Senate renews warrantless surveillance act
The Senate approved a five-year extension Friday of a George W. Bush-era surveillance law that allows US spy agencies to conduct wiretapping on foreign citizens without a warrant.
31 December 2012 09:57
Obama 'modestly optimistic' for fiscal deal
President Barack Obama said Friday he was "modestly optimistic" a last-minute deal was possible with Republicans to avert a "fiscal cliff" crisis that could spark a recession and rock global markets.
30 December 2012 18:59
Philippines seeks unity after birth control law signed
President Benigno Aquino's government called for reconciliation on Saturday after a "divisive" birth control act was signed into law despite bitter opposition from the influential Catholic church.
Russia set to advance ban on US adoptions
Russia's upper house of parliament was due Wednesday to vote for a bill barring Americans from adopting the country's children, in retaliation for a new piece of human rights legislation in the US.
US lobby issues point-blank 'no' on gun control
The most powerful gun lobby in the United States stood firm Monday against any additional restraints on firearms and ammunition sales -- despite a national outcry in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre.
24 December 2012 14:52
Egypt opposition to appeal vote passing new constitution
Egypt's opposition said on Sunday it will appeal a referendum seen as voting in a new constitution backed by ruling Islamists, and vowed to keep up a struggle that has spawned weeks of protests and instability.
24 December 2012 12:31
Obama asked to retaliate over Russia adoption ban
Tens of thousands of petitioners are calling for US President Barack Obama to escalate the diplomatic feud that led Moscow to propose a law barring Americans from adopting Russian children.
US gun lobby urges armed police in every school
The United States' most powerful pro-gun lobbying group demanded Friday that armed police be deployed to every school in the country following a mass shooting that left 20 young children dead.
22 December 2012 16:09
US stars in video demanding gun control action
Film, television and music stars including Jeremy Renner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce have recorded a hard-hitting video urging action on gun control following the Newtown school massacre.
22 December 2012 15:00
Republicans scrap 'Plan B,' fiscal cliff deal elusive
A controversial Republican plan to let tax breaks expire on millionaires crashed to defeat Thursday when it failed to earn enough party support, leaving negotiations on averting the "fiscal cliff" up in the air.
US shooting revives debate over mental health care
The deadly US shooting rampage last week has revived debate about access to mental health care -- a tough issue as state funds dry up and laws make it difficult to treat people against their will.
20 December 2012 16:09
Obama wants concrete gun proposals within a month
President Barack Obama put ending an "epidemic" of gun violence at the top of his second term agenda Wednesday, denying he was "on vacation" on the issue before last week's school massacre.
20 December 2012 13:00
Signs of evolving US gun debate after school tragedy
New signs emerged Monday of an evolving US gun law debate, with several top lawmakers appearing more open to stiffening controls on firearms after the Connecticut school massacre.
18 December 2012 12:54
Kazakhstan adopts law on countering terrorism
Kazakhstan Senators approved a draft law On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Kazakhstan on Countering Terrorism in the second reading.
17 December 2012 14:35
Divided Egypt votes on new constitution
Egyptians vote Saturday on a new constitution supported by the ruling Islamists but bitterly contested by a secular-leaning opposition that failed to scupper the referendum with mass protests.
16 December 2012 19:16
US gun laws vary widely
The horrific shooting that has left 20 young children and six adults dead in rural Connecticut revived the familiar US gun law debate, where restrictions vary widely between different states.
