San Francisco to vote on public nudity ban
San Francisco lawmakers vote Tuesday on a proposal to outlaw most public nudity, despite protests in the famously free and easy West Coast city.
Anti-gay marriage protesters rally in Paris
Thousands of Catholics and other opponents of French government plans to legalise gay marriage and same-sex adoption marched in Paris on Sunday.
Musicians blast bill to trim Pandora royalties
A group of 125 leading musicians is calling on the US Congress to kill a bill backed by online broadcaster Pandora that would slash royalties on Internet radio.
Singapore eases death penalty policy
The Singapore parliament has passed legal reforms abolishing mandatory death sentences in some drug trafficking and murder cases, giving fresh hope to dozens of inmates awaiting execution.
Death sparks criticism of Irish abortion laws
Ireland's tough abortion laws came under fire on Wednesday following the death of an Indian woman after doctors allegedly refused her a termination because it was against the laws of the Catholic country.
SAfrica minister wants ban on insulting president
A South African minister called for a legal ban on insulting a sitting president to counter what he said was a lack of respect from white South Africans.
Nazarbayev signed convention on protection of kidnapped children
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has signed a Law On ratification of the convention on civil-legal aspects of the international kidnapping of children.
From pot to gay marriage, US voters have lots to decide
From legalizing marijuana and gay marriage to wiping outdated segregation laws off Alabama's state constitution, US voters have a lot more to decide next week than simply picking the next president.
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From legalizing pot and gay marriage to wiping outdated segregation laws off Alabama's state constitution, US voters have a lot more to decide next month than simply picking the next president.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.