EU says it is closely monitoring legal cases against critical academics

Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for the European Commission, has said the European Union is closely monitoring developments regarding a number of Turkish academics who face legal proceedings for signing a declaration for peace that criticized the government over ongoing military operations in the Southeast.

Draft UK surveillance law threatens freedom of expression, UN human rights experts warn

UN, 12 January 2016 – United Nations human rights experts have called for a comprehensive review of the United Kingdom’s draft Investigatory Powers bill, warning that if adopted in its present form it could threaten the rights to freedoms of expression and association both inside and outside the country.

Terror Charges Against Iraqis Feed Sentiment Against Refugees

The arrest on terror charges this week of two Iraqis who entered the United States as refugees is fueling sentiment in Congress against the program for resettling refugees from the Middle East.

Obama unveils executive actions to curb gun violence

U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday unveiled a handful of executive measures on gun control, including expanding background checks, calling for "a sense of urgency" about gun violence.

Americans rush to buy guns, expecting stricter rules (video Al Jazeera)

 Gun enthusiasts vow to fight any attempt to change right to bear arms as US president seeks to impose new restrictions.

Americans are rushing to buy guns and ammunition before an expected crackdown is announced.

Obama Calls on Congress to do 'Something - Anything' to Curb Gun Violence

"What if Congress did something — anything — to protect our kids from gun violence," U.S. President Barack Obama said in his weekly address about his frustration with the "unfinished business" to control the country's "epidemic of gun violence."

Venice Commission: Ukraine law banning Communist, Nazi propaganda not comply with EU standards

Ukraine law banning Communist and Nazi propaganda has a legitimate aim, but does not comply with European standards, according to the official web portal of the Council of Europe.

Russian Lawmakers Propose Bill On Accountability For Armenia Genocide Denial

A group of Russian lawmakers have submitted a bill to parliament on holding to account anyone who denies that the 1915 killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turkish forces was "genocide."

Obama would veto proposal for more scrutiny of Syrian, Iraqi refugees, White House says

US President Barack Obama would veto a proposal from Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives for additional scrutiny of refugees from Syria or Iraq, the White House said on Wednesday.

Israel’s High Court Rejects Appeal Against Demolition of Palestinian Homes

Israel’s High Court of Justice upheld orders on the demolition of five Palestinian homes at the same time rejecting an appeal against the practice of demolition of homes belonging to Palestinians as a punitive or deterrent measure, The Times of Israel reports.

Australian gov't mulls allowing alcohol to be sold on supermarket shelves

The Australian government is reportedly considering a radical change to the nation's liquor laws, which would allow customers to purchase alcohol off the supermarket shelf.

The Pontian's resistance: The genocide of the Greeks of Pontos is not a show, but a wound of Humanity.

When you hear the absurt, it's not enough to react, but you must resist.

Because the reaction is just the answer to an action and it's not an initiative.

Austria to adopt Stricter asylum policy in mid-November

The Austrian government is to implement tougher asylum laws starting mid-November that include a "timed asylum" measure along with toughened family reunification rules.

Israel legalises hundreds of settler homes in West Bank

Israel has retroactively legalised about 800 homes in four settlements in the West Bank, the Palestinian occupied territory, the interior ministry said.

EU set to step up illegal immigrant deportations

European Union governments are set to agree to step up deportations of illegal immigrants among the hundreds of thousands who have failed to win asylum as they try to cope with a surge in refugees from war-torn Syria.

Amnesty urges ‘drastic change’ to EU refugee policy

Amnesty International on Wednesday called for a drastic change in the handling of the refugee crisis sweeping Europe and criticised the response of state leaders as "piecemeal and incoherent".

Egypt hits back at western criticism of its new counter-terrorism law

Egypt has sharply responded to western criticism of its newly-ratified counter-terrorism law, saying that foreign critics have misunderstood the law, and calling for Egypt's right to self-determination to be respected.

Force feeding concerns after Palestinian hunger striker's transfer

Israel moved a Palestinian hunger striker who has not eaten for over 50 days to a different hospital Monday, officials said, sparking concern that authorities are preparing to force feed him.

Israel authorises force-feeding of prisoners (Parliament passes law, with 46 MPs in favour and 40 against)

Israel's parliament has passed into law the ability to force-feed prisoners on hunger strike, a move that had met vehement opposition from the country's medical association.

Turkey recalls ambassador to Brazil over ‘genocide’ legislation

Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Brazil, Hüseyin Diriöz, for “consultations” after the Latin American country’s Senate passed legislation recognizing the killing of Ottoman Armenians in 1915 as genocide, a Foreign Ministry statement said late on June 8.