Russia holds parliamentary election without opposition
Russia held three days for voting in a parliamentary election last weekend, but it is unlikely to change the country’s current political standing. The election will ultimately determine whether State Duma, the current opposition party, will retain its two-thirds majority, which gives the party power to amend the constitution and remain a viable political opponent. United Russia, the current party which supports President Vladimir Putin, expects little opposition and voting turnout for this election. While political analysts in Russia state that the election will have no historical significance, Putin has urged Russian citizens to vote, citing that the election of State Duma’s new composition is critically important for the future of Russia.
Previously unseen Van Gogh drawing to go on display
A drawing that is believed to have been composed by Vincent van Gogh was displayed publicly for the first time in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam beginning on Sept. 17. The piece of art was part of a private Dutch collection and was only known to have existed to a select group of people, including some officials from the museum. The anonymous owner of the piece asked the museum to determine if the drawing was by Van Gogh. Several researchers from the museum studied it and observed that based on the style and materials used in the drawing and even the damage caused by attaching the piece to what may have been a drawing board, the piece could very easily be attributed to Van Gogh. The drawing itself is believed to be from an early point in the artist’s career when he was practicing his portraits of people by drawing them repeatedly. The Van Gogh Museum already owns an almost identical piece that is a little cleaner than the new sketch.
Australia gets nuclear-powered submarines in new security alliance
Australia has formed a security alliance with Britain and the U.S. that will equip the country with nuclear-powered submarines. The alliance was formed after the three countries agreed that they needed a closer bond that would help bring peace amoung the countries. Under the agreements of the alliance, Australia has been granted access to build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, allowing them to surpass the need for their agreement with France, who granted Australia access to diesel-electric submarines. The U.S. will provide nuclear experts to advise on construction while allowing Australia to grow in military power.
