North Korea’s list of U.S. human rights abuses includes inequality, racism and marijuana

Shortly after President Trump used his State of the Union speech to criticize North Korean human rights abuses — even bringing out one remarkable defector, Ji Seong-ho, who escaped terrible conditions in that country — Pyongyang released its own criticism of the United States as a “gross violator of human rights.” A summary of a report titled “White […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/31/north-koreas-list-of-u-s-human-rights-abuses-includes-inequality-racism-and-marijuana/

‘I am thoroughly ashamed’: British Lord resigns after arriving late to work

For anyone who has ever arrived late to work, an apology will usually suffice.  But for one British lord, it was too late to just say sorry. It took less than 60 seconds for Michael Bates to arrive late, apologize profusely, offer his resignation and then leave the House of Lords on Wednesday. “I want to offer my […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/31/i-am-thoroughly-ashamed-british-lord-resigns-after-arriving-late-to-work/

Australian attempt to avoid ‘Boaty McBoatface’ boat-naming debacle results in far worse ‘Ferry McFerryface’ scandal

Last year, the Australian government announced the results of a competition to pick the names of six new ferries that would enter into use in Sydney. Five of the names picked were of prominent Australians, including doctors and indigenous leaders, but when it came to naming the final ferry, things went another direction — and the boat ended up […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/31/australian-attempt-to-avoid-boaty-mcboatface-boat-naming-debacle-results-in-far-worse-ferry-mcferryface-scandal/

Singer Lorde canceled her concert in Israel. Now those who told her not to go are being sued.

JERUSALEM — She might be the most recent proponent of a cultural boycott against Israel for its ongoing occupation of the West Bank, but now New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde is also the first international artist to prompt a lawsuit for canceling her concert in the Jewish state. On Wednesday, Shurat HaDin, the Israel Law Center, announced that it […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/31/singer-lorde-canceled-her-concert-in-israel-now-those-who-told-her-not-to-go-are-being-sued/

This Chinese math problem has no answer. Actually, it has a lot of them.

Fifth-graders in China's Shunqing district were recently asked to answer this question: "If a ship had 26 sheep and 10 goats on board, how old is the ship's captain?" The apparently unsolvable question sparked a debate over the merits of the Chinese education system and the value it places on the memorization of information over […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/31/this-chinese-math-problem-has-no-answer-actually-it-has-a-lot-of-them/

What Trump could learn from the late nonviolent regime change guru Gene Sharp

During his closely-watched State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Trump presented a multifaceted vision of his worldview. At times he aimed to unify, only to return to some of his most contentious issues shortly afterward. Those seemingly contradictory points also extended into his remarks on foreign affairs. He praised those who have stood up for regime […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/31/what-trump-could-learn-from-the-late-nonviolent-regime-change-guru-gene-sharp/

‘The Kremlin List’: Why Russian oligarchs shrugged

Late Monday evening, the U.S. Treasury Department released an unclassified list of influential Russians linked to the Kremlin. However, it may not have provoked the desired response in Moscow. Dubbed the “Kremlin list,” the document was a legal requirement of a sanctions bill passed by Congress last year. Before the list was released, some Russian executives were […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/30/the-kremlin-list-why-russian-oligarchs-shrugged/

U.S. delegation chased out of Bethlehem: ‘You are not welcome anymore’

JERUSALEM — Angry protesters chased a group of U.S. diplomats out of the Palestinian town of Bethlehem on Tuesday amid frustration over President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. “You are not welcome anymore!” shouted one of the demonstrators as they broke into a training session organized by the U.S. Consulate […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/30/u-s-delegation-chased-out-of-bethlehem-you-are-not-welcome-anymore/

North Korea’s push for ski resorts reveals its hopes for a life after isolation

North Korea spent much of the past year pursuing new long-range missiles and nuclear bombs, often accompanying its tests with bellicose threats that raised fears of an impending war. But in the coming weeks Pyongyang will be proudly displaying a very different program: its luxurious ski resorts. The planned joint North-South training sessions at the Masik Pass […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/30/north-koreas-push-for-ski-resorts-reveals-its-hopes-for-a-life-after-isolation/

Russian fighter plane buzzes U.S. Navy jet as fears over midair collisions mount

BERLIN — In the latest in a string of dangerous encounters between Russian and NATO military jets, a U.S. Navy plane came within five feet of a Russian Su-27 jet on Monday, according to the State Department. The incident occurred in international airspace above the Black Sea, raising renewed concerns over the risk of midair collisions in Europe. […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/30/russian-fighter-plane-buzzes-u-s-navy-jet-as-fears-over-midair-collisions-mount/

Western Wall rabbi apologizes for gender segregation during Pence visit but says rules won’t change

JERUSALEM – Following outrage by female journalists forced to cover Vice President Pence’s visit to the Western Wall last week from behind a separation fence, the rabbi of the Jewish holy site apologized Monday to prominent Israeli reporter Tal Schneider. But Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, chairman of the ultra-Orthodox Western Wall Heritage Foundation that runs the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/29/western-wall-rabbi-apologizes-for-gender-segregation-during-pence-visit-but-says-rules-wont-change/

India has 63 million ‘missing’ women and 21 million unwanted girls, government says

The Indian government said Monday that there were more than 63 million women “missing” from its population, and that 2 million go “missing” across age groups every year due to abortion of female fetuses, disease, neglect and inadequate nutrition. There are also 21 million unwanted girls, the government said. The 2017-2018 estimate, released as part […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/29/india-has-63-million-missing-women-and-21-million-unwanted-girls-government-says/

Indian man dies after being trapped in MRI machine

NEW DELHI — A man in the Indian city of Mumbai died Saturday night after being sucked into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, an accident that has sparked concerns about the chaotic and sometimes dangerous conditions in India’s government-run hospitals. Relatives said that Rajesh Maru had entered an MRI testing room at the hospital holding a […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/29/indian-man-dies-after-being-trapped-in-mri-machine/

German car makers backed studies exposing people and monkeys to toxic car exhaust

BERLIN — When German car maker Volkswagen acknowledged last year that it was guilty of cheating on diesel emissions tests, the fallout cost the company over $25 billion. But the full extent of the company’s willingness to sideline ethics concerns to increase profits is still emerging. Three German car makers appear to have commissioned or supported […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/29/german-car-makers-backed-studies-exposing-people-and-monkeys-to-toxic-car-exhaust/

Westerners accused of ‘singing and dancing pornographically’ could face a year in Cambodian prison

Ten Westerners face up to a year in a Cambodian prison after being arrested Thursday near Angkor Wat and accused of pornography and human trafficking for “singing and dancing pornographically.” The case represents the latest clash between young foreigners who say they were blindsided by morality police and Cambodian officials who have been cracking down in recent years on […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/28/westerners-accused-of-singing-and-dancing-pornographically-could-face-a-year-in-cambodian-prison/

The desperate attempt to save frostbitten climbers on one of the world’s highest peaks

With her frostbitten and snow-blind climbing partner safe in their only tent, Elisabeth Revol proceeded farther down the mountain to call for help  on her satellite phone. But even if the Frenchwoman could make contact with someone, who would be able to help before the climbers succumbed to the harsh conditions in one of the most […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/28/the-desperate-attempt-to-save-frostbitten-climbers-on-one-of-the-worlds-highest-peaks/

Today’s anti-Putin protests weren’t huge. But they showed the breadth of simmering Russian discontent.

Minutes before the appointed hour, it seemed as if Sunday's anti-Putin protests could prove a dud. In central Moscow, the biggest spectacle was a man dressed up as Josef Stalin. In polar Murmansk, just a handful of people milled about under a giant New Year’s tree while children played nearby.  But in the ensuing minutes, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/28/todays-anti-putin-protests-werent-huge-but-they-showed-the-breadth-of-simmering-russian-discontent/

A drenched Paris manages to just miss the damaging effects of flooding

The heavy rain that has doused parts of France for most of a week finally stopped on Friday, stopping short of the record deluge that many feared would drown parts of Paris. The swollen River Seine, which flows through Paris, is expected to continue rising until early Monday, reaching 5.95 meters (nearly 20 feet), according to police. That's […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/27/a-drenched-paris-manages-to-just-miss-the-damaging-effects-of-flooding/

It could soon be a crime to blame Poland for Nazi atrocities, and Israel is appalled

Polish lawmakers voted Friday for a bill that would fine or jail people who blame the country for Nazi atrocities on its soil during World War II, including the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Jews at the Auschwitz death camp. It comes as the country has become more nationalistic. Tens of thousands of people chanting and marching through Warsaw […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/27/it-could-soon-be-a-crime-to-blame-poland-for-nazi-atrocities-and-israel-is-appalled/

Who is Alwaleed bin Talal, the absurdly rich Saudi prince just released from a mysterious imprisonment

Last November, the young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the arrest of hundreds of Saudi Arabia's elite, including cabinet ministers and nearly a dozen blood relatives — princes like himself. Among the most prominent of those arrested was the crown prince's cousin, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal — a globetrotting billionaire once rumored to have designs on the throne. While […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/11/05/who-is-alwaleed-bin-talal-the-absurdly-rich-prince-at-the-center-of-the-saudi-corruption-purge/

Watch: A Philippine volcano erupts as a couple takes wedding pictures in front

Roses are red, violets are blue. This volcano is about to blow, so let’s say, “I do!” As Mount Mayon, in Albay province, Philippines, continued to spew towering plumes of smoke and ash, and launching pyroclastic flows down its slopes, Arlo Dela Cruz and Maica Nicerio-Dela Cruz got married just outside the danger zone on Thursday. Mayon has […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/26/watch-a-philippine-volcano-erupts-as-a-couple-takes-wedding-pictures-in-front/

Trump enters the Davos club by charming the plutocrats

  For the first time in eighteen years, an American president took center stage at the World Economic Forum. President Trump's speech in Davos was preceded by a lavish luncheon sponsored (of course) by the Saudis. He emerged into a packed hall alongside the forum's founder, Klaus Schwab, and stood at attention as a Swiss marching band […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/26/trump-enters-the-davos-club-by-charming-the-plutocrats/

Saudi women will soon be able to drive. Will they be able to fly, too?

It's been less than four months since women in Saudi Arabia were told they would finally be allowed to drive. Now they also want the chance to fly. Eqbal Darandari, a female member of the Saudi Shura Council, the monarchy's main advisory body, told Arab News that allowing women into aviation would be an important step in […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/26/saudi-women-will-soon-be-able-to-drive-will-they-be-able-to-fly-too/

Top male BBC stars will take pay cut after gender pay disparity scandal

Following revelations of a gender pay disparity at the British Broadcasting Corp., the organization announced Friday that a number of its top male stars have agreed to take a pay cut in an attempt to match the salaries of their female colleagues. “We are very grateful to Huw Edwards, Nicky Campbell, John Humphrys, Jon Sopel, Nick Robinson […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/26/top-male-bbc-stars-will-take-pay-cut-after-gender-pay-disparity-scandal/

Chaos spreads in France as Nutella loving customers battle to get 70 percent off

PARIS — In the French Revolution, ordinary people fought over bread. In the France of Emmanuel Macron, they are now fighting over Nutella. As part of a promotion, Intermarché — a French supermarket chain — slashed the price of a 35-ounce jar of everyone’s favorite chocolate hazelnut spread by 70 percent. What transpired was a series of scenes […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/26/chaos-spreads-in-france-as-nutella-loving-customers-battle-to-get-70-percent-off/

Dutch media reveal country to be secret U.S. ally in war against Russian hackers

BERLIN — Dutch domestic intelligence service AIVD had access to the infamous Russian hacking group Cozy Bear for at least a year starting in mid-2014, local media outlets said on Thursday. According to the reports, the Dutch government alerted the United States to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections after Netherlands-based officials watched the hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/26/dutch-media-reveal-country-to-be-secret-u-s-ally-in-war-against-russian-hackers/

Watch as a samurai destroys an army of snowmen with a katana

It’s not just cold in Tokyo this week, it’s record-breaking cold. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the low dropped to minus-4 degrees Celsius on Jan. 25. That’s just under 25 degrees Fahrenheit, the coldest temperature recorded in the city in 48 years. Earlier in the week, the agency issued a warning when the region was […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/25/watch-as-a-samurai-destroys-an-army-of-snowmen-with-a-katana/

In Syria and North Korea, Trump administration ‘red lines’ are out of focus

As images spread of a deadly chemical weapons attack on Syrian civilians by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad on April 4, an emotional President Trump blamed the tragedy on the mistakes of his predecessor. “President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a 'red line' against the use of chemical weapons and then did […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/25/in-syria-and-north-korea-trump-administration-red-lines-are-out-of-focus/

Malala has a message for Trump on women’s rights

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Noble Peace Prize, used the stage at the World Economic Forum on Thursday to send a message to President Trump and other powerful men on the state of gender equality in today’s world. When asked what her message to “someone like Trump” would be, Yousafzai, the 20-year-old women’s […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/25/malala-has-a-message-for-trump-on-womens-rights/

What is an imprisoned journalist worth? For Turkey, it might be a German arms purchase.

Along with increased pressure and threats from unfriendly governments, there are parts of the world where journalists are literally becoming a hot commodity. German magazine Der Spiegel reported this week that Berlin is considering allowing Ankara to make a previously prohibited arms purchase from a German firm in exchange for the release of journalist Deniz Yucel, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/25/what-is-an-imprisoned-journalist-worth-for-turkey-it-might-be-a-german-arms-purchase/

Not just in London: men-only clubs can be found across Europe’s capitals

BERLIN — When the Financial Times revealed last week’s harassment at a London charity event on Wednesday, the fallout was swift. Within hours, Britain’s House of Commons launched investigations and Prime Minister Theresa May expressed her discomfort. Meanwhile, charity recipients, attendees and donors hurried to distance themselves — and late Wednesday the trust itself shut down with immediate effect. For 33 years, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/25/not-just-in-london-men-only-clubs-can-be-found-across-europes-capitals/

Key African Union official to Trump: We won’t stay silent about that comment

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — If President Trump was hoping that the rancor provoked by his alleged comment that the countries of Africa were “shitholes” had dissipated, the African Union’s top official let it be known on Thursday that it was still very much on everyone’s mind. The semi-annual meeting of African heads of state at […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/25/key-african-union-official-to-trump-we-wont-stay-silent-about-that-comment/

The German military is currently ‘not deployable,’ and 6 other global stories

In this occasional series, The Washington Post brings you up to speed on some of the biggest stories of the week. This week:  Afraid of a major conflict? The German military is currently unavailable. The biggest story: The German military is 'not deployable' in major crises Germany is far from the only European country ill equipped […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/25/the-german-military-is-currently-not-deployable-and-6-other-global-stories/

The far-right AfD wants to ‘protect’ Germany from Islam. Now, one of its politicians has become a Muslim.

BERLIN — As the number of refugees in Germany rose over the past three years, so did the fortunes of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, or AfD. One of its core messages was opposition to Islam's growing place in German life. “Islam does not belong to Germany,” one of its popular slogans read. Now a former high-profile […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/24/the-far-right-afd-wants-to-protect-germany-from-islam-now-one-of-its-politicians-has-become-a-muslim/

Canada’s fix to the opioid crisis: Vending machines that distribute prescription opioids to addicts

Among their many differences, Canada and the United States share a common crisis: opioid overdoses. Drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, killing more people than the AIDS epidemic at its peak. More than 42,000 Americans died of opioid-related causes in 2016, and the crisis shows no signs of […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/24/the-canadian-fix-to-the-opioid-crisis-a-vending-machine-that-distributes-prescription-opioids-to-addicts/

Afraid of a major conflict? The German military is currently unavailable.

BERLIN — Three years ago, Germany's military made headlines when it used broomsticks instead of machine guns during a NATO exercise due to a shortage of equipment. The lack of real weapons in the European Union’s most populous nation was seen as symptomatic of how underfunded its military has long been. One Russian annexation later, if anything, the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/24/afraid-of-a-major-conflict-the-german-military-is-currently-unavailable/

In Davos, everyone is worried about the ‘forgotten’ people

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has been a fixture at Davos since he came to power in 2015, used his time on the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/24/in-davos-everyone-is-worried-about-the-forgotten-people/

Ugandan president says he loves Trump: ‘He talks to Africans frankly’

Ugandan president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni spoke out in defense of President Trump on Tuesday, telling lawmakers at the opening of the East African Legislative Assembly held in Kampala that he loved the American leader as “he talks to Africans frankly.” The comments came a little less than two weeks after Trump described African nations, along with Haiti […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/23/ugandan-president-says-he-loves-trump-he-talks-to-africans-frankly/

‘Flood of the century’ fears rise in Paris along with the Seine

PARIS — Is this the dreaded “flood of the century?” After an onslaught of constant rain, Paris’s fabled Seine River has flooded — again. On Tuesday, the water level reached approximately 4.9 meters and is expected to peak at just over 6 meters Saturday, according to Corinne Broussel, a deputy mayor of Paris. The river’s […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/23/flood-of-the-century-fears-rise-in-paris-along-with-the-seine/

U.N. troops told to fight back, use force as peacekeeper deaths surge

The United Nations says that 56 peacekeepers were killed in 2017, marking the highest number of deaths through violence for the international peacekeeping force since 1994, according to a new report. While there have been spikes in violence against U.N. peacekeepers, the report argues that the sustained nature of current peacekeeper fatalities indicates a dangerous new […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/23/u-n-troops-told-to-fight-back-use-force-as-peacekeeper-deaths-surge/

For female journalists, strip searches and segregation mar Pence’s visit to Israel

JERUSALEM — If there’s one thing female journalists covering the trip of Vice President Pence to Israel will remember it is the “special treatment” they received, first by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security detail and second, in their “unique” vantage point while covering Pence's visit to the Western Wall on Tuesday. At Netanyahu’s office on […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/23/for-female-journalists-strip-searches-and-segregation-mar-pences-visit-to-israel/

Murdoch blocked from taking over Sky by British regulator fearing ‘too much control’

British regulators said on Tuesday that Rupert Murdoch’s bid for a takeover of European broadcaster Sky would give his family trust “too much control over news providers in the UK across all media platforms (...) and therefore too much influence over public opinion and the political agenda.” The latest takeover bid from 21st Century Fox, offering […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/23/murdoch-blocked-from-taking-over-sky-by-british-regulator-fearing-too-much-control/

Pope partially apologizes to Chilean abuse victims, but still backs controversial bishop

It was supposed to be an apology tour, but the pope’s Chile visit drew unexpected ire last week after the head of the Catholic Church came to the support of Juan Barros, a bishop accused of covering up sexual abuse. The remarks came at the end of a visit that was intended to ease tensions between the church and […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/23/pope-partially-apologizes-to-chilean-abuse-victims-but-still-backs-controversial-bishop/

Ecuador’s president calls Julian Assange ‘more than a nuisance’

Ben Franklin once said that house guests, like fish, start to smell after three days. Which may explain the frustration of Ecuador's President Lenín Moreno. Moreno's country has reluctantly hosted Julian Assange in its London embassy since June 2012, when he showed up to claim political asylum. At that time, the WikiLeaks founder was wanted in […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/22/ecuadors-president-calls-julian-assange-more-than-a-nuisance/

A German nurse was convicted of murdering two patients. Police say he killed 97 more.

Niles Hoegel's deadly drugs of choice were ajmaline, lidocaine and calcium chloride — medications that he would administer to send his patients into arrhythmia, or force their blood pressure to crash to dangerously low levels. Then, the former nurse testified, after he'd taken patients to the brink of death, he would revel in attempting to bring […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/22/a-german-nurse-was-convicted-of-murdering-two-patients-police-say-he-killed-97-more/

‘An abuser and pervert’: Women in Spain want a statue of Woody Allen removed

Woody Allen's affection for New York is well known. But over the years, he's celebrated other cities, too. The director has spent several weeks in the city of Oviedo, in northern Spain. He described the city as “delicious, exotic, beautiful, clean, lovely, tranquil and pedestrianized,” and even set his 2008 film “Vicky Christina Barcelona” there. The city […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/22/an-abuser-and-pervert-women-in-spain-want-a-statue-of-woody-allen-removed/

Why other countries don’t have government shutdowns

BERLIN — Hundreds of thousands of workers are expected to stay home this week, after the Senate was unable to reach a deal Sunday night to end the government shutdown which began three days ago. This may not be the first time in recent history that funding for government operations and agencies was interrupted — since 1976, there have been 19 shutdowns […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/22/why-other-countries-dont-have-government-shutdowns-2/

Will Trump become a Davos Man?

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. Later this week, President Trump is slated to travel to an alpine corner of Switzerland to address world leaders, business elites and celebrities. The government shutdown […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/22/will-trump-become-a-davos-man/

After Putin’s icy dip, U.S. ambassador tries shirtless diplomacy

MOSCOW — The latest attempt at Russian-American rapprochement came in the guise of a shirtless U.S. ambassador. Wearing black swimming trunks, U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. on Sunday plunged into the icy waters of the Istra River outside Moscow, as Russian journalists’ cameras rolled. The former Utah governor was trying out an Orthodox tradition for the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/21/after-putins-icy-dip-u-s-ambassador-tries-shirtless-diplomacy/

On second day of global women’s marches, thousands take to the streets of Europe

BERLIN — Thousands took to the streets of European capitals, among them Berlin, Paris and London, on Sunday as part of the global “Women's March” movement. One day after large crowds attended protests across the United States and all over the world, including in Rome, Sydney and Buenos Aires, it was northern Europe's turn. While those who marched rallied against […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/21/on-second-day-of-global-womens-marches-thousands-take-to-the-streets-of-europe/

Russian film watchdogs had a problem with ‘Paddington 2.’ It was too popular.

  MOSCOW — A very British bear has found itself stuck in the middle of a Russian battle between public entertainment and limiting foreign influence. The day before the animated family film “Paddington 2” was scheduled to debut in cinemas, Russia’s Ministry of Culture postponed the release from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1, sparking backlash from […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/21/russian-film-watchdogs-had-a-problem-with-paddington-2-it-was-too-popular/

Ahead of Trump’s trip to Davos, its experts argue that he doesn’t understand trade deficits

This week, President Trump is scheduled to head to the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.  The U.S. leader may seem an unlikely guest — Davos brings together the world's political and economic elite for what is generally viewed as a celebration of globalization. Trump, meanwhile, is known for his populist views on trade and criticism of […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/21/ahead-of-trumps-trip-to-davos-its-experts-argue-that-he-doesnt-understand-trade-deficits/

Pakistan is close to eradicating polio. A double slaying shows the grim challenges still in the way.

  ISLAMABAD — The long struggle to eliminate polio from Pakistan has faced many obstacles — public ignorance about the disease, myths about a Western plot to sterilize Muslims, claims about fake vaccination drives being used to cover up spying. Add to that list: Attacks by anti-government insurgents on teams delivering the polio vaccine, mostly […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/21/pakistan-is-close-to-eradicating-polio-a-double-slaying-shows-the-grim-challenges-still-in-the-way/

A kingpin smuggled ivory tusks and rhino horns for years, police say. The suspect was finally caught.

Thai police have arrested a Vietnamese national who they believe ran a large international network that trafficked massive quantities of elephant ivory, rhino horn and others, threatening the existence of already endangered species in Asia and Africa for years. Boonchai Bach, 40, was arrested Friday in Nakhon Phanom, a northeastern Thailand province that borders Laos, in connection […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/20/a-kingpin-smuggled-ivory-tusks-and-rhino-horns-for-years-police-say-the-suspect-was-finally-caught/

The Pentagon says China and Russia are bigger problems for U.S. than terrorists. American voters may not agree.

A newly released Pentagon strategy document proposes a new vision of America’s national security priorities — one in which competition with China and Russia is more important to the United States than the fight against international terrorism. After almost two decades of a “war on terror” that came at huge expense but often had few tangible benefits, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/20/the-pentagon-says-china-and-russia-are-bigger-problems-for-u-s-than-terrorists-american-voters-may-not-agree/

German officials believe rapper-turned-militant Denis Cuspert has been killed

BERLIN — German rapper-turned-militant Denis Cuspert is most likely dead, according to three German security officials and one person close to him. Also known as "Deso Dogg" and later by the nom de guerre "Abu Talha al Almani," Cuspert was one of Germany’s most notorious Islamic State members and a high-profile figure behind the group’s propaganda […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/01/19/german-officials-believe-rapper-turned-militant-denis-cuspert-has-been-killed/