Vermont legislators approve 'death-with-dignity' bill
Legislators in the US state of Vermont approved a "death-with-dignity" bill Monday enabling terminally ill patients to take their own lives with lethal medication requested from their doctors.
Philippine holds elections vital for Aquino reforms
The Philippines held elections Monday seen as crucial for President Benigno Aquino's bold reform agenda, as deadly violence and graft-tainted candidates underlined the nation's deep-rooted problems.
Immigration tops British government's agenda for the year
The British government will set out its legislative programme for the coming year on Wednesday, with immigration top of the agenda in a Queen's Speech aimed at people who "work hard and want to get on".
French parliament adopts landmark gay marriage law
French lawmakers on Tuesday defied months of angry protests to approve a bill that is to make France the 14th country worldwide to legalise same-sex marriages.
White House: Boston attacks must not halt immigration reform
The White House warned Monday that the deadly Boston Marathon attacks should not derail momentum towards immigration reform, as US lawmakers clashed over linking the two issues.
France to approve gay marriage but debate to rumble on
France's parliament will finally approve a bill to legalise gay marriage on Tuesday after months of protests that have shown no sign of abating in the run-up to the historic vote.
Protesters in final bid to block France gay marriage law
Tens of thousands of opponents of government plans to legalise gay marriage marched in Paris Sunday two days before a final vote on the bill, which has provoked fierce and sometimes violent protests.
France's opponents of gay marriage fight to the end
France's bitter debate over gay marriage is set to reach a potentially explosive climax on Sunday, two days before a bill legalising same-sex unions is due to be finally approved.
France's Hollande blasts 'homophobic' violence
French President Francois Hollande on Thursday hit out at "homophobic" acts by opponents of a same-sex marriage bill following violent protests that included an attack on a gay bar.
Obama slams 'shameful' defeat of US gun reform
Bristling with anger, President Barack Obama branded Wednesday's defeat of his gun reform drive in the US Senate as "shameful," and accused lawmakers of caving in to the powerful firearms lobby.
New Zealand set to legalise gay marriage
New Zealand is poised to become the first Asia-Pacific nation to legalise same-sex marriage in a parliamentary vote that gay rights advocates on Tuesday hailed as a milestone for equality.
US Republicans oppose gay marriage, in Hollywood
US Republicans reaffirmed their opposition to gay marriage Friday, as they closed a three-day meeting vowing to reach out to liberals, symbolically in the lion's den of liberal Hollywood.
Huh? US lawmakers suddenly getting along
Cherry blossoms aren't the only things in bloom in the US capital these days. Progress and bipartisanship are, if not in full flower, at least pushing through cracks in longstanding political gridlock.
Uruguay approves same-sex marriage
Uruguay's legislature voted Wednesday to allow same-sex marriages nationwide, making it only the second Latin American country to do so.
Obama slams Republicans for gun reform 'stunts'
President Barack Obama accused Republicans of stooping to political stunts Monday to block gun reform, in a fervent appeal delivered close to the site of the Newtown school massacre.
US Senate tilts toward support of gay marriage
US Senator Bill Nelson endorsed gay marriage on Thursday, shifting the chamber in favor of rights for same-sex couples.
Obama more optimistic on immigration than gun control
US President Barack Obama said Thursday he was more upbeat about the prospects of immigration reform making it through Congress than tougher gun control legislation.
Connecticut senate backs toughest US gun law
Senate legislators in Connecticut, where a gunman massacred 20 small children and six adults in December, passed the toughest US law on owning military-style rifles.
France says 75% tax will apply to footballers
France said Tuesday that a new 75 percent tax rate on upper incomes would apply to top football players despite claims from clubs that they would be exempt.
Retirement reform picking up in Kazakhstan
A special attention is given to employees working in tough and hazardous conditions; their employers will allocated extra 5% into their pension funds.
