#EGYPT: Election Law Changes Pave Way To Parliamentary Elections Delayed Four Months

[world politics]

Four laws declared unconstitutional just weeks before scheduled March 21 Parliamentary elections have been passed, signalling new elections soon. The laws regulate the workings of the House of Representatives, the exercise of political rights, the division of electoral constituencies, and amend the workings of the Supreme Constitutional Court.

#BOLIVIA: Socialist Pres. Morales "Politicizes" Papal Visit With "Communist Crucifix" Gift; Pope: "This Is Not Okay"

[world politics news]

Pres. Evo Morales has sparked outrage by giving visiting Pope Francis a "Communist Crucifix" during his visit to Bolivia. The hammer and sickle symbol, upon which the crucified Christ appears, was designed by a Catholic missionary who was killed in 1980. The pope was heard to utter, "This is not okay" when receiving it.

#IRELAND: German Anti-Muslim Group Moves Into Ireland; Opposes Kerry Mosque, Plans Celtic People's Party

[world politics news]

An Irish branch of the German anti-Muslim group PEDIGA is collecting signatures to stop a mosque in Tralee (located in County Kerry) and plans to form a "Celtic People's Party," according to a group spokesman. Kerry has the highest number of Muslims outside of Cork, Dublin and Limerick. Islam is now Kerry’s third largest religion.

#THAILAND: PM Gen. Prayut Denies Embezzlement Rumors; Military Says Anti-Junta Students Started Rumor

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday rejected rumours he and his wife had wired tens of billions of baht to Singapore. "If I had that amount of money, why would I have to stand here?" said Gen Prayut. He said students at Thammasat University had started the rumors. Students there rallied for the release of 14 students detained over anti-junta protests.

#RUSSIA: #Putin's Party Proposes Ad Ban Against Fast-Food Restaurants, Sugary Drinks

[world politics news]

A proposed bill would make it almost impossible to promote food with high sugar, salt and saturated fat content,, in an attempt to encourage healthy food habits. MP Vasiliy Shestakov of the majority United Russia Party says he views fast food and alcohol ads as equal threats.

#JAPAN: Hashimoto Considers Launching New Regional Party

[world politics news]

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who also serves as senior adviser to the Japan Innovation Party he helped found, has expressed interest in forming an all-Kansai region party as early as September, which could split the party into eastern and western Japan factions.

#RUSSIA: Former PM Kasyanov To Lead Party Of People's Freedom; May Seek Presidency

[world politics news]

Former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has become the sole leader of the newly reorganized PARNAS Party ("Party of People’s Freedom") and said he may run for president in 2018. The 57-year-old had co-chaired the party with Boris Nemtsov, who was gunned down in Moscow ni February.

#IRELAND: Dublin Elects First Sinn Féin Party Mayor

[world politics news]

Críona Ní Dhálaigh, Sinn Féin councilor and "Dub, born and bred," has been elected as the new Lord Mayor of Dublin by the city's 63-member council. Ní Dhálaigh replaces Christy Burke after an agreement was made that a Sinn Féin councilor would take over the position during the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

#TRINIDADANDTOBAGO: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar Calls For Commonwealth Observers To Monitor Elections

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has requested an observer team from the Commonwealth for the September 7 general election. The request comes on the heels of a similar one by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley requesting Caricom observers. Rowley says the Persad-Bissessar-led government has "interfered with" a number of state institutions.

#UK: After Winning Nearly 4 Million Votes, UK Independence Pty May Not Get Any Appointments to Lords

[world politics news]

It may be 2020 before the UK Independence Party adds to its three peers in the House of Lords, said PM David Cameron, despite winning nearly 4 million voters in the recent general election. The Liberal Democrats, which were all but wiped out, could add more to their 102 peers.

#UK: Left-Leaning Unite Union Latest To Back Socialist Labour Leadership Candidate Corbyn

[world politics news]

Several Labour MPs supported Jeremy Corbyn's entry into the party's leadership race at the last minute last month "to broaden the debate," but are possibly regretting their kindness after five labor unions have now thrown their support behind him. The latest is the largest, Unite.

#VENEZUELA: John Kerry Urges Maduro Gov't And Opposition To Find "Peaceful Resolution" Before Dec. 6 Elections; Oppo Ldr Remains Jailed

[world politics news]

US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Venezuela's government and opposition to find a "peaceful resolution" to their disputes before a Dec. 6 parliamentary election. Opposition Leader Leopoldo López remains jailed by the Socialist regime, and ended a month-long hunger strike June 23 after elections were announced.

#GREECE: Finance Min. Varoufakis Ousted After Winning "No" Vote; Pressure From Eurozone Ministers

[world politics news]

Greece's Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has quit, citing pressure on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras from Eurozone political leaders and banking interests. Varoufakis infuriated Eurozone leaders recently by comparing Greece’s creditors to terrorists. He wrote on his blog:  "I shall wear the creditors’ loathing with pride."

#IRELAND: Bill Would Garnish Wages, Welfare Benefits, Of Those Refusing To Pay Water Fees

[world politics news]

A bill to force payment from those refusing to pay controversial new nationwide water utility fees has been introduced in parliament. The bill allows a court to order deductions from social welfare payments and the attachment of their wages. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said it also abolishes imprisonment of debtors.

#TUNISIA: Pres. Declares State Of Emergency In Wake of Beach Massacre; Assumes More Powers, Limits Assembly Rights

[world politics news]

Pres. Beji Caid Essebsi declared a state of emergency Saturday to give his government more powers following an Islamic militant attack on a beach hotel, in which 38 foreign tourists, including 30 Britons were killed. The state of emergency gives security forces more powers and limits the right to public assembly.

#PALESTINIANAUTHORITY: Abbas Gov't Works With Israel To Arrest Over 100 Hamas Supporters

[world politics news]

In a sign of the Palestinian Authority's latest attempts to separate itself from Hamas, Pres. Mahmoud Abbas has ordered the arrest of Hamas leaders and sympathizers, arresting over 100 and charging them with "threatening the general security" and stability of the West Bank.

#UKRAINE: Pro-Russian Rebels Plan August Elections; Central Gov't Warn They'd Violate Peace Accord

[world politics news]

Pro-Russian separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine say they will hold their own elections in October. The announcement drew a sharp rebuke from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who said any election that did not occur with oversight from Kiev could violate last February’s Minsk peace accord.

Pictured: Alexander Zakharchenko, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine.

#MALAYSIA: PM Najib Rejects Accusations He Pocketed US$700 Million As "Political Sabotage"

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Najib Razak says a report that over US$700 million was wired to his personal account from banks, government agencies and companies linked to the debt-laden state development fund is "political sabotage." The fund, which was founded by Najib and is under investigation, denies giving him any money.

#GREECE: #Athens Mayor Says "No" Vote Risks "Isolation" Within Europe; Criticizes EU Handling of Greece

[world politics news]

Ahead of Sunday's referendum on an EU bailout, Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis warned that a vote against the creditors’ proposals would isolate Greece. Kaminis is heading up the national "Yes" vote to accept the EU bailout and austerity it will bring. He also critiqued the EU's handling of the crisis.

#UK: European Commission VP "Terribly Annoyed" By How Often EU Critic Farage Is Correct

[world politics news]

European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans says he is "terribly annoyed" how many times UK Independence Party Leader Nigel Farage correctly diagnoses problems with the European Union, especially on the issue of migration. "I get terribly annoyed when he's right. And on some issues he is right too often."