#CANADA: #Quebec Premier Blasted for Speaking English Only At Iceland Economic Summit

[world politics news]

At an Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland last week, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard spoke in English, rather than French, as did other attendees. But back home, he was attacked for not speaking French. Couillard challenged one critic to, "go to the London and New York financial circles and pitch your remarkable economic plan - in French only. Let’s see how that goes."

#JAPAN: Gov't Drafts Plans to Halt Alarming Population Decline

[world politics news]

The Japanese government is drafting plans to increase the nation's birthrate in the face of an alarming decline in population. Both short-term and long-term plans are being drafted to halt the decrease in Japan's population at around the 100 million by 2060.

#UK: Poll Shows 80% Support Greater Devolution of Powers to #England, Local Areas

[world politics news]

#ITALY: #EU Comm. Pres. #Juncker Responds to Italian PM #Renzi's Attack: "Not the Leader of a Gang of Bureaucrats"

[world politics news]

In the latest in an ongoing war of words between Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the European Union, European Commission Pres. Jean-Claude Juncker hit back at Renzi's recent remarks about him and the EU, saying he is “not the leader of a gang of bureaucrat.".

#JAPAN: Four Candidates Seek to Become #Okinawa's Governor; Race Focused on US Naval Base

[world politics news]

Mikio Shimoji,one of four candidate seeking to become Okinawa's governor

#GERMANY: #Merkel Calls for Expanded Sanctions, Covering #Ukraine Pro-Russian Separatists

[world politics news]

#USA: "Debacle" For Pres. Obama As GOP Wins Senate, Expands House Control, in Historic Mid-Term Election

[world politics news]

Sen.-Elect Joni Ernst of Iowa, one of at least seven new Republican Senators elected Tuesday.

#USA: Leading Iowa Sen. Cand. #JoniErnst "Offended" By Sexist #TaylorSwift Comparo

[world politics news]

Former Democratic Iowa Senator Tom Harkin compared Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst to "attractive" singer Taylor Swift, causing Ernst to say she was "greatly offended" by the statement, which was largely seen as sexist. He later apologized. Ernst is leading her Democratic rival by 7 points in the polls.

#SPAIN: PM #MarianoRajoy Apologizes After Several Members of the Popular Party Are Arrested on Corruption Charges

[world politics news]

#SWEDEN: Legislators Call New Leftist Gov't's Recognition of Palestinian State "Immature"; Israel Recalls Ambassador

[world politics news]

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. 

Opposition members of Sweden's legislature are calling the newly-installed Left-leaning Social Democratic Party government's recognition of Palestine "immature" and that recognition, which included the terrorist group Hamas, would damage the country's international reputation. Israel recalled its ambassador over the vote and warned of other diplomatic and political repercussions.

#HUNGARY: Embattled Pres. #ViktorOrban Nixes Internet Tax Proposal After Mass Protests

[world politics news]

#CANADA: #Wildrose Party Ldr #DanielleSmith Puts Her Job on the Line After 3 Failed By-Elections Monday

[world politics news]

Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith will ask the party for support after it lost three by-elections this past Monday under her leadership. She says the parties policies must also be reviewed but believes it is the best party to bring rural and urban voters together.

#UK: Actress Says Timing for Labour Support for Palestinian State "Sucks"; Ends 5 Decades of Support

[world politics news]

British actress Maulrine Lipman has withdrawn support for the Labour Party after party leader Ed Miliband voiced support for a Palestinian State. The lifelong Labour Party supporter said his timing "sucked," citing rising European anti-Semitism, and said she would vote for "almost any other party" in next year's general election.

#BURKINAFASO: Gov't Cancels Vote To Extend Pres. Term After Violent Protest

[world politics news]

After violent protests, in which the parliament building was set on fire, the government will no longer seek to amend the constitution to allow Pres. Blaise Compaore to extend his term in office next year, when it was scheduled to end.

#UK: #Merkel To Oppose #Cameron's Call to Renegotiate Low-Skilled Migration Within #EU

[world politics news]

#TUNISIA: Secular Pty Defeats Islamist Party in Parliamentary Election

[world politics news]

#ITALY: Nationalist Ptys Criticize American Military's Ebola Containment Plans in Italy

[world politics news]

Luca Zaia, the speaker of the Veneto Assembly and a member of the nationalist Northern League, has criticized plans by the American military to quarantine US soldiers returning from Liberia in Italy while they are tested for Ebola. Members of other parties also expressed concern.

#INDONESIA: Politicians, Corruption-Fighters, Call for Pres. Widodo to Appoint a "Brave" Attorney General

[world politics news]

Politicians and corruption fighters have called on President Joko Widodo to pick a new attorney general who can reform the law enforcement agency, long beleaguered by graft cases. The post, previously occupied by career public prosecutor Basrief Arief, is now vacant after his term ended last week.

#NEWZEALAND: PM #JohnKey Confirms 2 Referenda Over 2 years On Flag Design

[world politics news]

One proposal for a revised New Zealand flag is the "silver fern" flag of the popular All Blacks rugby team.

#CANADA: #JohnTory Wins #Toronto Mayoral Race

[world politics news]