US bans bidis made by Indian tobacco company
US regulators on Friday banned four types of small cigarettes known as bidis made by an Indian company, marking the Food and Drug Administration's first-ever oversight action against a tobacco product.
Wolf hunt stand-off in Sweden heightens rural tensions
Farmers and hunters in Sweden are crying foul over a wolf hunt ban which they say threatens their way of life and may lead to civil disobedience.
International Olympic Committee lifts ban on India
The International Olympic Committee Tuesday reinstated India, allowing its athletes to compete under their own flag in Sochi.
Olympics: US bans carry-on liquids on Russia-bound flights
US authorities announced a temporary ban Thursday on liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-ons aboard Russia-bound flights.
Foreign charter flights ban causes annual loss of $4.5 million to Almaty airport
The Airport of Almaty is loosing $4.5 million annually because of the ban on foreign charter flights from Kazakhstan.
India asks US embassy to stop 'commercial' activities
India has asked the US embassy to close down commercial activities at its sports and leisure centre in New Delhi in the latest development in a diplomatic row.
80 thousand debtors forbidden to leave Kazakhstan
Over 80 thousand Kazakhstan nationals have been forbidden to the country and travel abroad because of their debts.
Ban on export of oil products from Kazakhstan prolonged until July 2014
Ban on export of petroleum products from Kazakhstan has been prolonged until the second half of 2014.
Indonesia sharia stronghold bans New Year's festivities
Islamic police in Indonesia's sharia stronghold seized thousands of firecrackers and cardboard trumpets after the city administration banned New Year's Eve celebrations for the first time, an official said Tuesday.
Coloured tattoos escape ban in France
Tattoo artists in France, who were up in arms about a government ban on certain dyes, say the health ministry has reassured them they will be able to keep using coloured ink, attributing the uproar to a misunderstanding of thousands of pages of regulations.
Bolivia leader -- an ex-child worker -- opposes child labor age
President Evo Morales said Monday he opposed any outright ban on child labor or setting a minimum age for workers in Bolivia -- as a former child worker, himself.
Uganda adopts tough anti-gay bill
Uganda's parliament on Friday adopted an anti-homosexuality bill that will see repeat offenders jailed for life, sparking an international outcry as lawmakers hailed it as a victory against "evil".
UN chief says Syria chemical attackers should be sanctioned
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called on the international community Friday to sanction those responsible for Syrian chemical weapons attacks documented in a newly released report.
German police build 'Nazi Shazam' to track banned music
German police are touting a new high-tech tool to identify illegal neo-Nazi songs in seconds, dubbed "Nazi Shazam" after popular music identification software.
Elton John challenges Russian gay ban from stage
British pop icon Elton John escaped serious criticism in Russia on Saturday after using a sold-out Moscow concert to challenge a highly contentious law banning the "propaganda of homosexuality" to minors.
Almaty Toyota spare parts traders asking to permit parallel imports
Owners of dozens of Toyota spare parts shops that were closed down in the end of November have applied to the Kazakhstan Government asking to permit parallel imports of the original spare parts.
Women driver ban guards against evil: Saudi top cleric
The grand mufti of Saudi Arabia said a ban on women driving in the conservative Gulf state protects society from "evil".
New York City raises legal age for cigarettes to 21
A New York City law banning cigarette sales to people under 21 was signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday, the latest move in the Big Apple's war on smoking.
Nearly 17,000 punished in China over 'frugality' rules: Xinhua
Nearly 17,000 people have been punished for flouting the Chinese Communist Party's "frugality" guidelines, state media said Monday, in the latest sign of efforts to clamp down on corruption.
Turkish parliament lifts ban on women lawmakers wearing trousers
Turkish parliament has lifted a ban on women lawmakers wearing trousers in the assembly, shortly after a major government reform allowed them to don Islamic headscarves.