#LITHUANIA: Parliament Votes To Bring Back Military Draft To Counter Russian Threat

[world politics news]

The Lithuanian parliament has voted overwhelmingly to reintroduce conscription as the country grapples with a renewed threat of Russian invasion. Under the terms of the new bill, 3.500 young men between the ages of 19 and 26 will be drafted each year for the next 5 years for periods of 9-month service.

#UK: Pre-Election Minimum Wage Hike: Up 3% to £6.70/Hour

[world politics news]

The minimum wage in the UK is set to rise 3% to £6.70 an hour. The government, just two months before the May election, accepted the Low Pay Commission recommendation to raise rates, with similar rises for younger workers and a 20% jump to £3.30, for apprentices.

#NEWZEALAND: Bill To Provide Free In-School Food For All Students Fails In Parliament

[world politics news]

Two members' bills, both aiming to provide free food to children in schools, have failed to gain enough support in Parliament. Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei put forward legislation known as the 'Feed the Kids Bill', but it was defeated 61 votes to 59.

#UK: #NigelFarage Says He'll Step Down As #UKIP Ldr If He Fails To Win Seat In Parliament

[world politics news]

Nigel Farage has warned he will step down as Leader of the UK Independence Party if he fails to win a seat as a Member of Parliament at the general election in May, declaring it would be "curtains for me." Polls show he is likely to win a seat in South Thanet in Kent.

#MEXICO: Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Buying Votes With Bar Gift Card

[world politics news]

A candidate for mayor of the southern Mexican border city of Tapachula is distributing a “People’s Card” that entitles the bearer to discounts at local businesses, including bars. Neftali del Toro, a Chiapas state legislator, denies charges he's buying votes.

#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.

#CANADA: Deal Reached With USA For Pre-Clearance For Frequent Border Crossers

[world politics news]

A long-awaited deal between the US and Canada will allow travelers - especially frequent ones - to acquire a "pre-clearance" status away from border crossings to ease congestion caused by tighter post-9/11 restrictions.

#RUSSIA: Furious Nordic Foreign Ministers To Close Offices In Russia

[world politics news]

The Nordic Council of Ministers will close its offices throughout Russia after being told by Russia it will need to register as a "foreign agent." The council is composed of government ministers from all the Nordic countries, and worked for over 20 years to cooperative ventures with Russia.

#UK: Parliament Approves Plain Packaging For Cigarettes By Next Year

[world politics news]

Parliament has voted to introduce plain cigarette packaging to England starting in May, 2016. England will be the third country to introduce such a law after Australia and Ireland. The law applies only to England, but the UK's other self-governing regions may follow suit.

#ISRAEL: Hours Before Election: Livni Says She Won't Rotate PM Office With Herzog If Coalition Elected

[world politics news]

Just hours before Israeli polls open, the Zionist Union’s Tzipi Livni announced she would give up the rotation of the premiership with the slate’s leader, Isaac Herzog, an agreement they made months ago when her party merged with his. PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the announcement meant the two were "panicking."

#ISRAEL: #Netanyahu Says There Will Be No Palestinian State If He Wins Election

[world politics news]

In an apparent attempt to woo voters from a far-right wing political party, PM Benjamin Netanyahu, in a pre-election radio interview, said there would be no Palestinian State in a "two-state solution" if his party's re-elected this week.

#GERMANY: Cabinet Minister's Plan to Expose Women's Wages Draws Fire From Business Groups

[world politics news]

Families Minister Manuela Schwesig wants a new law allowing women to compare their wages with men doing similar work, but the proposal is drawing angry reactions from employers, who warn it will create "dissatisfaction" and could compromise privacy.

#EGYPT: Elections Face Delays After Law Banning Dual-Citizens Candidacy Ruled Unconstitutional

[world politics news]

A government-affiliated committee began meeting this week to redraft two election laws after the Supreme Constitutional Court ruled them unconstitutional. One dealt with election boundaries, the other unfairly banned candidates with dual citizenship, the court said. The ruling could delay the first round of parliamentary elections, scheduled for March 21.

#COLOMBIA: Christian Activist Fighting Installation Of Condom Dispensers Across Bogota

[world politics news]

Colombia’s capital city of Bogota is set to install condom dispensers in public areas in spit of long resistance from local Christian activists who had called for “more values, less condoms.”

#SOUTHKOREA: Assembly Speaker Proposes Controversial Joint Resolution With US Congress Over End of WWII

[world politics news]

South Korea's National Assembly is proposing a "joint resolution" with the US Congress to commemorate 70 years of peace in Asia since the end of World War II, but some fear it may touch on controversial subjects like North Korea's nuclear ambitions and Japan's failure to admit to war crimes against Korean women.

Photo: Rep. Chung Ui-hwa, the Speaker of South Korea’s National Assembly

#AUSTRALIA: Cabinet Split Over UK's Decision To Support China's "Asian Bank" Proposal

[world politics news]

A shock decision by the United Kingdom to support Beijing's plans for an ambitious new Asian bank has re-opened cabinet divisions about how best to work with rising Chinese power. Key ministers remain split on if and how to join the US$100 billion China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank.

#PUERTORICO: Legislators Propose Fining Parents of Obese Children

[world politics news]

Parents in the US territory of Puerto Rico would be fined up to $800 if their children’s health conditions do not improve following parent-focused education on obesity.  The Obesity Society  and the Obesity Action Coalition call the legislators’ solution a “misguided policy."

#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.

#USA: Potential Pres. Cand. Lindsey Graham Threatens Military Force Against Congress

[world politics news]

In comments to Republicans in Concord, New Hampshire last week, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham - who is strongly considering a run for president - said he would "literally" employ the US military to force Congress to restore military and intelligence agency budget cuts, refusing to allow them to leave until they do. He later  said he was joking.

#GREECE: PM #AlexisTsipras Assures Europe Greece Will Pay Its Debts

[world politics news]

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras insisted Thursday that his government will pay debts that are due soon, even if Athens doesn't get part of a rescue loan that will only get released if current bailout talks are successful.

#SWEDEN: Defense Contract Cancelled, Saudis Recall Ambassador, Amid Nasty Diplomatic Spat

[world politics news]

An increasingly nasty diplomatic spat between Sweden and Saudi Arabia is dramatically escalating, as Saudi Arabia this week recalled its ambassador a day after Sweden canceled a 10-year arms deal with the kingdom. A top Swedish diplomat has criticized the Saudi human rights record and called it a "dictatorship.

#ISRAEL: Rising Panic In #Netanyahu's #Likud Party As Opposition Gains Momentum

[world politics news]

Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog's Zionist Union Party appears to be gaining momentum in the run-up to this weekend’s general election, triggering a rising sense of panic in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party. Two new polls suggest a lead of three to four parliamentary seats for the Zionist Union, with internal polling from both parties indicating a wider gap.

#EU: European Parliament Backs Ending Cell Roaming Charges, Slashes Credit Card Transaction Fees

[world politics news]

European legislators have thrown their weight behind plans to completely do away with roaming charges for mobile phone users by December, 2015. In another vote, they also backed a scheme to drastically reduce credit card fees.

#TURKEY: Legislators Transfer Control Of Police From Army To Interior Ministry

[world politics news]

As part of a larger "Domestic Security Reform Package," control of the Turkish National Police force will transfer from the Turkish Armed Forces to the Interior Ministry. Demilitarization of the police was one of a number of reforms suggested by the EU last year.

#USA: Backers Of Failed "Sugary Drinks" Tax Propose Warning Labels For Sodas, Fines For Offenders

[world politics news]

San Francisco would become the first city in the country to require warning labels on advertising for soda and other sugary beverages under new legislation to be introduced by Supervisor Scott Wiener, who, along with two other Supervisors, backed a failed 2-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks last November.

#GREECE: As Deadline For Re-Negotiated Debt Looms, Greece Told "Stop Wasting Time"

[world politics news]

Officials representing Greece’s creditors will return to Athens this week as Alexis Tsipras’ left-wing government is told to stop wasting time in talks over implementing the country’s controversial bailout programme. "We have spent two weeks discussing who meets who where and in what format, and it's a complete waste of time,"said Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem.

#SWITZERLAND: Swiss Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Replacing Value-Added Tax With Carbon Tax

[world politics news]

Swiss voters Sunday overwhelmingly rejected an initiative that would have scrapped the Alpine country’s value-added-tax system and replaced it with a carbon tax. Roughly 92% of voters opposed the initiative while 8% supported the measure.

#EU: Europe Needs Its Own Army, Says EuroComm. Pres.; UK Immediately Rejects

[world politics news]

European Commission Pres. Jean-Claude Juncker says the European Union needs its own army to help address the problem that it is not “taken entirely seriously” as an international force. An EU army  would help the EU to persuade Russia that it was serious about defending its values. The UK, however, immediately rejected the idea.


INFO: Jean-Claude Juncker is the 12th and current President of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union. He is the former prime minister of Luxembourg.

#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.

#USA: Indiana Legislator Wants Sale Of Powdered Alcohol Banned

[world politics news]

State Sen. Ron Alting is seeking to ban the sale of powdered alcohol in Indiana. He said the product could easily be abused by minors, and is concerned the product could be easily concealed. Its creator says it can only be sold where alcohol is sold, to adults with ID.

#EU: Member States Seeking To Roll Back Net Neutrality Policy

[world politics news]

Less than a year after the European Parliament voted to enshrine net neutrality in law, banning service providers from blocking or slowing Internet services provided by competitors, EU member states are supporting the idea of allowing some "specialized" services priority over others. It's believed connected cars are one such service.

#IRELAND: Labour Pty Ldr: 2 Yrs of Free Preschool Will Be In Election Platform

[world politics news]

Labour Party Leader Joan Burton has said two years of free preschool will be in the party's platform before the next election, which must take place before April 3, 2016. She said the party will also champion two weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave for new parents.

#TAJIKISTAN: Pro-Moscow President's Party Expected Winners In National Election

[world politics news]

Tajikistan has elected a new parliament that will likely be dominated by the party of President Imomali Rakhmon who has ruled the Central Asian nation since 1992 and is backed by Moscow, which has thousands of troops stationed there. Rakhmon, a 62-year-old former head of a Soviet state farm, extended his rule by seven years in an election held in November 2013.

#SLOVENIA: Parliament Adopts Same-Sex Marriage, Bucking Eastern European Trend

[world politics news]

Parliament has voted 51 to 28 to allow same-sex couples to marry, bucking a recent trend against same-sex marriage  in Eastern Europe. Slovakia and Hungary banned gay marriage in 2012, Croatian voters rejected it in 2013. In January, Macedonia's parliament voted 72 to 4 to reject same-sex marriage.

#GERMANY: Bill Would Establish 30% Quota On Corporate Boards For Women

[world politics news]

Germany's parliament is due to vote on a hotly debated bill legislating a 30 percent quota for women on company boards. The long-awaited law would affect some of the nation's biggest listed companies.

#UKRAINE: Parliament Votes to Boost Army's Size To Confront Eastern Rebels

[world politics news]

Ukraine’s parliament has voted to increase the country’s armed forces by a third to 250,000 personnel. Kviv is taking no chances, despite the fragile ceasefire in the east. Pres. Petro Poroshenko’s initiative was passed easily and now only needs his signature to become law.

#CANADA: PM #StephenHarper Would End Parole For "Heinous" Crimes

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the government will introduce life without parole for several categories of first-degree murder, including especially brutal murders; murders involving sex assault, kidnapping or forcible confinement; the killing of police officers or jail guards; and killing involving terrorism.

#IRELAND: New Health Insurance Fine Is 2% For Every Year After 34 You Didn't Have It

[world politics news]

The Irish government is warning citizens that after May 1, a new penalty for people not getting health insurance will be levied. Those taking out health insurance for the first time will pay an extra 2% levy for every year after the age of 34. A 54-year-old taking out health insurance for the first time after April 39 will have an extra 40% added to their premium each year.

#AUSTRALIA: PM Abbott Warns Indonesia Ties Will Suffer if Aussie Drug Smugglers Executed

[world politics news]

Indonesia’s pending executions of two Australians has hurt the two nations’ relationship, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said, as they were moved to an island prison, where they will face a firing squad. They were arrested on the island of Bali in 2005 for attempting to carry heroin through the airport.

#SOUTHKOREA: US Diplomat Criticized For Defending Japan's Stand on WW2 "Comfort Women"

[world politics news]

South Korean politicians are criticizing Wendy Sherman, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs for appearing to side with Japan in a historic dispute over Korean women forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese troops in WW II. Sherman warned political leaders against using the historical disputes for political gains and "cheap applause." Japan says the women were willing prostitutes.

#JAPAN: Political Donations Scandal Spreads to PM Abe And Opposition Leader

[world politics news]

The political donations scandal has hit top party leaders. Political units headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and main opposition Democratic Party of Japan leader Katsuya Okada allegedly received contributions from companies that received subsidies from government ministries.

#CANADA: Quebec Education Min. Resigns After Endorsing School Strip Searches

[world politics news]

Embattled Quebec Education Minister Yves Bolduc quit politics on Thursday and will return to practicing medicine. He resigned his Quebec City-area seat in the provincial legislature as well as his cabinet position. He had supported "respectful" strip searches of students in schools, a view he later retracted.

#JAPAN: Defense Min. Wants Law Letting Defense Forces Rescue Citizens Overseas

[world politics news]

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has called for legislation that would let Japan's Self-Defense Forces rescue Japanese citizens outside the country. He said it is the government's duty to protect the Japanese people. Japan's post-war constitution strictly regulates the use of its military, restricting it to being only defensive in nature.

#EU: Obama Seeks to Rally Europe To Impose Greater Sanctions On Russia Over #Ukraine

[world politics news]

Pres. Obama is seeking this week to bolster Europe's will to impose greater sanctions on Russia, whose troops have assisted rebels in eastern Ukraine seeking to break away from the more Western-leaning Ukrainian government. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has had "productive" phone conversations with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin this week.

#IRELAND: Civil Servant Union Seeks Pay Hike For Lowest Paid Workers

[world politics news]

Lower-paid civil servants are to seek a flat rate increase in pay as part of forthcoming talks with the Government. The Civil Public and Services Union said traditional percentage awards discriminated in favor of the higher-paid.

Pictured: Eoin Ronayne, general secretary of the Civil Public and Services Union

#UK: #UKIP Leader Farage Speaks to US Conservative Conference to Near-Empty Room

[world politics news]

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage spoke to the CPAC conservative political conference last week, with critics noting he spoke to a near-empty room. His rising political star's calls for conservative principles and free enterprise were well received.

#CHINA: Chinese Media Reveals: 5 of 10 Wealthiest Chinese Set To Be Delegates to People's Congress

[world politics news]

A Shanghai-based magazine has revealed that 5 of the 10 wealthiest people in China are due to take part in the upcoming National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, reports the China Daily, an official Communist Party paper.

#ISRAEL: Political Statements To Be Edited From Congressional #Netanyahu Speech

[world politics news]

Israel's national election committee has ordered that PM Netanyahu's speech to the US Congress tomorrow will be on a 5-minute time delay so any political statements that could help him in the March 17th election can be edited out. The timing of the speech has been criticized by his opponents.

#PALESTINIANAUTHORITY: Boycott of Israeli Goods Begins Over Withheld Tax Revenues

[world politics news]

The Palestinian Authority's Fatah Party is spearheading a boycott of Israeli goods in West Bank shops over Israel's ongoing tactic of withholding tax revenues from the PA. They took the action after the Palestinian government joined the UN's International Criminal Court, which could lead to indictments of Israeli soldiers.

#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