Japan's Health Ministry and other agencies have finalized a proposal to legally prohibit the implantation of genome-edited human embryos into wombs, aiming to prevent 'designer babies.' The bill, expected in 2026, includes penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment or 10 million yen for violations, while allowing basic research.
The Indian Supreme Court has intervened, ordering the return of Sunali Khatun, a pregnant Bengali-speaking Muslim woman, and her eight-year-old son, Sabir, who were deported to Bangladesh in June. Citing humanitarian grounds, the court directed the West Bengal government to provide medical care, while the Centre agreed to their re-entry under surveillance. The case highlights ongoing debates over citizenship and deportation.
Malta will introduce seven days of fully paid miscarriage leave for women and their partners, effective January 1, 2026. This measure, part of a broader social support package, will be government-funded and applies to all workers, aiming to provide crucial support during pregnancy loss.
Slovenia has voted against a law that would have allowed terminally ill patients to end their lives. Approximately 53% of voters rejected the bill in a binding referendum held on November 23, 2025, effectively suspending the legislation for at least one year. The turnout was nearly 41%.
A 35-year-old woman in Qualiano, Naples, was seriously injured after being stabbed seven times by her 29-year-old ex-partner. The assailant, who was under house arrest with an electronic bracelet for previous mistreatment charges against the victim, evaded his detention to carry out the attack. He has since been arrested for evasion and attempted murder.
A popular jury in Argentina has sentenced César Sena and his parents, Emerenciano Sena and Marcela Acuña, to life imprisonment for the femicide of Cecilia Strzyzowski. The 28-year-old woman disappeared on June 2, 2023, from the Sena family home in Resistencia, Chaco, a case that garnered national and international attention.
The Bavarian city of Regensburg has withdrawn its 100-meter buffer zone restricting prayer vigils near an abortion clinic. This decision, effective October 24, follows rulings by the Regensburg Administrative Court and the Bavarian Administrative Court, which found the ban violated constitutional freedoms of assembly and expression. The original restriction was established in summer 2025.
Carlos Sá, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hospital Fernando Fonseca (Amadora-Sintra), resigned on November 3, 2025. The resignation, accepted by Health Minister Ana Paula Martins, follows the death of a pregnant woman and her baby, and revelations of 'serious information failure' regarding the patient's care, alongside extended emergency wait times.
Cardinal Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo has voiced strong opposition to Japan's decision to allow the over-the-counter sale of the morning-after pill, Norlevo, without prescription. Citing moral concerns regarding the sanctity of life, the Cardinal's statement comes as Japan prepares for a nationwide rollout by spring 2026, a move aimed at improving women's access to emergency contraception.
The Russian Federation is implementing a multi-faceted strategy to address its persistent demographic decline, characterized by a shrinking and aging population. This approach includes new restrictive legislation, such as bans on 'abortion promotion' and the classification of the 'international LGBTQ+ social movement' as extremist, alongside various pro-natalist policies offering financial incentives and promoting traditional family values to boost birth rates.
Luciana Ronchi, 62, died in Milan after being stabbed multiple times by her ex-husband, Luigi Morcaldi, 64. The attack occurred in the Bruzzano neighborhood, leading to a police manhunt and Morcaldi's arrest in Parco Nord. Economic disputes are believed to be a motive.
Hundreds gathered in front of the Saeima in Riga on October 21, 2025, to protest proposed amendments to Latvia's Law on Sexual and Reproductive Health. The amendments, put forth by opposition MPs, aim to restrict abortion access by mandating counselling and introducing the term 'unborn life' into legislation. Protesters emphasized a woman's right to choose, while the ruling coalition indicated it would not support the changes.
Nadia Khaidar, 50, has died in Bologna after nearly three months in critical condition following a brutal attack by her ex-partner, Redouane Ennakhali, 44. The July 27 assault, which involved ramming her car and then stabbing and beating her, has led to the charge against Ennakhali being upgraded from attempted murder to murder.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a second generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone from Evita Solutions on October 2, 2025. This decision, a standard regulatory process, has ignited strong criticism from anti-abortion groups and conservative politicians, coming amidst a broader safety review of the drug.
Activists in Prague, led by Konsent and Amnesty International, rallied on September 29, 2025, to demand constitutional protection for abortion rights. Ahead of the October 3-4 parliamentary elections, the initiative seeks to safeguard reproductive freedoms in the Czech Republic, where abortion is legal but lacks constitutional guarantees, reflecting broader concerns over access and international developments.
Hundreds of activists, academics, and citizens gathered outside the Law Courts in Valletta on Saturday, September 27, 2025, to demand the decriminalisation of abortion in Malta. Organised by the Voice for Choice coalition, the rally highlighted Malta's near-total ban on abortion, which remains the strictest in the European Union, and called for an end to the criminalisation of reproductive healthcare.
Sardinia has approved a new end-of-life law, making it the second Italian region after Tuscany to regulate medically assisted dying. The legislation, passed with 32 votes in favor, 19 against, and one abstention, outlines procedures for patients with irreversible conditions and intolerable suffering to access the service, based on a 2019 Constitutional Court ruling.
A criminal trial in Ichinomiya has commenced following a traffic accident that resulted in the death of a pregnant woman, Sayaka Togitani, and serious injuries to her newborn, Hinami. Prosecutors are investigating the possibility of additional charges against the driver, Naoko Chigono, regarding the fetus's injuries.
James Dobson, a prominent conservative child psychologist and founder of the organization Focus on the Family, has passed away at the age of 89. His influence in advocating for conservative Christian values in American politics and his work on issues such as family rights and anti-abortion campaigns have left a lasting impact.
A Texas woman, arrested for using medication to end her pregnancy, is suing local officials, alleging they violated her constitutional rights by pursuing murder charges despite knowing her actions were not illegal. The case highlights the complexities of abortion laws and the potential for legal repercussions against women and those who assist them.
