Japan parliament approves child abduction treaty Japan's parliament on Wednesday approved an international treaty on child abductions after decades of pressure from the United States and other Western nations.
22 May 2013
French president to sign gay marriage bill into law French President Francois Hollande will sign a gay marriage and adoption bill into law Saturday, after the Constitutional Council threw out a legal challenge by the right-wing opposition.
Lebanon 'liberal' for Mideast, but gays still targeted Lebanon has a reputation as the most liberal country in the conservative Middle East, but even a night on the town for gays can end in arrest and humiliating sexuality "tests".
08 May 2013
Libya adopts law barring Kadhafi-era officials Libya's General National Congress, under pressure from militiamen, on Sunday voted through a controversial law to exclude former regime officials from public posts in a move that could see the premier removed from office.
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.