Singapore may bin phone books over privacy fears
Singapore is considering stopping the publication of free telephone directories listing residential and office numbers as privacy concerns mount.
From pot to gay marriage, US voters have lots to decide
From legalizing pot and gay marriage to wiping outdated segregation laws off Alabama's state constitution, US voters have a lot more to decide next month than simply picking the next president.
MP accused Kazakhstan Economic Ministry of lobbying for tobacco companies
The deputy was outraged at the new draft law on taxation presented in the lower chamber of Kazakhstan Parliament.
Britain to get 'tough but intelligent' on law and order
British Prime Minister David Cameron will on Monday call for a "tough but intelligent" approach to law and order, advocating a combination of tough prison sentences and lighter rehabilitation methods.
EU 'regrets' Israeli settlement plan
The European Union's foreign policy chief on Thursday criticised Israel's plan to build hundreds of homes in annexed east Jerusalem and called for it to hold fresh talks with the Palestinians.
North Mali residents say Islamists increasingly brutal
The Islamists who have seized control of Mali's desert north are growing increasingly brutal as they impose sharia on the region, even as they violate the strict Muslim law themselves, say fleeing residents.
Nazarbayev signed law on mutual protection of investments with Austria
Nursultan Nazarbayev has signed a law on ratification of the Agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Austria on promotion and mutual protection of investments.
VP pick Ryan bows to Romney line on abortion
US vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan stood by his pro-life credentials Thursday but said a White House led by Mitt Romney would not try to ban rape victims from seeking abortions.
Vietnam to free prostitutes from rehab: media
Vietnam will free about 900 sex workers next year from compulsory rehabilitation centres across the country, state media reported Thursday.
Philippine president defends cybercrime law
Philippine President Benigno Aquino defended a new cybercrime law Friday amid a storm of protests from critics who say it will severely curb Internet freedoms and intimidate netizens into self-censorship.
US court blocks controversial voter ID law
In a win for President Barack Obama's Democrats, a judge in Pennsylvania ordered state officials Tuesday not to enforce a controversial voter ID law in the coming presidential election.
Outrage over Philippine cybercrime law
A new cybercrime law in the Philippines that could see people jailed for 12 years for posting defamatory comments on Facebook or Twitter is generating outrage among netizens and rights groups.
Women suffer behind veil of silence in Mali's north
It was just six months ago that Toula, a young woman from Gao in northeastern Mali, could swim and do her laundry in the nearby Niger River.
Uruguay takes step toward legalizing abortion
Uruguay took a step toward legalizing abortion on Tuesday as lawmakers in the lower chamber of parliament narrowly passed a bill allowing the procedure under certain conditions.
Arizona police start enforcing new immigration law
Police in Arizona can now start asking crime suspects about their immigration status, as a contested law that raised fears of profiling of Hispanics took effect in a state bordering Mexico.
Anger as Australian senator links gay marriage to bestiality
A conservative Australian senator was forced to resign from his parliamentary role on Wednesday after he linked same-sex marriage to bestiality and polygamy during a debate.
Obama administration appeals ruling against anti-terror law
The Barack Obama administration asked a US appeals court Monday to overturn a recent ruling that struck down part of a controversial anti-terrorism law.
New York imposes partial ban on huge soda drinks
New York on Thursday became the first city in the United States to impose a limited ban on super-sized soda drinks blamed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg for fueling a national obesity crisis.
US judge nixes terror detention law
A New York federal judge shot down part of a controversial anti-terror law Wednesday that journalists and scholars worry could see them locked up indefinitely for speaking their minds.
Leaders, markets brace for German court's euro ruling
Germany's top court will hand down a momentous ruling on a new European crisis firewall Wednesday, in a decision with far-reaching implications for the future of the euro.