Wikipedia to join anti-piracy legislation protest

On Wednesday the popular community-edited online encyclopedia Wikipedia (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk) will take its English-language site offline for 24 hours. The aim is to protest against two US anti-piracy legislation – Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) – which are being debated by Congress.

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New law allows protests in Burma

Several reforms have been undertaken by Burma’s nominally civilian government which got to power earlier this year.

The latest reform was signed by president Thein Sein (photo with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, from bbcimg.co.uk) and allows peaceful demonstrations for the first time, state media report.

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Australia passes carbon tax

Australia’s 500 worst-polluting companies will pay a tax on their carbon emissions from 1 July 2012, as the country’s Senate has passed the Clean Energy Act on Tuesday, a law on pollution.

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India : hundreds detained ahead of mass fast

Hours before Anna Hazare (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk) started his announced fast to protest against a proposed new anti-corruption law, he was arrested by the police, along with 1,300 of his supporters. Mr Hazare will stay in Delhi’s Tihar prison for a week.

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Israel passes law banning boycott of settlements

After failed attempts to delay debate, a controversial law was passed by the Israeli parliament on Monday night. It allows Jewish settlers in the West Bank to seek damages from Israelis individual or organisation who promote boycotts of settlements. (photo from bbcimg.co.uk)

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State of New York approves gay marriage

The state of New York became the sixth and largest in the US to allow men and women to marry members of the same sex. (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk)

With 33-29, the Republican-controlled senate voted for a bill earlier approved by the lower house, where the Democrats have the majority.

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Alabama passes new immigration law

With an estimated 12 millions illegal immigrants in the US, individual states have taken matters into their own hands to try to handle the problem. The US state of Alabama has passed a new legislation which is one of the most stringent immigration laws in the country.

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Wisconsin union bargaining law blocked by judge

A temporary restraining order  has been issued by US judge Maryann Sumi in Wisconsin, which is seen as a set back to Republican Governor Scott Walker because it prevents the state’s new collective bargaining law from taking effect.

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US made business with blacklisted nations

Despite trade embargoes, nearly 10,000 exceptions have been approved by the US Treasury Department for American companies to do business with Iran over the past decade, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

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Internet rules will be tightened in Venezuela

A law aiming to tighten the rules regulating internet content has been approved by the Venezuelan parliament.

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