Swiss region bans full-face Muslim veil
Voters in Switzerland's Italian-speaking region Sunday slapped a ban on wearing full-face veils, a move condemned by the country's Muslim community and Amnesty International.
Obama: Navy Yard shooting must inspire gun law change
President Barack Obama used a memorial service for the victims of America's latest mass shooting on Sunday to make another impassioned appeal to reform gun ownership laws.
Sobering times for Turkish winemakers as new law takes effect
Blasted by winds whipped up on the Aegean Sea, the Turkish island of Bozcaada sits close to the ancient city of Troy and has been known since the time of Helen and Paris for one thing: wine.
Obama urges new gun laws, swift Congress action unlikely
President Barack Obama called on Congress Tuesday to tighten gun laws after the latest in a "ritual" of shooting massacres, but lawmakers admitted there is insufficient support for new legislation.
18 September 2013
Hawaii takes step to legalizing gay marriage
Hawaii's governor on Monday called a special legislative assembly next month to debate a bill legalizing gay marriage, in what would make it the 14th US state to do so.
Poland overhauls pension system to keep public debt down
Poland on Wednesday said it will transfer government bonds held by private pension funds to the state pension sector in a move aimed at curbing public debt amid an economic slowdown.
05 September 2013
Mexico City mulls legal marijuana 'clubs'
The Mexico City council is considering the legalization of cannabis plants and the creation of private marijuana smoking "clubs" as it mulls controversial legislation to liberalize consumption.
05 September 2013
French Socialists under fire over pension 'non-reforms'
The Socialist government's plans to reform France's debt-ridden pension system , to be presented to ministers this month, fail to address the core problems and could spark fresh tensions with Brussels.
Same-sex couples tie knot in New Zealand
Dozens of same-sex couples said "I do" Monday as New Zealand became the first Asia-Pacific country, and only the 14th in the world, to legalise gay marriage.
20 August 2013
Kazakhstan wants to ban gay 'propaganda'
Kazakhstan parliament wants to follow in Russia's footsteps and put through a bill banning homosexuality 'propaganda' in Kazakhstan.
US plans lower sentences for drug users
The United States announced plans Monday to reduce its use of mandatory sentences for drug offenses in order to tackle a cycle of poverty and incarceration in overcrowded jails.
Kenya revokes new mining licences, hikes royalties
Kenya on Monday revoked all mining licences granted in the months before and after March elections and announced that it was hiking royalties paid by companies operating in its nascent mining sector.