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Spurs and Thunder star in NBA’s Western Conference Finals: 10 extra dimensions

The clash of the Spurs and Thunder in the NBA’s Western Conference finals may fly a bit under the national radar when it opens Sunday. Here are 10 factors that make this showdown intriguing.
Mitt Romney's five biggest assets as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the election into a choice, saying in effect that America's problems will get much worse under the other guy. So what does Mitt Romney bring to the table? Here are five assets.
10 of TIME's 100 'most influential'

What does it mean to be influential today? TIME Magazine may not have a scientific answer, but they identified scores of people in their 2012 “100 Most Influential People in the World” list, released this week. Here is a sampling of 10 people from around the world who made the cut.
The Masters: 12 women candidates for Augusta National membership

The Augusta National Golf Club has steadfastly refused to alter its all-male membership. But circumstances may soon cause the gender barrier to break, and if it does there are several women who might be good fits for the club.
China's leadership shakeup: Bo Xilai and 4 other names to watch

Five names to keep an eye on as China prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership change.

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Progress Watch
Saudi girls find freedom in cleats

A high-energy evening soccer game between two girls' teams is part of a growing female sports movement in conservative Saudi Arabia.
Spurs and Thunder star in NBA’s Western Conference Finals: 10 extra dimensions

The clash of the Spurs and Thunder in the NBA’s Western Conference finals may fly a bit under the national radar when it opens Sunday. Here are 10 factors that make this showdown intriguing.
Kings ransom: With Lakers and Clippers out, L.A. grudgingly turns to hockey

After an astounding run through the playoffs, the Los Angeles Kings are in hockey's Stanley Cup finals. When Los Angelenos get over the Lakers' collapse, they might tune in.
Latin America Monitor
Lost in translation: English in Brazil

Brazil is considered a 'low English proficiency' country, and ranks among the lowest in the world for workplace fluency, putting the emerging economy at a disadvantage, writes a guest blogger.
David Beckham escorts Olympic flame upon arrival in UK

David Beckham will take the Olympic flame at a ceremony Friday when the flame arrives from Greece. Then, the Olympic flame will go on a 70-day, 8,000-mile relay around England ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.
Running With the Kenyans

In a move that is alternately naive, courageous, and entertaining, British journalist Adharanand Finn transplants to Kenya to learn from the world's best runners.
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.
Missiles on my roof? Londoners push back on Olympics security

The defense ministry has begun putting anti-aircraft missiles on rooftops in a few parts of London ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.
World's largest McDonald's: A big ad for obesity, say British doctors

World's largest McDonald's will be built in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The world's largest McDonald's will seat 1,500 and has an exclusive franchise in the Olympic village.
Medvedev's legacy in Russia: small victories in Putin's shadows

Despite making little headway on corruption or human rights, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev did change Russia. 'The ice began to melt and Putin won't be able to refreeze it,' said one expert.
Mitt Romney's five biggest assets as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the election into a choice, saying in effect that America's problems will get much worse under the other guy. So what does Mitt Romney bring to the table? Here are five assets.
10 of TIME's 100 'most influential'

What does it mean to be influential today? TIME Magazine may not have a scientific answer, but they identified scores of people in their 2012 “100 Most Influential People in the World” list, released this week. Here is a sampling of 10 people from around the world who made the cut.
Decoder Wire
Olympics vs. dancing horse: Which one defines Mitt Romney?

The athletic competition Mitt Romney is most closely associated with is the Olympics. But the Romneys have a horse competing in this week's freestyle dressage World Cup finals.
Lindsey Vonn pays over $1.7 million in back taxes

Lindsey Vonn is the reigning women's World Cup skiing champion. It was reported recently that Lindsey Vonn owed the US government more than $1.7 million in taxes, which Vonn says she has now taken care of.
The Masters: 12 women candidates for Augusta National membership

The Augusta National Golf Club has steadfastly refused to alter its all-male membership. But circumstances may soon cause the gender barrier to break, and if it does there are several women who might be good fits for the club.
Suicide bomber kills six in Somali capital

The militant Islamist group Al Shabab is claiming responsibility for the attack that targeted senior government officials Wednesday.
Reggie Miller, Don Nelson lead next class into Basketball Hall of Fame

The Indiana Pacers shooting guard, along with the former Bucks, Warriors, Knicks, and Mavericks head coach, has been selected for enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame next September.
Hungarian president steps down, robbing hard-line government of rubber stamp

Amid accusations of plagiarism in his doctoral dissertation, Hungarian President Schmitt announced his resignation today.
Reader recommendation: Unbroken

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.
China's leadership shakeup: Bo Xilai and 4 other names to watch

Five names to keep an eye on as China prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership change.
Global News Blog
Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn caps a banner year for American snow queens

Lindsey Vonn has wrapped up her fourth overall World Cup title this year – a feat matched by only one other woman in the history of alpine skiing. But that's not all.
Latin America Monitor
Rio's Olympic land grab

From environmental hazards to highway expansion: Residents of Rio's Vila Autódromo slum have heard a slew of reasons why they must move off their land, as Olympic developers move in.
WikiLeaks publishes Stratfor e-mails. What's in them?

An initial survey of the Stratfor e-mails published so far on the WikiLeaks website reveals not so much a corporate CIA as a geopolitical version of the comedy 'The Office.'
Global News Blog
Jeremy Lin: China and Taiwan compete for claims to NBA star

Sure, Jeremy Lin was born in California and struggles to speak Mandarin, but China and Taiwan both see themselves in the Knicks basketball star.
At CNN debate, Rick Santorum skewered over 'bridge to nowhere'

GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum took a pounding from rivals over his Senate record, during the CNN debate Wednesday. MItt Romney reminded voters of Santorum's vote for the so-called 'bridge to nowhere.'