#GERMANY: Cabinet Approves Recreational Marijuana Use

[world politics news]

Germany's cabinet voted through plans Wednesday to legalize possession of cannabis as well as community cultivation clubs to serve local communities, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced.

Presenting his plans to reporters in Berlin, Lauterbach said the law should be passed by the Bundestag after the summer recess and come into force as early as the beginning of 2024. He said he does not expect any major changes from parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ISRAEL: Netanyahu Decides To Keep Defense Minister

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Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reversed his decision to fire defence minister Yoav Gallant, amid deteriorating security that has left the country battling threats on multiple fronts.

Netanyahu originally said two weeks ago he would sack Gallant after the defence minister spoke out against the government’s controversial plans to weaken the powers of the judiciary. The minister warned that the deep polarisation caused by the proposals was undermining Israeli security.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IRAQ: Lawmakers Approve New Prime Minister's Cabinet

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Iraqi lawmakers approved a new cabinet after a year-long crisis triggered by contested elections.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, 52, who previously served as Iraq’s human rights minister as well as minister of labour and social affairs, will head the new government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Health Sec. Hancock Broke Social Distancing Rules, Having Affair With Aide

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Britain's health secretary has been accused of violating social distancing rules by having an affair with an aide in the health department.

  

Gina Coladangelo, a university friend of Hancock, was handed a £15,000-a-year role last year as a non-executive director at the Department of Health.

On May 6, when images of the two kissing are said to have been taken, England's law banned indoor social gatherings of people from different households - while guidance urged people to stay two meters apart and avoid "face to face contact."

The Labour Party is calling for his resignation, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he had apologized and considers the matter "closed." Hancock says he will not resign.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: New Law Would Allow Paid Maternity Leave For Cabinet Members

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The Conservative government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson will bring forward legislation - to be debated in Parliament - that would provide mothers in the Cabinet with six months of paid leave.

Maternity leave will become available to ministers only following a change in the law to allow Attorney General Suella Braverman to take time off after having her second child.

It is believed she will become the most senior member the Cabinet to have a baby while in office.

However, current rules would force Braverman to resign if she wanted to take time off after the birth, prompting the change.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Newly Re-Elected Trudeau Will Announce Gender-Balanced Cabinet Nov. 20

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had ruled out a governing coalition and said his minority government's new cabinet will have gender balance when it's sworn in on Nov. 20.

Trudeau says he will work with other parties, including the Bloc Québécois, to advance shared goals. In the coming weeks, Trudeau said, he plans to sit down with each of the party leaders to discuss their priorities and how they can work together.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Defense Minister Fired Over Alleged Leaks To Media

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Defense Minister Gavin Williamson gas been fired by Prime Minister May over alleged leaks to the press about National Security Council discussions about a Chinese telecommunications company.

Williamson strenuously denies he leaked information from the National Security Council as calls are being made for a police inquiry.

He was sacked as defence secretary for allegedly disclosing plans to allow Chinese telecoms giant Huawei to help build the UK's 5G network.

Opposition MPs said there should be an investigation into whether the Official Secrets Act had been breached.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Cabinet Divided Over The Way Forward On Brexit; Works & Pensions Sec. Rudd Says May Must "Try Something Different"

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Members of Parliament across the political divide should attempt to build a Brexit consensus, the Work and Pensions Secretary has said,warning Britain's departure from the EU is "in danger of getting stuck." Amber Rudd said it is possible Theresa May will ultimately be unable to persuade enough of her own MPs to back her deal, suggesting it is time to "abandon outrage and accusations" and "try something different."

Theresa May's cabinet is said to be split between several options, including pushing forward with the current plan - which sees little hope of being passed - seeking a new referendum, or building a coalition with Labour MPs on a compromise plan.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen Removed From Asylum Seeker Task Force

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Federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen - who criticized the Ontario provincial government's views on asylum seekers - is no longer on a government task force overseeing the response to asylum seekers, a move cheered by his Ontario counterpart. Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s minister of children, community and social services, said she was “encouraged” that Hussen was removed from the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Irregular Migration and replaced by former Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau Expands, Shuffles Cabinet Ahead of 2019 Elections

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed his election year cabinet, expanding it by five members, and significantly shuffling some key responsibilities such as international trade, natural resources and border security. The prime minister also delegated intergovernmental affairs to his longtime friend and political ally Dominic Leblanc.

[FULL STORY HERE]

BREAKING: #UK Foreign Sec. Boris Johnson Quits Cabinet; PM Theresa May's Hold On Power In Doubt

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The UK's Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson has resigned, the third minister in Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet in 24 hours to walk out of the government rather than back Theresa May’s plans for a soft Brexit. The prime minister hammered out a compromise with her deeply divided cabinet in an all-day meeting at Chequers on Friday, but after consulting friends and allies, Johnson decided he could not promote the deal to the public. This puts May's hold on the office in doubt, and a "no confidence" vote that could remove her seems likely.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Prime Minister's Cabinet Reshuffle Plans Thrown Off Course By Resignation, Stubborn Ministers

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Theresa May’s planned cabinet reshuffle was thrown off course when senior members of the cabinet refused to move and Justine Greening quit the government after turning down a job as work and pensions secretary. Earlier, Jeremy Hunt rejected a new position as business secretary and instead persuaded the prime minister to allow him to remain at health in a beefed-up role taking on more responsibility for social care.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Priti Patel Resigns As Int'l Development Min. Following Secret Meetings; Replaced By Penny Mordaunt

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Penny Mordaunt has been appointed by Prime Minister Theresa May as the UK's new International Development Secretary. She replaces Priti Patel, who resigned Wednesday following revelations of secret meetings between her and Israeli politicians while she was on vacation last summer. Mordaunt, a Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, was first elected in 2010 and has served as minister for disabled people since July 2016. She was also the first woman to serve as a minister for the armed forces.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UGANDA: Cabinet Approves Tougher Penalties For Wildlife Crimes

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The cabinet has approved amendments to the Wildlife Act and toughened the penalties against wildlife crimes. The review of the Uganda Wildlife Act 1996, seeks to address emerging challenges in conservation, including poaching, illicit trans-boundary wildlife trade and increasing human wildlife conflicts.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: PM Trudeau Budgets For 3 New Cabinet Positions

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The opposition in parliament is raising concerns about prime minister Trudeau proposed budget after it was discovered that it included funding for up to 3 new cabinet positions, potentially costing $250,000 each.