All World
From Our Files: Iwo Jima, Feb. 23, 1945Iwo Jima, a tiny volcanic island in the Pacific between the Marianas Islands and mainland Japan was the site of one of the most historic battles of World War II in which the United States captured the island from Japan. By the end of the campaign 6800 Americans and 20000 Japanese died between February 19 and March 26, 1945. The battle is recognized by the iconic photograph of U.S. Marines raising the American flag at the summit of Mt. Suribachi on February 23, 1945.
John Beaufort was a reporter for The Christian Science Monitor who covered the Pacific theater during World War II. He landed at Kwajalein atoll with the Marines, accompanied the landings at Okinawa, and covered the invasion of Iwo Jima. Here is Beaufort's account, originally published in the Feb. 23, 1945 issue of The Christian Science Monitor. – Leigh Montgomery, Librarian
More on death from the skies in SyriaA little more information on what the Syrian regime is using on Homs.
Argentine train crash sheds light on need for transportation reformA privatized and highly subsidized train industry in Argentina has left few accountable for safety and oversight. A deadly commuter train crash Wednesday was the eighth since 2008.
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The Mafia has long been a part of life in southern Italy, while the north remained mostly untainted. Organized crime has now solidified its presence in prosperous northern Italy.
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Diplomats meet in London to talk Somalia, but where are the women?If women aren't part of the political process in Somalia, they can't be a part of the outcome, notes guest blogger Jina Moore.
A message from HomsPaul Conroy, a photographer wounded in the attack that killed reporters Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik, speaks from the devastated Syrian city of Homs.
Sacha Baron Cohen banned? No, but 'General Aladeen' is. Woe be unto Dictators.Sacha Baron Cohen has been asked by The Academy not to dress as 'General Aladeen' at the Oscars. The world is becoming a very unfriendly place for dictators, even fictional ones.
The risks of telling the Syria storyWith nine journalists among the roughly 8,000 dead in Syria's uprising, Monitor reporter Scott Peterson explores the soul-searching inside the small community of war correspondents.
North Korea and US talk for first time since Kim Jong-il's deathTalks today between North Korea and the US could provide insight to whether North Korea's new government is ready for change.
- The Iran war party, Feb. 23
Moving that red line.
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Mexico to build eight new prisons after Zetas escapeBut by focusing on the role overcrowding played in the Zetas riot and escape, is the Mexican government missing the bigger picture in terms of prison reform?
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Bringing quicker, easier solar power to rural AfricaSolarNexus custom designs small solar power systems so that they can be easily installed in the field, providing a kick-start to the local economy.
Wave of attacks in Iraq ends weeks of calmA political crisis in early 2012 had Iraq on edge, but mediation efforts brought calm for several weeks. The reprieve ended today with at least 14 separate attacks throughout the country.
- Vogue for the veiled in Turkey
New magazine caters to pious Muslim women, but both conservatives and secularists are asking whether fashion can coexist with Islam.
Judge steps down in Guatemala genocide trialThe judge overseeing the Efrain Rios Montt genocide case stepped down this week after the defense lawyer lodged a complaint of judicial bias, writes guest blogger Mike Allison.
Report: London no safer for all its CCTV camerasCivil rights group Big Brother Watch has accused Britain of having an out-of-control surveillance culture that is doing little to improve public safety.
As austerity bites hard, a once pliant Spain revoltsSpaniards initially accepted aggressive austerity as necessary, but tens of thousands are now turning out in the streets to protest measures they say have gone too far.
