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".
Cutting or damaging conifer trees punishable by law in Kazakhstan
Cutting of 7 or more conifer trees in Kazakhstan is a criminal offense in Kazakhstan.
Croatia gays say marriage referendum major setback
After six years together, Hana and Iva both decided they had met "the one" -- but the Croatian couple's dream of getting married and having children risks being derailed by a referendum to outlaw same-sex marriage.
Pro-EU Ukrainians mass in biggest rally since Orange Revolution
Pro-Western Ukrainians on Sunday held the biggest protest rally in Kiev since the 2004 Orange Revolution, urging the government to sign a historic pact with the European Union and clashing with police.
Loud US reaction to in-flight phone proposal
The complaints started getting loud almost immediately after US regulators said they were considering allowing cell phone use on airplanes.
Venezuelan president tries out new emergency powers
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro exercised new emergency powers for the first time Thursday, signing decrees limiting business profit margins and tightening regulation of imports.
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.
US top court won't block restrictive Texas abortion law
The US Supreme Court Tuesday refused to block a law that restricts women's access to abortions in the southern state of Texas.
Ukraine to debate Tymoshenko bill to save EU deal
Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday was set to debate a bill to let jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko go abroad for treatment in a last-ditch attempt to save a crucial deal with the European Union.
Obama implores supporters for help on health law crisis
President Barack Obama delved into his grass-roots organizing past Monday, appealing to his most faithful supporters to help him out of the political maelstrom over the botched rollout of his health care law.
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.
China's reform pledges: the main points
China's Communist Party leaders this week emerged from a closed-door meeting in Beijing bearing a raft of promises on issues from the controversial one-child policy to the scope of the death penalty.
Czech party leader haunted by ghosts of communist past
Unwelcome spectres are coming back to haunt Czech billionaire Andrej Babis, who emerged as a power broker in recent elections but is facing allegations he collaborated with the communist-era secret police.
Criminal liability for defamation and slander may be lifted in Kazakhstan
Criminal liability for defamation and slander may soon be lifted in Kazakhstan.
China one-child law change small but crucial: experts
Beijing's relaxation of its hugely controversial one-child policy is an attention-grabbing first step, but it will have to usher in greater changes if China is to tackle its looming demographic timebomb, experts say.
EU follows US in allowing portable electronics in-flight
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said Wednesday it will allow passengers to use a range of mobile electronic devices in flight with very few restrictions.
Venezuela's Maduro closes in on powers by decree
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro was a step closer to getting the votes he needs to govern by decree after his ruling party ousted an opposition lawmaker from parliament on Tuesday.
Man charged with posting 'Anonymous' symbol on Singapore website
Singapore on Tuesday charged a local man with hacking a council website and posting a symbol associated with international hacker group Anonymous, amid concerns about new Internet laws in the city-state.
40 subsurface use contracts to be terminated in Kazakhstan
Around 40 contracts on subsurface use will be terminated in Kazakhstan by the end of the year.