Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warns the Greek people of imminent catastrophe if parliament fails to pass a deeply unpopular austerity bill.

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Greek PM gives final euro warning

CAIRO — A crackdown on U.S.-funded pro-democracy groups in Egypt and a bill before parliament that that would further restrict the work of nongovernmental organizations here are inhibiting development work and activism during a period many Egyptians hoped would be marked by greater freedoms. Read full article > >

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In Egypt, NGO crackdown and draft law have chilling effect

Chris Huhne’s resignation as Energy Secretary will be a loss to the cabinet and the Lib Dems, his former parliamentary private secretary tells BBC News.

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Huhne’s exit ‘a loss to cabinet’

Any parliamentary move to regulate newspapers would “open a Pandora’s box” which could stifle freedom of speech, the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission says.

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Press body keen for ‘fresh start’

In the first sign that Iraq’s leaders may yet halt a sectarian political crisis that has raised fears of civil war, Iraq’s Sunni leaders said Sunday that they would end their boycott of Parliament.

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Sunnis End Boycott of the Iraqi Parliament, but a Political Crisis Remains

BAGHDAD – A Sunni-backed political bloc ended its boycott of the Iraq Parliament here Sunday, a boost for Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as he tries to consolidate power in the wake of the U.S. troop departure . Read full article > >

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Sunni-backed political bloc ends boycott of Iraq Parliament

CAIRO — Turnout was markedly low Sunday as Egyptians cast ballots to begin electing the upper house of parliament, in sharp contrast to the first day of voting for the lower house in November, when voters lined up for blocks and voted in record numbers. Read full article > >

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As Egyptian election’s second phase begins, voter turnout falls dramatically

A European Parliament rapporteur has stood down in protest as a controversial anti-piracy agreement is signed by several countries.

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Top Euro MP quits in piracy row

CAIRO — The inaugural session of parliament opened on Monday, with representatives from Islamist parties filling just over 70 percent of its seats following the first free election in Egypt in six decades. Read full article > >

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Egypt’s first freely-elected parliament in decades holds inaugural session

Egypt seats its new Parliament | Romney and Gingrich trade jabs before Monday’s debate | China celebrates the Year of the Dragon.

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TIMESCAST: TimesCast | January 23, 2012

MOSCOW — Russian election officials are threatening to bar a veteran liberal politician from running for president, prompting allegations of bias and interference that echo complaints of misconduct in December’s parliamentary elections. Read full article > >

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Possible ban on Russian candidate prompts new charges of election bias

CAIRO — Followers of a puritanical form of Islam will fill about a quarter of the seats in the lower house of the new Egyptian parliament on Monday, underscoring the political power being wielded by Islamists in the wake of the Arab spring. Read full article > >

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Salafists to take a quarter of Egypt’s lower house

The final results in Egypt’s first post-Mubarak parliamentary elections confirm an overwhelming victory for Islamist parties.

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Egypt’s Islamists win elections

A statutory register of Parliamentary lobbyists should be created with the possibility of tough penalties for those who breach the rules the government proposes.

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Rogue lobbyists ‘could face jail’

The “Democracy Village” protest camp at Parliament Square in London is cleared by the police.

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Protest camp removed from square