#USA: "F*** The NRA!" Says #NM Democratic Congressional Candidate In Shocking TV Ad

[world politics news]

New Mexico Democratic candidate for Congress Pat Davis opens a TV ad set to start airing today with the words, "F*ck the NRA." The shocking ad will air on Albuquerque station KQRE uncensored, with the station airing a 15-second "disclaimer" warning viewers that the station could not edit out the offensive words due to Federal Election Commission rules prohibiting censoring or editing campaign ads. Davis is a sitting Albuquerque city councilor, and is running third in polls in the June 5th Democratic primary.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: Tokyo Gov. Admits He Misused Political Funds; Will Pay Back $4,150

[world politics news]

Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe has admitted that there were "several inappropriate points" relating to his alleged use of political funds for personal purposes, a scandal exposed by a weekly magazine. At a press conference, Masuzoe said he plans to correct errors in related political funds statements and personally refund the spending in question, totaling about US$4,150.

#SPAIN: Leftist Podemos Pty Under Investigation For Poss. Iranian Funding

[world politics news]

Police are investigating allegations that the new Leftist party, Podemos, has been illegally financed with money from the Iranian regime. Pablo Iglesias, the pony-tailed leader of the anti-austerity and anti-corruption party is laughing off the accusations, which allege that Podemos received US$5.4 million from media companies administered in Spain by an Iranian regime-linked businessman. Iglesias hosts a TV talk show on an Iran-owned Channel, Hispan TV.

#CANADA: Opponents Avoiding Liberal Ldr. Justin Trudeau's Famous Last Name In Campaign

[world politics news]

Media have noticed that party leaders running against Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau - son of the late former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau - are refusing to use his last name in speeches and interviews. PM Stephen Harper calls him "Justin" to illustrate the 43-year-old's relative youth, while New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair calls him the "third party leader."

#KENYA: Proposed Bill Would Give Women Gov't Cash; Force Parties To Have 1/3rd Women Candidates

[world politics news]

Women candidates would get campaign cash from the government under a proposed law. If the National Assembly approves the proposed changes to the Political Parties Act, parties that do not have at least a third of members and candidates nominated for elections being women would be deregistered.

#CANADA: #JustinTrudeau Promises Tax Hikes For Wealthy, Tax Cuts For Middle Class

[world politics news]

Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau is attempting to steal electoral ground from the left and the right with an economic agenda that promises to take more from the rich to give to the middle class. The plan would raise tax rates on the wealthiest 1% to pay for more generous child benefits and an across-the-board income tax cut for middle-income earners.

#UK: #EdMiliband Defends Literally Carving Labour Party Promises In Stone

[world politics news]

Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband has defended his decision to carve Labour promises in stone - insisting he wants to show the public his pledges will not expire on May 8. The limestone monument has already attracted widespread comment. The 8-foot stone has its own hashtag, #EdStone, and has been mocked by opponents David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

#JAPAN: Male Candidate Posing Nude In Campaign Poster "Legal" Say Election Officials

[world politics news]

Election officials in Japan say a male candidate posing nude in a campaign poster in front of the Imperial 'Rising Sun' graphic is perfectly legal, since content of campaign signs is not regulated, other than to accurately display the candidate's name (which in this case covers his genitals.)

#JAPAN: Gubernatorial Candidates Kick Off Election Campaigns

[world politics news]

Aspiring governors have kicked off 17-day election campaigns for April 12 elections in 10 of Japan's 47 prefectures. A total 25 candidates are running in Hokkaido, Kanagawa, Fukui, Mie, Nara, Tottori, Shimane, Tokushima, Fukuoka, and Oita. Japan's shrinking population and regional economic revitalization in general are key issues.

#ISRAEL: Netanyahu's Party Admits Forging Recording of Kulanu Pty Ldr Vowing Pre-Election Support For Netanyahu, Fined $5,000

[world politics news]

PM Netanyahu's Likud Party admitted to forging a recording of Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon promising to support Netanyahu and distributing it to voters the day before Tuesday's election. A Central Elections Committee judge ordered Likud to stop using it, and fined it nearly $5,000.

#ISRAEL: In Tight Race, Parties Courting Recent French Immigrants to Israel

[world politics news]

As campaigning heats up ahead of what is predicted to be an extremely close general election in Israel on Tuesday, politicians are, for the first time, turning their attention to an increasingly important demographic – immigrants from France.

#UK: Labour Party Candidate Refuses Donation From Frmr. Labour PM #TonyBlair

[world politics news]

A Labour parliamentary candidate has refused a donation from former Labour PM Tony Blair, apparently over the three-time prime minister's support of the Iraq War, which has made him toxic in Left-leaning circles in Britain. Lesley Brennan, Labour's candidate in Dundee East, did not give a reason for the rejection.

#JAPAN: In #Abe Cabinet, One Resigns, Another Investigated In Funding Scandal

[world politics news]

Japan's House Budget Committee on Thursday says former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koya Nishikawa received 10 million yen from two companies. Nishikawa resigned last week. Education Min. Hakubun Shimomura denies similar accusations.

Pictured: Koya Nishikawa, former Agriculture Minister

#USA

Republican Jewish Coalition Hold 2016 "Primary" In Vegas; Bush, Christie, Walker Attend [world politics news]

Sheldon Adelson, organizer of the Las Vegas Presidential non-primary event.

#AUSTRALIA

Debate Make-Up Artist Blasts PM Rudd, Praises Tony Abbott, in Facebook Post [world politics news]

#NORWAY

Video Goes Viral After Prime Minister Plays Cabbie for a Day  [world politics news]