Star wine dealer goes on trial for fraud in NYCStar 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.
10 December 2013
Elton John challenges Russian gay ban from stageBritish 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.
09 December 2013
Japanese parliament passes controversial secrets lawJapan'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.
Morocco Islamists under fire over women abuse billA 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.
France to allow armed guards on ships to ward off pirates: PMFrance 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.
04 December 2013
French MPs vote to penalise sex workers' clientsFrench 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.
Belgium close to agreeing euthanasia for childrenEleven 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.
Croatia gays say marriage referendum major setbackAfter 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 RevolutionPro-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.
26 November 2013
Loud US reaction to in-flight phone proposalThe complaints started getting loud almost immediately after US regulators said they were considering allowing cell phone use on airplanes.