Topic: Belarus

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3 compelling photo books for gifting this winter

These photo books capture the world in images that are by turns amusing and heartbreaking.
5 countries where the death penalty is legal but rare

India’s Supreme Court sentenced the last surviving gunman of the 2008 attacks on Mumbai, to death. Here is a list of 5 countries where the death penalty is a legal possibility, though rare.
Briefing
Five things to know about Freedom House's latest global rankings

A look at the 2012 Freedom House ranking of 197 countries according to their relative freedom.
In Pictures: Cooling off
In Pictures: Belarus protests

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The Walt Disney Company pulls out of Bangladesh: Will that make workers safer?

The Walt Disney Company pulls out of five developing countries – including Bangladesh, site of a devastating building collapse of a garment factory – telling licensees of Disney-brand items of its decision to phase out production there. Critics say pulling out is not the best response.
Global News Blog Good Reads: China's 'cyber cage,' millennium goals update, toddlers and tech, space diving

The round-up of Good Reads this week includes how the Internet could erode China's authoritarianism, the status of the UN millennium development goals, how parents introduce technology to children, and space-diver Felix Baumgartner's superhero suit.
Aurora Borealis tonight? Dazzling northern lights forecast

Aurora Borealis tonight? Yes, New York, Pennsylvania, and parts of the US Midwest could see a rare spectacular aurora borealis light show tonight, based on the forecasts.
Nicolae Martinescu, Olympic wrestling champ, dies

Nicolae Martinescu won gold in the Greco-Roman heavyweight wrestling class in the 1972 Olympics. Nicolae Martinescu "was a very talented wrestler," according to FILA.
Global News Blog Gerard Depardieu's latest drama: a Russian passport (+video)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a Russian passport to the famous French movie star in what some see as part of an escalating war of words between Russia and the West.
A year after being literally wiped out, a Russian hockey team flourishes

Last November, nearly every member of the team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl was killed in a plane crash that devastated the hockey world. Today, the team is one of the KHL's best.
Putin, EU likely to remain at odds

Disputes between Russia and the European Union are wide-ranging. Contentious topics will likely be under discussion at Friday's meeting in Brussels between leaders of the two political powerhouses.
Israeli Defense Minister Lieberman resigns after criminal charge

Mr. Lieberman denies the charge and says he is resigning to clear his name. But his resignation may impact Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection chances.
Israeli minister charged with breach of trust, but evades more serious charges

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman will likely come under heavy pressure to resign after today's charges from the Israeli attorney general.
3 compelling photo books for gifting this winter

These photo books capture the world in images that are by turns amusing and heartbreaking.
Focus Baltic nations offer ex-Soviet states a Western model

The tiny states of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, having shed their Russian-dominated past and joined the EU and NATO, are looking to help their post-Soviet neighbors to do the same.
Four Olympians lose medals for steroid use at Athens

Four Olympians lose medals: Four track and field athletes from eastern Europe were ordered to return their medals won in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The retroactive tests bring the number of Athens Olympians to lose medals to 31, including 11 medal winners and three gold medalists.
In 'eloquent declaration,' Russia opens world's largest Jewish museum

Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was born in Belarus, inaugurated the Jewish Museum, noting its powerful testament to how a country can change.
Kremlin to pull out of Russia-US nuke lockdown program

Russia's plan to end the Nunn-Lugar program, in which the US aided Russia in handling post-Soviet weaponry, is just part of Russia's shifting policy regarding international cooperation.
Nobel Peace Prize: Could a Russian win this year?

Several Russian contenders are among the favorites for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, to be awarded Friday. But a Russian winner could make for sour relations between Norway and Russia.
International monitors say Belarus election neither free nor fair (+video)

The European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have dismissed parliamentary elections in Belarus as a sham, further isolating the landlocked state from the West.
In Europe's sketchiest election, Belarus votes in entirely pro-government parliament (+video)

Not a single member of an opposition party won seat in Belarus's parliamentary elections, which have been widely condemned by international observers.
Amid opposition boycott, Belarus leader praises 'boring and calm' election

Belarus opposition parties boycotted, urging people to go fishing instead of voting in parliamentary elections marred by intimidation and fraud. President Lukashenko called the move cowardly.
Syria airstrike leaves at least 54 dead, say opposition activists (+video)

A Syrian jet fired upon a gas station in norther Syria Thursday, setting off an explosion that left at least 54 people dead, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
5 countries where the death penalty is legal but rare

India’s Supreme Court sentenced the last surviving gunman of the 2008 attacks on Mumbai, to death. Here is a list of 5 countries where the death penalty is a legal possibility, though rare.
Ecuador's Correa says no hypocrisy in his defense of WikiLeaks' Assange

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, whose government has closed 14 news outlets since the start of the year, says his free speech defense of Assange isn't hypocritical because different rules apply.
Olympic medal count: USA sets historic gold medal mark

The London 2012 Olympic medal count finished with the USA on top with 46 gold medals – the most it has won in a non-boycotted Olympics since 1904. China fell off its Beijing pace.
Latin America Monitor Mexico takes on Brazil for Olympic soccer gold

If Mexico can defeat Brazil it will mean the country's first Olympic gold medal in soccer.
Global News Blog Teddy bear air drop still roils in Belarus

Belorussians have been put on trial for complicity in last month's teddy bear air drop by two Swedes protesting Belarus's poor human rights and democracy record.
Olympic schedule, what to watch today: Men's soccer

Today's Olympic schedule is all about men's soccer. Spain vs. Japan and Great Britain will play Senegal.