Christian Science Monitor | Global News Blog

Russia's islands of media freedom are under attack

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says management changes at a radio station were ordered by the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin. Mr. Gorbachev worries other news outlets could be next.

New York Knicks fans in Taiwan? Yes, thanks to Jeremy Lin. (+video)

'Linsanity' about Jeremy Lin has spread to Taiwan, where his parents were born. Fans are watching New York Knicks games live – at 8 a.m. local time mid week.

In Frankfurt, Europe's banking capital, Occupy soldiers on

Even amid last week's record low temperatures in Europe, a hardy group of protesters kept Frankfurt's Occupy encampment going between towering bank buildings.

Good Reads: China's next leader comes to Washington, as US enters a funk

Lots of talk of America's decline but few suggested solutions as Chinese vice president Xi Jinping visits Washington this week.

Americans arrested, deported by Bahrain for supporting democracy protests

The Americans Radhika Sainath and Huwaida Arraf were arrested and deported by Bahrain for showing solidarity with democracy protesters in the kingdom.

A cricket game to end all war? Afghanistan takes on Pakistan.

Maybe not, but as Afghanistan played its first major international cricket match today against rival Pakistan, some hoped the goodwill between the players on the field would translate into better relations off it.

Malaysia may repatriate Saudi who faces death penalty for tweets

Saudi writer Hamza Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia after a trio of tweets about the prophet Muhammad brought death threats. Malaysian police apprehended him en route to New Zealand, where he was to request asylum.

A carpet economy unravels in Afghanistan

The carpetmaking industry in Afghanistan may be headed for hard times due to cheap competition in China and high-paying alternatives for low skilled laborers.

Pakistan Supreme Court rejects prime minister's appeal. What's the next step?

Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani's appeal of his contempt charges was thrown out today, paving the way for indictment. Some say the ruling benefits the powerful military.

In Prague, dumplings that say ‘Mom’

Petr Kosiner owns the Czech Republic's first homemade dumpling shop. He hopes to change the misconception that "store-bought" can't compare to homemade for one of the country's staple side dishes.

@UKSupremeCourt now accepting official requests thru Twitter #srsly?

The UK Supreme Court now accepts freedom of information requests by Twitter, even though it didn't really mean to.

Sanctioned and isolated, Iran boldly bans the Simpsons

Following a ban on Barbies, Iran's ban on the Simpsons is part of a soft culture war that can mean only one thing. We're just not sure what it is.

A road gets rejigged by English 'morris' dancers

A troupe of England's venerable morris dancers recently danced a jig to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a London overpass that was originally dedicated by morris dancers.

As snow falls in Britain, Heathrow upholds reputation as travelers' 'black hole' (+video)

London's Heathrow airport is once again the target of criticism after a preemptive shutdown hours before a light snowfall in the United Kingdom.

Europe's weather brings continent to a halt

The frigid temperatures and snowfall that began in Eastern Europe last week have reached Western Europe, snarling airport traffic in Britain and turning Rome white.

The simple pleasures of a South Korean ski slope

Skiing in China is potentially life threatening, but Muju, Korea, couldn't be more different: courteous customers, organized chairlifts, staff who bow at the waist.

Cleanup coalition in Haiti's largest slum

Haiti's Cité Soleil is the most notorious slum in the Western Hemisphere, but local residents are picking up shovels and brooms to transform their neighborhood.

India's Supreme Court deals blow to corruption - and foreign investors (+video)

India’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to cancel telecommunications licenses awarded in 2008 that are at the center of one of the country’s largest corruption scandals.

Wikipedia’s cultural mission in India

After moving to big cities, some preserve their culture through Wikipedia entries written in regional languages.

New Delhi’s pride: its modern metro

So classy, even its riders seem to behave better when aboard.