Timeline of a new era in world history: Before - 9/11 - After. That is the real meaning of the back-to-back events in the British capital this week Read more»

Video: Brit Charlie Brooker explains how TV news works. Read more»

President Obama peppered his State of the Union with facts, which were mostly right but sometimes cherry-picked, strained or otherwise misleading. The Republican response had its problems, too Read more»

Most people wouldn’t consider an earthquake to be an environmental issue. But while the tremors that shattered Haiti early this month have nothing to do with the island’s degradation, the extent of the suffering they unleashed is a direct result of the country’s ecological woes. Read more»

The much-vaunted London Conference on Afghanistan ended less with a bang than a whimper, albeit a very diplomatically worded one. It was supposed to chart a new course for Afghanistan’s relations with the world and set up a framework for peace negotiations. Read more»

President Barack Obama had nothing fresh, and not much else, to say about American foreign policy Wednesday night. It was a reflection of the economic and political challenges Obama faces as he enters this midterm election year Read more»

The Chicago 2016 campaign delivered the news: the city council had backed financial guarantees for the city’s Olympic bid by a vote of 49-0 — as if it was a great victory on the gridiron. The good news was quickly offset by word that President Obama will not make the trip to Copenhagen and the IOC meeting where the 2016 Games will be awarded. Read more»

It's a sordid tale with the goods to placate the gods of news. A model. Booze. Religion. Caning (yes, being beaten repeatedly by a rattan stick). An impassioned appeal by human rights advocates. A willing sacrifice. Here's the skinny: Read more»