July Was Iraq's Deadliest Month In Five Years
Melissa Block talks to Tim Arango, Baghdad bureau chief for The New York Times, about increasing violence in Iraq.
World News
As Myanmar Opens Up, A Look Back On A 1988 Uprising
The country also known as Burma is emerging from decades of authoritarian rule. But 25 years ago, in the middle of that dark period, there were six weeks of hope. Demonstrations brought millions onto the streets until a harsh crackdown left thousands dead and landed thousands more in prison.
Unease In Sprawling Rio Slum Ahead Of Police 'Pacification'
Brazilian police are preparing to occupy one of the deadliest shantytown complexes in Rio de Janeiro, hoping to drive out drug gangs ahead of next year's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. But in Mare, the vast, poor and dangerous home to 75,000 people, some fear the police more than the drug gangs.
Lawlessness Increases In Libya
Two years ago, Libya was turned upside down by the Arab Spring movement. David Greene talks to David Kirkpatrick, Middle East correspondent and Cairo bureau chief for The New York Times, about the state of governance and security in Libya.
Egypt's Top General And His U.S. Lessons In Democracy
Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi led the recent ouster of Egypt's democratically elected president. Seven years earlier, he was a student at the U.S. Army War College and wrote a paper called "Democracy in the Middle East." He's the latest in a series of U.S.-trained military officers to topple a civilian government.
Fukushima Nuclear Plant Leaking 300 Tons Of Tainted Water Daily
The Japanese government has announced that radioactive groundwater is leaking from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. To try and stop it, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, which owns the plant, has proposed building an underground wall of frozen earth around the reactors. The ice wall is supposed to keep groundwater from flowing in and radioactive water from leaking out, but nobody knows for sure whether it will work.
The Biggest Thing Out Of Thailand: An Elephant Orchestra
Based out of a conservation center for former work animals, the Thai Elephant Orchestra is just what it sounds like: a group of elephants trained to play enormous percussion instruments, holding mallets in their trunks and sometimes trumpeting along.
Former Soviet Republic's Democratic Transition Questioned
The former Soviet republic of Georgia passed an important test of democracy last year. After a bitter campaign, the government changed hands peacefully in a free election. But the losing party says democracy in Georgia is threatened because the new government is arresting officials from the old government and putting them on trial for corruption and abuse of power.
Kerry, Hagel To Meet Russian Counterparts On Friday
The U.S. has canceled plans for an Obama-Putin summit because Russia granted temporary asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden. But Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will go ahead with plans to meet their counterparts in Washington.
Working To Save The Painted 'Zonkeys' Of Tijuana
Americans once waited in line for the chance to be photographed atop the striped donkeys on this famed tourist strip. But 9/11, the recession and the Mexican drug war have stifled tourism and nearly put the "zonkeys" and their owners out of work. A new push is on to save the historic icons.