Putin set to abolish inheritance tax in Russia News
Putin set to abolish inheritance tax in Russia

[JURIST] Russian President Vladimir Putin [official website, English version] is set to sign into a law a measure passed by both houses of the Russian parliament that will abolish the country's inheritance tax, according to reports on Monday. After Putin made the proposal in an April address his plan was swiftly enacted, receiving 414 votes of approval in the 450-seat lower house and garnering widespread public support. A small group opposed the law, claiming it benefitted only the few richest people. The US debate over its inheritance taxes [Wikipedia backgrounder] has prompted change, but so far nothing as far-reaching as this Russian initiative. MosNews has local coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

South Africa becomes first country on continent to legalize same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriages became legal in South Africa on November 30, 2006 as the country's Civil Union Act, 2006 went into effect, making South Africa the only country on the African continent to legalize same-sex marriage. Read the Civil Union Act, 2006.