All Global Issues
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Briefing: UN arms trade treaty: Will it receive US Senate approval?
Why the new initiative is so controversial among US conservatives.
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In UN arms trade treaty debate, US signature may hinge on Brits
With the US reluctant to sign on to an arms trade treaty being negotiated this week at the UN, Britain – as both treaty advocate and major arms dealer – may be best positioned to sway its ally.
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Briefing: Who is Pope Francis?
How the 'outsider' status of Pope Francis and his frugal ways may portend a shake-up for the Catholic Church.
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Are you a savvy global traveler? Take the quiz
How much of a savvy traveler are you? Take our quiz!
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Habemus Papam? No. In the meantime, more papal speculation
Cardinals in Rome remain locked in deliberations to determine the next leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
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International Women's day: 3 challenges women face around the world
Issues such as violence, inequality at work, and traditional expectations confront women on every continent around the world. Here is a sampling of challenges women faced this year:
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International Women's day: Test your knowledge about women leaders
From the Queen of Sheba to the Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty women have led their people throughout history. But it wasn't until after World War II that women began to hold elected office. How much do you know about recent women leaders?
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Talking about love: Valentine's Day tales from around the world
From love-letter scribes for hire in Mexico to the perfect place to escape romantic expectations in Japan, Valentine's Day takes many different forms.
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When dictators fall, so do their banknotes
The following now defunct or possibly soon-to-be defunct banknotes are imbued with the symbols and iconography of their leaders, past and present.
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5 big losers in press freedom: Mali and ... Japan?
The annual World Press Freedom Index released today shows gains for Myanmar and others. Japan tumbled due to an informal ban placed on independent coverage of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. Here are five of the notable winners and losers on this year’s list.
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What does the world expect from newly confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry?
From France to Pakistan to China, many have voiced expectations that John Kerry's vast experience and diplomatic skill will be a boon to dealing with international crises and issues.
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Focus: Why combat role for US women could reverberate worldwide
In many countries, women have historically served in combat when demographics demanded it. But the US move is based on equal opportunity for women – and could become a model for others.
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Global hopes, concerns for Obama's second term
President Obama's first term in office was met by high international expectations for the changes he would make. But this time around, limits to Obama's diplomacy are expected.
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2012's 'good news' stories
2012 saw jobs returning to the US, health concerns improve in historic numbers, and more.
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Cover Story: Progress watch 2012: Smart phones, jobs returning to America, and war crimes trials
The often-slow arc of good news may not make headlines. But 2012 brought its quiet share: from extreme poverty dropping by half since 1990 to a robot with the bulky profile of an NFL player that may have a role in bringing jobs back to the US.
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Focus: In 2013, possibilities for stability from Somalia to South China Sea
Policymakers in many of the world's hot spots have a common New Year's wish: for unity to usher in and consolidate political and economic stability.
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How well do you know global Christmas traditions? Take the quiz
Test your knowledge about how the Christmas holidays are celebrated from the Philippines to Mexico.
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Global sympathy for Newtown, antipathy for US gun laws (+video)
Even as observers around the world mourned the teachers and children killed in Newtown, many expressed frustration with a US political system that has left guns so easily accessible.
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Global water crisis: Seen from the first Himalayan glacial trickle
Global water crisis: Reporter William Wheeler talks about water stress from the effects of climate change high in the Himalayas where India and Pakistan's great rivers start to Haiti's fresh-water pollution.
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Cover Story: Global water crisis: too little, too much, or lack of a plan?
The global water crisis – caused by drought, flood, and climate change – is less about supply than it is about recognizing water's true value, using it efficiently, and planning for a different future, say experts.
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