#ZIMBABWE: BREAKING: Mugabe Steps Down After Party Expels Him In Favor Of Ousted VP

[world politics news]

Pres. Robert Mugabe has agreed to step down after 37 years.  He's due to officially announce his departure on live television tonight. Mugabe reportedly broke down in tears and asked for his dead wife and son before meeting army chiefs Sunday after being ousted as leader of Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF party. The frail 93-year-old has until noon local time on Monday to resign as president or impeachment proceedings will start. He was replaced by the vice president he previously fired, Emmerson 'Crocodile' Mnangagwa, after all ten Zimbabwean provinces passed no-confidence motions against the dictator two days earlier.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Corbyn Ally Richard Leonard Elected Leader of Scotland's Labour Party

[world politics news]

Jeremy Corbyn has strengthened his grip on the Labour party after Scottish members elected a left-wing trade unionist, Richard Leonard, as their seventh leader in the past decade. Announced as the winner in front of cheering supporters in Glasgow, Leonard won a decisive victory over his rival Anas Sarwar, a former Scottish deputy leader, after a fractious contest between the party’s left and right wings in which the Unite union played a significant role.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ZIMBABWE: Mass Demonstrations Call For Mugabe To Step Down

[world politics news]

Thousands of Zimbabweans have taken to the streets to demand President Robert Mugabe's resignation, a spectacle that would have been unthinkable just one week ago. Saturday's rally in Harare, the capital, is backed by the army, which seized power on Wednesday. The mood at Zimbabwe Grounds, where speeches took place, was celebratory.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CAMBODIA: Supreme Court Outlaws Main Opposition Party Ahead Of 2018 Elections

[world politics news]

Cambodia's Supreme Court has dissolved the country's main opposition party, leaving the government with no significant competitor ahead of elections next year. The Cambodia National Rescue Party was accused of plotting to topple the government - charges it denies, and describes as politically motivated. More than 100 party members are now banned from politics for five years. Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has ruled for 32 years.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ITALY: Former PM Berlusconi Seeking Comeback After Coalition Wins Sicily Elections

[world politics news]

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi looks set for another political comeback after a coalition he backed won Sicily's regional elections. The result adds momentum to the newly formed center-right alliance. The vote on the Italian island has been viewed as a crucial test ahead of next year's national election. The 81-year-old billionaire businessman's career has been beset by scandals both in and out of government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ZIMBABWE: COUP! Troops Take The Capitol To "End Purges"; Mugabe Under House Arrest

[world politics news]

Zimbabwe's military has placed President Robert Mugabe under house arrest in the capital Harare, South African President Jacob Zuma says. Mugabe told Zuma in a phone call that he was fine, the South African leader's office said. Troops are patrolling the capital, Harare, after they seized state TV and said they were targeting "criminals". The move may be a bid to replace Mugabe with his sacked deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa's dismissal last week left Mugabe's wife Grace as the president's likely successor.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRALIA: Overwhelming Support For Same-Sex Marriage In Nationwide Vote

[world politics news]

Over sixty-one percent of Australians voted Yes to legalizing same-sex marriage in a survey by mail. 79% of eligible voters participated. The final count was 7.8 million responses in support of same-sex marriage, and 4.9 million against. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addressed the nation minutes after the result was announced, promising to bring the same-sex marriage bill to a vote in Parliament before Christmas. "They have spoken in their millions and they have voted overwhelmingly Yes for marriage equality," he said. "They voted Yes for fairness, Yes for commitment, Yes for love. Australian statistician David Kalisch said the final number of responses was 12,727,920 people, representing 79% of eligible Australian voters.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Christine Forster, the sister of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, celebrates after watching the same sex marriage vote result. 

#HUNGARY: PM Orban Accepts His Party's Nomination To Seek Another 4-Year Term

[world politics news]

Hungary’s right-wing prime minister Viktor Orban accepted his ruling Fidesz Party’s endorsement on Sunday to lead it into an election next year, saying he needed another four-year term in power to make his transformation of the country "irreversible."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CROATIA: Center-Right Gov't Survives No Confidence Vote Called Over Handling Bailout Of Retailer

[world politics news]

The center-right Croatian government has survived a no-confidence vote launched by the opposition over the cabinet's handling of the debt crisis at Agrokor, the country's largest private food and retail company. The vote early Saturday in the Croatian parliament was 78-59 in favor of the center-right government. The vote was triggered by the opposition, which claims the government bailout of the biggest retailer in the Balkans favored some creditors and lacked transparency.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#INDONESIA: Top Court Overturns Discriminatory Religious ID Law

[world politics news]

Indonesia's top court has overturned a law that denied recognition and legal rights to followers of indigenous faiths. The Constitutional Court said articles in the 2013 Civil Administration Law were discriminatory and unjust. The law effectively required followers of faiths not among the six recognized by the government to list one of the official religions on their national identity card or be denied basic rights such as marriage registration and land titles.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Priti Patel Resigns As Int'l Development Min. Following Secret Meetings; Replaced By Penny Mordaunt

[world politics news]

Penny Mordaunt has been appointed by Prime Minister Theresa May as the UK's new International Development Secretary. She replaces Priti Patel, who resigned Wednesday following revelations of secret meetings between her and Israeli politicians while she was on vacation last summer. Mordaunt, a Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, was first elected in 2010 and has served as minister for disabled people since July 2016. She was also the first woman to serve as a minister for the armed forces.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#QATAR: Gov't Will Introduce Minimum Wage Law To Settle Labour Org Complaint

[world politics news]

The UN's International Labour Organisation has closed a complaint over the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, after the nation said it would introduce a minimum wage and allow its labor practices to be monitored by trained inspectors. It is now expected that Qatar will sign a bilateral agreement with the UN protecting laborers, making it the first Gulf country to do so.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: PM May Faces Pressure To Fire Development Sec. Patel After Secret Meetings Revealed

[world politics news]

New revelations have emerged that have made many calling on Prime Minister Theresa May fire Development Minister Priti Patel. She breached the ministerial code by secretly meeting meeting with 12 Israeli politicians including premier Benjamin Netanyahu during a family holiday this summer. She had kept the meetings hidden from the foreign office.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SOLOMONISLANDS: PM Sogovare Ousted In No Confidence Vote

[world politics news]

Manasseh Sogavare has been ousted as the Solomon Islands' prime minister in a vote of no confidence.  Sogavare's third stint as prime minister was his longest, and he came tantalisingly close to that elusive goal in Solomon Island politics: a full term in office. However, 10 months before elections he was politically wounded by recent defections by almost half his cabinet, and narrowly defeated by 27 votes to 23.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRALIA: PM Turnbull Announces New Policies To Deal With Dual Citizenship Crisis

[world politics news]

All federal politicians will be required to publicly detail their citizenship history and status under  Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's new government transparency measures designed to end the crisis that has rocked federal Parliament. Turnbull acted after pressure from the Labor Party and the public following numerous politicians were "outed" as being dual citizens, something forbidden by the Constitution. MPs will be required to provide a statement to Parliament's registrar of interests that outlines where they were born, where their parents were born, and what steps they took to renounce any foreign ties.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ICELAND: Four-Party Coalition Talks Break Down

[world politics news]

The center-left government coalition talks that begun on Friday have been abandoned. The formal talks were initiated on after the leaders of the Progressive Party, the Left-Green Movement, the Social Democratic Alliance and the Pirate Party agreed to make an attempt to form a majority government following the October 28 general elections. According to our sources, the Progressive Party decided to abandon the talks due to the small majority in parliament. The four party coalition would have had 32 MPs in Iceland’s 63 member parliament, the smallest possible majority.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#LEBANON: PM Resigns, Citing Meddling From Iran, Hezbollah Death Threats

[world politics news]

Saad Hariri has announced his resignation as Lebanon's prime minister and implicitly blamed Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, for his decision. In a televised speech on Saturday, he said he suspected there were covert plans to target his life, but he did not elaborate. Hariri, who made the statement during a visit to Saudi Arabia, said Iran planted "disorder and destruction" in the country and meddled in the internal issues of Lebanon as well as other Arab countries.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Lawmaker Charlie Elphicke Suspended By Conservative Party Over "Serious" Allegations

[world politics news]

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke has said he is unaware of the nature of the “serious allegations” which the Conservative Party says have been passed to the police. Tory chief whip Julian Smith said  Elphicke has been suspended but would not elaborate further on the claims that prompted the action.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: United Conservative Pty of Alberta Ldr Jason Kenney Seeks Seat In Legislature

[world politics news]

The day after claiming victory in the United Conservative Party leadership race, Jason Kenney was as confident and combative as ever – saying he cannot wait in his quest to oust Alberta's NDP government, and will seek a seat in the province's legislature through a by-election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: Former Catalan Pres. In Exile In Brussels; Says He Accepts Madrid's Election Plans

[world politics news]

Catalonia's ousted leader Carles Puigdemont has agreed to the snap election Dec. 21st called by Spain's central government when it took control of the region to stop it breaking away, but he said the fight for independence would go on. Puigdemont, speaking at a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday, also said he was not seeking asylum in Belgium after Spain's state prosecutor recommended charges for rebellion and sedition be brought against him. He would return to Catalonia when given "guarantees" by the Spanish government, he said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ISRAEL: US Put Pressure On Israel To Delay Jerusalem Settlement Annexation Bill

[world politics news]

Under pressure from the United States, Israel has delayed a bill that would connect a number of settlements in the West Bank to Jerusalem. The "Greater Jerusalem Bill" aims to solidify the city's Jewish majority, but stops short of formal annexation, making the practical implications unclear. The bill says the communities would be considered "daughter municipalities" of Jerusalem.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EU: Euro Parliament Sets Up Committee To Investigate Numerous Sexual Harassment Claims

[world politics news]

European Parliament lawmakers have voted for a motion condemning sexual harassment and calling for a "task force of independent experts" to examine allegations of sexual harassment and abuse within the Parliament. The vote comes a day after lawmakers debated sexual abuse within the EP following media reports detailing a number of rape, assault and harassment allegations against MEPs.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Anti-Immigrant AfD Party Enters Parliament, Proclaims "New Era" In Germany, Invokes Goering

[world politics news]

The far-right Alternative For Germany Party vowed a “new era” as it made its debut yesterday at the first sitting of Germany’s newly-elected parliament, where it immediately sparked an outcry by comparing itself to an MP once targeted by Nazi Hermann Goering. The party filed a motion to challenge a change in parliamentary rules that thwarted one of its lawmakers from making the opening speech in the lower house. Other members pointed out the comparison was inaccurate.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ICELAND: Gov't Coalition Loses Ground, New Parties Enter Parliament

[world politics news]

Parties that made up the right-of-center coalition government have lost majority in Iceland’s parliament. The incumbent coalition government had the slimmest possible majority, or just 32 seats in Iceland’s 63 seat parliament. The Prime Minister’s Independence Party lost four of its 21 seats, but retains its position as Iceland’s largest political party with 26.8%. The other two coalition partners lost seats. The Restoration Party has currently received 6.7% of the votes, compared to 10.5% last year. The third coalition Partner, Bright Future, got 1% and lost all its parliamentary seats. The Center Party, a new political party founded by former Prime Minister and Progressive Party leader just weeks before the elections, is coming in with 11% of the votes

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Former Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson has made a comeback with his new Center Party. Incumbent Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, leader of the Independence Party in the background.

#SPAIN: Central Gov't In Madrid Fires Catalan Gov't; Catalan Leader Vows Peaceful Resistance

[world politics news]

Catalonia is now theoretically under the direct control of the Spanish national government in Madrid after the area’s regional parliament voted in favor of an independent republic on Friday. In a televised address on Saturday, the separatist leader said Madrid’s decision to suspend the autonomy of the province and appoint the Spanish Deputy Prime Minister as its provisional head goes against the will of the people.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: BREAKING: Violence Feared As Catalonia Declares Independence, 40 Minutes After Direct Rule Imposed By Spanish Senate

[world politics news]

Spain is on the brink of descending into violence as Catalonia faces being imminently taken over by direct rule after the region's parliament declared independence. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy began a meeting with his cabinet at 5 pm local time to discuss exactly how the national government will take control of the region. During that meeting, article 155 of the country's constitution will be enacted - meaning the entire Catalan government will be dismissed and replaced by Spanish nominees, the regional police force will come under national control and public broadcasters will start taking their orders from Madrid.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: Catalan Pres. Rules Out Snap Election As Senate Moves To Impose Direct Rule

[world politics news]

Catalonia’s president has said he will not call a regional election that could have defused tension with Spain. Carles Puigdemont said he had considered calling a snap election, but was choosing not to because he had not received sufficient guarantees that the government's "abusive" moves to take control of Catalonia would be suspended. In a hastily-called address from his palace in Barcelona and with the eyes of the world watching, the separatist leader said the regional parliament now will decide how to respond to the Spanish authorities' takeover plan.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CHINA: Communist Party Congress Unveils New Leaders, Tightly Controlled By Xi Jinping

[world politics news]

China's Communist government has unveiled a new generation of leaders, following the end of its Communist Party congress. The seven members of China’s most powerful body - the Politburo Standing Committee - have been confirmed, Xi Jinping remains the dominant force, however, in China's government, and none of the members are young enough to succeed him.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EU: Euro Parliament Votes To Ban Glyphosate, Top Ingredient In Round-Up Weedkiller

[world politics news]

The European Parliament has called for the controversial weedkiller glyphosate to be banned by 2022 amid fears it causes cancer, a day before EU states vote on whether to renew its licence. MEPs approved the non-binding resolution, which will add fresh pressure on the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, which has recommended the licence for the herbicide be renewed for 10 years. The chemical is a key ingredient in Monsanto Co’s top-selling weedkiller, Roundup.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CZECHIA: Billionaire's Party Wins Big In Election, "Czech Trump" Set To Be Prime Minister

[world politics news]

Andrej Babis, often called the "Czech Trump," and his anti-corruption and anti-euro ANO (Yes) party won with 29.7 per cent support (78 parliament seats) in a victory that represents a shift to the right for the country. Despite scandals connected to EU subsidies his companies have received, he is expected to be asked to form a government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Babis with his wife Monika

#JAPAN: PM Abe's Hard Line Against N. Korea Pays Off In Strong New Election Mandate

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has secured a strong mandate for his hard line against North Korea and room to push for revision of the country’s pacifist constitution after his party crushed untested opposition parties in Sunday’s general election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UKRAINE: Oppo Forces Stage Demo Demanding Lawmakers Lose Prosecutorial Immunity

[world politics news]

Thousands of people from all over Ukraine gathered early on Oct. 17 near Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, for a rally to demand that parliament pass a law that will strip the Ukrainian lawmakers of their immunity from prosecution. The protesters also demanded the creation of anti-corruption courts and the adoption of a new electoral law. The rally was attended by members of numerous political forces: Mikheil Saakashvili’s Movement of New Forces, Batkivshchyna, Svoboda, National Corps, Samopomich, AutoMaidan, Reanimation Package of Reforms, and Donbas volunteer battalions. Ex-Governor Saakashvili, a fierce critic of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, spoke at the rally.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GREECE: Parliament Passes Gender Identity Law Over Orthodox Church's Objections

[world politics news]

Greece’s left-wing government has passed legislation enabling citizens to determine their gender identity amid fierce condemnation from the Orthodox church and accusations the law would “destroy human beings." After two days of highly charged debate, the prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, rallied parliament to endorse policies that would permit people to legally change their gender on all official documents without undergoing sterilization
.
[FULL STORY HERE]

#NEWZEALAND: Jacinda Ardern New PM After Coalition Deal With NZ First Party

[world politics news]

Labour Party Leader Jacinda Ardern has become New Zealand’s prime minister 26 days after the country’s electorate cast their votrs. Kingmaker Winston Peters announced that his New Zealand First party would throw its support behind Ardern’s Labour party.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Parliament Votes Unanimously To Delay Roll-Out Of Universal Credit Plan

[world politics news]

Parliament has voted, by 299 votes to 0, a Labour Party motion for a pause in the roll-out of Universal Credit in order for problems in the system to be fixed.  It is a symbolic victory for Labour. Conservative MPs abstained, thanks to a three line whip, and the vote is not binding on the government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRIA: Conservatives Win Majority, Sebastian Kurz, 31, Set To Be World's Youngest Leader

[world politics news]

Austria's conservative People's Party, led by 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz, is set to win the country's general election, projections suggest. Kurz is on course to become the world's youngest national leader. The People's Party was set to win more than 31%. It is so far unclear whether the Social Democrats or the far-right Freedom Party will finish second. Short of a majority, Kurz's party could seek an alliance with the anti-immigration Freedom Party.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THEPHILIPPINES: Duterte Warns Diplomats Could Be Expelled In 24 Hrs If They Oppose Drug War

[world politics news]

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has warned the EU and UN that he could throw out their ambassadors within 24 hours if they continue to “interfere” in his brutal and controversial war against drugs. "You think that we are a bunch of morons here... The ambassadors of those countries learn a lesson now. Because we can have the diplomatic channels cut tomorrow, you leave my country in 24 hours, all of you,” he said during an expletive-filled tirade against colonialism in the capital, Manila.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#PAKISTAN: Senate Rejects Raising Minimum Marriage Age From 16 To 18; Says "Un-Islamic"

[world politics news]

Pakistan’s Senate has struck down legislation governing the minimum age girls can marry, saying a Bill to increase the legal age from 16 to 18 was un-Islamic. The Child Marriage Restraint Bill was rejected after Senator Sehar Kamran, the lawmaker driving the proposal, had her request for a deferment denied on the grounds that she would not be present.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CZECHIA: Head Of Party Leading In Polls Charged With Fraud Ahead Of Oct. 20 Election

[world politics news]

With just days to go before a Czech parliamentary election that his populist Ano party is expected to win, billionaire Andrej Babis has been charged with fraud over the alleged misuse of European Union funds. Babis – whose wealth and anti-establishment rhetoric have seen him compared to US president Donald Trump – is accused of illegally accessing some €2 million for a farm and conference center known as the Stork Nest. Jaroslav Faltynek, the deputy leader of Ano, has also been charged in the same case.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SWEDEN: Moderate Party Picks Pragmatic New Leader After Election Disappointment

[world politics news]

Sweden’s biggest opposition party, the Moderates, have a new leader, after Ulf Kristersson was picked to follow Anna Kinberg Batra. The former Minister for Social Security has been the party's economic policy spokesperson in opposition. He was the only candidate chosen by a nominating committee and was unanimously backed for the top job. He replaces Kinberg Batra, who was leader from January 2015 until she was ousted by her party in August following poor performances in polls. In his first speech as leader, Kristersson promised to be pragmatic in order to solve Sweden’s challenges, calling his approach "values-based pragmatism."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#BARBADOS: Gov't Raises Taxes 400% Amid Stagnant Economic Growth

[world politics news]

The Democratic Labour Party government is confident it can close a fiscal gap in its budget with a 400% tax hike that has already raised $25 million in one quarter. But their "National Social Responsibility Levy" has come under heavy criticism from private sector business groups and Unions alike for raising the cost of living during a period of stagnant economic growth.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: DLP MP and Finance Min. Christopher Sinckler.

#CATALONIA: Pres. Declares Independence, Calls For Talks With Central Gov't In Madrid

[world politics news]

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said Tuesday he would act on what he called a popular mandate to declare independence from Spain but first wanted dialogue with Madrid to ensure it is a peaceful process. "The ballot boxes say Yes to independence and this is the path I am determined to follow,” the regional president told the Catalan parliament. “I assume the mandate of the people for Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic." However, he immediately asked the Catalan parliament to suspend the act of independence for some weeks to allow for a period of negotiation with the Spanish government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Merkel Prepared To Enter Coalition Talks With Greens, Liberals

[world politics news]

Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will start talks with liberals and Greens to try to form a new coalition government after last month's election. Merkel won a fourth term in the September 24th vote but the far-right Alternative for Germany poached one million votes from her conservative bloc, leaving her without an obvious coalition. Her party's former coalition partners were crushed in the polls in September. She had already announced that she would seek exploratory talks on forming an alliance between her CDU/CSU bloc and two smaller parties, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the ecologist Greens.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#PALESTINIANAUTHORITY: Gaza, PA Gov't Unites To Form "Consensus Gov't" Brokered By Egypt

[world politics news]

Out of the sight of the world, the Palestinian Authority has taken over governing authority in the Gaza Strip from Hamas, in a deal brokered by Egypt. Gaza and the West Bank have been ruled separately since 2007. The Palestinian national consensus government is headed by PA Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah, who says the government had already formed committees to oversee the administration of Gaza and, in accordance with the Cairo agreement. In his first visit to Gaza, he described Hamas’ decision to respond to Pres. Mahmoud Abbas’ call to dissolve its Administrative Committee as "an important step."

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Egyptian General Intelligence Minister Khaled Fawzi (left) and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah.

#SPAIN: The Empire Strikes Back: Pro-Spain Protesters Demonstration Against Catalan Independence

[world politics news]

Hundreds of thousands of people are marching in Barcelona to demand Catalonia rejects independence and stays with Spain. March organizers, the anti-independence Union movement Societat Civil Catalana, claimed 930,000 people turned out, but Barcelona police put the total at around 350,000. The demonstration comes a week after the Catalan government held a referendum on secession that was condemned as illegal and unconstitutional by the Spanish government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: Tokyo Mayor's New Party Threatens To Change Political Landscape In Nation

[world politics news]

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike's new party has issued a direct challenge to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, receiving a show of support from Japan's leading opposition Democratic Party, whose chief Seiji Maehara said that he will pursue a de facto merger with Koike in the upcoming snap election.
If the two parties unite, it would mark the largest political reshuffle since 2003 when the previous Democratic Party merged with the Liberal Party to try and oust the powerful LDP.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#NORWAY: Christians Democrats Withdraw From Coalition Talks With Solberg Gov't

[world politics news]

Christian Democratic Party withdrew from coalition talks with the government yesterday and has left the right wing- conservative cabinet as a minority government. The decision will surely make it more difficult for Prime Minister Erna Solberg and her partner party to get support on both financial and social policy proposals. Even lack of the majority in this scenario can end up with early ending of the coalition.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#POLAND: Gov't Creates Committee To Determine German War Reparations

[world politics news]

Poland's governing conservatives have set up a parliamentary committee tasked with looking into the extent of World War II reparations they claim is owed by Germany. A member of the governing Law and Justice Party says there is no set date for the committee to produce its results. The issue of war reparations, for decades considered as settled, was revived in July by party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski. Earlier this month Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said Warsaw "has the right" to ask for reparations. Germany disagrees, saying the issue was settled in the 1950s.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: BREAKING: Police Seize Ballot Boxes, Attack Voters, To Stop Catalan Independence Referendum

[world politics news]

Spanish riot police beat voters, fired rubber bullets and seized ballot boxes from polling stations in Catalonia Sunday as thousands flooded the streets to vote in an independence referendum banned by the central government in Madrid. Below is a video story about the violence.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRIA: Islamic Veil And Other Face-Concealing Items Banned As Of Today

[world politics news]

New restrictions come into force in Austria on Sunday banning the wearing of the full Islamic veil and other items concealing the face in public places and buildings. Exemptions "under certain conditions" include items like clown disguises "at cultural events," work wear such as medical masks, and scarves in cold weather, the government says. The restrictions are aimed at "ensuring the cohesion of society in an open society," it says. Violations will be punished with a fine of up to 150 euros ($177).

[FULL STORY HERE]