US lobby issues point-blank 'no' on gun control
The most powerful gun lobby in the United States stood firm Monday against any additional restraints on firearms and ammunition sales -- despite a national outcry in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre.
Obama asked to retaliate over Russia adoption ban
Tens of thousands of petitioners are calling for US President Barack Obama to escalate the diplomatic feud that led Moscow to propose a law barring Americans from adopting Russian children.
Court puts Californian gay conversion ban on hold
A US court put on hold Friday a new Californian law banning a form of therapy designed to change the sexual orientation of minors, pending a further appeal.
US gun lobby urges armed police in every school
The United States' most powerful pro-gun lobbying group demanded Friday that armed police be deployed to every school in the country following a mass shooting that left 20 young children dead.
Obama wants concrete gun proposals within a month
President Barack Obama put ending an "epidemic" of gun violence at the top of his second term agenda Wednesday, denying he was "on vacation" on the issue before last week's school massacre.
Signs of evolving US gun debate after school tragedy
New signs emerged Monday of an evolving US gun law debate, with several top lawmakers appearing more open to stiffening controls on firearms after the Connecticut school massacre.
Kazakhstan adopts law on countering terrorism
Kazakhstan Senators approved a draft law On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Kazakhstan on Countering Terrorism in the second reading.
US gun laws vary widely
The horrific shooting that has left 20 young children and six adults dead in rural Connecticut revived the familiar US gun law debate, where restrictions vary widely between different states.
Same laws must apply to bloggers, tweeters: Leveson
The man who led the inquiry into Britain's phone-hacking scandal has warned that bloggers and tweeters should be subject to the same laws as traditional media outlets to prevent a decline in standards of journalism.
Colorado becomes second US state to legalize pot
Colorado became the second US state to legalize marijuana for recreational use Monday, as its governor signed a voter-backed proposal into law.
Weddings abound as Washington's gay marriage law kicks in
Hundreds of same-sex couples flocked to get married in the northwest state of Washington on Sunday, the first day possible after the state approved gay marriage in a referendum in November.
Supreme Court to take up issue of gay marriage
The US Supreme Court on Friday decided to take up the sensitive issue of gay marriage, hearing challenges to a federal law denying benefits to same-sex couples and California's ban on such unions.
Washington state lights up as marijuana legalized
Pot smokers lit up in Washington state Thursday as recreational marijuana became legal in a historic first for the United States, clouded by the fact that federal law still bans the practice.
Mexico gay rights groups cheer court's marriage ruling
Mexican gay rights groups voiced hope Thursday that a Supreme Court ruling against an Oaxaca state law that banned same-sex marriages will lead to similar decisions across the nation.
Poll finds growing US support for same-sex marriage
Support is growing in the United States for marriage equality, two polls showed on Wednesday.
Australia readies for first plain pack cigarettes
All cigarettes sold in Australia will be in identical, plain packages from Saturday in a world first after the government overcame legal challenges from the tobacco industry.
British newspapers back PM's opposition to press laws
Britain's newspapers on Friday praised senior judge Brian Leveson's report into media ethics but warned its recommendation to introduce new laws could "suffocate the free press".
Chilean senate approves controversial fishing law
Chile's senate approved a proposed new fisheries law Thursday amid opposition criticism that it would award fishing concessions to just a few families.
Majilis approved law on state educational deposits
Kazakhstan Majilis approved a law to introduce a state educational deposits system in Kazakhstan.
New law to ban India's 'untouchable' toilet cleaners
With both hands holding the basket of human excrement on her head, widowed grandmother Kela walks through a stream of sewage, up a mound of waste and then dumps the filth while cursing.