#HONGKONG: Leader Carrie Lam Shouted Down In Legislature While Giving Speech

[world politics news]

Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam attempted to deliver her annual policy address today in the Legislative Council, the first time the governing body had met since June, when protested surrounded the building, preventing lawmakers from entering to debate the controversial extradition bill that sparked the protests that have gripped Hong Kong for months.

But Lam's speech was interrupted by pro-democracy lawmakers shouting slogans, including “Five demands, not one less”, which refers to their demands for an independent inquiry into police behaviour, amnesty for those arrested, democratic reforms to give Hong Kong residents universal suffrage, the withdrawal of the emergency law which allows for a ban of face masks during protests, a halt to categorising the protests as riots.

She left the chamber after only one minute into her speech, which was later given by video.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SPAIN: Catalan Independence Leaders Get Lengthy Prison Sentences

[world politics news]

Spain’s supreme court has sentenced nine separatist leaders from Catalonia to between nine and 13 years in prison for sedition over their role in a failed independence bid, triggering protests across the region.

Three other defendants who were also on trial for their involvement in the October 2017 referendum held in spite of a ban and a short-lived independence declaration, were found guilty only of disobedience and not sentenced to prison.

All defendants were acquitted of the gravest charge, rebellion, but leading separatists were quick to condemn the court’s decision and the jailed men sent out messages of defiance, urging people to take to the streets.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#NEWCALEDONIA: South Pacific French Territory Narrowly Votes Down Independence In Referendum

[world politics news]

Pro-independence forces gained grounded in the latest in a series of referenda on independence was held in the South Pacific French-governed territory of New Caledonia, gaining nearly 44% of the vote, held this past weekend. The "no" vote slipped to a 56.4% vote. Turnout was 80%, a record high. The 1998 Nouméa Accord calls for two more votes, in 2020 and 2022. In 1987, the "no" vote received 98%.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Small Pro-Independence Group To Be Banned After Police Say It Advocated Violence; Pressure From Beijing Suspected

[world politics news]

The small, separatist Hong Kong National Party could be banned after police say it advocated violence. The move is raising concerns that the Communist Mainland, ahead of a turnover of the city to China in the 2040s, could be losing its freedom of political expression. The fears are being given credence  after Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam said that any advocacy of separatism "will be suppressed." Opponents of the party say its statements that it would take "any steps necessary" to achieve its political goals prompted police concerns. The party was given 21 days to respond to the charges.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: PM Files Appeal Against Catalan Parliament's "Fast-Track" Bills To Pave Way For Referendum

[world politics news]

The Spanish government has filed an appeal with Spain's constitutional court against a reform passed by the Catalan parliament to fast-track bills through the regional parliament, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said. Catalonia's majority separatist lawmakers hope the reform they approved will pave the way for an independence referendum in the wealthy northeastern region called for October 1st which Madrid deems illegal.

[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

#SPAIN: EU Will Recognize Independent Catalonia, Insists Catalan Leader

[world politics news]

The president of the Catalan region, Carles Puigdemont, told a Paris conference that the EU would recognize an independent Catalonia, citing the example of Slovenia and the former Yugoslavia, as well as Scotland and its dissatisfaction with Brexit.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: UK Independence Party Leader Farage Resigns After #Brexit Success

[world politics news]

Nigel Farage says he is resigning as leader of the UK Independence Party. He said his "political ambition has been achieved" with the UK having voted to leave the EU. He said the party was in a "pretty good place" and said he would not change his mind about quitting as he did after the 2015 general election.

#INDIA: National Capitol Set For Statehood Vote; Inspired By #Brexit

[world politics news]

Latching onto the referendum held in United Kingdom in which British citizens decided to exit from the European Union, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced that the national capital will have a referendum on full statehood "soon." Last month, Kejriwal began a public feedback period, which ends June 30. 

#AUSTRALIA: Norfolk Islanders Seek Restoration Of Self-Government

[world politics news]

Known internationally as one of the islands settled by the passengers of the Bounty, Norfolk Island has been a self-governing territory since the 1850s, and affiliated with Australia since the 1910s. But it lost its sovereignty in the recent financial crisis, and is set to lose all self-government next month. Islanders are seeking to restore its Legislative Assembly to power and become self-governing once again.