Kazakhstan Financial Police insists on capping cash-outs
Kazakhstan Agency for Fighting Economic and Corruption Crimes (the Financial Police) is calling the Government to introduce restrictions for cash withdrawals.
Mexico's Congress approves historic oil reform
Mexico's Congress approved historic energy reform Thursday aimed at luring foreign oil firms back into the country and ending the state's 75-year-old monopoly following a heated debate.
Australia's top court overrules gay marriage in capital
Australia's High Court on Thursday struck down gay marriage in the nation's capital where dozens have wed under a landmark law, ruling that parliament must decide whether to approve same-sex unions.
US House votes to get tough on child abduction
The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to punish countries that do not promptly return abducted children, upping pressure in an issue that has soured relations with Japan and other allies.
India's top court upholds law criminalising gay sex
India's Supreme Court Wednesday upheld a colonial-era law criminalising homosexuality in a landmark judgment that crushes activists' hopes for guarantees on sexual freedom in the world's biggest democracy.
Uruguay becomes world's first country to legalize marijuana trade
Uruguay's Senate has approved ground-breaking legislation legalizing marijuana, becoming the first nation in the world to oversee the production and sale of the drug.
Star wine dealer goes on trial for fraud in NYC
Star Indonesian-born wine dealer Rudy Kurniawan went on trial in New York Monday, accused of blending ordinary wines into fake vintages in his California kitchen to sell to wealthy collectors.
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.
Japanese parliament passes controversial secrets law
Japan's parliament on Friday adopted a law on protecting state secrets despite a public outcry, with strong opposition from the media and academics who fear it will infringe on the right to information and free expression.
Chinese filmmaker faces billion-yuan lawsuit over children
Top Chinese film director Zhang Yimou is facing a billion-yuan lawsuit after violating the country's controversial one-child policy, state media reported Friday.
Nazarbayev signs bill raising taxes
Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, has signed the bill raising taxes.
China anti-corruption activist beaten by police: lawyers
A Chinese anti-corruption activist put on trial in what campaign groups say is a crackdown on dissent was beaten by police while in detention, lawyers said Thursday.
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.
Morocco Islamists under fire over women abuse bill
A long-awaited law to combat violence against women is currently under study in Morocco, but the Islamist-led government has had to revise its proposals after sharp criticism from rights groups.
Kazakhstan poised to put ceiling on salaries
Kazakhstan is planning to set salary ceilings industry-wise.
In first, US woman denies Google Glass driving charge
A US woman thought to be the first person to get a traffic ticket for wearing Google Glass pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday, her lawyer said.
France to allow armed guards on ships to ward off pirates: PM
France will authorise the deployment of armed guards on ships as part of anti-piracy measures, a move long sought by shipping companies, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said in an interview published Tuesday.
French MPs vote to penalise sex workers' clients
French lawmakers on Saturday adopted a highly controversial provision in a bill that punishes clients of prostitutes amid fierce argument that the new measure will be counterproductive.
Victims fear release of Spain rapists, killers under rights law
Spanish courts are releasing serial rapists and killers under a European human rights ruling, terrifying their victims as authorities warn the convicts risk reoffending.
Belgium close to agreeing euthanasia for children
Eleven years after making euthanasia legal for adults, Belgium came a step closer to extending mercy-killing to terminally-ill children Wednesday after an intense public debate on the ethical issues at stake.