#UK: Spain Demands, And Gets, Assurances Over Separate Deal On Gibraltar As Final Brexit Summit Nears

[world politics news]

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has given in to Spain's demands over the future of the British territory of Gibraltar after the Spanish prime minister threatened to “veto” the Brexit deal due to be signed off by EU leaders on Sunday. On the eve of Sunday’s Brexit summit, the British ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, wrote to concede that Gibraltar would not necessarily be covered by a future trade deal with the EU.

The decision gives Spain a veto over Gibraltar benefiting from a future trade and security agreement between the EU and the British government. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the UK would now have to open talks on “joint sovereignty” of Gibraltar, which Spain has claimed since the Francisco Franco era.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: Gov. Of Okinawa Vows To Legally Challenge US Base Relocation

[world politics news]

The newly-elected governor of Okinawa says he will take legal action to block the national government from resume in construction on a new location for a US Marine Corp base in his region.

Gov. Denny Tamaki, who was elected on the promise to block the new military base, says he is keeping his election promise. The government of Japan, along with the American military, say the expansion is necessary to both modernize it and place the facility in a less populated area.

The Okinawa prefectural assembly on Oct. 26 adopted an ordinance to hold a referendum on the base's relocation, but the central government says it will ignore the results of the vote.

Military experts say an American military presence in Japan is necessary to deter states such as North Korea and China becoming too aggressive in the region.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#JAPAN: Sensing Political Fallout After Accident Kills Civilian, Military Confined To Base, Alcohol Banned

[world politics news]

Sensing more political fallout after an allegedly drunk US service member struck and killed a civilian with his truck, U.S. Forces in Japan has confined all service members stationed in Okinawa to their bases, banned alcohol consumption, and will require mandatory training on responsible alcohol use by members of the military serving in the country. The Sunday accident in Okinawa will likely increase negative feeling in the Prefecture, where past criminal acts by American servicemen have sparked angry protests and strengthened persistent calls to remove the base from the region.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#DENMARK: Greenland May Seek Independence From Denmark, Cites "Bad Deal" Over US Airbase

[world politics news]

Greenland's government may consider independence from Denmark, citing a "bad deal" with a US military base in Greenland and Danish "arrogance" in failing to grant the region more sovereignty, says Foreign Minister Vittus Qujaukitsoq. Citing frustration with the Danish government over its 1943 deal with the US over Thule Air Base, Qujaukitsoq says the base has been "nothing but trouble," citing concerns over pollution. Greenland created a new department for independence last year and passed a bill in parliament saying the US and Denmark should renegotiate the Thule deal.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Nuuk, Greenland

#UK: Despite Uncertain Future For Scottish UK Base, Parliament Renews Trident Sub Program

[world politics news]

Despite an uncertain future for the UK's Trident submarine base in Scotland - which the Scottish National Party says would be closed if a second independence referendum passes - the UK's parliament has overwhelmingly passed legislation to spend  £40 billion to replace four Vanguard-class submarines that carry nuclear warheads.

#JAPAN: Chief Cabinet Officer Asks US Military To Speed Up Partial #Okinawa Base Withdrawal

[world politics news]

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has asked for an early implementation of the planned partial transfer of US Marines from the southern prefecture of Okinawa to the Pacific island of Guam. The military base  has been a source of controversy as it attempts to relocate on the island to a larger facility.

#JAPAN: #Okinawa Gov. Revokes Landfill Permit For US Naval Base Relocation

[world politics news]

The governor of Okinawa in southern Japan has revoked a permit to reclaim coastal land in the prefecture for the relocation of a US military base. Takeshi Onaga, who campaigned pledging to stop the base's relocation, signed a document to revoke the permit issued by his predecessor.