#CANADA: Ontario Bill Would Mandate Vax In Healthcare, Education Sectors

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Legislation has been introduced in the Ontario legislative assembly that would require mandatory covid-19 vaccinations in the education and healthcare sectors throughout the province.  

The Bill, introduced by Ontario Liberal Party member John Fraser, requires specified education sector organizations and healthcare sector organizations to require their employees and other individuals that they retain to provide services to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Certain exceptions are provided for, such as where complying with the requirement would result in a contravention of the Human Rights Code. In such cases, the education sector organization or healthcare sector organization must ensure that the individual’s duties do not require direct contact with specified persons and that the individual undergo training respecting the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccinations

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Chief Executive Injured In Fall

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Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has been released after a night in hospital where she was treated for a bone fracture.

The injury in her right elbow was caused by a fall at the 64-year-old's residence.

Lam “attended the hospital by herself and was diagnosed with a minor right elbow fracture after checking by doctors,” a statement released by the Chief Executive’s Office at around midnight on Tuesday read.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IRAQ: Shi'ite Party Wins Majority In Parliamentary Election

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Turnout in Iraq's parliamentary election earlier this month reached 43%, the nation's electoral commission said, a small increase from preliminary results but lower than that in the last election in 2018.

More than 9.6 million people cast their ballots in the Oct. 10 vote, the commission said.

Populist Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said his movement secured the biggest number of seats in the parliament adding that he would not challenge the results.

He led an insurgency against American forces after the war that deposed Saddam Hussein.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRIA: Chancellor Kurz Resigns Amid Corruption Probe

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Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has stepped down, after pressure triggered by a corruption investigation.

He has proposed Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as his replacement.

Kurz and nine others were placed under investigation after raids at a number of locations linked to his conservative People's Party (ÖVP), including his own office.

He denies claims he used government money to ensure positive coverage in a tabloid newspaper.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

 

#UK: British Conservative Politician Stabbed To Death

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Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed multiple times at his constituency meeting in Essex, in Southeast England.

Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after the attack at a church in Leigh-on-Sea.

They recovered a knife and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. A counter terrorism team will lead the investigation.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke of his shock and sadness at the loss of "one of the kindest" people in politics.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: Pres. Candidate Le Pen Would "Tear Down" Wind Turbines

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France's right-leaning presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has said that she will tear down the country's wind turbine, end all subsidies for renewable energy, and focus on nuclear energy if elected president.

She added that she would scrap the subsidies for wind and solar, which she said added up to six or seven billion euros per year and put a heavy burden on consumers' power bills.

Le Pen also said that she would provide strong support for France's nuclear industry.

France produces about 75 per cent of its power in nuclear plants and has an active anti-wind movement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SINGAPORE: Robots To Police Anti-Social Behavior Tested

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There are new sheriffs in town in Singapore, and they are unnerving many who live there.

Called "Xavier," the robots are equipped with seven cameras that enable them to detect "undesirable social behavior," for instance if you incorrectly park your bike, if you smoke in an unauthorized area or if social distancing is not being respected.

According to project manager Michael Lim, these machines are a new weapon against insecurity.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HAITI: Elections Again Postponed

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General elections scheduled for November in Haiti have been postponed indefinitely after the country's prime minister dismissed all members of the body which organizes elections.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he would appoint a new electoral council, but has not said when he would do so.

It is the fourth time the election has been postponed.

Haiti has been torn apart by a fierce power struggle triggered by the killing of President Jovenel Moïse in July.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: Submarine Deal Signed Between France And Greece

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Greece and France have signed a $5 billion deal for Athens to buy at least four French-made warships. French and American contractors had been in a bidding war since 2019, when Greece announced it was looking to buy half a dozen naval attack vessels. For French President Emmanuel Macron, it was a much-needed win after the recent AUKUS debacle, when the US froze Paris out of a security pact with Australia and the UK, nixing a contract for Australia to buy French submarines. 

Macron and Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis touted the deal as a move towards European "strategic autonomy" (since coming to power in 2017, Macron has been a strong advocate of Europe pursuing a defense strategy independent from the US). 

Greece, for its part, has also been looking to boost its own military capabilities amid deteriorating relations with longtime foe Turkey over competing maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean.

It should be noted that despite the traditional hostility between Greece and Turkey, both are members of NATO, the military alliance that supposedly works together on military matters. This deal is a significant departure from that alliance, and NATO officials have expressed their concern and dismay over the deal.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: NDP Leader Says Party May Withhold Votes From Liberals

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Fresh off national elections that left the ruling Liberal Party in the minority, relying on other parties to get its legislation through Parliament, Canadian New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh is signalling a tougher approach to co-operation with the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Singh says his caucus is prepared to “withhold votes” if Trudeau presses ahead with legislation it does not agree with.

The NDP is the fourth largest party in Parliament after the election, with 25 seats. Trudeau's liberals say they are seeking to work with other parties like the Greens to get their agenda passed.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Member Of Parliament Dies Of lung Cancer, Tributes Pour In

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Fellow politicians have paid tribute to Conservative Member of Parliament James Brokenshire, who has died aged 53, having been diagnosed with lung cancer more than three years ago.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the father of three, a former Northern Ireland secretary, as the "nicest, kindest" colleague.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer called him "a thoroughly decent man."

Brokenshire, a lifelong non-smoker, stood down as a Home Office minister earlier this year.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BELARUS: Parliament Blocks Migrant Crossings

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Lawmakers in Belarus have voted to suspend an agreement with the European Union obliging the ex-Soviet nation to take back migrants that crossed its territory into the EU.

The vote in the upper house of the Belarusian parliament formalizes the move that was announced by Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko in June.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Parliament Was "Misled" On Cost Of Net Zero Emissions Plan, Says Policy Group

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The UK Sunday Telegraph reports that Parliament was misled into supporting Net Zero plans to decarbonize the British economy.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) told MPs that British households and businesses would face only a modest cost for reaching Net Zero emissions in 2050, but analysis of their financial models by the Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF) shows that key assumptions were not credible even at the time the report was published.

The revelations come after the CCC spent two years and tens of thousands of pounds resisting attempts to have the Net Zero model spreadsheets released under Freedom of Information legislation. The Information Tribunal finally forced their disclosure in August this year.

Dr Benny Peiser, GWPF director said: 

'"It is clear that the CCC’s net zero costings were incomplete, biased, and grossly misleading. Parliament was, in essence, misled and net zero was mis-sold."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#RUSSIA: Courts Fine Facebook, Twitter For "Banned Content"

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Russia has fined Facebook and Twitter for not deleting banned content, adding to a slew of penalties the government has imposed on foreign tech giants.

Russia has recently been tightening controls over U.S.-based tech companies and has accused them of interfering in parliamentary polls last month.

A court in Moscow slapped Facebook with five fines totaling 21 million rubles ($288,000), according to an official Telegram channel. The same court fined Twitter 5 million rubles.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ROMANIA: Gov't Of PM Citu Falls After No-Confidence Vote

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The Romanian government of liberal Prime Minister Florin Citu was ousted by a no-confidence vote among MPs Tuesday, threatening fresh political instability in one of the EU’s poorest states.

Former banker Citu had only been prime minister since December, but the center-right USR party withdrew from his coalition last month complaining about his “dictatorial attitude."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRALIA: New South Wales Premier, Deputy Premier, Resign

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New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced she will quit as NSW Premier after the Independent Commission Against Corruption revealed she was being investigated.

Berejiklian read a prepared statement and did not take any questions. She was advised about the ICAC investigation on Thursday afternoon.

Berejiklian has been mentioned as a possible future Prime Minister of Australia.

New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro reportedly followed his leader Monday by resigning from politics. He was a strong advocate for vaccine passports, a notion that has sparked riots in the country.

Barilaro's departure will trigger a by-election in Monaro, adding to the other two by-elections scheduled for Berejiklian’s seat in Willoughby and Constance’s seat in Bega.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: Kishida Elected Prime Minister By Lower House Of Parliament

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Fumio Kishida, widely known as a low-key consensus builder, had been voted in as Japan's new prime minister by Japan's lawmakers.

The soft-spoken scion of a Hiroshima political family, Kishida beat popular vaccine chief Taro Kono to win leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party last week.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Business Secretary Blames Capitalism For Climate Change

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Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary in the Conservative's cabinet, has blamed the capitalist free market for global warming and said that governments around the world have a duty “to legislate and intervene” to protect the environment.

Kwarteng, who was once seen as being on the right of the Conservative Party, said there had been a “market failure” over climate change.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#TAIWAN: Membership Application To Regional Trade Group Likely To Be Opposed By China

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Taiwan has sparked controversy by applying to join an 11-nation Pacific trade group, setting up a potential clash with rival Beijing over the status of the self-governing island democracy.

Taiwan’s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership might be disrupted if China, which applied last week, is admitted first, said John Deng, a minister without portfolio. 

China claims that Taiwan is part of the Communist mainland nation. Taiwan, while stopping short of declaring independence, is self-governing, though only recognized as independent by the United States and few other nations.

Granting membership to Taiwan would likely give it a legitimacy as a self-governing nation, which China is likely to oppose.

The CPTPP, which took effect in 2018, includes agreements on market access, movement of labor and government procurement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#RUSSIA: Opposition Communist Party Protests Duma Election's Use Of Online Voting

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More than 1,000 Russian demonstrators, angered by the official tally from online voting during last week's parliamentary elections, defied warnings from authorities on September 25 to protest in central Moscow.

The protest was organized by several Russian politicians, most of them Communists, who said they were cheated of victory by an online voting system.

Calling for the online voting system to be scrapped, the protesters held up posters with slogans, such as "bring back the elections."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#GERMANY: Merkel Era Ends As Social Democrats Win Election

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Germany's center-left Social Democrats (SPD) have claimed victory in the federal election, telling the party of outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel it should no longer be in power.

SPD leader Olaf Scholz said he had a clear mandate to form a government, while his conservative rival Armin Laschet remains determined to fight on.

The two parties have governed together for years. But Scholz says it is time for a new coalition with the Greens and liberals.

Such a coalition is likely to continue dismantling Germany's nuclear and coal fired plants in favor of arguably less reliable renewable energy sources.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Conservatives Debate O:Toole's Future After Election Loss

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Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole's failure to end Justin Trudeau's government is inspiring some frustrated partisans to call for his replacement.

O'Toole promised to make inroads in the Greater Toronto Area and fell well short of the mark; the party actually lost seats in this vote-rich region. O'Toole's attempt to shift the party closer to the political centre also alienated some more right-wing small-c conservative supporters — some of whom voted for the People's Party of Canada (PPC).

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Deputy Labour Party Leader Calls Top Conservative Party Leaders "Scum"

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Deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner refused to apologize for describing senior Tories as “scum” as Sir Keir Starmer distanced himself from her comments.

Rayner’s attack, delivered at a reception for activists at the Labour Party conference, has outraged members of the Government, with one minister accusing her of “talking crap."

But Rayner said she would only apologize if Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was sorry for past comments he made “that are homophobic, that are racist, that are misogynistic."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ISRAEL: New Jersey Threatens To Opt From Pension Fund Over Ben & Jerry's BDS Stand

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Following in Arizona’s footsteps, the state of New Jersey announced Tuesday that it could divest funds from Ben & Jerry’s, along with its parent company, Unilever, over the ice cream firm’s decision to cease sales in Israeli settlements, becoming the second US state to do so.

The director of the New Jersey Division of Investment penned a letter to Unilever CEO Alan Jope earlier this month notifying him that the state’s review of Ben & Jerry’s July boycott decision reached a preliminary conclusion that the company had breached local laws requiring divestment from firms that boycott Israel.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HUNGARY: PM Orban Defies EU Over Blocking Funds

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused the European Commission of blocking funds over the country's LGBT policies.

Orban has claimed that the EU had failed to approve Hungary's coronavirus recovery plan because of their disagreements over gay rights.

"The funds are loans that Brussels does not want to give us because of the debate on our LGBT policy," he said in an interview with state media.

In June, the Hungarian parliament banned the "promotion and portrayal of homosexuality" to citizens under the age of 18. 

Orban presented the legal amendment as a child protection tool.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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