#THEPHILIPPINES: Marcos Visits China To Deepen Ties

[world politics news] 

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Beijing yesterday for a 48-hour visit, during which he is expected to meet Chinese leader Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 and his No. 2 Lǐ Kèqiáng 李克强 in a bid to deepen ties with the world’s second-largest economy.

The visit will be Marcos’s first foreign trip for 2023 and his first bilateral visit to a non-ASEAN country, ever since the son of the former dictator won a sweeping election victory in May.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BRAZIL: As Leftist Lula Sworn In As President, Bolsonaro Boycotts, flees to Florida

[world politics news]

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected, took the reins of the Brazilian government Sunday in an elaborate inauguration, complete with a motorcade, music festival and hundreds of thousands of supporters filling the central esplanade of Brasília, the nation’s capital.

But one key person was missing: the departing president, Jair Bolsonaro.

Without him, there was no ceremonial passing of the presidential sash ,  an important symbol of the peaceful transition of power in a nation where many people still recall the 21-year military dictatorship that ended in 1985.

Instead, Bolsonaro woke up Sunday 6,000 miles away, in a rented house owned by a professional mixed-martial-arts fighter a few miles from Disney World. Facing various investigations from his time in his office, Bolsonaro flew to Orlando on Friday night and plans to stay in Florida for at least a month.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#LAOS: Parliament Votes For New Prime Minister

[world politics news]

Laotian lawmakers overwhelmingly voted into office a new prime minister after the country's former leader stepped down over health concerns, state media reported.

Sonexay Siphandone, Laos's former deputy prime minister, took leadership of the communist nation with 149 of 151 national parliamentary votes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CROATIA: EU Parliament Lets Croatia Into Travel Zone

[world politics news]

The European Parliament has cleared the way for the admission of Croatia to the bloc’s passport-free Schengen zone, leaving the final decision in the hands of the EU’s government leaders.

With a 534-53 majority, the parliament on Thursday voted in favor of lifting the remaining border controls between the Schengen area and Croatia.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Alberta Asserts Its Sovereignty

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New Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s administration kicked off with the introduction of Bill 1: the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, the opening salvo in her fight against the Federal government in Ottawa. The flagship policy promise and the source of heated debate for months passed in just over two weeks, receiving Royal Assent by Lt.-Gov Salma Lakhani and coming into force earlier this month.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#OMAN: Lower House Expands Israeli Boycott Rules

[world politics news]

Oman’s lower house of parliament voted to expand its Israel boycott law on Monday, amid speculation in Israeli press that certain restrictions could be lifted.

The Majlis al-Shura, or Consultative Assembly, voted to amend the first clause of its Israel boycott law to include any sports, cultural or economic contact. The amendment also specifically bans in-person or online interaction with Israelis.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#EU: Euro Parliament Bans Lobbying By Qataris After Suspected Bribery Attempts

[world politics news]

Members of the European Parliament voted on Thursday to suspend access to the body's premises to Qatari representatives as the Gulf country is suspected of having offered "large sums of money" and "substantial gifts" to MEPs and assistants in a bid to influence European decision-making.

Lawmakers also decided to halt all pending legislation involving Qatar.

The investigation by Belgian police into undue influence by a Persian Gulf state widely believed to be Qatar has sent shockwaves through Brussels and thrown into question the parliament's transparency and lobbying rules.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CANADA: Tax Group Slams Edmonton For Bike Lanes

[world politics news]

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says Edmonton city council is “blowing” $100 million on bike lanes for a handful of winter cyclists.

Councillors voted on Friday to give $100 million to implement the city-wide bike lane network.

Kris Sims, Alberta Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, says city politicians should “read the room.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#NEWZEALAND: Lifetime Ban On Cigarette Sales For Those Born After 2008

[world politics news]

New Zealand last week passed extensive legislation aimed at preventing minors from becoming smokers, including a lifetime prohibition on cigarette sales to everyone born after 2008.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FIJI: Parliament Elects New Prime Minister After Elections

[world politics news]

People's Alliance Party Leader Sitiveni Rabuka was elected Fiji's next Prime Minister on Saturday after receiving 28 votes in a secret ballot in parliament.

The vote ends coup leader Frank Bainimarama's reign as leader of the country after 16 years. Bainimarama received 27 votes on Saturday.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#GERMANY: Govt Suspends Business Incentives For Iran Trade

[world politics news]

Germany's government is suspending state measures designed to foster business with Iran due to the repression of nationwide protests in the Islamic Republic, the economy ministry said on Friday.

The suspension will affect export credits and investment guarantees as well as Germany's manager training and trade fair programs in Iran, the ministry said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#USA: Senate Bill Seeks Transparency of Social Media Giants

[world politics news]

A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill Wednesday aimed at increasing transparency for Twitter, Facebook and other social media companies as lawmakers debate whether to ban TikTok.

The Platform Accountability and Transparency Act is intended to make the companies' internal data more accessible to the public by requiring the submission of necessary data to independent researchers. The bill is sponsored by Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law; Rob Portman, R-Ohio, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and Bill Cassidy, R-LA.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Controversial Scottish Gender Bill Vote Delayed

[world politics news]

The final vote on controversial proposals to make it easier for people in Scotland to change their legally recognised gender will be held later than planned.

The Scottish Parliament had been due to vote on the legislation on Wednesday.

But with MSPs still debating proposed changes to the bill late at night, a decision was taken to delay the vote until Thursday afternoon.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#PERU: Parliament Calls Early Election Amid Turmoil

[world politics news]

Peru has been gripped by nationwide unrest since the impeachment and arrest of President Pedro Castillo on December 7. The demonstrators protest against Castillo's disempowerment and demand the resignation of his successor Boluarte.

They are also demanding that Parliament be dissolved and that new elections be held immediately. More than 20 people were killed during the protests. The snap elections now scheduled by parliament for May, 2024 are an attempt to contain the crisis.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: Citing Threats, Gov't Set To Expand Military

[world politics news]

The Japanese government has unveiled plans to drastically expand its defense capabilities. 

In what would be the biggest military build-up since World War II, Tokyo aims to double its defense spending over the next five years and install missiles capable of striking an enemy launch site. 

It's a controversial move, marking another major step away from the country's pacifist constitution that severely limits the use of military force. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Scotland Set To Enshrine Gender Pronouns Into Law

[world politics news]

The UK Equalities Minister will use a dramatic eleventh-hour intervention ahead of the Scottish parliament’s gender reform vote to implore the SNP to delay the changes. 

Kemi Badenoch will meet Shona Robison, an ally of Nicola Sturgeon and the person steering the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill through parliament, tomorrow – only 24 hours before final talks on the divisive law begin. 

It is understood Ms Badenoch will call on the Scottish Government to explain how it has reached the conclusion that allowing people to self-identify as a different gender is the right path for Scotland, its people and the rest of the UK. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#TUNISIA: Election Draws 8% Turnout

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Polls closed at 6pm after controversial parliamentary elections in Tunisia, the first vote since the opposition-controlled chamber was suspended by President Kais Saied in July 2021 and later dissolved.

The elections were marked by low voter turnout, with 8.8 percent according to the electoral commission.

The opposition has boycotted Saturday’s election, calling the vote the latest step in Saied’s consolidation of power, which included the passage of a new constitution in August that did away with the country’s hybrid parliamentary democracy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#INDIA: MP Introduces Financial Literacy Education Bill

[world politics news]

Bengaluru South Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya (BJP Party) urged the government to consider introducing financial literacy as a subject in schools and colleges to help the young generation plan their financial future better

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

CANADA: Alberta AG Says No prosecutions Under Federal Gun Ban

[world politics news]

Alberta Attorney General Tyler Shandro issued a stern notice to the Trudeau Liberals, announcing the province is seizing back constitutional power from the feds to protect legal gun-owners from being persecuted under Bill C-21.

“Albertans have had enough. So today we are taking action,” Shandro said.

“First, as Alberta’s attorney general, I have directed that the Alberta crown prosecution service takeover the handling of charges involving the Firearms Act starting January 1st 2023.”

He said as things currently stand, the federal government handles these matters. 

Shandro’s announcement Thursday effectively protects legal gun owners from suddenly becoming criminals if Bill C-21 comes into force.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRALIA: Parliament Considers Taxing Coal Export Profits

[world politics news]

New research reveals Australian coal export revenue reached $112 billion in 2021-22, an increase on the previous year of $73b or 186%, as Federal Parliament reconvenes to legislate price caps on coal and gas companies making windfall profits, according to a new report From Russia With Love by leading public policy think-tank the Australia Institute.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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