Topic: Belarus

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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
In Pictures: Celebrities at Wimbledon
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/22

All Content

Myanmar, 'Arab awakening' top US list of progress on human rights

State Department's annual report on human rights around the world also notes the important role that technology, the Internet, and social media play in advancing individual freedoms.
Global News Blog
NATO: European missile shield 'provisionally operational'

If there is any issue that threatens to derail relations with Russia, it's the issue of missile defense. 
Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico: three ways to nationalize oil

Argentina's renationalization of its biggest oil company, YPF, recently caused an outcry. But the cases of oil nationalization in Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela show that outcomes can vary widely.
Modern Parenthood
Mother's Day: The unexpected best (and worst) places to be a mom

Mother's Day: Save the Children's annual State of the World's Mothers report offers the best and worst places to be a mom – the US isn't tops.
Latin America Monitor
Press freedom falls in Latin America, French journalist missing in Colombia

Freedom of the press is under threat in much of the Americas, according to a Freedom House report.
Europe calls Euro 2012 penalty on Ukraine for treatment of Tymoshenko

With Ukraine and Poland preparing to host the Euro 2012 soccer championship, Europe sees it as an opportune time to pressure Ukraine over its treatment of opposition figure Yulia Tymoshenko.
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.
Why Voice of America is losing to voice of communist China – at home and abroad

With funding and program cuts, Washington is crippling the truth-telling Voice of America broadcasts in China. Meanwhile, Beijing is aggressively expanding its media campaign to spread untruths – broadcasting from American soil. America can't afford to let the VOA go silent.
Breivik wants freedom or death in Norway massacre

The accused killer said that the maximum of 21 years he could face in prison is "pathetic."
Backchannels
When Assange meets Nasrallah, you learn the most about Assange (+video)

Julian Assange, the embattled Wikileaks leader, started his new chat show with an interview of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Outrage over Egypt's arrest of NGO workers, but US would have done the same

The outrage over Egypt's arrest of 43 NGO workers, at least 16 of whom are American, is understandable and well deserved. But it also speaks to a little acknowledged paradox: These organizations are conducting democracy-building work that would never be tolerated in the US.
Christmas gift to America 20 years ago – a Russia to be thankful for

When the Soviet Union collapsed 20 years ago on Christmas, doomsayers had a field day. But seen strictly from the perspective of what matters most to Americans, the good news is that the nightmares that experts realistically expected about Russia have not happened.
A 'New START' to an arms race between the US and Russia?

How European missile defense is blowing up the 'New START' nuclear weapons treaty, US relations with Russia, and possibly reigniting a cold-war arms race.
Yulia Tymoshenko sentence may push Ukraine away from EU, toward Russia

Yulia Tymoshenko, the Ukrainian opposition leader, was sentenced to seven years in prison for 'criminal abuse' during her term as prime minister, though critics say the trial was politically motivated.
Nord Stream pipeline gives Russia edge in European gas wars

Russia's Nord Stream pipeline bypasses Ukraine, which transports about 80 percent of Russian gas exports to Europe, and could give Moscow greater political leverage in dealing with Kiev.
Maria Sharapova survives 1st round match as US Open tennis gets underway

Maria Sharapova had to use all three sets in her opening match Monday. The US Open tennis tournament, featuring Maria Sharapova and a host of other stars, is off and running in New York.
Latin America Monitor
Brazil passes its first organizational hurdle ahead of 2014 World Cup

Protesters gathered outside the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw this weekend in Rio de Janeiro to demand that the soccer tournament stay free of corruption. They promised to keep up pressure as the event nears.
In Pictures: Cooling off
In Belarus, one-armed man arrested for clapping

The crackdown in Belarus grew more indiscriminate this week. Among the 400 arrested: a one-armed man charged with taking part in the clapping protests and mute person accused of shouting antigovernment slogans.
In Pictures: Belarus protests
Hugo Chavez visits troops on live TV

Hugo Chavez spoke while promoting several hundred troops in fatigues gathered in a courtyard.
In Pictures: Celebrities at Wimbledon
Maria Sharapova goes on to semifinals at Wimbledon

Maria Sharapova beat Dominika Cibulkova at Wimbledon, Tuesday, to continue on to the semifinals. Sharapova will face Sabine Lisicki. Thursday.
Anna Chapman sleeper spy ring betrayed by Russian officer

Anna Chapman spy ring: Col. Alexander Poteyev had betrayed his ring of 10 sleeper spies and the FBI was about to nab them. Now he was at risk of being arrested by Russian authorities.
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading

How one woman used books to cope with her sister's death.