Hong Kong separtist lawmakers lose appeal, remain barred from legislature

Two separatist lawmakers blocked from taking the Hong Kong legislature's oath of office because they insisted on changing it lost an appeal Tuesday and remained blocked from joining the body.

OSCE to closely observe practical actions after EU resolution on propaganda

The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media will "closely observe" practical moves that will follow the European Parliament’s resolution on counteracting propaganda by third parties, a statement of the OSCE representative, Dunja Mijatovic, said following a TASS request to comment on the situation.

Modern European Ethos: EU Parliament’s Resolution Against Russian Media Sign of Hypocrisy

The European Parliament’s adoption of a resolution aimed at counteracting Russian media reflects the western hypocrisy in the sphere of freedom of speech and successful influence of Russian media on the public opinion in Europe, the director general of the SANA news agency, Ahmed Dawa, told Sputnik on Thursday.

Turkey slams French letter on HDP lawmakers' arrest

Turkey Friday criticized an open letter by French lawmakers voicing “alarm” over the recent arrests of deputies from Turkey's opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

French Left May Block Hollande’s Impeachment Motion Before Parliament Vote

A draft resolution to the High Court, calling for the impeachment of French President Francois Hollande over accusations that he breached security in disclosing classified information to journalists, may be blocked by the Socialist Party lawmakers before it reaches the parliament, member of the French National Assembly Nicolas Dhuicq told Sputnik.

French MPs request impeachment of President Hollande

Dozens of French opposition lawmakers late on Thursday formally requested an impeachmeant of President François Hollande over his disclosure of classified information to journalists for a tell-all book.

China Bars 2 Hong Kong Lawmakers From Taking Seats

China is preventing two elected pro-independence lawmakers in Hong Kong from taking their seats in the city's legislature because they deliberately misread their oaths of office.

Ethos of America: Next US president likely to face lawmaker scrutiny. Impeachment could be on the table

The next U.S. president is likely to face investigations by the rival party no matter who wins the White House next Tuesday, according to local media.

Japan’s cabinet members, lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine

Members of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet along with other senior lawmakers from a number of different parties visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine on Tuesday.

UK’s Libya Invasion Based on ‘Erroneous Assumptions,’ Cameron Responsible

Britain’s invasion of Libya was ill-conceived and its results are still playing out today, a report published Wednesday by a UK House of Common’s cross-party committee concluded.

Germany will pull out its Tornado jets from Turkey air base

The German military is preparing for a possible withdrawal of six Tornado reconnaissance jets from Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base given Ankara’s continued refusal to allow German lawmakers to visit the facility, Der Spiegel magazine reported Thursday.

Israeli Parliament Passes Law That Could Unseat Arab Lawmakers

Israel’s parliament on Wednesday passed a law that enables members to impeach lawmakers who incite violence and racism, but critics fear it could be used to target Arab legislators.

Greek MPs ratify deal for sale of majority stake in Piraeus port to China's COSCO

Greek lawmakers ratified on Thursday with an overwhelming majority the landmark concession agreement with China's COSCO Shipping for the acquisition of a majority stake in Piraeus Port Authority (PPA or OLP in Greek).

Oregon college campus shooting

The Thursday shooting at the Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon left 10 people dead and seven injured, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said.

EU Officials Spent Over $133 Mln on Food, Hotels in 2013 Business Trips

Some 13,000 EU officials spent an average of $6,600 each on accommodation and food during business trips in 2013, The Telegraph reported, citing a report.

South Korean lawmakers pass resolution to slam Japan's history distortion

South Korean lawmakers passed a resolution on Tuesday to denounce Japan's approval of school textbooks that distorted history and laid territorial claims to Dokdo islets, called Takeshima in Japan.

US lawmakers back plan to arm Syrian rebels. (House of Representatives vote 273 to 156 to approve President Obama's train-and-equip plan)

US lawmakers have voted to authorise training and arming of vetted Syrian rebels to combat fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a crucial step in President Barack Obama's bid to thwart the self-declared jihadist group surging across Iraq and Syria.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 273 to 156 to approve Obama's train-and-equip plan despite misgivings by both Democrats and Republicans.
Some war-weary Democrats say the move could open the door to full-blown American military intervention in the Middle East.

'Time to make Greek landlords pay': finance minister, Yannis Stournaras

AFP - Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras vowed Sunday to press on with a controversial plan to raise property taxes on large estates, saying "the time has come to make the landlords pay".
In exchange for billions in bailout loans, Greece's coalition government has been imposing a series of draconian reforms, including spending cuts and higher tax levies.

Discussions with its creditors are to resume this week over a new batch of reforms due to be undertaken -- including the plan to raise property tax on estates worth more than 300,000 euros ($400,000).