Hundreds of West African communities declare end to female genital mutilation - campaigners
Critics say they expect that some communities keep cutting girls after declaring their opposition to the practice
Wives of missing Thai, Lao activists seek action over disappearances
"At every level, and you are faced with a wall"
Smog engulfs cities in northern China for fourth day
Up to 24 cities issue pollution "red alerts", with smog worsening in some places despite emergency measures
City in China's Shandong limits coal-fired power to cut smog - notice
Cuts include one of China's largest coal-fired power plants
Chinese turn to gallows humour and superheroes as they hunker down in smog
Most jokes could not be judged politically sensitive but a few offer indirect criticism of perceived government inaction
Obama prepares to block drilling in Arctic, Atlantic - Bloomberg
Obama's move would give him the liberty to withdraw U.S. waters from future oil and gas leasing, Bloomberg reports
From beauty pageants to bathroom battles, 5 major gains for LGBTI rights in 2016
U.N. appoints gay rights investigator, Springsteen and PayPal protest North Carolina transgender bathroom law, while films and TV shows highlight LGBTI issues
Lebanese lawmakers set to scrap law forgiving rapists who marry victim
Under article 522 of the penal code, authorities can overturn the sentence of a convicted rapist if he or she marries the victim
U.S. Interior Dept finalizes rule to protect waterways from coal mining
One of Obama's last major environmental regulations likely to be targeted by incoming Trump administration
FEATURE-Police in central England find new tools to fight human trafficking
"Often, the employers aren't aware that these people are being exploited"