After approving the budget for 2021, Israel's lawmakers approved a spending plan for 2022 as well. PM Naftali Bennett tweeted saying Israel was back on track after the package was approved.

Israel parliament approves 2022 budget, PM Bennett clears last legislative hurdle

The draft of Sri Lanka's new Constitution has been completed and it is expected to be ready for Parliament's approval by early 2022, Foreign Minister G L Peiris said on Tuesday.

Peiris said that as pledged by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his presidential election manifesto in 2019, he has appointed a committee of experts to formulate the draft.

This draft has now been completed and awaiting to be sent to the Legal Draftsman,&nbsp;Peiris said, hoping that the final draft would be made available by the turn of the new year.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imports-chemical-fertiliser-despite-ban-420995">Sri Lanka imports chemical fertiliser despite ban</a>

However, he did not elaborate on the form of the new Constitution.

Peiris said that from mid-November, the budget for 2022 would be dealt with by the parliament until mid-December.

Noting that the making of the Constitution was a complicated process, the minister said that with the change of times and people's needs, it needs changing.

Sri Lanka has in the past made many attempts to change the current Constitution. Since 1997, all such attempts, including the last in 2015, were aborted after months of deliberations.

In 2019, the ruling alliance was making platform speeches about the abolishment of the country's provincial councils system, which was mooted by India under the thirteenth amendment to the current Constitution adopted in 1978.

The 2017 Act will have to be amended as in 2018, the Parliament had rejected the delimitation report which should have been approved with a two-thirds majority to make the new hybrid system legal.

Rajapaksa since being elected annulled the 19th Amendment adopted in 2015 which had curtailed presidential powers by strengthening the functions of Parliament.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-allows-sharp-rise-in-food-prices-to-ease-shortages-419123">Sri Lanka allows sharp rise in food prices to ease shortages</a>

However, he has shown no interest to hold provincial council elections for the nine provinces currently held up due to the need of legislative changes to the Provincial Councils Act.

The Sri Lankan government last week said that the long-pending provincial council elections in all of its nine provinces would not be possible until the 2017 Act is amended in Parliament.

The provincial elections have been postponed since 2017 as the then government (United National Party) wanted to reform the process by introducing a new hybrid system of first past the post and proportional representation from the current system of proportional representation.

Rajapaksa's 2019 manifesto said that a select committee would be appointed to ?look into the provincial councils&nbsp;among the other areas of the executive presidency, electoral reform and the independence of judiciary.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, during his visit to the country earlier this month, reiterated India's wish to see the early holding of the provincial council elections and full powers be conferred on them.

His visit triggered the discussion on the provincial council elections with parties expressing desire to hold them

The draft of Sri Lanka's new Constitution has been completed and it is expected to be ready for Parliament's approval by early 2022, Foreign Minister G L Peiris said on Tuesday.

The draft of Sri Lanka's new Constitution has been completed and it is expected to be ready for Parliament's approval by early 2022, Foreign Minister G L Peiris said on Tuesday. Peiris said that as pledged by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his presidential election manifesto in 2019, he has appointed a committee of experts to formulate the draft. This draft has now been completed and awaiting to be sent to the Legal Draftsman, Peiris said, hoping that the final draft would be made available by the turn of the new year. Also Read | Sri Lanka imports chemical fertiliser despite ban However, he did not elaborate on the form of the new Constitution. Peiris said that from mid-November, the budget for 2022 would be dealt with by the parliament until mid-December. Noting that the making of the Constitution was a complicated process, the minister said that with the change of times and people's needs, it needs changing. Sri Lanka has in the past made many attempts to change the current Constitution. Since 1997, all such attempts, including the last in 2015, were aborted after months of deliberations. In 2019, the ruling alliance was making platform speeches about the abolishment of the country's provincial councils system, which was mooted by India under the thirteenth amendment to the current Constitution adopted in 1978. The 2017 Act will have to be amended as in 2018, the Parliament had rejected the delimitation report which should have been approved with a two-thirds majority to make the new hybrid system legal. Rajapaksa since being elected annulled the 19th Amendment adopted in 2015 which had curtailed presidential powers by strengthening the functions of Parliament. Also Read | Sri Lanka allows sharp rise in food prices to ease shortages However, he has shown no interest to hold provincial council elections for the nine provinces currently held up due to the need of legislative changes to the Provincial Councils Act. The Sri Lankan government last week said that the long-pending provincial council elections in all of its nine provinces would not be possible until the 2017 Act is amended in Parliament. The provincial elections have been postponed since 2017 as the then government (United National Party) wanted to reform the process by introducing a new hybrid system of first past the post and proportional representation from the current system of proportional representation. Rajapaksa's 2019 manifesto said that a select committee would be appointed to ?look into the provincial councils among the other areas of the executive presidency, electoral reform and the independence of judiciary. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, during his visit to the country earlier this month, reiterated India's wish to see the early holding of the provincial council elections and full powers be conferred on them. His visit triggered the discussion on the provincial council elections with parties expressing desire to hold them

Lanka's draft of new Constitution expected to be ready for Parliament's nod by early 2022: Minister

Japan has dissolved its parliament, this sets the stage for the general election at the end of the month. This will pit the newly elected prime minister Fumio Kishida against the unpopular opposition.

Japan dissolves lower house ahead of election

Singapore's parliament has now passed a law aiming to prevent foreign interference in domestic politics, opposition has however, criticized this move.

Singapore parliament's new bill aims to prevent foreign interference

In what can be called a landmark for gender equality in the North Atlantic Island nation, Iceland has elected a female-majority parliament. In the vote, centrist parties made huge gains. &nbsp;

In Iceland's 63-seat parliament, the Althing, the female candidates hold 33 seats after counting of votes was done on Sunday. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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In Saturday's vote, the three parties in the outgoing coalition government led by Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir won 37 seats. This is two more than the last election. They appear to continue to stay in power. &nbsp;

The breakthrough comes despite a poor outcome for parties on the left, where female candidates are more often frontrunners. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-spd-secretary-general-says-we-have-mandate-to-govern-416203" hreflang="en">German SPD secretary-general says, 'we have mandate to govern'</a>

The gender quotas implemented by left-leaning parties in last decade managed to create a new norm across political spectrum, said Politics professor Silja Bara Omarsdottir. &nbsp;

"It is no longer acceptable to ignore gender equality when selecting candidates," Omarsdottir added. &nbsp;

In the unpredictable election, where 10 parties were competing for seats, opinion polls suggested a win for left-leaning parties.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hillary-clinton-called-war-criminal-as-she-becomes-chancellor-of-queens-university-416187" hreflang="en">Hillary Clinton called 'war criminal' as she becomes Chancellor of Queen's University</a>&nbsp;

Eventually, the centre-right Independence Party took largest vote share. It won 16 seats, seven of them were held by women. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Winning 13 seats, the centrist Progressive Party celebrated the biggest gain. It got five more than last time. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In what can be called a landmark for gender equality in the North Atlantic Island nation, Iceland has elected a female-majority parliament. In the vote, centrist parties made huge gains.

In what can be called a landmark for gender equality in the North Atlantic Island nation, Iceland has elected a female-majority parliament. In the vote, centrist parties made huge gains. In Iceland's 63-seat parliament, the Althing, the female candidates hold 33 seats after counting of votes was done on Sunday. Watch: × In Saturday's vote, the three parties in the outgoing coalition government led by Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir won 37 seats. This is two more than the last election. They appear to continue to stay in power. The breakthrough comes despite a poor outcome for parties on the left, where female candidates are more often frontrunners. Also Read: German SPD secretary-general says, 'we have mandate to govern' The gender quotas implemented by left-leaning parties in last decade managed to create a new norm across political spectrum, said Politics professor Silja Bara Omarsdottir. "It is no longer acceptable to ignore gender equality when selecting candidates," Omarsdottir added. In the unpredictable election, where 10 parties were competing for seats, opinion polls suggested a win for left-leaning parties. Also Read: Hillary Clinton called 'war criminal' as she becomes Chancellor of Queen's University Eventually, the centre-right Independence Party took largest vote share. It won 16 seats, seven of them were held by women. Winning 13 seats, the centrist Progressive Party celebrated the biggest gain. It got five more than last time. (With inputs from agencies)

In a first, female-majority parliament surfaces in Iceland

Nicaragua's parliament on Wednesday shuttered 24 non-governmental organisations, operating mainly in the medical field, in a move they said amounted to reprisal for criticising the government's management of the coronavirus pandemic.

The measure, at the request of the government, was adopted by 70 'yes' votes to 16 against, and will see the associations' assets become "state property," according to the resolution put before lawmakers.

The government of President Daniel Ortega has clamped down on opponents in recent weeks, ahead of elections in November, arresting 29 people including seven presidential hopefuls and other opposition figures.

"There is no desire to persecute or harm any NGO -- it is simply the law being applied," lawmaker Wilfredo Navarro told Wednesday's session.

The NGOs shuttered had helped people with a variety of health problems, from kidney failure or diabetes to pain relief and menopause.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-presidential-hopeful-arrested-in-nicaragua-400489">Also read |&nbsp;Another presidential hopeful arrested in Nicaragua</a>

Health workers decried the move, saying in a statement that it was an attempt by the government to&nbsp;"silence accusations of poor management of the pandemic and health care."

Nicaragua, one of few countries to not have applied any virus containment measures, has officially reported 9,651 Covid-19 cases and 194 deaths, but experts and observers say the numbers are much higher.

The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH) said Wednesday's parliamentary vote amounted to a violation of the right to free association.

In 2018, in the midst of widespread anti-government protests, parliament stripped 10 other NGOs, including CENIDH, of their legal status for alleged "terrorist" activities.

Ortega, 75, will be the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front's candidate in the November election, an ally has announced.

The president accuses those arrested in a series of house and nighttime raids since June 2 of seeking to overthrow him with US backing.

The detainees face charges of threatening Nicaragua's sovereignty under a law passed last December to bar "those who ask for, celebrate and applaud the imposition of sanctions against the Nicaraguan state" from seeking public office.

Nicaragua's parliament on Wednesday shuttered 24 non-governmental organisations, operating mainly in the medical field, in a move they said amounted to reprisal for criticising the government's management of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nicaragua's parliament on Wednesday shuttered 24 non-governmental organisations, operating mainly in the medical field, in a move they said amounted to reprisal for criticising the government's management of the coronavirus pandemic. The measure, at the request of the government, was adopted by 70 'yes' votes to 16 against, and will see the associations' assets become "state property," according to the resolution put before lawmakers. The government of President Daniel Ortega has clamped down on opponents in recent weeks, ahead of elections in November, arresting 29 people including seven presidential hopefuls and other opposition figures. "There is no desire to persecute or harm any NGO -- it is simply the law being applied," lawmaker Wilfredo Navarro told Wednesday's session. The NGOs shuttered had helped people with a variety of health problems, from kidney failure or diabetes to pain relief and menopause. Also read | Another presidential hopeful arrested in Nicaragua Health workers decried the move, saying in a statement that it was an attempt by the government to "silence accusations of poor management of the pandemic and health care." Nicaragua, one of few countries to not have applied any virus containment measures, has officially reported 9,651 Covid-19 cases and 194 deaths, but experts and observers say the numbers are much higher. The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH) said Wednesday's parliamentary vote amounted to a violation of the right to free association. In 2018, in the midst of widespread anti-government protests, parliament stripped 10 other NGOs, including CENIDH, of their legal status for alleged "terrorist" activities. Ortega, 75, will be the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front's candidate in the November election, an ally has announced. The president accuses those arrested in a series of house and nighttime raids since June 2 of seeking to overthrow him with US backing. The detainees face charges of threatening Nicaragua's sovereignty under a law passed last December to bar "those who ask for, celebrate and applaud the imposition of sanctions against the Nicaraguan state" from seeking public office.

Nicaragua parliament shutters 24 NGOs

In what could be described as a scene right out of the popular cartoon Tom &amp; Jerry, the unexpected arrival of a rat in the Andalusia parliament on Wednesday left lawmakers screaming, gasping, and leaping out of their seats.

Susana Diaz, a Socialist politician, recently was nominated to be a senator for the southern Spanish region. When the rodent arrived, lawmakers were set to cast their vote on whether or not to appoint her.

The video shared by news agency Reuters has gone viral on social media.&nbsp;

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The rat&nbsp;was spotted inside the room by&nbsp;Regional speaker Marta Bosquet who was speaking when the whole incident started.

In the video, Bosquet can be seen&nbsp;speaking into the microphone, a few seconds later as she spots the rat&nbsp;inside the room she gasps&nbsp;in shock, after which she covers&nbsp;her mouth.

Following this, there was momentary mayhem in Parliament as several other members left their seats and ran to find the rat.

As soon as the stir was over, lawmakers went back to their regular duties, and Diaz was appointed senator.

According to local media reports, the rat was of "a considerable size". 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

In what could be described as a scene right out of the popular cartoon Tom & Jerry, the unexpected arrival of a rat in the Andalusia parliament on Wednesday left lawmakers screaming, gasping, and leaping out of their seats.

In what could be described as a scene right out of the popular cartoon Tom & Jerry, the unexpected arrival of a rat in the Andalusia parliament on Wednesday left lawmakers screaming, gasping, and leaping out of their seats. Susana Diaz, a Socialist politician, recently was nominated to be a senator for the southern Spanish region. When the rodent arrived, lawmakers were set to cast their vote on whether or not to appoint her. The video shared by news agency Reuters has gone viral on social media. This is the moment when a rat causes havoc in Andalusia's parliament in Spain 🐀 pic.twitter.com/PypFRWvQfQ — Reuters (@Reuters) July 21, 2021 × The rat was spotted inside the room by Regional speaker Marta Bosquet who was speaking when the whole incident started. In the video, Bosquet can be seen speaking into the microphone, a few seconds later as she spots the rat inside the room she gasps in shock, after which she covers her mouth. Following this, there was momentary mayhem in Parliament as several other members left their seats and ran to find the rat. As soon as the stir was over, lawmakers went back to their regular duties, and Diaz was appointed senator. According to local media reports, the rat was of "a considerable size". (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Real life Jerry mouse interrupts Spanish parliament session

Nepal's new Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has won the vote of confidence in the Parliament by securing the comfortable majority. Deuba secured over 160 votes in the 275-member house on Sunday.

Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba wins vote of confidence in the Parliament

Eighty years ago on Thursday, British lawmakers driven from their debating chamber by World War Two Nazi bombs secretly set up a new home less than 100 yards away, from where Prime Minister Winston Churchill ran the country's wartime government. 
 
Unbeknown to the British public, on June 24, 1941, elected lawmakers from the green-benched House of Commons moved onto the red benches of the House of Lords chamber and remained there for nine years. 
 
From this lavishly-decorated but clandestine setting they debated and legislated the war effort, and later passed plans to rebuild and reshape post-war Britain. The move was not officially acknowledged until after the war. 
 
The emergency operation was set up after the bombing of the House of Commons debating chamber during a May 1941 air raid. 
 
"Churchill went into the Commons chamber and he looked at the destruction and the one thing he said was 'Parliament will sit`' - he didn't quite know where, but thanks to the Lords, it was here," said House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, speaking from within the heavily gilded Lords chamber. 
 
Although only a short distance apart, the Commons and the Lords are usually separated by centuries of tradition in which the Commons proudly defends its independence from the British monarchy and its lawmaking supremacy over the unelected Lords. 
 
But, the current speakers from both houses, Hoyle and his Lords counterpart John McFall, celebrated the anniversary this week in a display of unity to show the strength of Britain's democratic system. 
 
"It demonstrates that in time of need, in time of crisis, that both houses work together," McFall said. 
 
The little-known chapter in British wartime history required permission from King George VI, whose robing room in Westminster Palace was used by the displaced Lords to perform their constitutional role of scrutinising the government's work. 
 
The move to the Lords was not without hitches. 
 
Stained glass windows designed by Augustus Pugin had to be covered to block out light visible to German bombers. Lawmakers complained it was too hot in summer, too cold in winter and hard to hear each other in the high-ceilinged chamber lined with statues of medieval knights. 
 
A rebuilt Commons debating chamber was reopened in 1950. 
 
According to Lords clerks, Churchill left a physical legacy in the chamber in the form of a small dent caused by the oratorical flourish of thumping his signet ring into the table to punctuate his most powerful speeches. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Eighty years ago on Thursday, British lawmakers driven from their debating chamber by World War Two Nazi bombs secretly set up a new home less than 100 yards away, from where Prime Minister Winston Churchill ran the country's wartime government.

Eighty years ago on Thursday, British lawmakers driven from their debating chamber by World War Two Nazi bombs secretly set up a new home less than 100 yards away, from where Prime Minister Winston Churchill ran the country's wartime government. Unbeknown to the British public, on June 24, 1941, elected lawmakers from the green-benched House of Commons moved onto the red benches of the House of Lords chamber and remained there for nine years. From this lavishly-decorated but clandestine setting they debated and legislated the war effort, and later passed plans to rebuild and reshape post-war Britain. The move was not officially acknowledged until after the war. The emergency operation was set up after the bombing of the House of Commons debating chamber during a May 1941 air raid. "Churchill went into the Commons chamber and he looked at the destruction and the one thing he said was 'Parliament will sit`' - he didn't quite know where, but thanks to the Lords, it was here," said House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, speaking from within the heavily gilded Lords chamber. Although only a short distance apart, the Commons and the Lords are usually separated by centuries of tradition in which the Commons proudly defends its independence from the British monarchy and its lawmaking supremacy over the unelected Lords. But, the current speakers from both houses, Hoyle and his Lords counterpart John McFall, celebrated the anniversary this week in a display of unity to show the strength of Britain's democratic system. "It demonstrates that in time of need, in time of crisis, that both houses work together," McFall said. The little-known chapter in British wartime history required permission from King George VI, whose robing room in Westminster Palace was used by the displaced Lords to perform their constitutional role of scrutinising the government's work. The move to the Lords was not without hitches. Stained glass windows designed by Augustus Pugin had to be covered to block out light visible to German bombers. Lawmakers complained it was too hot in summer, too cold in winter and hard to hear each other in the high-ceilinged chamber lined with statues of medieval knights. A rebuilt Commons debating chamber was reopened in 1950. According to Lords clerks, Churchill left a physical legacy in the chamber in the form of a small dent caused by the oratorical flourish of thumping his signet ring into the table to punctuate his most powerful speeches. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain's 'secret parliament' celebrates its 80th birthday

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through. 
 
That would leave Lofven with one week to either resign or call snap elections, unseen in Sweden since 1958. In either case, national elections set for September next year would proceed as planned. 
 
"It is looking like we will have a historic day in parliament," national daily Dagens Nyheter said on its front page. 
 
Lofven secured a second term in 2018 only after months of negotiations following an election in which the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats made big gains to redraw the political map. 
 
A former union boss known for his negotiating skills, Lofven has since led a fragile minority government of Social Democrats and Greens, supported by former political rivals the Centre Party and the Liberals. 
 
While not part of any formal agreement, the government has also needed the tacit backing of the Left Party. That changed last week after the government signaled it would move to ease rent control for new-build apartments, a red flag for the Left.&nbsp; 
 
The formerly communist Left Party demanded that the government withdraw any such plans. 
 
While the Social Democrats and the party's partners took steps to placate the Left over the weekend, the last-gasp moves appeared to have failed to stave off the political crisis. 
 
The motion of no confidence called by the fiercely nationalist Sweden Democrats, set to be voted by parliament at about 0800 GMT, now looks all but certain to gather the votes needed to oust Lofven. 
 
Economists have said they do not expect the political uncertainty to weigh on the economy, given the strict fiscal rules under which the country operates.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven looked destined to be the first Swedish premier to be ousted by parliament on Monday after his government's weekend efforts to broker a deal to win back the support of the Left Party fell through. That would leave Lofven with one week to either resign or call snap elections, unseen in Sweden since 1958. In either case, national elections set for September next year would proceed as planned. "It is looking like we will have a historic day in parliament," national daily Dagens Nyheter said on its front page. Lofven secured a second term in 2018 only after months of negotiations following an election in which the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats made big gains to redraw the political map. A former union boss known for his negotiating skills, Lofven has since led a fragile minority government of Social Democrats and Greens, supported by former political rivals the Centre Party and the Liberals. While not part of any formal agreement, the government has also needed the tacit backing of the Left Party. That changed last week after the government signaled it would move to ease rent control for new-build apartments, a red flag for the Left. The formerly communist Left Party demanded that the government withdraw any such plans. While the Social Democrats and the party's partners took steps to placate the Left over the weekend, the last-gasp moves appeared to have failed to stave off the political crisis. The motion of no confidence called by the fiercely nationalist Sweden Democrats, set to be voted by parliament at about 0800 GMT, now looks all but certain to gather the votes needed to oust Lofven. Economists have said they do not expect the political uncertainty to weigh on the economy, given the strict fiscal rules under which the country operates.

Swedish PM on the brink as parliament readies Monday no-confidence vote

Cyprus elects a new parliament on Sunday in a process likely to show a decline in support for major parties and a sizeable abstention rate among voters angered by corruption scandals.&nbsp;

More than 10 political parties or formations, fielding a record 659 candidates, are seeking seats in a vote, which will not likely produce an absolute majority given this has not been the outcome for several decades.&nbsp;

Cyprus - divided among its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations but whose government controls the Greek Cypriot side - has an executive system of government and the poll is a test run for allegiances, which may be formed ahead of presidential elections scheduled in 2023.&nbsp;

Incumbent president Nicos Anastasiades of the right-wing Democratic Rally party is into his second five-year term.&nbsp;

Opinion polls suggest smaller parties are likely to benefit from repeated scandals in recent years, eroding the dominance of Anastasiades's party and the Communist AKEL, the other traditional mainstay of Cypriot politics.&nbsp;

"A big part of voters are fully disappointed with mainstream parties," said political analyst Christophoros Christophorou.&nbsp;

The present administration has been under fire for championing a lucrative cash-for-passports scheme it had to abandon amid allegations of corruption in November 2020.&nbsp;

More recently, a presidential commissioner was last week placed under investigation for discrepancies in his high school and university diplomas. His high-paying state job overseeing volunteer work was created at the height of the 2013 financial crisis which saw thousands lose their bank savings and triggered an EU bailout.&nbsp;

Surveys have shown the fringe far-right ELAM party almost doubling its support from 2016, when it first elected two MPs to parliament. Similarly, the Greens party fielding a diverse group of mainly young candidates, is also set to make inroads.&nbsp;

But abstention may be a key feature of Sunday's election. In 2016, it hit a high of 33.3 per cent.&nbsp;

"The issue of corruption ... benefits the small parties but it is also an issue which feeds the abstention rate," Christophorou said.&nbsp;

Just over 558,000 people have the right to vote for 56 deputies in Cyprus's House of Representatives in elections held every five years. Polling stations open at 0400 GMT and voting ends at 1500 GMT.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Cyprus elects a new parliament on Sunday in a process likely to show a decline in support for major parties and a sizeable abstention rate among voters angered by corruption scandals.

Cyprus elects a new parliament on Sunday in a process likely to show a decline in support for major parties and a sizeable abstention rate among voters angered by corruption scandals. More than 10 political parties or formations, fielding a record 659 candidates, are seeking seats in a vote, which will not likely produce an absolute majority given this has not been the outcome for several decades. Cyprus - divided among its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations but whose government controls the Greek Cypriot side - has an executive system of government and the poll is a test run for allegiances, which may be formed ahead of presidential elections scheduled in 2023. Incumbent president Nicos Anastasiades of the right-wing Democratic Rally party is into his second five-year term. Opinion polls suggest smaller parties are likely to benefit from repeated scandals in recent years, eroding the dominance of Anastasiades's party and the Communist AKEL, the other traditional mainstay of Cypriot politics. "A big part of voters are fully disappointed with mainstream parties," said political analyst Christophoros Christophorou. The present administration has been under fire for championing a lucrative cash-for-passports scheme it had to abandon amid allegations of corruption in November 2020. More recently, a presidential commissioner was last week placed under investigation for discrepancies in his high school and university diplomas. His high-paying state job overseeing volunteer work was created at the height of the 2013 financial crisis which saw thousands lose their bank savings and triggered an EU bailout. Surveys have shown the fringe far-right ELAM party almost doubling its support from 2016, when it first elected two MPs to parliament. Similarly, the Greens party fielding a diverse group of mainly young candidates, is also set to make inroads. But abstention may be a key feature of Sunday's election. In 2016, it hit a high of 33.3 per cent. "The issue of corruption ... benefits the small parties but it is also an issue which feeds the abstention rate," Christophorou said. Just over 558,000 people have the right to vote for 56 deputies in Cyprus's House of Representatives in elections held every five years. Polling stations open at 0400 GMT and voting ends at 1500 GMT. (With inputs from agencies)

Stung by graft and corruption, Cyprus voters elect new parliament 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to use the opening of Britain’s Parliament on Tuesday to galvanize his government’s agenda after a striking series of victories in regional elections in England last week. But the spotlight shone brightest on Queen Elizabeth II, who appeared in public for the first time since burying her husband, Prince Philip, to handle the age-old pageantry.

Squired by her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, the queen presided over a ceremony she had attended for decades with Philip. Now a widow, and three weeks after turning 95, her voice was firm and steady as she read the Queen’s Speech, in which Johnson’s government laid out an ambitious agenda to “level up” the economically depressed north of England with the more prosperous south.

It was the queen’s 67th opening of Parliament, a reassuring sign of continuity for Britain’s constitutional monarchy after a turbulent period for the royal family. For Johnson, it was a chance to bring normalcy back to politics, after the turmoil of Brexit and a pandemic that paralyzed the country, leaving more than 127,000 people dead.

Johnson signaled that he intended to keep playing a dominant role in the political arena, proposing to scrap a law that restricts his ability to call general elections. With the government reaping credit for Britain’s swift rollout of vaccines and the prospect of a post-lockdown economic boom, Johnson might decide to call an election a year early, in 2023, to take better advantage of the good news.

The government also proposed that voters be required to show photo identification at polling places in general elections, which it defended as a means to prevent fraud. But opposition parties criticized the move as unnecessary, and said it could suppress turnout, particularly among ethnic minorities — an argument often made about voter ID laws that have been passed by several American states.

“Voter ID is a disgraceful piece of chicanery,” said Baroness Rosalind Scott, a member of the House of Lords and a former president of the Liberal Democrats. “Voter fraud is very rare here, so it’s a solution in search of a problem.”

It was one of a handful of right-leaning measures — including a crime bill that would allow police to sharply restrict demonstrations and legislation to protect speech on university campuses — that served as a reminder that, for all its Social Democratic-style spending, Johnson’s party is still conservative.

The policing legislation has ignited angry “Kill the Bill” protests in London and other cities, where demonstrators view it as a way to crack down on legitimate gatherings. In Bristol, protesters lobbed rocks and fireworks at police, which some warned would backfire by stoking public support for the measures.

“Johnson’s going for what’s long been the sweet spot in British politics,” said Timothy Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University in London. “Just to the left of center on economics and public provision; quite a long way to the right on pretty much everything else, especially if it has to do with law and order, immigration and now anything that smacks of political correctness gone mad.”

Much of the speech, however, was on more familiar, conciliatory ground. The government promised to “deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before.”

Reading a text prepared by Downing Street, the queen spoke fluently of Johnson’s plans to roll out “5G mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband” throughout the country. The government will plow money into the National Health Service, a popular measure after it withstood a year of unrelenting pressure from the pandemic and overhaul planning regulations to encourage more construction of single-family houses.

The speech did not directly address perhaps the thorniest challenge facing Johnson: pressure for a second independence referendum in Scotland, where pro-independence parties expanded their majority in the regional Parliament in last week’s election.

The government said only that it would “promote the strength and integrity of the union” — a pledge that is likely to involve pouring more public money into Scotland and putting off the Scottish National Party’s demands to allow a vote.

“The question is, is Boris Johnson right to think that delaying it might help him?” said Jonathan Powell, who served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Tony Blair. “This will be the dominating issue of British politics for the next four or five years.”

With strict social distancing rules in place, the ceremony was scaled back and stripped down. The queen was driven from Buckingham Palace in a Range Rover rather than a gilded carriage. She shunned the 18-foot velvet cape and imperial crown that she once wore at state openings in favor of a more sensible lilac coat and hat.

The recent death of Philip also lent the proceedings a wistful atmosphere, even though he had turned over the duties of escorting the queen to Charles a few years ago, after his retirement. Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, watched from the sidelines as Elizabeth sat on a carved wooden throne.

Although missing hundreds of jockeying lawmakers and VIP guests, the ceremony still had its share of otherworldly pomp. The crown, which normally resides in the Tower of London, was paraded through the echoing hallways of the Palace of Westminster on a red velvet pillow rather than on the queen’s head.

Lawmakers were summoned from the House of Commons by the Lady Usher of the Black Rod, who first had the door slammed in her face as a sign of its members’ independence. Johnson and the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, said nothing to each other as they walked, single file and masked, to the House of Lords.

Last week’s elections left the Labour Party in disarray, as Johnson’s Conservative Party made further inroads into Labour’s stronghold in working-class districts in the Midlands and the north of England.

Starmer tried to regain his footing in the debate that followed the ceremony, excoriating the government for not introducing legislation to bolster Britain’s care for older people and those with disabilities. Johnson, he said, had promised to do so 657 days ago.

“Failure to act after a pandemic is nothing short of an insult to a whole nation,” Starmer declared.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to use the opening of Britain’s Parliament on Tuesday to galvanize his government’s agenda after a striking series of victories in regional elections in England last week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to use the opening of Britain’s Parliament on Tuesday to galvanize his government’s agenda after a striking series of victories in regional elections in England last week. But the spotlight shone brightest on Queen Elizabeth II, who appeared in public for the first time since burying her husband, Prince Philip, to handle the age-old pageantry. Squired by her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, the queen presided over a ceremony she had attended for decades with Philip. Now a widow, and three weeks after turning 95, her voice was firm and steady as she read the Queen’s Speech, in which Johnson’s government laid out an ambitious agenda to “level up” the economically depressed north of England with the more prosperous south. It was the queen’s 67th opening of Parliament, a reassuring sign of continuity for Britain’s constitutional monarchy after a turbulent period for the royal family. For Johnson, it was a chance to bring normalcy back to politics, after the turmoil of Brexit and a pandemic that paralyzed the country, leaving more than 127,000 people dead. Johnson signaled that he intended to keep playing a dominant role in the political arena, proposing to scrap a law that restricts his ability to call general elections. With the government reaping credit for Britain’s swift rollout of vaccines and the prospect of a post-lockdown economic boom, Johnson might decide to call an election a year early, in 2023, to take better advantage of the good news. The government also proposed that voters be required to show photo identification at polling places in general elections, which it defended as a means to prevent fraud. But opposition parties criticized the move as unnecessary, and said it could suppress turnout, particularly among ethnic minorities — an argument often made about voter ID laws that have been passed by several American states. “Voter ID is a disgraceful piece of chicanery,” said Baroness Rosalind Scott, a member of the House of Lords and a former president of the Liberal Democrats. “Voter fraud is very rare here, so it’s a solution in search of a problem.” It was one of a handful of right-leaning measures — including a crime bill that would allow police to sharply restrict demonstrations and legislation to protect speech on university campuses — that served as a reminder that, for all its Social Democratic-style spending, Johnson’s party is still conservative. The policing legislation has ignited angry “Kill the Bill” protests in London and other cities, where demonstrators view it as a way to crack down on legitimate gatherings. In Bristol, protesters lobbed rocks and fireworks at police, which some warned would backfire by stoking public support for the measures. “Johnson’s going for what’s long been the sweet spot in British politics,” said Timothy Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University in London. “Just to the left of center on economics and public provision; quite a long way to the right on pretty much everything else, especially if it has to do with law and order, immigration and now anything that smacks of political correctness gone mad.” Much of the speech, however, was on more familiar, conciliatory ground. The government promised to “deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before.” Reading a text prepared by Downing Street, the queen spoke fluently of Johnson’s plans to roll out “5G mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband” throughout the country. The government will plow money into the National Health Service, a popular measure after it withstood a year of unrelenting pressure from the pandemic and overhaul planning regulations to encourage more construction of single-family houses. The speech did not directly address perhaps the thorniest challenge facing Johnson: pressure for a second independence referendum in Scotland, where pro-independence parties expanded their majority in the regional Parliament in last week’s election. The government said only that it would “promote the strength and integrity of the union” — a pledge that is likely to involve pouring more public money into Scotland and putting off the Scottish National Party’s demands to allow a vote. “The question is, is Boris Johnson right to think that delaying it might help him?” said Jonathan Powell, who served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Tony Blair. “This will be the dominating issue of British politics for the next four or five years.” With strict social distancing rules in place, the ceremony was scaled back and stripped down. The queen was driven from Buckingham Palace in a Range Rover rather than a gilded carriage. She shunned the 18-foot velvet cape and imperial crown that she once wore at state openings in favor of a more sensible lilac coat and hat. The recent death of Philip also lent the proceedings a wistful atmosphere, even though he had turned over the duties of escorting the queen to Charles a few years ago, after his retirement. Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, watched from the sidelines as Elizabeth sat on a carved wooden throne. Although missing hundreds of jockeying lawmakers and VIP guests, the ceremony still had its share of otherworldly pomp. The crown, which normally resides in the Tower of London, was paraded through the echoing hallways of the Palace of Westminster on a red velvet pillow rather than on the queen’s head. Lawmakers were summoned from the House of Commons by the Lady Usher of the Black Rod, who first had the door slammed in her face as a sign of its members’ independence. Johnson and the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, said nothing to each other as they walked, single file and masked, to the House of Lords. Last week’s elections left the Labour Party in disarray, as Johnson’s Conservative Party made further inroads into Labour’s stronghold in working-class districts in the Midlands and the north of England. Starmer tried to regain his footing in the debate that followed the ceremony, excoriating the government for not introducing legislation to bolster Britain’s care for older people and those with disabilities. Johnson, he said, had promised to do so 657 days ago. “Failure to act after a pandemic is nothing short of an insult to a whole nation,” Starmer declared.

In a firm voice, Queen Elizabeth opens her 67th parliament

The company providing internet services for Belgium's parliament, government agencies, universities and scientific institutions said on Tuesday that its network was under cyberattack, with connections to several customers disrupted. &nbsp;

Belnet said in a statement the attack is still in progress and takes place in successive waves. Our teams are working hard to mitigate them. The company has around 200 customers.&nbsp;

Two hours later it said, the effect of the attack seems to be diminishing, but provided no other details.&nbsp;

Belgian media reported that online services for coronavirus vaccination centres were partly disrupted and that prosecutors' offices in Brussels had experienced problems.&nbsp;

Belnet Director Dirk Haex told broadcaster VRT, this is the first time that we've faced such a gigantic attack. It is tough to counter an attack like this. The company has been in operation since 1993.&nbsp;

"Everything reached a crescendo around noon," Haex said, insisting that no information was stolen. “The point of such an attack is to disable the system, not to steal information."&nbsp;

Haex said it was too early to say, who could be behind the attack. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The company providing internet services for Belgium's parliament, government agencies, universities and scientific institutions said on Tuesday that its network was under cyberattack, with connections to several customers disrupted.

The company providing internet services for Belgium's parliament, government agencies, universities and scientific institutions said on Tuesday that its network was under cyberattack, with connections to several customers disrupted. Belnet said in a statement the attack is still in progress and takes place in successive waves. Our teams are working hard to mitigate them. The company has around 200 customers. Two hours later it said, the effect of the attack seems to be diminishing, but provided no other details. Belgian media reported that online services for coronavirus vaccination centres were partly disrupted and that prosecutors' offices in Brussels had experienced problems. Belnet Director Dirk Haex told broadcaster VRT, this is the first time that we've faced such a gigantic attack. It is tough to counter an attack like this. The company has been in operation since 1993. "Everything reached a crescendo around noon," Haex said, insisting that no information was stolen. “The point of such an attack is to disable the system, not to steal information." Haex said it was too early to say, who could be behind the attack. (With inputs from agencies)

Belgian government, parliament, colleges hit by cyberattack 

In an attention-grabbing gesture after the speaker banned private security guards from all parties, a Tunisian MP took her seat in parliament wearing a motorcycle crash&nbsp;helmet and a bulletproof vest. Some of the guards had been accused of assault. &nbsp;

Abir Moussi is a senior member of the secular Free Destourian party, known by its French acronym PDL. Moussi is a lawyer and supporter of the autocratic former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who was ousted in Tunisia’s 2011 uprising.&nbsp;

Moussi was seen sitting in parliament with a picture of Ben Ali’s predecessor, Habib Bourguiba.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi said, Tunisia will seek a $4 billion loan programme from the International Monetary Fund, saying politicians faced a 'last opportunity' to save the economy.&nbsp;

Mechichi said he expected talks to last about two months and had 'confidence' Tunisia could secure financial support to help it through an economic crisis that has been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

"All efforts must be unified in Tunisia because we consider that we have reached the last opportunity and we must use it to save the economy," he said in an interview.&nbsp;

He said he wanted a three-year loan programme and added that details of an agreement with powerful labour unions, seen as vital to unlock foreign funding, were still being finalised.&nbsp;

The finance minister and central bank governor will visit the United States next week to start the negotiations, Mechichi said, and he will also go there when a deal is in place.&nbsp;

He said Tunisia would rationalise rather than cut subsidies and said it was considering sales of minority stock it holds in some businesses to raise funds for investment in the most important publicly owned companies.&nbsp;

(With input from agencies)&nbsp;

In an attention-grabbing gesture after the speaker banned private security guards from all parties, a Tunisian MP took her seat in parliament wearing a motorcycle crash helmet and a bulletproof vest.

In an attention-grabbing gesture after the speaker banned private security guards from all parties, a Tunisian MP took her seat in parliament wearing a motorcycle crash helmet and a bulletproof vest. Some of the guards had been accused of assault. Abir Moussi is a senior member of the secular Free Destourian party, known by its French acronym PDL. Moussi is a lawyer and supporter of the autocratic former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who was ousted in Tunisia’s 2011 uprising. Moussi was seen sitting in parliament with a picture of Ben Ali’s predecessor, Habib Bourguiba. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi said, Tunisia will seek a $4 billion loan programme from the International Monetary Fund, saying politicians faced a 'last opportunity' to save the economy. Mechichi said he expected talks to last about two months and had 'confidence' Tunisia could secure financial support to help it through an economic crisis that has been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. "All efforts must be unified in Tunisia because we consider that we have reached the last opportunity and we must use it to save the economy," he said in an interview. He said he wanted a three-year loan programme and added that details of an agreement with powerful labour unions, seen as vital to unlock foreign funding, were still being finalised. The finance minister and central bank governor will visit the United States next week to start the negotiations, Mechichi said, and he will also go there when a deal is in place. He said Tunisia would rationalise rather than cut subsidies and said it was considering sales of minority stock it holds in some businesses to raise funds for investment in the most important publicly owned companies. (With input from agencies)

After her guards banned, Tunisian MP wears helmet, bulletproof vest in parliament  

Somali lawmakers voted unanimously on Saturday to cancel a two-year presidential term extension they had approved last month, after clashes in the capital Mogadishu between factions of the security forces, which are divided over the issue. &nbsp;

In a speech following the vote in the lower house of parliament, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble ordered the army to return to barracks and urged politicians to avoid inciting violence. &nbsp;

The political crisis has raised fears that al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents could exploit a security vacuum if state forces split along clan lines and turn on each other. The group has taken over at least one Somali town in the past week as heavily armed fighters moved from the countryside into the capital city. &nbsp;

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's attempt to extend his term has also angered foreign donors, who have backed his government in an attempt to bring stability to Somalia after more than two decades as a failed state following a civil war that began in 1991.&nbsp;

Saturday’s lower house vote was broadcast on Somali television and came shortly after Mohamed addressed parliament and said he was directing the prime minister to prepare to hold a delayed parliamentary election.&nbsp;

Roble said in a Twitter post late on Saturday that the government will ‘soon’ prepare the plan for elections, and thanked the president and the parliament. &nbsp;

Mohamed’s term expired in February, but without a new crop of lawmakers, parliament was unable to choose a president.&nbsp;

The term extension was approved by the lower house last month but rejected by the Senate, provoking the crisis that has intensified in the past week.&nbsp;

Between 60,000 and 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes following clashes on Sunday that stirred fears of all-out war between heavily armed factions for and against the president.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Somali lawmakers voted unanimously on Saturday to cancel a two-year presidential term extension they had approved last month, after clashes in the capital Mogadishu between factions of the security forces, which are divided over the issue.

Somali lawmakers voted unanimously on Saturday to cancel a two-year presidential term extension they had approved last month, after clashes in the capital Mogadishu between factions of the security forces, which are divided over the issue. In a speech following the vote in the lower house of parliament, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble ordered the army to return to barracks and urged politicians to avoid inciting violence. The political crisis has raised fears that al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents could exploit a security vacuum if state forces split along clan lines and turn on each other. The group has taken over at least one Somali town in the past week as heavily armed fighters moved from the countryside into the capital city. President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's attempt to extend his term has also angered foreign donors, who have backed his government in an attempt to bring stability to Somalia after more than two decades as a failed state following a civil war that began in 1991. Saturday’s lower house vote was broadcast on Somali television and came shortly after Mohamed addressed parliament and said he was directing the prime minister to prepare to hold a delayed parliamentary election. Roble said in a Twitter post late on Saturday that the government will ‘soon’ prepare the plan for elections, and thanked the president and the parliament. Mohamed’s term expired in February, but without a new crop of lawmakers, parliament was unable to choose a president. The term extension was approved by the lower house last month but rejected by the Senate, provoking the crisis that has intensified in the past week. Between 60,000 and 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes following clashes on Sunday that stirred fears of all-out war between heavily armed factions for and against the president. (With inputs from agencies)

Somalia's parliament votes to cancel presidential term extension 

German parliament's upper house on Thursday approved the Infection Protection Act that has given rise to a controversy. The last hurdle before the passage of the law is the president's signature.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government had asked parliament for temporary powers to enforce a nationwide coronavirus lockdown after several regions failed to impose agreed curbs to bring a third wave of the pandemic under control.

As per the draft law presented to the cabinet, a compulsory national "emergency-brake" will be introduced if the number of new infections per 100,000 residents in a district or city exceeds 100 for three consecutive days within a week.

The measures include curfews between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., as well as limiting private gatherings to one household plus one other person.

No shops barring the essential ones will remain open. Opening of cultural and recreational facilities such as theatres, museums and zoos will be prohibited.

Schools will have to return to distance learning if the virus incidence rises above 165 per 100,000 for three consecutive days.

The change to the law will apply until June 30.

Police clashed with protesters in Berlin on Wednesday as they tried to disperse a rally against the coronavirus lockdown while parliament debated the law to give the national government more powers to fight a third wave of the pandemic.

Germany reported a rise of 24,884 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to nearly 3.19 million. Some 80,634 people have died and doctors have warned that unless action is taken, intensive-care units may struggle to cope.

(With inputs from agencies)

German parliament's upper house on Thursday approved the Infection Protection Act that has given rise to a controversy. The last hurdle before the passage of the law is the president's signature.

German parliament's upper house on Thursday approved the Infection Protection Act that has given rise to a controversy. The last hurdle before the passage of the law is the president's signature. Chancellor Angela Merkel's government had asked parliament for temporary powers to enforce a nationwide coronavirus lockdown after several regions failed to impose agreed curbs to bring a third wave of the pandemic under control. As per the draft law presented to the cabinet, a compulsory national "emergency-brake" will be introduced if the number of new infections per 100,000 residents in a district or city exceeds 100 for three consecutive days within a week. The measures include curfews between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., as well as limiting private gatherings to one household plus one other person. No shops barring the essential ones will remain open. Opening of cultural and recreational facilities such as theatres, museums and zoos will be prohibited. Schools will have to return to distance learning if the virus incidence rises above 165 per 100,000 for three consecutive days. The change to the law will apply until June 30. Police clashed with protesters in Berlin on Wednesday as they tried to disperse a rally against the coronavirus lockdown while parliament debated the law to give the national government more powers to fight a third wave of the pandemic. Germany reported a rise of 24,884 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to nearly 3.19 million. Some 80,634 people have died and doctors have warned that unless action is taken, intensive-care units may struggle to cope. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: German parliament's upper house approves law to give government emergency powers

Hundreds of Tibetans living in exile across the world voted in the final round of elections to choose their President and 45 Cabinet leaders for the government in exile.

Tibetans vote for their next President-in-exile

Bulgarians voted in a parliamentary election on Sunday that will decide whether long-serving Prime Minister Boyko Borissov wins a new four-year mandate despite persistent concerns about corruption in the European Union’s poorest member state.

Opinion polls suggest Borissov’s centre-right GERB will again be the largest party, with 28-29% of the vote, but will fall short of a majority and may struggle to build a stable coalition in a more fractured parliament.

That could hamper Bulgaria’s ability to effectively tap the EU’s 750 billion euro ($884 billion) Recovery Fund to help rebuild the bloc’s economy after the coronavirus pandemic.

Borissov, 61, an ex-fireman in power almost without a break since 2009, sought to showcase his successes in modernising Bulgaria’s creaking infrastructure in low-key campaign after massive anti-graft rallies last summer dented his popularity.

"We showed what we have achieved," Borissov said after casting his ballot. 
Polls will close at 8 pm (1700 GMT), with exit polls due shortly afterwards. Partial results are due through the night into Monday, before final official results expected on Thursday.

More than 6.7 million Bulgarians are eligible to vote, but pollsters expect a low turnout because of voters’ concerns over Covid-19 and a slow vaccine rollout.&nbsp;

Borissov, who has came under fire over the rollout, thanked the European Commission for 1.3 million additional Covid-19 vaccine shots, which the country will receive in the second quarter.

Bulgaria has seen coronavirus cases surging in March and now has the second highest coronavirus-related death rate, per million people on a 7-day rolling average, in the EU after Hungary, according to scientific online publication Our World in Data.

Although hospitals are full, the government eased some lockdown restrictions before the vote.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bulgarians voted in a parliamentary election on Sunday that will decide whether long-serving Prime Minister Boyko Borissov wins a new four-year mandate despite persistent concerns about corruption in the European Union’s poorest member state.

Bulgarians voted in a parliamentary election on Sunday that will decide whether long-serving Prime Minister Boyko Borissov wins a new four-year mandate despite persistent concerns about corruption in the European Union’s poorest member state. Opinion polls suggest Borissov’s centre-right GERB will again be the largest party, with 28-29% of the vote, but will fall short of a majority and may struggle to build a stable coalition in a more fractured parliament. That could hamper Bulgaria’s ability to effectively tap the EU’s 750 billion euro ($884 billion) Recovery Fund to help rebuild the bloc’s economy after the coronavirus pandemic. Borissov, 61, an ex-fireman in power almost without a break since 2009, sought to showcase his successes in modernising Bulgaria’s creaking infrastructure in low-key campaign after massive anti-graft rallies last summer dented his popularity. "We showed what we have achieved," Borissov said after casting his ballot. Polls will close at 8 pm (1700 GMT), with exit polls due shortly afterwards. Partial results are due through the night into Monday, before final official results expected on Thursday. More than 6.7 million Bulgarians are eligible to vote, but pollsters expect a low turnout because of voters’ concerns over Covid-19 and a slow vaccine rollout. Borissov, who has came under fire over the rollout, thanked the European Commission for 1.3 million additional Covid-19 vaccine shots, which the country will receive in the second quarter. Bulgaria has seen coronavirus cases surging in March and now has the second highest coronavirus-related death rate, per million people on a 7-day rolling average, in the EU after Hungary, according to scientific online publication Our World in Data. Although hospitals are full, the government eased some lockdown restrictions before the vote. (With inputs from agencies)

Bulgarians vote for new parliament amid Covid-19 fears

Norway's parliament has been hacked for the second time in just under six months. Government officials admitted that hackers have infiltrated the Norwegian Parliament’s computer systems and extracted data.

Norway's parliament hacked for second time

Nepal's Supreme court overturns PM KP Sharma Oli's decision to dissolve the house of representatives. Nepal's top court has also directed the government to recommend calling a meeting of the house in 13 days.

Nepal's top court overturns PM Oli's dissolution

Nepal's top court has decided to reinstatement the countries house of representatives dealing a major blow to caretaker Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's government.

News Alert: Nepal's top court orders reinstates of parliament

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised to a woman who alleged that she was raped in the countries Parliament. The woman alleged that an unnamed colleague had raped her in the minister's office in March 2019.

Australian PM apologises to women who alleged rape in Parliament

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi got emotional and broke down in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) while bidding farewell to 4 outgoing members which include veteran leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Indian PM Modi breaks down as he bids farewell to Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha

Hundreds of students belonging to the Nepal Communist Party's rival faction led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Sunday protested against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The rally was part of the phase-wise anti-government agitation led by Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal against the prime minister's controversial decision to dissolve Parliament on December 20 and hold new elections on April 30 and May 10.

The rally by Prachanda's supporters came two days after pro-government students chanting slogans like "We love KP Oli", "Oli is our hero", "Oli for the prime minister" staged a massive show of strength in Kathmandu in his favour.

Supporters of Prachanda on Sunday shouted slogans like "We hate you KP Oli" and "We hate KP Oli for taking the country towards the path of regression by dissolving the House of Representatives".

The ruling NCP has been witnessing months-long tussle between two factions, one led by 68-year-old Oli and party's chairman and another led by 66-year-old "Prachanda", also the executive chair of the party and former premier.

Defending his move to dissolve the parliament, Oli said some leaders tried to obstruct the functioning of his government and he had no other alternative other than seeking a fresh mandate.

The ruling NCP has split over Oli's call for a new Parliament to be elected more than a year ahead of schedule.

Both Oli and the rival group claim to control the Nepal Communist Party and the issue is being disputed at the Election Commission. The rival faction even announced that it had ousted Oli from the party at a meeting last month.&nbsp;

Hundreds of students belonging to the Nepal Communist Party's rival faction led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Sunday protested against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Hundreds of students belonging to the Nepal Communist Party's rival faction led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Sunday protested against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The rally was part of the phase-wise anti-government agitation led by Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal against the prime minister's controversial decision to dissolve Parliament on December 20 and hold new elections on April 30 and May 10. The rally by Prachanda's supporters came two days after pro-government students chanting slogans like "We love KP Oli", "Oli is our hero", "Oli for the prime minister" staged a massive show of strength in Kathmandu in his favour. Supporters of Prachanda on Sunday shouted slogans like "We hate you KP Oli" and "We hate KP Oli for taking the country towards the path of regression by dissolving the House of Representatives". The ruling NCP has been witnessing months-long tussle between two factions, one led by 68-year-old Oli and party's chairman and another led by 66-year-old "Prachanda", also the executive chair of the party and former premier. Defending his move to dissolve the parliament, Oli said some leaders tried to obstruct the functioning of his government and he had no other alternative other than seeking a fresh mandate. The ruling NCP has split over Oli's call for a new Parliament to be elected more than a year ahead of schedule. Both Oli and the rival group claim to control the Nepal Communist Party and the issue is being disputed at the Election Commission. The rival faction even announced that it had ousted Oli from the party at a meeting last month.

Nepal PM Oli's rival faction rallies against decision to dissolve Parliament

Kuwaiti Cabinet Ministers have handed their resignations to Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah just days after legislators submitted a motion asking to question the premier over issues including the cabinet’s makeup.

Kuwait's Cabinet Ministers resign amid dispute with Parliament

Ghanaian soldiers intervened overnight to quell a clash between opposing parties in parliament ahead of the body's swearing-in set for Thursday.

Chaotic scenes erupted after a ruling party deputy tried to seize the ballot box during the vote for parliament speaker. The ensuing clash lasted several hours until the army stepped in, with national television broadcasting the drama live.

"There was total breakdown of law and order," said MP-elect Kwame Twumasi Ampofo of the opposition National Democratic Congress. "Looking at a member of parliament and a minister of state snatching ballot papers... was so shameful."

The new parliament will be virtually split down the middle between the two main parties, posing the risk of gridlock with key issues on the agenda including how to turn around an economy hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, who narrowly won re-election in the December 27 vote, will also be sworn in on Thursday.

His New Patriotic Party lost 32 seats in the 275-member parliament.

Ghanaian soldiers intervened overnight to quell a clash between opposing parties in parliament ahead of the body's swearing-in set for Thursday. Chaotic scenes erupted after a ruling party deputy tried to seize the ballot box during the vote for parliament speaker.

Ghanaian soldiers intervened overnight to quell a clash between opposing parties in parliament ahead of the body's swearing-in set for Thursday. Chaotic scenes erupted after a ruling party deputy tried to seize the ballot box during the vote for parliament speaker. The ensuing clash lasted several hours until the army stepped in, with national television broadcasting the drama live. "There was total breakdown of law and order," said MP-elect Kwame Twumasi Ampofo of the opposition National Democratic Congress. "Looking at a member of parliament and a minister of state snatching ballot papers... was so shameful." The new parliament will be virtually split down the middle between the two main parties, posing the risk of gridlock with key issues on the agenda including how to turn around an economy hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. President Nana Akufo-Addo, who narrowly won re-election in the December 27 vote, will also be sworn in on Thursday. His New Patriotic Party lost 32 seats in the 275-member parliament.

Ghana army steps in to quell parliament clash ahead of swearing-in

A Constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana will hear on Friday all petitions challenging Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's move to abruptly dissolve Parliament, amid an intensified struggle between the two warring factions of the ruling Nepal Communist Party to wrest control of the party.

The five-member bench, formed under Chief Justice Rana, will issue a verdict on Prime Minister Oli's move to dissolve the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, My Republica newspaper reported.

The five-member bench comprises justices Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Tej Bahadur KC, Anil Kumar Sinha and Hari Krishna Karki.

On Wednesday, Chief Justice Rana's single bench forwarded all writ petitions to the Constitutional bench.

Altogether 13 writ petitions have been registered at the apex court challenging the government's decision to dissolve Parliament.

During the hearing on Wednesday, senior lawyers citing Constitutional provisions argued that Prime Minister Oli has no right to dissolve the House as long as there is a possibility of forming an alternative government.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Oli has called a Cabinet meeting on Friday evening.

He is likely to reshuffle the Cabinet following the resignation of seven ministers close to the Prachanda-led faction, the paper said, citing a source familiar with the Prime Minister's Office.

The Oli-led Cabinet now has 18 members including ministers and ministers of state.

On Thursday, Chinese ambassador Hou Yanqi met Nepal Communist Party's executive chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda', who claims control over the ruling party after removing Prime Minister Oli from the posts of the party's parliamentary leader and chair.

In a meeting of the Central Committee members close to him on Thursday, Oli announced the removal of Prachanda from the post of the party's Executive Chairman.

Earlier, the Prachanda-led faction of the ruling party elected him as the new parliamentary leader, replacing Prime Minister Oli.

Nepal plunged into a political crisis after President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House of Representatives and announced dates for mid-term elections at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli on Sunday, sparking protests from a section of the ruling party and various opposition parties, including Nepali Congress.

The ruling party has now been virtually divided more than two years after it was formed following the merger of CPN-UML led by 68-year-old Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre led by 66-year-old Prachanda in May 2018.

Both factions of the party have intensified efforts to retain official party recognition along with the election symbol.

The two factions are now busy making strategies to wrest control of the party.

A Constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana will hear on Friday all petitions challenging Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's move to abruptly dissolve Parliament, amid an intensified struggle between the two warring factions of the ruling Nepal Communist Party to wrest control of the party.

A Constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana will hear on Friday all petitions challenging Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's move to abruptly dissolve Parliament, amid an intensified struggle between the two warring factions of the ruling Nepal Communist Party to wrest control of the party. The five-member bench, formed under Chief Justice Rana, will issue a verdict on Prime Minister Oli's move to dissolve the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, My Republica newspaper reported. The five-member bench comprises justices Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Tej Bahadur KC, Anil Kumar Sinha and Hari Krishna Karki. On Wednesday, Chief Justice Rana's single bench forwarded all writ petitions to the Constitutional bench. Altogether 13 writ petitions have been registered at the apex court challenging the government's decision to dissolve Parliament. During the hearing on Wednesday, senior lawyers citing Constitutional provisions argued that Prime Minister Oli has no right to dissolve the House as long as there is a possibility of forming an alternative government. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Oli has called a Cabinet meeting on Friday evening. He is likely to reshuffle the Cabinet following the resignation of seven ministers close to the Prachanda-led faction, the paper said, citing a source familiar with the Prime Minister's Office. The Oli-led Cabinet now has 18 members including ministers and ministers of state. On Thursday, Chinese ambassador Hou Yanqi met Nepal Communist Party's executive chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda', who claims control over the ruling party after removing Prime Minister Oli from the posts of the party's parliamentary leader and chair. In a meeting of the Central Committee members close to him on Thursday, Oli announced the removal of Prachanda from the post of the party's Executive Chairman. Earlier, the Prachanda-led faction of the ruling party elected him as the new parliamentary leader, replacing Prime Minister Oli. Nepal plunged into a political crisis after President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House of Representatives and announced dates for mid-term elections at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli on Sunday, sparking protests from a section of the ruling party and various opposition parties, including Nepali Congress. The ruling party has now been virtually divided more than two years after it was formed following the merger of CPN-UML led by 68-year-old Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre led by 66-year-old Prachanda in May 2018. Both factions of the party have intensified efforts to retain official party recognition along with the election symbol. The two factions are now busy making strategies to wrest control of the party.

Constitutional bench to hear petitions challenging Nepal PM Oli's move to dissolve Parliament

Indian lawmakers will soon get a new Parliament building, foundation of which will be laid out on December 10 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India to get its new Parliament building

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Parliament building on December 10

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone for new Parliament building and will carry out 'Bhoomi Poojan' or ground-breaking ceremony on December 10. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla last week took round of the building to assess the site for foundation laying ceremony.

"On December 10, the Prime Minister will perform Bhumi Pujan for the new state-of-the-art Parliament building," he told ANI.

The construction is due to begin this month. Lok Sabha chamber in the new Parliament building will have seating capacity of 888 against present strength of 543 members. Rajya Sabha will be able to accommodate 384 seats as compared to current strength of 245 members. The maximum capacity for Lok Sabha chamber is expected to be 1272 seats for joint sittings.

ecretary-general Utpal Kumar Singh while taking charge of his new office informed that the agencies will try and finish the construction within less than two years so that 75th year of Indian independence can be commemorated in the new Parliament. The proposed built-up area of the new building is estimated to be 64500 square metres.&nbsp;

HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited has won the contract of building new Central vista and Parliament building that will have four floors with separate access for President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Rajya Sabha chairperson, Members of Parliament and public. With construction expected to start this month and Parliament session expected next month, the secretariat stated that all measures have been taken after consultations with agencies to ensure there would be no air or noise pollution.

The new building will be equipped with digital interfaces to create a paperless office.Apart from the offices of MPs and ministries, the new building will have a Constitution hall to showcase the original Constitution. The officials inform that big statues that adorn the space between house and entry of Parliament will also get relocated as per the design.&nbsp;

(With ANI inputs)

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Parliament building on December 10 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone for new Parliament building and will carry out 'Bhoomi Poojan' or ground-breaking ceremony on December 10.

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Parliament building on December 10 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone for new Parliament building and will carry out 'Bhoomi Poojan' or ground-breaking ceremony on December 10. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla last week took round of the building to assess the site for foundation laying ceremony. "On December 10, the Prime Minister will perform Bhumi Pujan for the new state-of-the-art Parliament building," he told ANI. The construction is due to begin this month. Lok Sabha chamber in the new Parliament building will have seating capacity of 888 against present strength of 543 members. Rajya Sabha will be able to accommodate 384 seats as compared to current strength of 245 members. The maximum capacity for Lok Sabha chamber is expected to be 1272 seats for joint sittings. ecretary-general Utpal Kumar Singh while taking charge of his new office informed that the agencies will try and finish the construction within less than two years so that 75th year of Indian independence can be commemorated in the new Parliament. The proposed built-up area of the new building is estimated to be 64500 square metres. HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited has won the contract of building new Central vista and Parliament building that will have four floors with separate access for President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Rajya Sabha chairperson, Members of Parliament and public. With construction expected to start this month and Parliament session expected next month, the secretariat stated that all measures have been taken after consultations with agencies to ensure there would be no air or noise pollution. The new building will be equipped with digital interfaces to create a paperless office.Apart from the offices of MPs and ministries, the new building will have a Constitution hall to showcase the original Constitution. The officials inform that big statues that adorn the space between house and entry of Parliament will also get relocated as per the design. (With ANI inputs)

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for new Parliament building on December 10

Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fighting is not uncommon in parliament. But the scene at a parliament debate in Taiwan on Friday turned particularly ugly.

Legislators from main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party threw pig guts and exchanged punches with other lawmakers as they tried to stop the premier taking questions, in a bitter dispute over easing US pork imports.

President Tsai Ing-wen announced in August that the government would, from January 1, allow imports of US pork containing ractopamine, an additive that enhances leanness but is banned in the European Union and China, as well as US beef more than 30 months old.

While welcomed in Washington, and removing a roadblock to a long sought after US free trade deal for Taiwan, the KMT has strongly opposed the decision, tapping into public concern about food safety after several high-profile scandals in recent years.

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Since the latest session of parliament began in mid-September, the KMT has protested against the pork decision by blocking Premier Su Tseng-chang from delivering regular reports and taking questions by occupying the podium where he speaks.

According to Reuters, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) decided they were going to ensure Su could speak on Friday, and formed a protective barrier around him as he made his way in, as KMT lawmakers blew whistles, held banners and sounded air horns.

As Su began speaking, KMT lawmakers threw buckets of pig guts his way, and some exchanged blows, with a short but vicious encounter between a group of KMT legislators and Chen Po-wei from the small Taiwan Statebuilding Party.

<img alt="An ugly scene at Taiwan's parliament" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58ef7251-1af5-4857-bee5-fa48fcd44305" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/An%20ugly%20scene%20at%20Taiwan%27s%20parliamentf.jpg" />

Su soon withdrew, but later got back up to try and take questions, his words drowned out by KMT lawmakers.

The DPP condemned the protests, saying in a statement the throwing of the pig guts was a waste of food that "stank up" the parliament floor and was "disgusting", calling for a return to rational debate.

The KMT says the pork decision has been rushed through and is a health threat, charges the DPP denies.

Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fighting is not uncommon in parliament. But the scene at a parliament debate in Taiwan on Friday turned particularly ugly.

Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fighting is not uncommon in parliament. But the scene at a parliament debate in Taiwan on Friday turned particularly ugly. Legislators from main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party threw pig guts and exchanged punches with other lawmakers as they tried to stop the premier taking questions, in a bitter dispute over easing US pork imports. President Tsai Ing-wen announced in August that the government would, from January 1, allow imports of US pork containing ractopamine, an additive that enhances leanness but is banned in the European Union and China, as well as US beef more than 30 months old. While welcomed in Washington, and removing a roadblock to a long sought after US free trade deal for Taiwan, the KMT has strongly opposed the decision, tapping into public concern about food safety after several high-profile scandals in recent years. × Since the latest session of parliament began in mid-September, the KMT has protested against the pork decision by blocking Premier Su Tseng-chang from delivering regular reports and taking questions by occupying the podium where he speaks. According to Reuters, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) decided they were going to ensure Su could speak on Friday, and formed a protective barrier around him as he made his way in, as KMT lawmakers blew whistles, held banners and sounded air horns. As Su began speaking, KMT lawmakers threw buckets of pig guts his way, and some exchanged blows, with a short but vicious encounter between a group of KMT legislators and Chen Po-wei from the small Taiwan Statebuilding Party. Su soon withdrew, but later got back up to try and take questions, his words drowned out by KMT lawmakers. The DPP condemned the protests, saying in a statement the throwing of the pig guts was a waste of food that "stank up" the parliament floor and was "disgusting", calling for a return to rational debate. The KMT says the pork decision has been rushed through and is a health threat, charges the DPP denies.

Taiwan parliament debate on US pork turns ugly, fists and pig guts fly

A success story of Multi culturalism in New Zealand. An Indian origin Parliamentarian in New Zealand Gaurav Sharma has now become the social media sensation After he decided to take the oath of office in Sanskrit.

When leaders took oath in Sanskrit and becomes the social media sensation

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