#FRANCE: Macron Parties During Riots?

[world politics news]

Pres. Emmanuel Macron is facing criticism after he was seen dancing at an Elton John concert this past week while Paris descended into chaos amid protests over the "execution" of a teenager by police after a traffic stop last Tuesday. 

The French leader appeared footloose and fancy-free during Wednesday's concert while his nation's Capitol city was torched and looted by rioters.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Drivers Face Fines For Wearing Sunglasses

[world politics news]

Drivers caught wearing sunglasses in the UK can be slapped with large fines of up to £5,000 according to the Highway Code.

Despite sunglasses helping to prevent the sun from blinding drivers, the Highway Code enforces that drivers should stop or slow down when affected by sunshine.

Experts warn that while many believe sunglasses heighten road safety, they may in fact be a risk due to the blinding glare by low light and reflections from puddles or oncoming traffic.

People caught wearing tinted lenses and visors that restrict visibility could be slapped with penalties ranging from points on their licence, unlimited fines and potentially disqualifications.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

IRELAND: Critics Say Hate Crime Bill Would Chill Free Speech

[world politics news]

 

A proposed hate crime law will have a chilling effect on free speech in the Republic of Ireland, opponents have predicted.

In a Seanad debate on the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, Senators expressed fears that people would rather remain silent on ‘controversial’ issues than run the risk of prosecution.

Prior to the debate, the highly regarded Irish journalist Dr Helen Joyce warned that the Bill risked stifling free expression.

Supporting the Bill, Senator Pauline O’Reilly claimed that if someone’s views “on other people’s identities” caused “deep discomfort” it was the job of legislators “to restrict those freedoms for the common good”.

But Senator Rónán Mullen asked: “Will robust campaigning by parents against inappropriate school curricula be allowed?

“Will carrying a placard stating ‘Men cannot breastfeed’ warrant a hate speech investigation or up to five years’ imprisonment, a lifelong label as a criminal hater and all of the stigma and life limitation that goes with that? Nobody actually knows.”

Senator Michael McDowell called for the Bill to be amended, branding it “a charter for freezing genuine free speech and prevent people from articulating unpopular views”.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: New Online Media Law Prompts Meta To Block News Sharing By Canadians

[world politics news]

Meta said it will follow through with a threat to block Canadians from sharing news on its platforms, after the federal government passed a law requiring digital firms to pay domestic media organizations for their content.

“We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada,” the parent company of Facebook said in a statement Thursday.

The law, known as the Online News Act, is one part of a broad and contentious effort by the Canadian government to regulate the digital sphere and circumscribe the power of tech giants. Another law passed this year compelling streaming platforms such as Netflix to promote Canadian content to users in Canada also drew criticism.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: Mayor Approves Removing Ancient Stones To Build Hardware Store On Site

[world politics news]

Olivier Lepick, the mayor of Carnac, France, has received criticism nationwide for approving the destruction of 39 stones that he claimed were of "low architectural value." While some saw the stones as unremarkable, a local archaeologist argued that they were prehistoric menhirs, ancient structures erected by humans thousands of years ago. 

The mayor's decision to remove the stones to make space for a hardware store sparked controversy.

Christian Obeltz, an amateur archaeologist, raised concerns about the destruction of the site in a blog post. He believed that the stones, which could be over 7,000 years old, held historical significance. However, Mayor Lepick defended his decision, stating that he had followed the rules and received information that the site had "low archaeological value."

The Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs supported the mayor's stance, stating that the site was not considered of archaeological importance and lacked proper evaluation. However, Obeltz disputed this claim, arguing that the stones were never thoroughly examined.

The mayor's decision garnered widespread outrage, with Lepick being labeled the "most hated man in France." Even politicians, including Marine Le Pen, criticized the decision. A heritage organization called Koun Breizh filed a complaint to shed light on the decision-making process and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The controversy surrounding the destruction of the stones in Carnac highlights the clash between preserving historical heritage and development interests, prompting debates about the proper evaluation and protection of archaeological sites.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#EU: Euro Parliament Approves Battery Regulations

[world politics news]

A vote to approve proposals for carbon footprint labelling, recycled content, and ethical sourcing of materials in the European Union Batteries Regulation has been welcomed by trade groups.

Last week, the European Parliament voted to approve the regulation, which has been drafted by the European Commission. It got 587 votes in favour, nine parliamentarians opposed it and 20 abstained.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: A Fourth Court Says Gays Should Have Marriage Rights

[world politics news]

TOKYO -- Japan's government is under renewed pressure to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples after a fourth court ruled that its failure to do so was at odds with the country's constitution.

The ruling by Fukuoka District Court in southern Japan late last week delivered a boost to the LGBTQ community in the only G7 member state yet to legally recognize same-sex unions. In a case brought by three same-sex couples against the state, the judge found the current lack of marriage equality presents Japan with an "unconstitutional situation."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRALIA: August Vote On Special Aboriginal Voice In Parliament Approved

[world politics news]

Australia’s House of Representatives voted overwhelming last Wednesday for a referendum to be held this year on creating an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, an advocate aiming to give the nation’s most disadvantaged ethnic minority more say on government policy.

While the Voice would advocate for Indigenous interests, it would not have a vote on laws, and debate for and against the elected body has become increasingly heated and divisive.

Labor Party Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who supports the referendum and creation of the position,  celebrated on twitter: 

BREAKING: Parliament has just said yes to holding a referendum. Now the Australian people will have a chance to say yes. 

Together, we can make history by enshrining recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution."

But Opposition leader Peter Dutton  (Liberal)   told Parliament the proposal would permanently divide Australians by race. “It will have an Orwellian effect where all Australians are equal, but some Australians are more equal than others,” Dutton said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Gov't Seeks Ban Of Pro-Democracy Song, Streaming Platforms Remove

[world politics news]

Hong Kong's Attorney General has applied for a Court order to ban a song used by protesters of the city's pro-Communist regime, saying it promotes "secession" of the region from China.

An injunction would prohibit, with the intent to incite others to commit the crime of secession, or with the intent to incite, in any manner, including on the Internet or any medium accessible online, or any Internet-based platform or medium, broadcast, perform, print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, circulate, display or reproduce the song.

The government seeks to ban the content of "Glory to Hong Kong", including its tune, lyrics or lyrics, and in addition, an adaptation of the song. Those whose tunes, lyrics and/or lyrics are substantially similar to the songs concerned, especially those advocating the separation of Hong Kong from the People's Republic of China, are also prohibited.

The injunction also prohibits the dissemination of the song in any manner intended to insult the national anthem so that it is "likely to be misunderstood as the national anthem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or to suggest that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an independent country with its own national anthem.

At the same time, the restraining order will prohibit, aiding, causing, procuring, inciting, aiding and abetting others to commit or participate in the above-mentioned prohibited conduct. Knowingly authorizing, permitting or permitting others to commit or participate in any of the above acts is also prohibited.

The unofficial anthem of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests in 2019 has been removed from streaming platforms Spotify and iTunes ahead of a court order, but remains on YouTube. A court date is set for July 24. Critics say the anticipated ban is another sign of Beijing's crackdown and efforts to stamp out dissent in Hong Kong against the central Chinese government.

[FULL STORY HERE and HERE]

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

#CANADA: High Court Says Canada-US immigration Agreement Constitutional

[world politics news]

The Supreme Court of Canada on Friday ruled that  the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States is constitutional.

The Court in its decision noted that the agreement does not violate Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom – the right to life, liberty and security of a person.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: Prime Minister Survives Oppo. Confidence Vote

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Japan's lower house of parliament voted down a no-confidence motion submitted against the cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday.

It was submitted by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) a day after the prime minister said he was unequivocally not planning to imminently dissolve the lower house of parliament and call a snap election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#LEBANON: Parliament Fails To Elect President For 12th Time

[world politics news]

A months-long crisis continues as Lebanon’s parliament has – for the 12th time – failed to elect a president and break a political deadlock that has gripped the country many times before.

Lawmakers in the Middle Eastern democracy's legislature held a session last Wednesday to pick a replacement for former Pres. Michel Aoun, whose term ended last October, but disagreements prevented them from reaching the required thresholds.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: SNP Scottish MP Ridiculed After Saying She Has "No Idea" If She Was Born With XY Chromosones

[world politics news]

Kirsty Blackman. a Scottish National Party member of the Scottish parliament, is facing ridicule for saying,  during a debate on the party's bill on Sexuality, that, "I have no idea what my chromosomes are. I have an assumption that they are probably XY but I don't know! Not got a clue what my chromosomes are!" She was responding to another member, who suggested Including the scientific definition of X X-chromosome To define who is a woman. At birth, Females are born with XYchromosomes and men are born with XY.

On twitter, Conservative MP Chris Rose said, "People who don't understand chromosomes shouldn't be legislating."

Two other SNP MPs are being criticized for reaction to the comments Their reactions can be seen on video during the debate.

One can be seen rolling her eyes and and another covered his  face behind her as she spoke.

Many will see it as yet another distraction, as just another distraction as the ruling Scottish National Party is in turmoil as former party leader Nicola Sturgeon was arrested in a massive fraud investigation. She was later released.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Ottawa School District Wants "Bubble" To Keep Parents From Protesting Near Schools

[world politics news]

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth has called for safety zones or "bubble zones" around schools to block future parental rights protests, one of which was scheduled for today, which she portrayed as being led by outsiders.

“There are anti-LGBTQ protesters, from the US, planning to show up outside Ottawa, Canada schools June 9th,” said Kaplan-Myrth in a Wednesday tweet.  “It puts students and staff and community at real risk.” 

A distict statement on its website said protecting rights of S2LGBTQIA+ students was a paramount concern of the district, which also portrayed parents protesting as dangerous bigots, led by those, "promoting inflammatory, transphobic, and hateful content against members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community." 

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#MEXICO: Foreign Minister Resigns To Seek Presidency in 2024

[world politics news]

Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he was stepping down to focus on securing the presidential nomination for the upcoming elections in June 2024.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JORDAN: Dignitaries Celebrate Wedding Of Crown Prince Hussein to Saudi Woman

[world politics news]

Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Saudi Arabia's Rajwa Alseif tied the knot during ceremonies in the Jordanian capital Amman Thursday.

Prominent royals and political dignitaries from around the world took part, including Britain's Prince William and Princess Kate, as well as US First Lady Jill Biden and US climate envoy John Kerry.

The royal wedding is being celebrated across the kingdom, with the palace declaring a public holiday and arranging an array of celebrations and concerts.

Analysts view the royal wedding as a way for Jordan's royals to project stability following a 2021 palace feud and as the country struggles with economic issues and unemployment.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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