Homophobia is on rise in Uganda as the government seeks an Anti-Homosexuality Bill and the minister for ethics and integrity insists that it will be every citizen's duty under new laws to denounce anyone they suspect of being gay.

Seven months after Sri Lanka's long and bitter civil war was brought to an end by a withering government assault, the political coalition that supported the Tamil Tigers has thrown its support behind the former army chief who crushed them.

The opponent of Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer blames distracting protests for her loss, says today's match should have been postponed.

Demonstrators have renewed calls for Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer's withdrawal from the ASB Classic tournament.

Just under 50 per cent of Maori women smoke, compared to 20 per cent for the whole population aged 15 to 64.

The funeral of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, the eminent cleric and champion of reform, turned into a mass protest in Iran yesterday as the vast crowd chanted slogans against the government and clashed on the streets with security.

Brian Neeson's appointment to the Human Rights Review Tribunal is being questioned because he voted against gay rights as an MP.

A cosmopolitan club that refused entry to a turbaned Sikh concedes the club's name stands for inclusion of all races, but says it has a strict no hat rule.