Christian Science Monitor | World

Two earthquakes in two weeks test Italians' morale

Workers had just returned to a biomedical factory in Medolla when the second quake hit, causing their building to collapse. Some unions have criticized what they say is a lack of safety concern.

Another sign of Myanmar reform? Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to Thailand.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was welcomed in Thailand on Wednesday by crowds of migrant workers from Myanmar waiting to catch even a glimpse of her.

UN sees significant drop in Afghan civilian casualties

Civilian casualties are down in Afghanistan, according to the UN. Analysts say this has to do with the a drop in insurgent attacks and may be a sign of better US-Afghan coordination.

Repsol 'almost certain' to end offshore oil drilling in Cuba

Spanish oil company Repsol announced its potential withdrawal from exploration in Cuba, after spending close to $150 million on a dry well. What does this mean for Cuba?

Oslo police refute Breivik's claim of terrorist network, saying he acted alone

Anders Behring Breivik, who confessed to last summer's terror attacks in Norway, claims to be part of the Knights Templar, a pan-European militant nationalist group.

10 voices for change in Saudi Arabia

From a conservative sheikh to a pioneering female pediatrician, these are just a few of Saudis who are vocally advocating for change in their country.

Rio scrambles to prepare for impending mega-events

Rio has a lot of work to do before Rio+20, the World Cup, and the Olympics. But by the time the last event is over, not only will Rio have changed dramatically, but Brazil will be a different country.

Ambassador McFaul, driver of US-Russia 'reset,' becomes his own obstacle

US Ambassador Mike McFaul has been a Kremlin target since his arrival – most recently being slammed as 'unprofessional' and accused of spreading 'blatant falsehoods.'

Assange gets surprise chance to fight another day

Julian Assange's lawyer won a two-week reprieve to review today's decision by Britain's Supreme Court to deport the WikiLeaks boss to Sweden.

Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor sentenced to 50 years in prison (+video)

An international court proceeding ended Wednesday with the sentencing of Taylor, who was convicted of aiding and abetting numerous war crimes in Sierra Leone.

Five microcredit programs innovate to break the cycle of poverty

Microcredit programs in developing countries now include other features such as connections to markets and savings accounts, as well as business development, health, and education services.

Aung San Suu Kyi's 'test run' outside of Myanmar (+video)

On her first international trip since 1988, Aung San Suu Kyi is in Thailand to attend a World Economic Forum summit on Friday. Next month she will travel to Europe, collecting while there the Nobel Peace Prize awarded her in 1991.

Woman rescued from rubble after earthquake in Italy (+video)

A woman in Cavezzo, Italy, was pulled alive from the rubble of her home Wednesday. The death toll from Tuesday's northern Italy earthquake has risen to 17.

Why Zimbabwe's President Mugabe was named UN 'tourism envoy'

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe, who signed an agreement to co-host a UN tourism conference, now has an honorary position as envoy, despite a long record of human rights abuses.

Syria massacre not enough to break UN deadlock over stronger action

Russia's support for a UN Security Council condemnation of this weekend's Syria massacre had raised hopes that Moscow would support stronger action against its ally Assad.

Court rules WikiLeaks Julian Assange can be extradited to Sweden (+video)

WikiLeaks found Julian Assange can be extradited to face charges of rape and sexual assault in Sweden, Britain's supreme court ruled.

Syrian massacre: diplomats expelled from Western nations

The US, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria all expelled diplomats in response to revelations that more than a 100 people were brutally killed in Houla, Syria, by Assad strongmen.

US intervention unlikely in Syria

The administration expelled Syrian diplomats after last weekend's massacre, but ruled out military action.

Serena Williams loss at French Open, an unprecedented stumble (+video)

Serena Williams entered the day with a 46-0 record in first-round matches at Grand Slam tournaments. Serena Williams lost Virginie Razzano of France 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 Tuesday at the French Open.

US, 18 other nations, wrap up Eager Lion military exercise in Jordan

The sprawling Eager Lion military exercise was tied by some news outlets to the war in Syria. Though that was incorrect, the US is looking to deepen its military engagement with the region.