Haiti earthquake anniversary: the state of global disaster relief

On the first anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, global disaster relief is under the microscope. A $15-billion-a-year industry with 250,000 workers, the stakes are high – but from each tsunami, quake, hurricane, and drought, we learn what works and what doesn't.

A Haiti disaster relief worker fights cholera and despair

Emmet Fitzgerald, like thousands of other global disaster relief nomads, is at work 24 hours a day amid the Haiti earthquake debris – in the fight against cholera and other forms of despair, he sometimes goes into his own wallet to solve immediate problems in the camp he manages.

New Year's Eve 2011 around the world

Much of the US will be tuning into the Times Square ball drop in New York City, but there are celebrations to rival that one around the world. Below are some of the world's biggest New Year's Eve celebrations.

Top 6 most triumphant stories of 2010

Most 2010 lists of major news will include the Gulf oil spill, the Haiti earthquake, the Republican midterm election sweep, and WikiLeaks. But we saw many events that also inspired or amazed or brought a smile. Here's our top 6 list.

The world in 2011: Trends and events to watch in every region

Monitor staff writers and correspondents in each of the world's regions share what they expect to be top headlines in 2011.

Taliban Christmas trees, Bethlehem disco carols, and other yuletide tales from the Monitor's vault

The Monitor's correspondents around the world have shared some great Christmas stories over the years – from cradles of Christianity, such as Bethlehem, and from less likely places, such as China, Afghanistan, and Cairo. Click through the slides for highlights of past years' holiday coverage.

Skype brings 10 million users back online, but millions more still without call service

Luxembourg internet phone company Skype said this morning that users had doubled in several hours to 10 million people, though the impact on investor sentiment may be more lasting.

Suicide attacks down, Predator drone exits, and other overlooked stories in 2010

Here are some stories in 2010 that you may have overlooked, including a global decline in suicide attacks and the phasing out of the Predator drone.

WikiLeaks army 'Anonymous' eyes Bank of America with 'Operation BOA Constrictor'

Anonymous, the loosely knit association of WikiLeaks supporters, is seeking to rally the online faithful to attack Bank of America with 'Operation BOA Constrictor.'

Quirky Christmas traditions around the world

Christmas cheer is widespread in the days leading up to Dec. 24 and 25, but it manifests itself in many different ways, from predicting the future to trying not to choke on a hidden coin. Below are just a few of the many unusual Christmas traditions around the world.

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange issues threat and complains about ... leaks

In interviews published today, WikiLeaks' Julian Assange issued threats and lashed out at his collaborators, his rape accusers, and the Swedish government.

How NATO-Russia talks on missile defense could halt – or launch – a new arms race

Some security experts say the most urgent quest of our time is convincing Moscow to allow the US to defend the West with a missile defense shield.

Cancún climate change deal falls flat, Kyoto Protocol on life support

Two weeks of Cancún climate change talks ended Saturday, with a vague deal to help poor countries deal with climate change and the original Kyoto Protocol all but dead.

North Korea and Iran: How the two states test US diplomacy

North Korea is seen as an unpredictable 'spoiled child.' Iran is seen as a rational but aggressive nation. Each have nuclear programs, but pose unique problems for US security.

North Korea: Cold-war legacy

Iran's steady anti-Western stance

Cyberattacks Q&A: 'World of pain' for those who don't support WikiLeaks

Gregg Housh, an unofficial spokesman for Anonymous, explains how the hactivist collective's voluntary botnet was powerful enough to bring down Visa and MasterCard websites.

WikiLeaks cyberattacks Q&A: MasterCard and Visa 'have egg on their faces.'

'MasterCard died quick,' Gregg Housh, an unofficial spokesman for the hactivists known as Anonymous, says in an interview with the Monitor. 'Visa went down in 30 seconds.'

Hackers wage global 'cyberwar' in defense of WikiLeaks

Anonymous hackers are rallying behind Julian Assange, declaring 'cyberwar' on governments and companies that have stopped doing business with WikiLeaks.

Hackers rally to support WikiLeaks: Top 5 recent attacks

In an effort nicknamed "Operation Payback," a loose association of hackers called "Anonymous" has been targeting the websites of companies and organizations that have cut ties with WikiLeaks by overwhelming their sites with traffic, prompting them to shut down. Twitter and Facebook have blocked accounts for Anonymous, citing the illegality of their attacks as a terms-of-service violation. WikiLeaks' Facebook and Twitter accounts remain up and running. “Of course, Anonymous is expected to keep creating new accounts as quickly as Facebook and Twitter squash them; it’s a bit like Whack-a-Mole or doing battle with a hydra, in that sense,” said social media news website Mashable. "Fighting Anonymous is a task we wouldn’t wish on anyone." Below are some of the most notable attacks.