The newly signed amendments to the law on healthcare introduce a ban on the abortion advertising, and make the illegal practicing of folk medicine a misdemeanor. The law was signed by President Vladimir Putin and published on the official website on Monday. Russia’s Federal Law on Advertising now includes the ban on advertising abortions and several restrictions concerning the advertising of traditional... 

In the wake of a massive US Department of Agriculture report highlighting the continuing large-scale death of honeybees, environmental groups are left wondering why the Environmental Protection Agency has decided to approve a “highly toxic” new pesticide. The continuing mass death of honeybees, known scientifically as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and a “pollinator crisis,” could... 

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Thursday introduced a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips, briefing members of Congress in front of a display featuring various deadly firearms that would be prohibited under the ban. “Together we are introducing legislation to help end the mass shootings that have devastated countless families and terrorized communities,” Feinstein... 

Protesters clash with riot policemen during a demonstration in Madrid, Spain. Spain is considering a law that aims to ban photographing, filming or reproducing images of the country’s members of police and state security forces while they are on duty, officials say. Spain’s Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz said that the government is considering the ban on capturing, playing back and processing... 

Outgoing Mexican President Felipe Calderon has signed into law a ban on large cash transactions. The ban will take effect in about 90 days and it is part of a broader effort to control monetary flows within the country. Under the law, a Specialized Unit in Financial Analysis operating within the Attorney General’s Office will be created to investigate financial operations “that are related... 

Russian Human Rights association Agora has addressed the Prosecutor General with a request to stop the practice of blocking access to the infamous anti-Islamic film before there is a court ruling on the subject. Agora reminded in its letter that neither the Prosecutor General’s Office nor the Federal Service for Control over Communications have the right to demand the blocking of access to information... 

From Monday, women wearing the full Islamic veil in France could be fined up to 150 euros and be ordered to attend “re-education” classes. The law has already sparked unrest, with police arresting 61 protestors against the law Saturday in Paris. A controversial law banning full face veils in public places in France came into force on Monday. Critics say the law stigmatises Muslims – while... 

From 1 January shops will have to stop supplying shoppers with plastic bags A ban on plastic bags is coming into effect in Italy, which has one of the highest rates of consumption of the bags in Europe. The ban begins in shops across Italy on 1 January, with only biodegradable, cloth or paper bags to be offered. Italians use 20 billion plastic bags a year – more than 300 per person. Supporters... 

Christmas has been banned by the Red Cross from its 430 fund-raising shops. Staff have been ordered to take down decorations and to remove any other signs of the Christian festival because they could offend Moslems. The charity’s politically-correct move triggered an avalanche of criticism and mockery last night – from Christians and Moslems. Christine Banks, a volunteer at a Red Cross... 

Swiss voters are to decide during a referendum on November 29 whether to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland, a proposal launched by right-wing groups and backed by the country's biggest political party, the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP). Switzerland’s biggest Jewish groups said Wednesday that a far-right push to ban the construction of minarets here was a “threat”...