#IRAQ: Lower Oil Prices Cause Iraq To Slash National Budget

[world politics news]

With oil prices plummeting and the economy squeezed by inefficiency and corruption, Iraq’s parliament has approved a belt-tightening budget. The step is widely seen as having significant ramifications for the country’s volatile domestic politics and the war against the ISIS terror group.

#JAPAN: Lowering Voting Age from 21 to 18 Has Support From All Parties

[world politics news]

The voting age in Japan is set to be lowered from 20 to 18 in the current Diet session, the first such revision to the election law in 70 years. The two ruling coalition parties and four opposition entities agreed to the measure Feb. 6. As all six parties occupy a majority in the Diet, it is certain to be passed.

#KENYA: Police Seeking Leads in Gangland-Style Murder of Member of Parliament

[world politics news]

Police are hoping for video footage to help solve the murder of a member of parliament in Nairobi early Saturday morning. The scene of murder, opposite Nyayo House, is about 20 meters from closed circuit television surveillance cameras installed last year.

#NIGERIA: Election Commission Postpones Feb. 14 Election, Cites Boko Haram Terrorism

[world politics news]

Nigeria's electoral commission has postponed the February 14 presidential election by six weeks over concerns about the nation's security. Commission chief Attahiru Jega said he had been told troops would not be available to help patrol the ballot because they would be fighting Boko Haram terrorists.

#CANADA: PM #StephenHarper Polls as Best "CEO;" #JustinTrudeau Is Best Movie Buddy

[world politics news]

A poll asked Canadians were asked which federal politicians best fit a random sample of 16 descriptors. PM Stephen Harper scored highest with Canadians in five descriptors, including "CEO. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was best suited as a movie theater buddy. Need $100 loan? See New Democrat Leader Thomas Mulcair.

TUNISIA: Lawmakers Approve Groundbreaking Coalition Gov't After First Free Election

[world politics news]

Parliament has approved a coalition government led by the secular Nidaa Tounes Party and including its Islamist rivals, following landmark free elections last year. Of 204 MPs attending, 166 voted in favor, 30 against and eight abstained, after PM Habib Essid withdrew an earlier list that excluded moderate Islamists Ennahda.

#INDIA: High Court Critical Of Gov't After 800 Rented Security Cams Removed

[world politics news]

The Delhi High Court has criticized the government after it removed 800 closed circuit cameras from the streets of New Delhi after Pres. Obama's January visit. At a time of high crime and concern over increased rapes, the rented cameras should have remained in place, they said in a statement.

#DEMREPUBLICOFCONGO: Parliament Scraps Lengthy Pre-Election Census Requirement

[world politics news]

DR Congo's National Assembly speaker Aubin Minaku

After violent riots in which 40 people were killed, Democratic Republic of Congo's lawmakers scrapped a contested part of an electoral bill requiring a census before the 2016 election. Opponents said it could have taken years in the large nation, allowing Pres. Joseph Kabila to extend his grip on power.

#UK: Culture Sec. #SajidJavid May Join Tory Backbench Revolt On Blank Cig Packs

[world politics news]

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid has hinted that he may join a growing Tory backbench revolt and oppose the government's plan to force all cigarettes to be sold in all-white, blank packages. The move is a growing international trend, but Javid says there isn't yet enough evidence for the move.

#UK: House of Commons Approves Three-Parent Babies

[world politics news]

#RUSSIA: Politician Calls #Gays "Mentally Ill" After Lesbian Selfie Photo-Bombs Him

[world politics news]

A St. Petersburg politician known for proposing anti-gay legislation says he will retaliate after a selfie went viral showing two lesbians kissing on a plane, with him sleeping in the background. Vitaly Milonov called the women "stupid" and said he'd investigate a gay club one of them runs.

#ARGENTINA: Murdered Prosecutor Had Drafted Arrest Warrant For Pres. Kirchner

[world politics news]

Prosecutor Alberto Nisman drafted an arrest warrant for Pres. Cristina Kirchner which was recovered from the trash at his apartment following his death last month, the day before an appearance before lawmakers in which he was expected to accuse Kirchner of mounting a cover-up over a 1994 Jewish Center bombing.

#IRELAND: House Speaker Faces "No Confidence" Vote After Voicing Public Complaints

[world politics news]

Dáil Speaker Seán Barrett may face a no confidence vote after accusing Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin parties of trying to undermine his position, after he ruled a debate "out of order." Barrett complained of the parties' actions on a radio program. Barrett's statement Tuesday failed to placate the parties.

#JAPAN: Asian Neighbors Support Japan For Non-Permanent #UN Security Council Seat

[world politics news]

UN member nations in the Asia-Pacific region have chosen Japan as their sole candidate for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the next two-year term. The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members.

#AUSTRALIA: Early Results Show "Extraordinary" Win For Labor Pty in Queensland Election

[world politics news]

Deeply unpopular Liberal/National Party Premier Campbell Newman has lost to the daughter of a former Queensland Labor minister, Annastacia Palaszczuk, who was thought unlikely to win following a disastrous 2012 election for Labor, which had just 7 seats left in the state's parliament.

#SAUDIARABIA: King Salman Orders US$30 million In Spending, 2-month Bonus for Civil Servants, Removes 2 Govs.

[world politics news]

In moves seen as attempts to consolidate his power and reassure subjects of a smooth transition, newly elevated King Salman ordered $30 million in new spending, which included generous 2-month salary bonuses for civil servants. He also replaced two of the former king's sons as governors and reshuffled the cabinet.

#YEMEN: Spectre Secession for South Yemen Rises Again After Gov't Crumbles

[world politics news]

Sentiments in south Yemen for possible secession are unifying in the face of Houthi Shia extremists forcing the government's recent collapse in the northern capitol of Sanaa. Experts say secession is now more credible, and with its leaders stressing they have no intention to accomplish it with violence.

#JAPAN: PM #ShinzoAbe Angered By #ISIS Murder of Hostage; Vows Justice

[world politics news]

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe  expressed outrage over the murder of journalist Kenji Goto by ISIS, and vowed to increase regional humanitarian aid and not give in to terrorism. A cabinet minister, however, said the outrage wouldn't prompt the peaceful nation to use its military in the region in any capacity.

#FRANCE: National Assembly Narrowly Rejects Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide Bill

[world politics news]

A bill supported by National Assembly Member Véronique Massonneau was rejected by two votes in a near-empty chamber. The Europe Ecology-Green legislator's bill would have legalized euthanasia and helped support assisted suicides in France.

#BURMA: Members of New Parliament Approved Bill to Triple Their Own Salaries

[world politics news]

Among the first bills passed by the freshly convened parliament was to raise their own salaries, and those of regional legislators. Salaries for the 2015-16 term will rise from US$292 to $1,000/month. Regional legislators get a raise from $195 to $487/month. US$1 is = 1025.50 Burmese Kyat.