#SRILANKA: Harsh Anti-Terrorism Bill Amended

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Sri Lanka's Parliament has approved amendments to the country's controversial counter-terrorism law, which has drawn widespread international criticism for its harsh provisions.

The bill to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act was approved with 86 votes in favor and 35 against in the 225-member assembly. The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), the main Tamil minority party TNA and the NPP voted against the amendments.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#GERMANY: Gov't Cracks Down On "Hate Speech" Against Politicians

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In a coordinated action, German authorities are cracking down on online hate speech directed at politicians by conducting searches and interrogating more than 100 suspects across Germany, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) said.

The criminal offences were related to insults against nationally known politicians. Other "hate postings" contained misleading fake news and misquotes that “appear suitable for defaming and discrediting the people concerned,” the BKA noted. Two in three victims of online hate speech were female politicians.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#FRANCE: Pres. Macron's Poll Numbers Slip Ahead Of April Election

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In less than two weeks French residents will take to the voting booths to decide who will be their next President. 

Emmanuel Macron remains the favorite to win a second term, but his numbers have dipped by four percentage points with one pollster, leading to suggestions he may face tighter competition than initially expected.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#GERMANY: Social Democrats Win Saarland Regional Election

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The Social Democrats have won the state's regional election for the first time in over 20 years, gaining 43.5% of the vote. They won an absolute majority in the state parliament.

Germany's center-left Social Democrats (SPD)— the party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz — were declared the winners with an absolute majority in Sunday's election in the western state of Saarland by German media.

The SPD won 43.5% of the vote, beating the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at 28.5%, according to the state electoral board. The CDU has held power in the state continuously since 1999.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#CANADA: Fully Vaxxed, Boosted Cabinet Minister Tests Positive For COVID-19

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Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and the member of Parliament for the New Brunswick riding of Beauséjour, has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a tweet Friday evening, LeBlanc said he tested positive on a rapid test and his symptoms were mild.

“I am fully vaccinated and received two booster doses,” he said. “In keeping with public health guidelines, I will be isolating and working from home.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#THENETHERLANDS: Small Local Parties Do Well In Municipal Elections

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A historically low turnout didn’t stand in the way of various local parties celebrating a successful evening in last week's municipal elections. 

A number of the major Dutch political parties also enjoyed some solid wins across different municipalities, but the Netherlands’ local political parties were the big winners, further strengthening their hold on local politics. 

Local parties took home around 36% of the vote, up from 29% four years ago. De Mos (also known as Hart voor Den Haag) remains the largest party in The Hague. Similarly, in Rotterdam, Leefbaar Rotterdam held onto its majority and kept all 11 of its seats on the Municipal Council. In Maastricht, the Senioren Partij overtook the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) to become the biggest party in the municipality.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#EU: Euro Parliamentarians Attack Trudeau For "Dictatorship" During Brussels Speech

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was given a rude welcome by several members of the European Parliament this week.

During a session of the European Parliament in Brussels, several MEPs called Trudeau out, accusing him of violating human rights over the handling of the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa last month.

In one speech that has gone viral online, MEP Mislav Kolakusic of Croatia criticized Canada’s leader, stating, “There are those among us who trample on those fundamental values,” a reference to some protesters’ controversial encounter with police horses near Parliament Hill.

Christine Anderson, a member of Parliament from Germany, also rose to condemn Trudeau, saying, "You're a disgrace to any democracy."

French MEP Virginie Joron not only spoke, but wore a sweater honoring American and Canadian truckers who participated in the truck convoys in both countries.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#UK: Labour Party's Opposition Equalities Minister Calls Criticism Of Trans Athlete "Lazy Transphobia"

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A Labour Party Member of Parliament has provoked a furious controversy after claiming criticism of swimmer Lia Thomas is "lazy transphobia".

Lia became the first transgender woman to win an NCAA Division I title.

She originally competed in the male division before racing against women after she transitioned.

Rival Reka Gyorgy complained to the athletics association about its decision to let Lia race against "biological women", and this complaint has been shared by a number of athletes and experts.

But Labour's Opposition Equalities Minister Charlotte Nichols leapt to the swimmer's defense and congratulated her on her achievement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: New Democrats Enter Three-Year Accord With Liberals To Support It's Majority

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New Democratic Party has entered into a confidence-and-supply agreement with the ruling Liberal Party to support its legislation and vote "yes" in any no confidence votes for the next three years, in exchange for Liberals pushing through NDP legislation and programs.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he would be willing to pull out of the new deal if it doesn't work as planned, but he said that he is confident his party can secure the social programs and other policies Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to implement in their accord.

“We’re not going to let the Liberal government off the hook,” Singh told reporters near Parliament Hill on Tuesday, shortly after details of the Liberal-NDP deal were published.

Despite campaigning in the past two elections with rhetoric that attacked Trudeau as untrustworthy and beholden to corporate interests, Singh said he has faith the Liberals will abide by the deal, which is now a public document that Singh described as a new tool for New Democrats to secure their policy priorities in Canada’s minority Parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#THENETHERLANDS: Parliament Close To Approving Lab-Grown Meat

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The Netherlands is one step closer to lab-grown meat. Two parties have submitted a motion in parliament to make the tasting of cultured meat possible in the Netherlands. A majority in parliament said they would vote for this motion.

Lab-grown or cultured meat is meat grown from animal cells but without any animals being killed. It is currently still banned in Europe. Researchers aren't even allowed to taste a piece. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#EGYPT: Bill Would Require Psych Exam Before Marriage

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A recent series of violent incidents between husbands and wives have prompted a number of members of parliament to submit a bill obliging couples to undergo psychological examination before marriage.

The bill would require those who are about to get married to first be examined and then to complete a course of treatment if necessary.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Those Under 25 Could Be Banned From Buying Cigarettes

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A new ban could be imposed on those under 25, prohibiting them from buying cigarettes under fresh plans brought forward by a new anti-smoking tsar.

Javed Khan OBE is conducting an independent review on how to stop Brits from smoking.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SOUTHAFRICA: Ballot Bill Raises Cost Concerns

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South Africa's Constitutional Court found in June 2020 that exclusive party proportional representation could no longer be used and that independent candidates should be allowed to stand for provincial and national elections.

In its judgment, the court gave parliament 24 months to correct the defect in the Electoral Act. The deadline is June.

But the ruling African National Congress Party has raised concerns about the bill currently before the National Assembly to solve the problem, which they say would make the paper ballots extremely long and expensive to produce.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Welsh Gov't Rolls Out Plan To Lower Speed Limits To 20 MPH

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Trials creating 20 mph zones are being rolled out across parts of Wales.

It comes as default speed limits look set to be cut from 30 mph to 20 mph in built-up areas by 2023 under Welsh government plans.

However opponents said the changes would increase journey times, add to congestion and anger drivers.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#NIGERIA: Senate Rejects President's Election Law Change Proposal; Appointees Still Must Resign To Run

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Nigeria's Senate has rejected a request from President Muhammadu Buhari to amend Section 84 of the Electoral Act, which makes it mandatory for political appointees interested in contesting elections to resign their appointments ahead of their party primaries.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#PAKISTAN: Cybercrime Law May Stifle Media Dissent, Say Critics

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Pakistan's new social media-related cybercrime ordinance has drawn ire from civil society activists who say the "draconian" legislation is likely to be used against government critics.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's government recently passed a cybercrime ordinance that prescribes a punishment up to five years in jail for posting "fake news" about government officials, the military and judiciary on social media.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CHINA: Second In Leadership Li Keqiang To Step Down

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China's Premier Li Keqiang will step down, according to an announcement made Friday during an important annual CCP news conference.

It has been suggested that Li is to be the "Fall Guy"of sorts to blame for a sluggish economy and an economy still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CHILE: Youthful New President Will Turn Nation Leftward

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Chile has sworn in its youngest-ever president, Gabriel Boric, a former student activist who will take the reins as the South American nation is undergoing an important political and social transition.

Boric, 36, is taking over a country seeking change following mass 2019 protests, which he supported, against deep-rooted inequality in income, healthcare, education and pensions. He will oversee a referendum on a new constitution.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BELGIUM: Parliament Legalizes Prostitution

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Sex workers in Belgium will soon be able to claim state pensions and other benefits after the pandemic prompted reforms to decriminalize their profession.

Politicians approved plans to overhaul 19th-century legislation and offer prostitutes a legally recognized job title.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRALIA: PM Morrison Declares Disaster After East Coast Floods

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office has banned media filming him visiting flood-affected homes in Lismore as he tours devastated areas of northern New South Wales.

Morrison, who called the floods absolutely devastating in a tweet, was touring the region on Wednesday when he announced his intention to declare a national emergency amid the clean-up after the natural disaster.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#PAKISTAN: Prime Minister Rejects Calls To Condemn Russia

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Pakistan's prime minister is angrily rejecting calls from Western nations to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Imran Khan, Pakistan's PM, was in Moscow on a two-day state visit on the eve of the invasion and has angrily rebuffed western demands to speak out against Russia. 

"What do you think of us? Are we your slaves . . . that whatever you say, we will do?” he said.

Also upsetting Khan was a letter signed by representatives of 11 Nations presented to Pakistan to un delegation urging the country to take a stronger stand against Russia.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SOUTHKOREA: Opposition Party Wins Presidential Election

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The main opposition People Power Party’s Yoon Suk-yeol confirmed his place as South Korea's next president after his opponent, Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung, conceded defeat in the early hours of Thursday morning. 

He will become the first former prosecutor to be elected president and the first president without any political experience.

The two candidates came within 1 percentage point of each other after an election marked by mudslinging and a general dissatisfaction in the electorate with both candidates.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Baber Joins Race To Lead Conservatives

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Independent Ontario Member of the Provincial Parliament Roman Baber has announced he is running to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC). 

He called lockdowns “the greatest policy error of our generation.” and has said the provincial lockdown is grounded in "false public health narrative."

Last January, Baber was removed from the Ontario Conservative Party caucus by Premier Doug Ford because of his opposition to lockdowns.

 
So far, the candidates for the Conservative leadership race are Baber, CPC MPs Pierre Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis and former Quebec Liberal premier Jean Charest.

Baber was born in Russia, in the old Soviet Union in 1980, emigrating to Canada at the age of 15.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HUNGARY: Orbán Refuses To Join In Imposing Russia Sanctions

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says that he will not punish Hungarian families for the Russia-Ukraine conflict by participating in sanctions imposed by western nations on Russia.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SOMALIA: Presidential Election Delayed

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Somali leaders agreed to extend parliamentary elections until March 15, once more postponing a long-delayed presidential vote.

The government had set a deadline for the parliamentary ballot to be completed by Friday. Lawmakers failed to meet the deadline because of a lack of funding and insecurity, the prime minister’s office said in a statement

[FULL STORY HERE]

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