Costa Rica tightens ban on shark fins Costa Rica has banned the import of shark fins, closing a legal loophole and targeting a link in a global production chain stretching to Asian markets, where shark fin soup is seen as a delicacy.
12 October 2012
Kazakhstan bans anti-Islamic film A court in Kazakhstan has banned as "extremist" the anti-Islamic film that sparked deadly protests across the world.
04 October 2012
Saudi to accept Philippine maid applications from Monday Saudi Arabia will begin accepting applications for domestic workers from the Philippines on Monday after the two governments resolved a row over minimum pay that had prompted a ban.
01 October 2012
Swiss parliamentarians reject burqa ban Swiss parliamentarians narrowly voted Friday against a ban on wearing the Muslim burqa and other face coverings in public places, including public transport.
30 September 2012
Anti-Islam film declared illegal by Russian provincial court A court in Russia's region of Chechnya has banned the anti-Islamic film that sparked deadly protests across the Muslim world, a ruling that in theory should be observed across Russia.
29 September 2012
Czech government to ease ban on liquor sales The Czech government said Wednesday it would ease a ban on liquor sales in force since September 14 following a wave of methanol poisoning that has claimed at least 25 lives.
28 September 2012
Swiss voters say no to tightening of smoking ban Two-thirds of Swiss voters rejected a referendum Sunday to tighten a smoking ban, to the relief of hotels and restaurants, while two cantons split in a vote over keeping tax breaks for rich foreigners.
US lifts ban on New Zealand naval ships The US has lifted a ban that prevented New Zealand naval ships visiting US ports or bases since the 1980s, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Friday, hailing a "new era" in relations between the two nations.
22 September 2012
Google blocks Singapore access to anti-Islam film Google on Thursday blocked YouTube users in Singapore from viewing clips of an anti-Islamic film that has incited violent protests across the Muslim world, acting on a request by city authorities.
21 September 2012
Activists seek ban on 'cruel' bullfights in France France's top constitutional body will decide Friday on a request by animal-rights activists to ban bullfighting, defended in the south as an important tradition and key source of tourist revenue.
20 September 2012
Court bans spread of Kate as royal couple head home Prince William and wife Catherine headed home from Tuvalu Wednesday after securing a ban on a French magazine distributing topless pictures of her and launching a criminal probe into how they were obtained.
19 September 2012
French court set to rule on Kate topless photos injunction A French court is set to rule Tuesday on whether to ban the resale of photos of Prince William's wife Catherine sunbathing topless, after the British royal family sought an injunction.
18 September 2012
New York imposes partial ban on huge soda drinks New York on Thursday became the first city in the United States to impose a limited ban on super-sized soda drinks blamed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg for fueling a national obesity crisis.
14 September 2012
New Yorkers against super-size soda ban An overwhelming majority of New Yorkers oppose Mayor Michael Bloomberg's unprecedented proposal for banning super-sized sweet drinks and his support for breastfeeding.
Canada bans foreign strippers Foreign strippers will no longer be permitted to bare their breasts and shake their booties in Canada, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Wednesday.