By Cartel's Killing Of Politicians

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Last month, the largest elections in the history of México were held. But this electoral process was tainted by the murder of at least 91 politicians — 36 of them candidates and aspiring candidates — from different parties, taking place since campaigning began in September 2020.

These homicides make this election the second most violent in the country's history since 2000. 

[FULL STORY HERE.]

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

#UK: MP Dawn Butler Thrown Out Of Commons For Calling PM Johnson A Liar

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Labour Member of Parliament Dawn Butler has been asked to leave the House of Commons for the remainder of the day after refusing to withdraw claims that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has “lied to the House and the country over and over again."

Video showed the left-wing firebrand stating three times that Johnson had lied to the House of Commons, despite calls from the Speaker of the House to withdraw the comments, which were viewed by her as offensive.

Butler is no stranger to controversy, having once claimed that 90% of giraffes are gay during a speech. She is considered to be a potential challenger to Labour Party Leader Kier Starmer.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRALIA: MP Calls For "Restrictions" On The Unvaccinated

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An Australian parliamentarian has demanded that the Covid-19 vaccine be made mandatory for everyone above 18 and those who refuse to take it should have their movements “controlled and restricted.”

Upper House politician Frank Pangallo from the SA-Best party, has demanded that vaccination be made mandatory for workplaces, travel and when visiting public or hospitality venues.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ISRAEL: PM Bennett's Cabinet Approves Vaccine Passports As Of Aug 8

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Israel's "coronavirus cabinet" has approved the return of the “Green Pass” at events with more than 100 people. The pass was discontinued in May.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he was taking the action to safeguard Public health, and in a public address, said those who were refusing to get a vaccination were endangering the freedom of other Israeli citizens. About a million Israelis, mostly the young, have not yet been vaccinated.

Ministers voted to bring back the regulations, beginning August 8, requiring those attending events with more than 100 people to present either a certificate of vaccination or recovery, or a negative COVID test from the past 72 hours.

The new “Green Pass” will affect sporting and culture events as well as gyms, restaurants, conferences, tourist attractions and synagogues.

Other nations, including Italy and France, have mandated a similar certification processes in which residents and visitors must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#POLAND: Justice Minister Says Nation Won't Comply With 'Illegal" EU Court Ruling

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Poland's justice minister said it was not possible to comply with a ruling by the top European Union court that the country's new system for disciplining judges broke EU law and should be suspended.

The minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, said the EU court's ruling that Poland should suspend its Supreme Court disciplinary chamber was "illegal in the light of Polish and European law."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#GEORGIA: Despite Tensions, Parliament Appoints Six To Supreme Court

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The Georgian parliament has appointed six judges to the country’s Supreme Court, despite calls from the opposition, NGOs and the international community to suspend the process in compliance with the EU-mediated agreement which put an end to six months of political tension over the country’s October 2020 parliamentary elections.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Double Vax Proof To Be Mandatory To Enter Nightclubs As Of Sept. 1

[world politics news]

Bar hoppers in the UK will have to be doubled vaccinated to enter nightclubs from the end of September, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced.

In a big change of tone, the PM said vaccine passports will be needed to hit the dance floor in a bid to boost vaccinations among 18-30-year-olds.

The PM made the announcement at a Downing Street press conference amid fears not enough youngsters are getting the shot.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Parliament Passes Bill To Strengthen Relations With Taiwan

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Canadian Parliament Passes First Reading of Taiwan-Relations Bill to Strengthen Ties

Following the passage of a series of bills in the United States to enhance relations with Taiwan, the Canadian House of Commons recently passed the Canada-Taiwan Relations Framework Act on first reading by unanimous applause.

The bill, introduced by Conservative Representative Michael Cooper, provides a basis for normalizing Canada's relations with Taiwan and for Taiwan's international standing. 

Of greater interest is the renaming of the Taiwan government's representative office in Canada as the "Taiwan Representative Office", relaxing visa requirements for unofficial visits to Canada by Taiwanese officials, and allowing Canada to enter into agreements with Taiwan and treat the Taiwanese government as one of the foreign governments. 

Canada will also be concerned about the situation in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with the bill, and will view sanctions, embargoes and other non-peaceful means against Taiwan as a threat to the Asia Pacific region, and the Canadian government should speak out on this issue.

Source: Stand News #Jun19

#Canada #Taiwan #AsiaPacific

https://bit.ly/3zju5jl

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SCOTLAND: First Minister Knew Of Missing Funds Two Years Ago

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Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, was at a meeting over two years ago where concerns were raised about £600,000 in “missing" Scottish National Party  donations that are now being investigated by police.

The First Minister, also the SNP's Leader, has been accused of failing to take action after a National Executive Committee gathering in June 2019, where a senior party member demanded to know what had happened to an independence referrendum campaign fund.

A fraud probe has been launched by Police Scotland’s financial crimes unit after seven ­complaints that more than £600,000 raised by activists was diverted by the SNP for other purposes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#EU: Hungary Will Veto New Climate Plan

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The European Union has ambitious plans to cut pollution by at least 55% from 1990 levels by 2030. To achieve that, the bloc will seek to bring new industries such as shipping into what’s already the world’s largest carbon market ban new combustion-engine cars by 2035; impose new costs on dirty home heating; and force the aviation industry to emit less and pay more.

But Hungary is signaling that it will veto the latest agreement, a victim of the nation's ongoing feud with the supranational organization.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CUBA: The World Reacts To Mass Anti-Government Protests

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Massive anti-government demonstrations continue throughout Cuba, protesting severe shortages of food and medicine, as well as the general lack of freedom and democracy.

The Cuban government announced Friday that they will lift restrictions so travelers to the island nation will be able to bring in unlimited food, medicines and hygiene products without paying customs duties, a measure taken after Cubans took to the street Sunday to ask for food, medicines, and the end of the dictatorship.

Former President Raul Castro -who officially retired in April— took part in a high level government meeting on Cuba’s protests. 

American politicians spoke out in favor of the protests.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted Friday:

"The communist dictatorship in Cuba is

evil, it is oppressive, they are murderers, and they are torturers. The Cuban people want freedom!"

Pres. Joe Biden released a statement in support of the Cuban people as well.

"We stand with the Cuban people and their clarion call for freedom and relief from the tragic grip of the pandemic and from the decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by Cuba's authoritarian regime."

The EU’s foreign policy spokesman has condemned the “unacceptable” arrests of political activists and journalists in Cuba, calling for their release.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: Macron: Vax Passports Likely Required For All Public Places August 1

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Vaccine passports for bars, restaurants, and public transport will become mandatory in France starting next month, President Emmanuel Macron announced in a national address on Monday evening. 

The proof of vaccination will be required to enter bars, restaurants, and even supermarkets according to the media reports, beginning August 1st.

The announcement start mass demonstrations in Paris and other cities throughout grants opposing the move. But it was also reported that over a million people made appointments to have a vaccination in the first 48 hours after Macron's announcement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#USA: Plans To Combat Covid Vax "Misinformation" Include "Fact-Checking" Text Messages

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The White House is preparing to characterize “conservative opponents of its Covid-19 vaccine campaign as dangerous and extreme," reports Politico. The plan includes the possibility of "fact checking" personal text messages the government deem to be "misinformation.,"

The decision to ramp up the information war against vaccine skeptics was made after conservatives showed resistance to the Biden administration’s plan to go “door-to-door” to increase vaccination rates.

“Biden allied groups, including the Democratic National Committee, are also planning to engage fact-checkers more aggressively and work with SMS carriers to dispel misinformation about vaccines that is sent over social media and text messages,” states the report.

The report will be seen as a chilling and dystopian government response by civil rights groups and conservatives alike.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: Parliament Approves In-Vitro Fertilization For Lesbian Couples

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The French parliament has approved a bill that will give Lesbian couples and single women access to fertility treatments for the first time. Under current French law, only heterosexual couples have the right to access medically assisted fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). 

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CUBA: Nationwide Protests Erupt over Blackouts, Shortages

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Thousands of Cubans took part in demonstrations Sunday, chanting: “Down with the dictatorship,” as President Miguel Diaz-Canel urged supporters to confront demonstrators.

The anti-government rallies erupted spontaneously in several cities as the country endures its worst economic crisis in 30 years, with chronic shortages of electricity and food.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#MOLDOVA: Election To Decide Between West and East

[world politics news] 

Voters in Moldova headed to the polls Sunday in a snap parliamentary election called by new President Maia Sandu to strengthen her position against pro-Russia forces.

Sandu, who wants to bring Moldova into the European Union, in November defeated sitting Kremlin-backed president Igor Dodon on a pledge to root out graft in one of Europe's poorest countries.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: All Gov't Covid Mandates To Be Lifted On July 19

[world politics news]

Almost all COVID rules - including limits on the number of people who can meet together, legal requirements on wearing face masks, and social distancing in pubs and bars - will be ditched on July 19 as part of the final step of the roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions in England.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Trudeau, Top Aide, Say Church Fires "Understandable"

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A former top aide to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a string of church fires across the country "Understandable," same word Trudeau used last week when he weakly, and belatedly, spoke out against the church attacks.

“It is unacceptable and wrong that acts of vandalism and arson are being seen across the country, including against Catholic churches,” Trudeau said last Friday.

Trudeau went on to say: “I understand the anger that’s out there against the federal government, against institutions like the Catholic Church."

This week, in a Twitter exchange, former top Trudeau aid Gerald butts used the same language, saying the string of church fires was "understandable."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Social Media Giants threaten To Leave City Over New Data Laws

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Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google have privately warned the Hong Kong government that they could stop offering their services in the city if authorities proceed with planned changes to data-protection laws that could make them liable for the malicious sharing of individuals’ information online.

A letter sent by an industry group that includes the internet firms said companies are concerned that the planned rules to address doxing could put their staff at risk of criminal investigations or prosecutions.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IRAN: Protests Against Regime After Power Outages

[world politics news]

Some protests in Iran against power shortages turned political, with chants of "Death to the dictator" and "Death to Khamenei."

Pres. Hassan Rouhani apologized to Iranians on Tuesday over massive power outages during a heatwave that have drawn widespread criticism and triggered street protests.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#POLAND: Ruling Party Says It Opts Out Of EU "Social Revolution"

[world politics news]

The European Union is plotting a cultural revolution to destroy traditional families and the continent’s Christian heritage, according to Poland’s most powerful politician.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of the nationalist ruling Law & Justice party, is an architect of Poland’s crackdown on gay rights over the last half decade. 

His government has been repeatedly sued by the EU’s executive for eroding the rule of law and may soon face disciplinary action after towns and regions across Poland declared themselves “free of LGBTQ ideology.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

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