#AUSTRALIA: Law With $90K Fines For Protesting Condemned As "Attack On Democracy"

[world politics news]

 

New powers will allow Victoria Premier Dan Andrews to impose a state of emergency any time he likes - and citizens could face $90,000 fines or two years in jail if they protest.

Under the legislation, opposition MPs fear the premier could use public health orders to target individuals on age, gender, sexual orientation, political belief, or activity, hand raised civil rights concerns about the abridgment of a citizen's right to protest.

Health minister Martin Foley insisted the new legislation was designed to be transparent, but it was savaged by the opposition as 'an attack on democracy.'

Australia, and Victoria state in particular, have recently endured some of the most stringent and brutal lockdowns in the world.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#RUSSIA: Tatarstan Rejects State Duma Law Banning The Title "President" For Its Leader

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Lawmakers in the Autonomous Russian republic of Tatarstan have voted against a bill initiated in Russia's lower chamber of parliament -- the State Duma -- that would eliminate the title of "president" currently held by the head of the  republic.

The bill put forward late last month by a group of State Duma lawmakers proposed among other things to replace the title of president of regional administrations with the more generic title of "head."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#NORTHERNIRELAND: DUP MP Condemns "Climate Hysteria" In UK Budget

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A senior Democratic Unionist Party MP has accused the UK government of “climate hysteria” as he demanded an “explanation” over the relative spending level on Northern Ireland.

Responding to chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget, chief whip Sammy Wilson told the UK House of Commons he was “encouraged at the path which he has outlined."

But the MP for East Antrim warned those people in low paid and medium paid jobs “are going to face a rather bleak period in the near future." 

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#QATAR: Amir Appoints Two Women To Legislature

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Two women have been appointed to Qatar's legislative assembly, two weeks after an election selected 30 members, all men.

Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, appointed the remaining 15 Shura Council members, completing the country’s legislative body.

The amir also issued a decree inviting the Shura Council to hold its first ordinary session on 26 October.

According to the list released by the Qatar News Agency, the new Shura Council will include two women.

The decision was made almost two weeks after eligible citizens voted in 30 members of the Shura Council in the country’s first-ever judicial body.

The Shura Council, consisting of 45 members, has now been concluded. Thirty were elected, and 15 now appointed. Two hundred thirty-three candidates across 30 districts ran in which there was a high voter turnout (63.5%).

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SCOTLAND: 1st Weekend Of Vax Passports: "Disaster" For Venues, Bars, 40% Drop In Sales

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The first weekend of enforcement of Scotland's vaccine passport scheme was an "unmitigated disaster," according to a body representing night-time venues.

Venue staff refused entry to revellers without vaccine passports more than 550 times, and some staff were abused, the Scottish Hospitality Group said.

It said some venues decided to close early and footfall was down by up to 40%.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Gov't Gets Nationwide Injunction Against Road-Blocking Environment Group

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A nationwide injunction has been granted against radical environmental protestors Insulate Britain, the transport secretary has said, covering the country's "entire strategic road network." 

"We are making use of every avenue of existing law to try to prevent the continued life-endangering action being carried out by Insulate Britain, which is causing intolerable disruption to motorists' lives and livelihoods," Grant Shapps said.

"This new interim injunction will ban activities that obstruct motorways and major A roads across the entire country."

This comes after severe disruptions on Britain's roads earlier this week that sparked outrage and a backlash against the radical group.

Police Monday reportedly were initially unable to move or arrest some Insulate Britain protestors because they had physically glued themselves to the ground.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CAPEVERDE: Left-Leaning President Vows To Work With Rightist PM

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Left-wing President Jose Maria Neves has vowed to work together with his center-right prime minister after winning the Cape Verde presidential election in the first round of voting.

Neves garnered 51.7 percent of the vote. according to provisional results published on an official website. A first-round absolute majority means the election did not need to go to a second round run-off.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IVORYCOAST: Former Pres. Who Faced War Crimes Charges Forms New Party

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Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo launched a new political party Saturday, formally breaking ties with those who ran his former party while he spent years facing war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court.

Gbagbo, 76, who returned home in June after his acquittal was upheld, announced a few months later that he would be setting up a new party to avoid legal battles with his former ally, Pascal Affi N’Guessan.

Gbagbo told FRANCE 24 that he hasn't ruled out running in the country's 2025 presidential elections

[Full story HERE]

#JAPAN: PM Dissolves Parliament For Oct 31 Snap Election

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida dissolved parliament Thursday for a general election on Oct. 31, as the lower house comes to the end of its four-year term. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, are seeking to maintain their dominance in the Diet despite political headwinds.

Kishida, elected as LDP leader last month, has said that the goal of the coalition is to retain a simple majority. While it may lose seats, the party hopes a fresh face will lift the party's public support even as the economy remains sluggish amid the COVID pandemic.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#GERMANY: Social Democrats Open Coalition Talks With Left-Leaning Parties

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Nearly a month after Germany's federal election, official coalition talks finally got underway on Thursday. Leading figures from the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), business-focused Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens met in Berlin in the hopes of forming a government as soon as possible.

With divergent platforms and a promise to have a new government before Christmas, the Social Democrats, Greens and business-focused Free Democrats have their work cut out for them.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#LIBYA: Elections Postponed Until January Amid Divided National Parliaments

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Libya's legislative elections have been postponed until January, the country's eastern-based parliament said on Tuesday, instead of being held on December 24 as planned.

"The election for members of the House of Representatives will take place 30 days after the presidential vote," still scheduled for December 24, parliamentary spokesman Abdullah Bliheg told a press conference.

Elections are supposed to help unify the country after years of conflict and division, but disputes over their legal and constitutional basis have laid bare the extent of the split between the country's east and west.

The House of Representatives, based in the eastern city of Tobruk, has been in disagreement over electoral laws with a rival body, the equivalent of Libya's senate, in the western city of Tripoli.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Ontario Bill Would Mandate Vax In Healthcare, Education Sectors

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Legislation has been introduced in the Ontario legislative assembly that would require mandatory covid-19 vaccinations in the education and healthcare sectors throughout the province.  

The Bill, introduced by Ontario Liberal Party member John Fraser, requires specified education sector organizations and healthcare sector organizations to require their employees and other individuals that they retain to provide services to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Certain exceptions are provided for, such as where complying with the requirement would result in a contravention of the Human Rights Code. In such cases, the education sector organization or healthcare sector organization must ensure that the individual’s duties do not require direct contact with specified persons and that the individual undergo training respecting the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccinations

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Chief Executive Injured In Fall

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Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has been released after a night in hospital where she was treated for a bone fracture.

The injury in her right elbow was caused by a fall at the 64-year-old's residence.

Lam “attended the hospital by herself and was diagnosed with a minor right elbow fracture after checking by doctors,” a statement released by the Chief Executive’s Office at around midnight on Tuesday read.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IRAQ: Shi'ite Party Wins Majority In Parliamentary Election

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Turnout in Iraq's parliamentary election earlier this month reached 43%, the nation's electoral commission said, a small increase from preliminary results but lower than that in the last election in 2018.

More than 9.6 million people cast their ballots in the Oct. 10 vote, the commission said.

Populist Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said his movement secured the biggest number of seats in the parliament adding that he would not challenge the results.

He led an insurgency against American forces after the war that deposed Saddam Hussein.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRIA: Chancellor Kurz Resigns Amid Corruption Probe

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Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has stepped down, after pressure triggered by a corruption investigation.

He has proposed Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as his replacement.

Kurz and nine others were placed under investigation after raids at a number of locations linked to his conservative People's Party (ÖVP), including his own office.

He denies claims he used government money to ensure positive coverage in a tabloid newspaper.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

 

#UK: British Conservative Politician Stabbed To Death

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Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed multiple times at his constituency meeting in Essex, in Southeast England.

Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after the attack at a church in Leigh-on-Sea.

They recovered a knife and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. A counter terrorism team will lead the investigation.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke of his shock and sadness at the loss of "one of the kindest" people in politics.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: Pres. Candidate Le Pen Would "Tear Down" Wind Turbines

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France's right-leaning presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has said that she will tear down the country's wind turbine, end all subsidies for renewable energy, and focus on nuclear energy if elected president.

She added that she would scrap the subsidies for wind and solar, which she said added up to six or seven billion euros per year and put a heavy burden on consumers' power bills.

Le Pen also said that she would provide strong support for France's nuclear industry.

France produces about 75 per cent of its power in nuclear plants and has an active anti-wind movement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SINGAPORE: Robots To Police Anti-Social Behavior Tested

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There are new sheriffs in town in Singapore, and they are unnerving many who live there.

Called "Xavier," the robots are equipped with seven cameras that enable them to detect "undesirable social behavior," for instance if you incorrectly park your bike, if you smoke in an unauthorized area or if social distancing is not being respected.

According to project manager Michael Lim, these machines are a new weapon against insecurity.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HAITI: Elections Again Postponed

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General elections scheduled for November in Haiti have been postponed indefinitely after the country's prime minister dismissed all members of the body which organizes elections.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he would appoint a new electoral council, but has not said when he would do so.

It is the fourth time the election has been postponed.

Haiti has been torn apart by a fierce power struggle triggered by the killing of President Jovenel Moïse in July.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: Submarine Deal Signed Between France And Greece

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Greece and France have signed a $5 billion deal for Athens to buy at least four French-made warships. French and American contractors had been in a bidding war since 2019, when Greece announced it was looking to buy half a dozen naval attack vessels. For French President Emmanuel Macron, it was a much-needed win after the recent AUKUS debacle, when the US froze Paris out of a security pact with Australia and the UK, nixing a contract for Australia to buy French submarines. 

Macron and Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis touted the deal as a move towards European "strategic autonomy" (since coming to power in 2017, Macron has been a strong advocate of Europe pursuing a defense strategy independent from the US). 

Greece, for its part, has also been looking to boost its own military capabilities amid deteriorating relations with longtime foe Turkey over competing maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean.

It should be noted that despite the traditional hostility between Greece and Turkey, both are members of NATO, the military alliance that supposedly works together on military matters. This deal is a significant departure from that alliance, and NATO officials have expressed their concern and dismay over the deal.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: NDP Leader Says Party May Withhold Votes From Liberals

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Fresh off national elections that left the ruling Liberal Party in the minority, relying on other parties to get its legislation through Parliament, Canadian New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh is signalling a tougher approach to co-operation with the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Singh says his caucus is prepared to “withhold votes” if Trudeau presses ahead with legislation it does not agree with.

The NDP is the fourth largest party in Parliament after the election, with 25 seats. Trudeau's liberals say they are seeking to work with other parties like the Greens to get their agenda passed.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Member Of Parliament Dies Of lung Cancer, Tributes Pour In

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Fellow politicians have paid tribute to Conservative Member of Parliament James Brokenshire, who has died aged 53, having been diagnosed with lung cancer more than three years ago.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the father of three, a former Northern Ireland secretary, as the "nicest, kindest" colleague.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer called him "a thoroughly decent man."

Brokenshire, a lifelong non-smoker, stood down as a Home Office minister earlier this year.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BELARUS: Parliament Blocks Migrant Crossings

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Lawmakers in Belarus have voted to suspend an agreement with the European Union obliging the ex-Soviet nation to take back migrants that crossed its territory into the EU.

The vote in the upper house of the Belarusian parliament formalizes the move that was announced by Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko in June.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Parliament Was "Misled" On Cost Of Net Zero Emissions Plan, Says Policy Group

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The UK Sunday Telegraph reports that Parliament was misled into supporting Net Zero plans to decarbonize the British economy.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) told MPs that British households and businesses would face only a modest cost for reaching Net Zero emissions in 2050, but analysis of their financial models by the Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF) shows that key assumptions were not credible even at the time the report was published.

The revelations come after the CCC spent two years and tens of thousands of pounds resisting attempts to have the Net Zero model spreadsheets released under Freedom of Information legislation. The Information Tribunal finally forced their disclosure in August this year.

Dr Benny Peiser, GWPF director said: 

'"It is clear that the CCC’s net zero costings were incomplete, biased, and grossly misleading. Parliament was, in essence, misled and net zero was mis-sold."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#RUSSIA: Courts Fine Facebook, Twitter For "Banned Content"

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Russia has fined Facebook and Twitter for not deleting banned content, adding to a slew of penalties the government has imposed on foreign tech giants.

Russia has recently been tightening controls over U.S.-based tech companies and has accused them of interfering in parliamentary polls last month.

A court in Moscow slapped Facebook with five fines totaling 21 million rubles ($288,000), according to an official Telegram channel. The same court fined Twitter 5 million rubles.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ROMANIA: Gov't Of PM Citu Falls After No-Confidence Vote

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The Romanian government of liberal Prime Minister Florin Citu was ousted by a no-confidence vote among MPs Tuesday, threatening fresh political instability in one of the EU’s poorest states.

Former banker Citu had only been prime minister since December, but the center-right USR party withdrew from his coalition last month complaining about his “dictatorial attitude."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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