Iraq postpones vote on bill including death penalty for same-sex acts
Baghdad, Iraq Reuters Iraqi lawmakers postponed voting on Monday on a bill that includes the death penalty or life in prison for same-sex relations – a measure that diplomats from Western countries said could have serious consquences for Iraq’s political and economic ties if it goes through. Parliament was in session on Monday, with the […]
South Koreans vote for new parliament after economy, corruption dominate campaign
Seoul, South Korea Reuters South Koreans vote to elect a new parliament on Wednesday in a bitterly fought race seen by some analysts as a referendum on President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose popularity has suffered amid a cost of living crisis and a spate of political scandals. The opposition Democratic Party (DP), which already dominates […]
Moldovan Parliament backs bid to join EU, but divisions remain
Chisinau, Moldova Reuters Moldova’s Parliament this week endorsed an appeal to press on with a drive to join the European Union, but the opposition walked out of the vote and separatists in the Transdniestria region urged authorities to drop their claim to the enclave. President Maia Sandu, who says Russia is the biggest threat to […]
Farmers threaten to bring Poland to a halt after police clashes
Warsaw, Poland Reuters Tens of thousands of farmers and their supporters warned on Wednesday they would bring Poland to a standstill, after violent clashes with police outside the country’s parliament in Warsaw. The protesters had gathered at the Prime Minister’s office in the Polish capital, burning tyres and throwing firecrackers as they demanded a halt […]
Weakened UK PM Sunak survives Conservative asylum law rebellion
London, UK Reuters British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defeated a Conservative rebellion on Wednesday over his plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, winning a costly victory that weakens his authority and deepens divisions in his party. Sunak faced down the rebellion by right-wingers in his Conservative Party by offering token compromises to those who […]
Denmark’s new King Frederik X appears before parliament
Copenhagen, Denmark Reuters Denmark’s newly proclaimed King Frederik X appeared before the country’s lawmakers on Monday, receiving the full support from the country’s prime minister whose party has grappled with how to relate to the monarchy. The meeting in parliament to celebrate the succession of the throne was the first official task of King Frederik, […]
Italian lawmakers €10 million for long-delayed Holocaust Museum in Rome
Milan, ItalyAP Italian lawmakers voted unanimously this week to back a long-delayed project to build a Holocaust Museum in Rome, underlining the urgency of the undertaking following the killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas fighters in what have been deemed the deadliest attacks on Jews since the Holocaust. The measure includes €10 million in funding over […]
Ukraine’s parliament registers bill that could lead to ban on Moscow-linked church
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Ukraine’s parliament registered a draft law on Monday that would allow a ban on activities of the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The church has been accused by Kyiv of undermining Ukraine’s unity and collaborating with Russia following Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February, 2022, charges that it denies. The bill proposes amendments envisaging […]
India’s parliament approves bill to reserve third of seats for women
New Delhi, IndiaReuters India’s parliament on Wednesday approved a landmark bill to reserve a third of its seats in the lower house and state assemblies for women to boost female participation in politics that had been disproportionately low for decades. Women now comprise nearly half of India’s 950 million registered voters but only 15 per […]
Indian lawmakers bid farewell to British-era parliament building
New Delhi, India Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi and lawmakers paid tribute on Monday to India’s parliament on the eve of its shift from a British colonial-era building to a brand new complex. Built by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker two decades before India’s 1947 independence, the old parliament witnessed the tortuous birth […]