Why Iran smiles on Jerusalem clashes

The Jerusalem clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians that injured more than 100 today, together with an unfolding crisis between the US and Israel, give beleaguered Iran an opportunity to boost its clout.

Tiananmen Square massacre now searchable on Google China?

The Internet was buzzing today that the Chinese government has dropped censorship of Google search items such as 'Tiananmen Square massacre' and 'Dalai Lama.'

With most Iraq election votes counted, Iyad Allawi closer to Prime Minister Maliki

With 79 percent of the votes in the Iraq election counted, the coalition of secular challenger Iyad Allawi drew closer to the religious Shiite list of Prime Minister Maliki. The close election indicates months of negotiation before a new government is formed.

In Israel, an African immigrant opens his own dance club

A subculture of underground African dance clubs and churches has emerged for Israel's estimated 20,000 immigrants, many from Eritrea and Sudan who seek asylum.

Inside Al Shabab: How the Somalia militant group rules through fear

As the Somalia government fends off militant group Al Shabab, the Al Qaeda-linked insurgency shows its power through intimidation of a whistle-blower.

As Northern Ireland seeks to secure peace, splits within unionist ranks

Northern Ireland politicians agreed to move policing and justice authority from Britain to the Stormont Assembly. It did so without the support of the once-dominant Ulster Unionist Party, pointing to lingering anger among some Protestants over concessions made to Irish republicans.

President Mubarak appears on Egypt TV after surgery, quelling health rumors

Egypt TV showed President Hosni Mubarak sitting up and talking after having surgery last week. The incident had sparked speculation over whether he was too unwell to lead Egypt after nearly three decades in power.

Can Israel tamp down Jerusalem clashes?

Even before the Jerusalem clashes today, the US had asked Israel to confirm it would include the Jerusalem's status in renewed talks with the Palestinians. But Netanyahu's range of options is constrained by his rightist coalition partners.

In Venezuela, public transport is a gondola to a barrio

The Venezuelan government hopes some 15,000 residents a day will use the new 'Metrocable' public transport gondola system. It takes commuters from San Agustin, one of Caracas’s poorest and most violent barrios, to the city’s Metro.

Bluefin tuna ban tops concerns at CITES endangered species meeting

The battle over a proposed bluefin tuna ban intensifies as the 175-nation Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) gets under way in Qatar.

Mexico killings: President Calderón visits Juarez to tout new social programs

President Felipe Calderón visits Ciudad Juarez today, just days after the Mexico killings of two Americans. He will tout new social programs aimed at improving life in the violence-wracked city.

Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa asserts power with Sarath Fonseka's court martial

Sarath Fonseka, Sri Lanka's former military commander turned political challenger turned prisoner, appeared at a closed-door court martial on Tuesday. Protesters calling for his release were dispersed with tear gas.

Thai PM confronted with red-shirt protesters' bloody stunt

On Tuesday, red-shirt protesters splattered blood outside the office of Thai PM Abhisit, who has rejected calls to step down.

At least 69 alleged Russian mafia arrested in European crackdown

A crackdown on the Russian mafia continued with at least 69 total arrests across Europe. 'We're going to find big mansions and enormous amounts of money,' a Spanish officer said.

Change needed as Argentina coin shortage grows

The Argentina coin shortage is growing as inflation makes a coin's metal worth more than its face value.

In Egypt, rumors of President Hosni Mubarak demise fuel uncertainty. Who will lead next?

Egypt has been churning with speculation after President Hosni Mubarak had surgery in Germany last week, despite official reports that he's recovering well. He has ruled the country for nearly three decades.

Ukrainian vs. Russian language: two tongues divide former Soviet republic

Ukraine's state language is Ukrainian. But 1 in 3 citizens of the former Soviet republic is a native Russian language speaker. The result is what locals call the 'Kiev compromise.'

Colombia vote: Will Juan Manuel Santos be the next president?

In Sunday's Colombia vote former defense minister Juan Manuel Santos consolidated his position as front-runner for the presidency after his “U” party dominated congressional elections.

Afghanstan war: Are some Taliban ignoring Mullah Omar's ethics code?

Last summer, Taliban leader Mullah Omar issued a new ethics code for Taliban fighters. But two killings of Taliban hostages indicate that those moral guidelines for conducting the Afghanistan war are being ignored by some fighters.

Iran militants deface home of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi

Militant supporters of the current government in Iran scrawled "death to Karroubi" on the Tehran home of opposition leader and reformist cleric Mehdi Karroubi, whose claims that Iran's presidential election were tainted by fraud have been described as "seditious" by right-wing officials.