All World
- Chen's victory an isolated case, say Chinese activists
If China allows activist Chen Guangcheng to leave with his family, it will be an individual victory unlikely to usher in better treatment for other dissidents.
- Japanese cheer unplugging of last nuclear plant
Japan switched off the last of its 50 nuclear reactors sending thousands of Japanese into the streets to celebrate Saturday.
France worries that unsavory presidential campaign has divided countryNicolas Sarkozy's decision to play to the far right for votes in the presidential election has changed the French political landscape in a way many consider damaging.
Iraq's unity tested by rising tensions over oil-rich Kurdish regionAs Iraqi Kurdistan ramps up oil production that could soon surpass Libya's output, Kurdish leaders have warned they may seek independence if disputes over oil revenues, power-sharing aren't resolved.
Hunger intifada? Palestinian prisoners wield new-old tool against Israel.As many as half of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have followed the example of Khader Adnan, whose 66-day hunger strike became something of a cause célèbre earlier this year.
West African bloc prepares to send troops into Mali and Guinea-BissauTwo separate military coups in Mali and Guinea-Bissau threaten the stability of the region. But will an intervention by ECOWAS actually resolve these conflicts or just complicate them?
Netherlands bans tourists from buying marijuana. Yes, in Amsterdam, too.The Netherlands has banned non-residents from buying marijuana in the country. Neighboring governments are pleased, but the country's coffee shop owners and opposition party are not.
French candidate Hollande's projected win could change eurozone's courseFrench presidential frontrunner Francois Hollande, of the Socialist Party, could prompt major changes to the German-led austerity model, which much of Europe is already rising up against.
Faced with Breivik's unflinching account, Norway surprises world with its civilityA reporter covering Anders Behring Breivik's trial marvels at the degree of civility Norwegians have shown him, considering the brutality of the July 2011 terror attacks and his lack of remorse.
Russia threatens to take aim at NATO's missile defense shieldAt a conference in Moscow convened to discuss the NATO missile defense shield, a fierce point of contention between the US and Russia, efforts to find a compromise reached a dead end.
Ukraine denies prison mistreatment of TymoshenkoA Ukrainian prosecutor said Friday he is unaware of any alleged physical attacks on former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in prison.
Report: Kenyan forces abused ethnic Somalis near borderHuman Rights Watch report says that Kenyan forces, now fighting insurgents across the border in Somalia, has beaten, humiliated, and raped ethnic Somalis along Kenyan border.
Syrian forces kill teenager in another Aleppo attack, reports sayOne day after a raid on a local college campus resulted in four deaths, Syrian forces fired on a large group of protesters in Aleppo Friday.
Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng's next step: Study at a US university?The US says prominent Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng has been offered a fellowship by a US university. The US State Department said it would move quickly to provide a visa for Mr. Chen and his family.
Japan shuts down last nuclear reactor for tests. End of nuclear power?If Japan survives the summer without power blackouts, citizens may pressure the government to make the temporary nuclear shutdown permanent.
Farmers' markets go onlineOnline ordering systems, like Arganica Farm Club in the mid-Atlantic, Green Bean Delivery in the Midwest, and SPUD in the Northwest, deliver fresh local produce to consumers.
Good Reads: Politics of withdrawal, fossil fuels, and media freedom in South AfricaHerewith, a shout out to longer-form analysis stories about President Obama's security pact with Afghanistan, as well as stories on oil, developing countries, and media restriction in South Africa.
- Tough rhetoric on Boko Haram from the Christian Association of Nigeria
Guest blogger Alex Thurston says the harder pushback from the Christian Association of Nigeria is worrisome, because it could lead to even broader inter-religious violence in Nigeria.
Will a new constitution make Zimbabwe more democratic?A draft constitution, released this week, proposes term limits for presidents, as well as a commission to study past crimes against humanity.
Ayatollah Khamenei gives Iran nuclear talks unprecedented legitimacyIran's supreme leader appears much more involved in current nuclear negotiations, meaning that any deal struck will not face resistance back in Iran. But he's also likely to press for a harder line.
