Modern Singapore grapples with archaic sex law With its gay bars and same-sex couples publicly displaying affection, the Tanjong Pagar district offers a glimpse of a Singapore whose outlook contrasts with its more conservative image.
Spain vows to tighten abortion law despite criticism Spain's centre-right government has vowed to "promptly" tighten the nation's abortion laws, angering the opposition Socialist Party which had eased access to the procedure.
US senators reach deal on gun-sale background checks Senators struck a hard-fought compromise Wednesday that could expand US background checks to all commercial firearms sales, which may result in the most ambitious change to gun laws since 1994.
Kazakhstan bans smoking shisha in public placesKazakhstan Healthcare Ministry introduced a ban on smoking shisha in public places, including night clubs, restaurants, cinemas and any indoor public entertainment facilities on March 14, 2013.
China performed 330 mn abortions since 1971: data Nearly 330 million abortions have been performed in China in the 40 years since it first implemented measures to limit population growth in the world's most populous nation.
17 March 2013
Vote delay could destabilise Lebanon A divisive debate over Lebanon's electoral law may delay parliamentary elections scheduled for June 9, stoking fears of instability in a country already rattled by the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
Amsterdam raises legal age for prostitution to 21 The city of Amsterdam said Tuesday it will raise the legal age of prostitutes from 18 to 21 and announced plans to close brothels during the early morning hours in a bid to protect sex workers.
28 February 2013
Putin signs law banning smoking in public places President Vladimir Putin has signed a law banning smoking in public places in Russia from June, a cornerstone of the government's bid to improve public health in the nicotine-addicted country.
25 February 2013
Obama asks Supreme Court to overturn gay marriage ban The Barack Obama administration on Friday formally asked the US Supreme Court to strike down a 1996 law defining marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman.
23 February 2013
Philippines hopes law will avert launder blacklisting The Philippines hopes to avoid being put on a blacklist of money-laundering havens after President Benigno Aquino signed a new law boosting safeguards against such crimes.
16 February 2013
Gay and lesbian adoptions the new norm in Quebec "I would like to have a mother, but I wouldn't want to lose my two dads," says Frida, a radiant six-year-old Canadian girl unaware of the international controversy raging over gay parenting rights.