Hong Kong: Large pro-China rally against independence

Tens of thousands of pro-China protesters have rallied in Hong Kong, expressing anger at calls for the territory's independence.

China: Interpretation of Hong Kong Basic Law comes at right time

A spokesperson of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Monday issued a statement hailing the adoption of an interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) as "absolutely necessary" and timely.

Universal Tyranny: US-led coalition destabilizes the situation in Syria

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova affirmed on Thursday that the US-led coalition destabilizes the situation in Syria and creates humanitarian problems as its operations violate the international law with them being conducted without the approval of the Syrian government.

Yahoo 'secretly scanned emails for US authorities'

Yahoo secretly scanned millions of its users' email accounts on behalf of the US government, according to a report.

Turkey demands US guarantees on Kurdish fighters' withdrawal

Turkey on Tuesday repeated its demand that the Kurdish-backed Syrian fighters it has targeted in a cross-border offensive return east of the Euphrates, neither confirming or denying reports of a U.S.-brokered truce.

Turkey urged to protect rule of law. Death penalty would be 'unacceptable'

Turkey must protect the rule of law following the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said.

Rights group blasts EU plans on halting Libya migrant exodus

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday warned that the European Union measures on curbing the flow of migrants from Libya to the bloc risk condemning asylum-seekers to "violent abuse" by armed groups in the North African nation.

Hollande calls on British MPs to back Syrian airstrikes. Labour in disarray over vote on Syrian airstrikes.

French President Francois Hollande has called on British MPs to back military intervention in Syria "in solidarity with France".

Mass Shootings Became Tragic Routine in US - Obama on Oregon Murders

US President Barack Obama gave a speech on the deadly Oregon shooting.

He called on both US politicians and citizens to contribute to changing US gun laws, as mass shootings had become a tragic routine in the country. He also urged Americans to pay more attention to presidential candidates' positions on the issue of gun control during the upcoming election.

Fresh from victory, Catalan president faces court date

The president of Catalonia has been summoned to appear before a Spanish court later this month in connection with a symbolic referendum on independence held last November.

Egypt adopts controversial anti-terror law

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratified on Sunday an anti-terrorism law which stipulates exorbitant fines, and possible suspension from employment, for “false” reporting on militant attacks.

China intensifies check on journalistic conduct

China has told its media groups to stick to laws and regulations when running their local offices and keep a check on reporters.

Israeli cabinet votes for ‘Jewish state’ draft law

The Israeli government on Sunday approved a controversial proposal that considers Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people, raising questions about the future of Israel’s non-Jewish population.

Catalonia to Hold Unofficial Independence Referendum, Despite Constitutional Court’s Ban

Catalonia will conduct an unofficial independence referendum despite the fact that the Constitutional Court of Spain admitted the lawsuit by the country's government to rule it illegal on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Catalan government said.

"Everything is ready for the vote on November 9," Francesc Homs said at a press conference. "We will hold it to grant our citizens the freedom of expression," he added.

The Spanish Constitutional Court barred Catalonia from holding a “symbolic” poll to determine its aspirations for independence Tuesday.

The wealthy Catalonia region's poll was originally scheduled for Sunday November 9, but the Spanish government vowed to stop the non-binding consultation process.

On September 19, a day after Scotland voted against independence from the U.K., the Catalan parliament in Barcelona passed a law allowing a referendum on its independence issue with the approval of more than two-thirds of its members. Catalan President Artur Mas also signed a decree regarding it on September 27, 2014.

Spanish PM urges dialogue over Catalonia independence bid

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Saturday (Oct 4) called for dialogue as Catalonia leaders pressed ahead with a vote on independence in defiance of Madrid. 

 

"The law and dialogue, these are the ways out of the situation in Catalonia... no one is above the law," Rajoy said, adding: "I want us to stay together."

His comments came a day after Catalan leaders said they would defy a Constitutional Court ruling that provisionally blocked the planned independence referendum on November 9.

VIDEO: Catalonia leader calls referendum on independence from Spain (planned for 9 November)

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The president of Spain’s north-eastern region of Catalonia has called an independence referendum in the latest secession push in Europe, and one of the most serious challenges to the state government in recent years.
The conservative Madrid -administration insists the referendum, planned for 9 November, is illegal and will not take place.

Catalonia to defy Madrid on independence vote despite Scottish 'No'

The leader of Spain's Catalonia region said he would defy Madrid to hold a non-binding independence vote in less than two months, saying his people deserved the same right to determine their future as Scots who voted to stay in Britain.
With its own language and culture, and a long-standing pro-independence movement that has gathered momentum in recent years of economic hardship, Catalonia has sought a referendum on independence similar to the one held in Scotland on Thursday.

EU sends security support mission to Ukraine. (will be an unarmed and non-executive civilian mission)

BRUSSELS. -- European Union foreign ministers on Tuesday established a civilian mission to help reform Ukraine's security strategy.

The foreign ministers said the mission, to be called the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine, will be an unarmed and non-executive civilian mission. EU advisers will initially focus on supporting the revision of security strategies and the rapid implementation of reforms.

The headquarters of the mission will be in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. Tuesday's decision allocates a budget of €2.68 million for the start-up phase, which will last until Nov. 30.

Deeply concerned about eastern Ukraine, Ban welcomes extension of cease-fire

 UN, 28 June 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the extension of a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine and, with continued deep concern about the situation there, urged all sides to honour their commitments and work within a political process.

In a late night statement yesterday from his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said he “remains deeply concerned over the situation in eastern Ukraine but he welcomes recent measures toward de-escalation of hostilities”, including consultations among all sides and the three-day extension of the reciprocal cease-fire.