#BRAZIL: Judge Orders Investigation Of Pres. #DilmaRousseff's 2014 Campaign Donations

[world politics news]

A 17-month-old investigation into a massive price fixing and political kickback scandal had found evidence that Pres. Dilma Rousseff's Workers' Party was indirectly funded by money stolen from the state-run oil company. It's the latest blow for Rousseff, who is polling in single digits.

#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.

#HUNGARY: Gov't Demands More Funding From #EU As Migrant Refugee Figures Reach 100,000

[world politics news]

Hungary is seeking more money from the European Union to handle a rising tide of migrants, as a new wave hit its southern border and further exposed the cracks in EU policy towards the worst refugee crisis since World War II. More than 100,000 migrants, many of them refugees from conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, have entered Hungary this year.

Pictured: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

#IRAQ: Parliament Votes To Put Frmr. PM Al-Maliki, Others, On Trial For Abandoning Mosul To ISIS

[world politics news]

In a show-of-hands vote, Iraqi MPs have voted to refer to the judiciary a report holding top officials, including former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, responsible for the fall of the country's second city, Mosul.

#THENETHERLANDS: PM #MarkRutte Survives No-Confidence Vote After Breaking Promise To Support Greek Bailout Funding

[world politics news]

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte received a grilling in parliament for his cabinet's support for debt-ridden Greece's third international bailout, as he fended off a bid for a no-confidence vote on the issue. He won the vote by a wide margin.

#MYANMAR: Parliament Rejects Bill To Remove MPs With 1% Recall Petitions

[world politics news]

With opponents calling it undemocratic - and aimed at removing the current speaker of parliament - legislators rejected a bill that would have allowed members to be recalled and removed by one percent of their constituents. Some felt the move was too close to the November election.

#SPAIN: Ruling Popular Party Has Strong Lead In Polls, But Far Short Of A Clear Majority

[world politics news]

The ruling conservative party of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has taken a clear lead over rivals in the latest opinion poll which shows waning support for Spain’s radical left Podemos Party.

#AUSTRALIA: PM #TonyAbbott Labels Anti-China/Australia Trade Deal Ads "Racist"

[world politics news]

Critics of a China/Australia trade agreement and unions who are running advertising campaigns claiming Australian jobs will be lost to cheaper Chinese labor under the deal, were branded racists and xenophobes by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a parliamentary debate. He called the ads, and robo calls, "a racist lie."

#GREECE: PM Tsipras Resigns; Triggers New Elections To Judge Bailout Deal's Future

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras resigned on Thursday, hoping to strengthen his hold on power in snap elections after seven months in office in which he fought Greece's creditors for a better bailout deal but had to cave in. Government officials said the aim was to hold the election on Sept. 20, with Tsipras seeking to crush a rebellion in his leftist Syriza party and seal public support for the bailout program, Greece's third since 2010, that he negotiated.

#BELIZE: Prime Min. Barrow Protests Guatemalan Naval Incursion On Territorial Waters

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Dean Barrow has lodged a diplomatic protest with the Guatemalan government about an incident this past Sunday in which boats from the country's Territorial Volunteers were harassed by the Guatemalan Navy near Sarstoon Island in the Sarstoon River. Belize claims half the river, while Guatemala insists Belize's territory ends at the river bank.

#EGYPT: US, Human Rights Groups, Expresses Concern Over New Anti-Terror Law

[world politics news]

The US and human rights groups are expressing concern about Egypt’s newly expanded counter-terrorism law. The law expands the government’s surveillance powers and, according to critics, muzzle dissent and target critics. Human rights activists have accused Sisi of leading an increasingly repressive regime. Terror attacks in Egypt are on the rise.

#NORWAY: Progress Party Ldr. Calls On Cities To Reject Syrian Refugees

[world politics news]

Progress Party leader and Finance Minister Siv Jensen has called on municipalities under her party’s governance to refuse Syrian refugees. At the start of the national municipal election campaign, she asked them to ignore the agreement which the majority of parliamentary parties agreed in June - to accept 8,000 quota refugees from Syria.

#GERMANY: Parliament Passes Greek Deal, But At Cost Of Rebellion In #AngelaMerkel's Party

[world politics news]

German MPs voted through a third European bailout package for Greece on Wednesday, although a large number of abstentions and 'no' votes pointed to a sizable rebellion among Chancellor Angela Merkel's ranks.

#TURKEY: Unable To Form Gov't; Pres. Erdogan May Seek New Elections

[world politics news]

Seizing a second chance to restore his longtime dominance of the political scene, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to call controversial new elections after talks to form a coalition government broke down between his former political party and opposition groups.

#SRILANKA: Incumbent Prime Minister Defeats Frmr. Pres. Rajapaksa In Elections

[world politics news]

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa political comeback was thwarted by parliamentary election results showing the alliance that toppled him has made decisive gains. The ruling United National party fell just short of an outright majority but prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should still command enough support to form a stable government.

#GERMANY: Merkel Accused Of Lying About NSA Spying List; US Sources Say She Could Release Names to Legislators

[world politics news]

German officials have recently used the lack of American permission as an excuse not to release a list of German targets passed by the NSA to Germany's foreign intelligence agency, but media reports reveal US officials have said Merkel's government could make the final decision whether to reveal the list to parliamentarians.

#JAPAN: Gov't Will Revise Election Law To Allow Children In Voting Booths

[world politics news]

The government has decided to revise the Public Offices Election Law to allow voters to take children aged 17 or younger to polling stations in all cases. Children’s access to polling stations is currently prohibited in principle. Although infants are allowed into polling stations when on-site administrators admit them.

#SOUTHSUDAN: Warring South Sudanese Factions Seek Power-Sharing Agreement In Peace Talks

[world politics news]

South Sudan’s rival factions are in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, aiming to strike a power-sharing deal before an August 17 deadline. The country, which became independent in 2011, has been engaged in a civil war since 2013. The country's former vice-president is leading an armed insurrection against the government.

#IRELAND: Renua Party Calls For Lower Taxes For Self-Employed, Lower Capital Gains Taxes

[world politics news]

The tax rate paid by the self-employed would be brought into line with other workers under proposals from the Renua Party, which also introduced a proposal to lower capital gains tax rates from 33% to 20%.

#SOUTHAFRICA: New Rules Sought To Remove Disruptive Parliamentarians

[world politics news]

Parliament is adopting rules that allow for the removal of member of parliament who verbally disrupt the business of parliament, following several loud disruptions by the Economic Freedom Fighters Party. The EFF opposed the rules, arguing that no lawmakers should be removed because of their speech.

#AUSTRALIA: PM #TonyAbbott Wants #GayMarriage Vote Postponed To Next Parliament; Will Fire Top Ministers Who Vote "Yes" In This One

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he will allow a "free vote" of top cabinet ministers in the next session of Parliament, but will fire any of them who vote for it - and against the party's policy - in this one. Abbott opposes gay marriage, but says he favors a non-binding plebiscite or a referendum on the controversial issue.

#JAPAN: PM #ShinzoAbe Expresses 'Remorse' For WW2, But Fails to Offer New Apology, In 70th Anniversary Speech

[world politics news]

In a highly-anticipated speech on the 70th Anniversary of World War Two, Japanese Prime Minister didn't offer any new apologies for Japan's part in the war, but re-iterated past government's apologies and expressed regret. He said future generations need not forever be bound to apologize for the war.

#ARGENTINA: Opposition Says President's Top Aide Is Secret Drug Smuggler, Murderer

[world politics news]

Days before Sunday's presidential primary election, lurid allegations were made against the top aide of outgoing president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. A newspaper friendly to the opposition says Aníbal Fernández, a convicted gangster recently claimed was living a double life as a drug smuggler and hired killer.  The ruling camp say the story is false.

#UK: Allegations Of "Propaganda" After Pro-EU Comic Books Distributed To Schools

[world politics news]

Brussels bureaucrats were accused of brainwashing children with "shocking propaganda" after it was revealed that the European Union was producing a series of cartoons designed to teach them the virtues of the EU, ahead of a vote next year that will determine whether the UK remains in the Union.

#JAPAN: PM #ShinzoAbe Seeks Record $42 Billion Defense Budget Amid 5-Year Military Build-Up

[world politics news]

PM Shinzo Abe will seek a record US$42 billion defense budget for fiscal year 2016, including 140 billion yen on US military realignment costs, the purchase of 17 SH-60 helicopters, and maneuver combat vehicles. Abe's government adopted a five-year Defense Program at the end of 2013.

#AUSTRALIA: Trade Minister Says Trans-Pacific Partnership With USA, Others, Could Be Signed Within Days; If Not, It's Dead

[world politics news]

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal could be signed within days, according to Trade Minister Andrew Robb. But he says if it's not, "the chances are it will fall apart". Under negotiation for a decade, the deal would tie together the Pacific-facing nations of Australia, the United States, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Vietnam, who between them account for 40 per cent of the world's economy.

Pictured: Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb

#NORWAY: Legislation Would Penalize Those Who Rent to Illegal Immigrants; Allow Private Evictions

[world politics news]

Norwegian Progress Party politician Erlend Wiborg plans to introduce harsh penalties for citizens who provides housing to illegal immigrants. The legislation would allow land owners to remove illegal immigrants residing in their property without a court order. Those who do not remove immigrants could risk up to five years in prison.

#BRAZIL: Pres. Rousseff Vetoes 10% Mandatory Tipping Law

[world politics news]

Waiters in Brazil usually expect a 10% tip for good service, but Congress's plan to make the payment  of a tip mandatory - regardless of the quality of the service - has been vetoed by Pres. Dilma Rousseff, who said it was unconstitutional, since it made payment of a fee mandatory.

#ARGENTINA: Pres. Fernandez Dominates Pres. Campaign, Even While Not A Candidate

[world politics news]

Cristina Fernandez isn't on Sunday's presidential primary ballot, yet the influence of Argentina's leader is all around it. The populist president known for fiery rhetoric is barred from seeking a third consecutive term, but she's making clear she will wield her clout through the Oct. 25 election and possibly beyond.

#STLUCIA: Gov't To Offer Citizenship to 'Significant' Investors In The Country

[world politics news]

St. Lucia is set to become the fifth Eastern Caribbean nation to introduce a Citizenship by Investment program, and the country’s Attorney General has suggested a regional body be established to constantly examine these types of initiatives. St. Lucia joins Grenada, Dominica St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda in offering citizenship to the wealthy in return for substantial investment.

#UK: Scottish Ministers Seek Ban On Growing Genetically-Modified Food

[world politics news]

Scottish ministers are planning to formally ban genetically modified crops from being grown in Scotland, widening a policy divide with the Conservative government in London. Ministers in Edinburgh will apply recent EU powers that allow devolved administrations to opt out of more relaxed standards allowing use of GM crops in the EU.

#CANADA: New Democrat Candidate Stirs Controversy By Saying #Alberta's Oilsands Oil "May Have To Stay In The Ground"

[world politics news]

Toronto New Democratic Party candidate Linda McQuaig has drawn criticism for her comment that "a lot" of oilsands oil will have to be left in the ground for Canada to meet its emissions targets. Her own party's leader, Tom Mulcair, has said Alberta's oilsands should be open for development if there is rigorous environmental protection and legislation to force oil companies to pay for pollution they create.

#HUNGARY: Migrants Cut Through New Border Fence; Higher Fence Planned As 110,000 Illegally Enter

[world politics news]

Nearly two dozen illegal migrants have cut through a hastily-constructed wire fence that Hungary is building on its border with Serbia in an attempt to stop the flow of migration into the country. Nearly 110,000 have fled from Africa through Serbia and into Hungary. Most go on to Western European nations.

#INDONESIA: Election Officials Fear "Puppet Candidates" Running To Avoid Delays As National Politicians Banned From Running

[world politics news]

Parties are finding themselves without candidates for December's regional elections are turning to "filler" or "puppet" candidates after a new law banned those serving in national offices from seeking regional seats. If a region fails to find candidates (and it's happened in two regions) elections could be postponed until 2017.

#SLOVAKIA: Small Town Votes 97% Against Hosting Refugees; Defies Gov't Deal With Austria To Share Burden

[world politics news]

The small southwestern Slovak town of Gabčíkovo voted 97% against placing a refugee camp within its borders. The Slovak government recently made an agreement with Austria on placing 500 refugees seeking asylum in Austria on a temporary basis at the Gabčíkovo branch of the Slovak University of Technology.

#SPAIN: #Catalonia Calls Sept. Vote That Could Set Secession For Region In Motion

[world politics news]

Catalan president Artur Mas will set September 27 as the date for the vote in the wealthy northeastern region, and if an alliance of pro-secession parties wins a majority, they will aim to split from Spain within 18 months despite opposition from the central government in Madrid.

#CANADA: Leaders Of Four National Parties Debate Energy, Senate Reform, Quebec Separatism, Terrorism

[world politics news]

Leaders of Canada's four major parties met Thursday to debate Canada's role in fighting terrorism at home and abroad, Quebec separatism, the economy, and the XL pipeline and other energy transportation plans. New Democratic Party Leader Tom Mulcair was taken to task for introducing the volatile issue of Quebec separatism into the campaign, while Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended his handling of Canada's unpopular appointed Senate.

#JAPAN: PM #ShinzoAbe Seeks Improved Working Conditions For Women

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he wants to reform working conditions in Japan to make it easier for women to actively participate in the workforce. Abe told an international conference of business women in Tokyo that long working hours discourage women from getting jobs, and that shorter working hours are needed to help resolve the issue of Japan's declining population.

#GREECE: PM #AlexisTsipras Warns Rebels In His Party Opposing Deal Of Early Elections

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has warned rebels in his Syriza Party that he could be forced to call early elections if he no longer has a parliamentary majority. Many left-wingers in his party are angry that bailout terms negotiated with the EU are more stringent than those rejected by voters in the recent referendum.

#CANADA: PM #StephenHarper Officially Calls Oct. 19 Federal Election; Longest In History

[world politics news]

Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has officially called the next Federal election for October 19, kicking off the longest election campaign in Canada's history. he hopes to be the first PM since 1908 to win a fourth consecutive term. The New Democrats and Liberals have an equal shot of winning, say observers.

#SCOTLAND: MP Accused Of Assaulting Voter At Polling Station Walks Free After "Blunder"

[world politics news]

A Labour MP charged with attacking a woman at a polling station on the day of Scotland's Independence referendum has walked free. Marie Rimmer allegedly kicked a woman outside a Glasgow polling station last September, the trial was stopped when it was realized prosecutors hadn't included the word "Glasgow" in the charges.

#EU: Air Quality Legislation Called "Ambitious" And "Unrealistic" By Conservative EU Parliamentarians

[world politics news]

The EU parliament's environment committee has backed ambitious air quality legislation, requiring binding national targets on six toxic pollutants. But members of the European Conservatives and Reformists group say the targets are unrealistic and counterproductive.

#ITALY: Five Star Party, Founded in 2009 By Comedian, "Ready To Govern" With New, 29-Year-Old Leader

[world politics news]

Italy's anti-establishment Five Star party, founded in 2009 by former comedian Beppe Grillo, is itching to govern. The movement won a shocking 25.5% of the vote in 2013's election, becoming the second-largest party. Party Leader Luigi di Maio, 29, is the youngest deputy president of the lower house of parliament in Italian history.

#PUERTORICO: U.S. Commonwealth Defaults; Gov. Says Island In "Death Spiral"

[world politics news]

Puerto Rico just went into default for the first time in its history. The commonwealth paid a mere $628,000 toward a $58 million debt bill due Monday to creditors of its Public Finance. The default is a historic moment in Puerto Rico's economic "death spiral," a term used by the island's governor, Alejandro Garcia Padilla.

#SWITZERLAND: Politician Suggests Greece Give Up One Of Its 300 Islands To Settle Debts To The Swiss

[world politics news]

National Council member Pierre Rusconi has suggested that Greece sell one of its islands to Switzerland to settle its debts with the landlocked nation. Pierre Rusconi, a member of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party said Switzerland could put one of 300 islands that Greece up for sale as payment for loans, "Switzerland will probably never see again."

#KOSOVO: Parliament Debates Special Courts To Deal With KLA War Crimes During 1999 War With Serbia

[world politics news]

Kosovo's national assembly is debating a constitutional amendment to set up a special court to deal with war crimes committed by the KLA during Kosovo's war for independence from Serbia in the late 1990s. The debate took place in a nearly empty hall, after Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and then Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaci left. Most LDP members of the assembly also left the sitting, Thaci strongly supports the amendment.

#TURKEY: Nationalist Party Slams People's Democrats For Seeking Votes From "Dishonorable, Whiskey-Drinking Rich People"

[world politics news]

A dust-up between two Turkish parties is gaining attention because of an insulting tit-for-tat among their leaders. Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli attacked the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), criticizing the "dishonorable, whisky-drinking rich people" who voted for the HDP instead of the MHP. The word "dishonorable" can be interpreted in a vulgar way in Turkish.

Pictured: Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli

#GERMANY: Chancellor #AngelaMerkel Will Seek Fourth Term, Reports Der Spiegel Magazine

[world politics news]

According to Germany's most influential political magazine, Der Spiegel, Angela Merkel has decided to run for a fourth term in power and has already started talks on who will run her campaign. The magazine says Merkel has already met with Christian Democratic Union Party secretary to discuss who will coordinate her push for re-election in 2017.

#YEMEN: Exiled PM Bahah Returns to War-Weary Capitol of Aden To Rebuild Gov't"

[world politics news]

Yemen's Prime Minister Khaled Bahah flew into the devastated port of Aden from Saudi exile Saturday, two weeks after loyalist forces ousted Shiite rebels from the city, an airport source said. He was followed by several more officials, whose task will be to restore normality and public services to a city battered by four months of ferocious combat.

#GERMANY: Justice Minister Seeks To Eliminate "Nazi Language" Left In German Laws

[world politics news]

Some laws in Germany still bear traces of the Nazi past, 70 years after the fall of Nazi Germany. The criminal code descriptions of murder and manslaughter were written in 1941 and parts of the original text still remain today, judging crimes based on the character of those committing them. Justice Minister Heiko Maas wants to change this.