Kazakhstan bans smoking shisha in public places
Kazakhstan Healthcare Ministry introduced a ban on smoking shisha in public places, including night clubs, restaurants, cinemas and any indoor public entertainment facilities on March 14, 2013.
01 April 2013
China 'two-child policy' town shows scope for reform
A few places in China give parents a rare right to have two offspring rather than one, but many stop at a single child anyway -- fuelling demands to end what critics call an unnecessary, harmful rule.
US Supreme Court cautious on same-sex marriage
The US Supreme Court trod cautiously Tuesday as it considered gay marriage, with justices appearing hesitant to deliver a sweeping historic verdict on the emotionally charged issue.
27 March 2013
New Yorkers march for US gay rights before hearings
Several hundred people marched in New York on Sunday to support the legalization of gay marriage, two days before the US Supreme Court is due to examine the issue.
Britain tries to reassure bloggers on new press rules
The British government has insisted that bloggers and posts on social media would not be caught by a new system of press regulation, but campaigners warned the new rules could be open to interpretation.
Lawyers demand US show steps toward closing Guantanamo
Lawyers for detainees at Guantanamo prison called for the US to show concrete steps towards closing the facility on Tuesday, citing a "humanitarian crisis" at the controversial jail.
Australia defends media reforms amid 'Stalinism' claims
Australia defended proposed media reforms arising from Britain's phone-hacking scandal Wednesday after a heated backlash from Rupert Murdoch's local operations, which labelled them dictatorial.
Kazakhstan to gradually raise retirement age for women
The changes should be gradual. For women who will be retiring before 2018 the retirement age will be annually raised by half a year within the following 10 years: Labor Minister.
13 March 2013
Mexico moves to end telecom monopolies: government
Mexico's government introduced a draft constitutional reform Monday to end monopolies in telecoms industries that have built some of the country's biggest fortunes.
12 March 2013
US judge blocks New York ban on giant fizzy drinks
A New York judge blocked mayor Michael Bloomberg's planned ban on giant sodas Monday, dealing a setback to his public health agenda just hours before curbs on selling such drinks were due to begin.