Kenyan press up in arms over 'draconian' media billKenya's media reacted with shock and outrage Friday after parliament voted through a bill that could see journalists and outlets slapped with huge fines for violating a code of conduct.
01 November 2013 16:29
Germany to allow third gender option at birthGermany on Friday will become the first European country to allow babies born with characteristics of both sexes to be registered as neither male nor female.
30 October 2013 16:07
Sultan of Brunei introduces tough Islamic punishmentsThe Sultan of Brunei announced the phased introduction of tough Islamic punishments including death by stoning for crimes such as adultery, in the monarchy's latest step towards conservatism.
22 October 2013 11:40
Brazil singers fight for right to veto biographiesFamous Brazilian songwriters -- long activists for freedom of expression -- are themselves coming under fire as they fight an attempt to overturn a law allowing celebrities to veto unauthorized biographies.
15 October 2013 18:31
NASA ban on Chinese scientists 'inaccurate': lawmakerA controversial decision by NASA to bar Chinese scientists from a conference on exoplanets next month was deemed "inaccurate" Tuesday by the US congressman who wrote the law.
Next Norwegian government to get tough on immigrationNorway's incoming government will get tough on immigration, future prime minister Erna Solberg, said Monday as she presented the main policies of the minority coalition she is forming with a populist right-wing party.
02 October 2013 10:00
Malaysian protesters rail against security proposalAround 30 people protested Monday against a Malaysian parliamentary proposal that critics say allows detention without trial, denouncing it as a broken promise by the government to scrap oppressive laws.
30 September 2013 10:42
Bill Clinton backs Obama's push to promote health lawPresident Barack Obama got backing from Bill Clinton Tuesday as he sought to promote his health care law to the US public amid a congressional battle and an approaching sign-up date.
Obama: Navy Yard shooting must inspire gun law changePresident Barack Obama used a memorial service for the victims of America's latest mass shooting on Sunday to make another impassioned appeal to reform gun ownership laws.
23 September 2013 13:21
Foreigners flock to New Zealand for gay marriageMore than 80 same-sex couples, including 24 from overseas, have said "I do" in New Zealand since a law legalising gay marriage took effect a month ago.
21 September 2013 10:50
Obama urges new gun laws, swift Congress action unlikelyPresident Barack Obama called on Congress Tuesday to tighten gun laws after the latest in a "ritual" of shooting massacres, but lawmakers admitted there is insufficient support for new legislation.
Hawaii takes step to legalizing gay marriageHawaii's governor on Monday called a special legislative assembly next month to debate a bill legalizing gay marriage, in what would make it the 14th US state to do so.
11 September 2013 10:27
Gay rights activists protest Russia law About 300 gay rights activists rallied in Madrid on Tuesday as part of an international protest against hotly disputed Russian laws cracking down on homosexuals.
04 September 2013 14:36
Same-sex couples tie knot in New Zealand Dozens of same-sex couples said "I do" Monday as New Zealand became the first Asia-Pacific country, and only the 14th in the world, to legalise gay marriage.
20 August 2013 10:02
Kazakhstan wants to ban gay 'propaganda'Kazakhstan parliament wants to follow in Russia's footsteps and put through a bill banning homosexuality 'propaganda' in Kazakhstan.
19 August 2013 13:08
US plans lower sentences for drug usersThe United States announced plans Monday to reduce its use of mandatory sentences for drug offenses in order to tackle a cycle of poverty and incarceration in overcrowded jails.
