China urges G7 members to stop making provocations on Taiwan question

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday urged the United States, Japan and other G7 members to stop conniving at and supporting "Taiwan independence" forces, stop making provocations and playing with fire on the Taiwan question.

China Vows to Thwart Any ‘Independence’ Schemes for Taiwan – Al-Manar TV Lebanon

China’s armed forces have the confidence and every capacity to prevent any external interference or foil separatist plots aimed at winning independence for Taiwan, Spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry Senior Colonel Tan Kefei said on Tuesday, commenting on the Pentagon’s annual report covering Chinese military strength.

Scottish Leader Voices Disappointment, But Respects UK Courts Ruling On Independence Vote

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday expressed disappointment with the UK Supreme Court's negative decision regarding a referendum on Scottish independence.

Death toll from air raids in Myanmar’s Kachin reported to hit 80

The death toll from a Myanmar military air raid in northern Kachin state has risen to 80, according to reports, as human rights groups accused the ruling generals of violating the laws of war and called on the international community to impose a ban on the sale of arms and aviation fuel to the country.

Putin signs ‘independence’ decrees for Zaporizhia, Kherson

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared the ‘independence’ of the Ukrainian regions of Zaporizhia and Kherson as Russia prepares to formally proclaim the annexation of Ukrainian territory.

US Has Range Of Options For Response If Russia Recognizes Donbass Republics - White House - UrduPoint

The United States has a range of options available for a response should Russia recognize Ukraine's breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday.

New Caledonia pro-independence parties reject referendum result | Al Jazeera

Pro-independence parties in New Caledonia have rejected the result of a referendum, which overwhelmingly approved the Pacific territory remaining part of France, as final results showed that almost two-third of voters abstained or returned blank or null ballots.

New Caledonia set for final vote on independence from France | Al Jazeera

Voters go to the polls in New Caledonia on Sunday in the third and final referendum on independence for the French-ruled Pacific territory.

Barcelone : heurts en marge d'une manifestation indépendantiste catalane

 

--

Spanish Prime Minister Rules Out Possibility Of Independence Referendum In Catalonia - UrduPoint

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ruled out the possibility of a referendum on the self-determination of Catalonia in an address to the lower house one week after pardoning the leaders who organized the previous, unauthorized plebiscite.

Catalan separatist leaders released from jail, call for freedom from Spain

 

 --

UK PM Under Pressure as British Voters Back Second Scottish Independence Referendum - FARS

 (FNA)- Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing intense pressure to allow a second Scottish independence referendum if the SNP win a majority at Holyrood on Thursday, after a new poll for The Independent showed British voters think he would be wrong to deny a fresh ballot.

Jordan royal family pictured together following 'royal rift' - BBC News

Jordan's King Abdullah and his half-brother Prince Hamzah have appeared in public for the first time since claims of a royal rift.

Morocco Hails UN Resolution on Western Sahara for Sending Firm Signal to Rebels

 A new UN resolution on Western Sahara has sent a firm message to the separatist Polisario Front that it should not aspire to change the status quo in the region, the Moroccan envoy to the UN said.

Puigdemont privately says Catalan independence push is 'over'

Catalonia's former leader Carles Puigdemont was caught privately telling a colleague that the push for the region's independence bid from Spain was over.

Catalonia crisis: Economy minister puts cost at €1bn

Spain's Economy Minister Luis de Guindos has put the cost of the Catalan independence crisis at around €1bn (£890m; $1.2bn).

He told Spanish radio that it was due to the slowdown in the Catalan economy after the unauthorised independence referendum on 1 October.
 (BBC)

Iraq's victory over ISIS overshadowed by growing crisis with Kurdish region

The hard-won victory in 2017 over the terror group Islamic State (IS) by Iraq is overshadowed by a growing conflict with the Kurds following a controversial independence referendum.

Catalonia's Pro-Independence Parties Seen Losing Majority in Election: Poll

Catalonia's pro-independence parties were seen losing their parliamentary majority in the regional election on Dec. 21, an official poll showed on Monday.

Iraqi Supreme Court rejects Kurdish independence referendum results

The Iraqi Supreme Court on Monday threw out the results of the Kurdish independence referendum held in September.

Iraq's Kurdistan Says to Respect Court Decision Banning Secession

Iraqi Kurdish authorities said on Tuesday they would accept a court decision prohibiting the region from seceding, signaling a new phase in efforts to restart stalled negotiations over its future.