Vermont OK's small amounts of pot
Vermont's legislature on Monday voted to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, making the New England state the 17th to relax restrictions on the drug.
Vermont legislators approve 'death-with-dignity' bill
Legislators in the US state of Vermont approved a "death-with-dignity" bill Monday enabling terminally ill patients to take their own lives with lethal medication requested from their doctors.
14 May 2013
Aboriginal adoption plans spark new fears
Politicians in northern Australia said Tuesday they were considering putting neglected Aboriginal children up for adoption, sparking fears of a new "stolen generation".
Britain's Tories to propose EU referendum law
Britain's Conservative Party will on Tuesday propose laws to force an in-out referendum on the country's membership of the European Union to be held by the end of 2017.
Clinton never questioned in Benghazi probe: diplomat
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton was never questioned by investigators looking into the attack on the US mission in Libya that claimed the life of the US ambassador.
13 May 2013
Nazarbyev may postpone retirement reform
The delay may be caused by “the negative reaction of Kazakhstan women” who disagree with the government’s legislative initiative.
13 May 2013
Obama congratulates Pakistan on vote
President Barack Obama congratulated Pakistan Sunday on its parliamentary elections and said Washington was ready to work "as equal partners" with the government that emerges.
S. Korea president apologises for sex assault scandal
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye personally apologised Monday for an "unsavoury" incident during her US summit visit that led to the dismissal of her chief spokesman.
13 May 2013
Turkey worried about 'rising xenophobia' in Europe
Turkey's foreign minister voiced concern Sunday about rising anti-foreigner sentiment in crisis-hit Europe, on a visit to Germany where a neo-Nazi cell's bloody murder spree claimed mostly Turkish migrants among its victims.
13 May 2013
Deadlock, demos loom after tight Bulgarian election
The European Union's poorest country Bulgaria faced fresh political uncertainty Monday after inconclusive elections held three months after the biggest demonstrations in years forced the government to resign.
13 May 2013
Tenth time lucky for Iran and the IAEA?
The UN atomic agency will on Wednesday press Iran, in their 10th meeting since late 2011, to grant access to sites, documents and scientists involved in Tehran's alleged efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
13 May 2013
Berlusconi affirms loyalty to coalition government
Silvio Berlusconi affirmed over the weekend his centre-right movement's loyalty to the grand coalition government of Prime Minister Enrico Letta at a rally in a northern city which attracted noisy support and dissent.