ISIS supporter who encouraged attacks on Prince George pleads guilty to terrorism charges

In September, Kensington Palace released photos of Prince George hand-in-hand with his father, walking into his first day at Thomas's Battersea School in London. One photo shows him giggling, dressed in his new school uniform: shorts, a sweater and high socks. About a month later, Husnain Rashid, a 32-year-old from Nelson, Lancashire, encouraged Islamist militants to […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/31/isis-supporter-who-encouraged-attacks-on-prince-george-pleads-guilty-to-terrorism-charges/

There’s a new battle for influence in Central Africa, and Russia appears to be winning

LONDON — Trucks pass through the remote rebel-held town of Ndele in the Central African Republic on a regular basis, carrying U.N. peacekeepers or goods for sale. But one convoy last month held a different cargo: Russians. “We were surprised to see them,” said rebel administrator Dhafar Adoum. “We didn’t know what it was all about.” […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/31/theres-a-new-battle-for-influence-in-central-africa-and-russia-appears-to-be-winning/

Africa’s next civil war could be in Cameroon

On May 20, Cameroon's national day, citizens in the capital of Yaounde marched in parades, and President Paul Biya congratulated armed forces on their commitment to peace and safety. At the same time, in the country's unstable Anglophone regions, separatists kidnapped a mayor, killed two police officers and intimidated people who tried to celebrate the holiday. Such incidents have human-rights […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/30/africas-next-civil-war-could-be-in-cameroon/

“Please don’t come”: Tourists turned away from India’s famed hill resort as water dries up

NEW DELHI — For generations during scorching Indian summers, tourists have been flocking to Shimla — a hill station retreat with charming colonial architecture and views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Now, however, Shimla’s locals are begging tourists — the lifeblood of its economy — to stay away from their town in the midst of an acute water shortage. […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/30/please-dont-come-tourists-turned-away-from-indias-famed-hill-resort-as-water-dries-up/

At age 114, this South African man thinks it’s time to quit smoking

The year Fredie Blom was born, in 1904, Rolls-Royce rolled out its first car and the Wright brothers built their second powered airplane. Theodor Seuss Geisel came into the world. New York opened its subway system and celebrated New Year's Eve in Times Square. And American Major League Baseball player Denton True “Cy” Young pitched a perfect game. Earlier this month, Blom, who […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/29/at-age-114-this-south-african-man-thinks-its-time-to-quit-smoking/

Defying U.S. sanctions, Chechnya has created its own version of Instagram. Its strongman leader is a fan.

GROZNY, Russia — Just months after the United States booted him out, Chechnya’s strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov is determinedly back on social media. The U.S. government banished the leader of the Russian republic late last year from Instagram, as part of sanctions against him, leading his 3 million followers to say goodbye to an account […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/29/defying-u-s-sanctions-chechnya-has-created-its-own-version-of-instagram-its-strongman-leader-is-a-fan/

A senior Japanese official says raising toddlers is not a dad’s job

Think of the children. That's the argument a senior member of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party made this weekend, when explaining why men shouldn't have to watch their own kids. In a speech, Koichi Hagiuda said raising infants and toddlers is a job for mothers. He called the idea of fathers serving as primary caregivers “unwelcome.” […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/29/a-senior-japanese-official-says-raising-toddlers-is-not-a-fathers-job/

Ireland just eased its tough abortion laws, but don’t count on Northern Ireland following suit

On Friday, Ireland voted in a landslide to repeal its near-total constitutional ban on abortion, paving the way for far less restrictive abortion laws. But next door in Northern Ireland, things are much different. At present, women in Northern Ireland can legally have abortions only if pregnancy puts their physical or mental health at risk. Abortions are […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/29/ireland-just-eased-its-tough-abortion-laws-but-dont-count-on-northern-ireland-following-suit/

An undocumented immigrant saved a toddler dangling from a Paris balcony. Now he’s a national hero.

PARIS — The video footage is striking: in a matter of seconds, a young man scales four stories of a Paris apartment building to rescue a toddler dangling from a balcony high above the street. The rescuer’s name is Mamoudou Gassama, an undocumented 22-year-old immigrant from Mali, who is now being feted as a national […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/28/an-undocumented-immigrant-saved-a-toddler-dangling-from-a-paris-balcony-now-hes-a-national-hero/

Putin just welcomed the world at his forum. Women need not apply.

ST. PETERSBURG — Sharing the floor with Russian President Vladimir Putin can test one’s patience. Especially if you’re a woman. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde was last to speak at the plenary session of Russia’s glitzy economic forum, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, on Friday afternoon, bearing a responsibility she compared to being […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/26/putin-just-welcomed-the-world-at-his-forum-women-need-not-apply/

Irish antiabortion campaign promises to ‘regroup’ as ban is overturned

The Eighth Amendment to Ireland's constitution, passed in 1983, gave equal rights to mothers and unborn children. Almost every kind of abortion was outlawed. Each year, thousands of women who were raped, victims of incest, suffered from fatal fetal abnormality, or had other health-related abortions are believed to have traveled to the United Kingdom to seek abortions […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/26/irish-antiabortion-campaign-promises-to-regroup-as-ban-is-overturned/

An Indian journalist has been trolled for years. Now U.N. experts say her life could be at risk.

In September 2017, journalist Gauri Lankesh was about to walk through her front door in Bangalore, India, when a helmeted motorcyclist shot her in the head and chest — killing her before she got inside. Her assassination sparked protests across India and drew attention to her work as a critic of Hindu nationalism and the publisher of an anti-establishment weekly […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/26/an-indian-journalist-has-been-trolled-for-years-now-u-n-experts-say-her-life-could-be-at-risk/

Trudeau will apologize for Canada’s rejection of Jewish refugees in 1939. Is he saying ‘sorry’ too often?

TORONTO — Standing before lawmakers in Canada’s Parliament this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he would be making an official apology on behalf of all Canadians for an event for which no living Canadian is responsible. In May 1939, four months before the outbreak of war in Europe, the M.S. St. Louis — a […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/25/trudeau-will-apologize-for-canadas-rejection-of-jewish-refugees-in-1939-is-he-saying-sorry-too-often/

The canceled Korea summit summed up in one emoji: confused face

There are a lot of feelings surrounding President Trump's abrupt decision to cancel the nuclear disarmament summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore. Trump thought the summit, set for June 12 in Singapore, could earn him a Nobel Peace Prize. Instead, it now appears it may not happen at all, sending shock waves across the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/25/the-canceled-korea-summit-summed-up-in-one-emoji-confused-face/

Has Trump actually spoken directly to Kim Jong Un? South Korea says he should.

Since the beginning of the year, President Trump has refused to answer questions about whether he had spoken directly to North Korea's Kim Jong Un. At the same time, however, he has repeatedly dropped hints that he might have done so. “I probably have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un,” Trump told the Wall […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/25/has-trump-actually-spoken-directly-to-kim-jong-un-south-korea-says-he-should/

The bad timing of Trump’s North Korea letter

On Thursday, Trump announced that he has canceled a planned summit next month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, where the two leaders had been set to discuss denuclearization, among other issues. Only hours earlier, North Korea had taken foreign reporters to an event at which it had demolished its only known nuclear testing […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/24/the-bad-timing-of-trumps-north-korea-letter/

The many, many countries where abortion is basically banned

On Friday, Ireland will go to the polls to decide whether to lift its near-total ban on abortion. Currently, the country’s constitution grants mothers and unborn children an equal “right to life,” prohibiting the procedure unless it’s necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman. But that could all change this week, if voters decide […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/24/the-many-many-countries-where-abortion-is-basically-banned/

For foreign journalists, a lengthy and bizarre journey to see a North Korean nuclear test site demolition

Only a small number of foreign journalists were invited to visit to North Korea to watch the demolition of Punggye-ri, the country's secretive nuclear testing facility. They were there to witness what Pyongyang had portrayed as a symbolic gesture of goodwill to the United States ahead of upcoming talks between Kim Jong Un and President Trump. But if […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/24/for-foreign-journalists-a-lengthy-and-bizarre-journey-to-see-a-north-korean-nuclear-test-site-demolition/

He told his ex he had a new girlfriend. She poured acid on his face as he lay in bed.

They met on a dating website for people with HIV and spent five not-entirely-blissful years together. Co-workers sometimes saw scratches on Mark van Dongen, courtesy of Berlinah Wallace’s jealous outbursts. Enraged during one fight, Wallace had poured boiling water on him. By August 2015, van Dongen had had enough, the BBC reported. He wanted out of the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/23/he-told-his-ex-he-had-a-new-girlfriend-she-poured-acid-on-his-face-as-he-lay-in-bed/

U.S. ambassador to Israel receives a photo replacing Jerusalem’s holiest Muslim shrines with a Jewish temple

In a image released on Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador David Friedman can be seen laughing and smiling — while standing next to an aerial view of Jerusalem that has been digitally altered to have a Jewish temple in place of the one of Islam’s holiest sites. The photograph, which was first reported on by the ultra-Orthodox news site […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/23/u-s-ambassador-to-israel-receives-a-photo-replacing-jerusalems-holiest-muslim-shrines-with-a-jewish-temple/

Delhi archbishop in hot water after urging prayers for India’s democracy amid ‘troubled times’

NEW DELHI — A letter from the Archbishop of New Delhi asking priests to “pray” for India in the midst of what he called threats to the country’s democracy in a “turbulent political atmosphere” has raised the ire of Hindu nationalist politicians and even prompted one politician to call for India to sever ties with the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/23/delhi-archbishop-in-hot-water-after-urging-prayers-for-indias-democracy-amid-troubled-times/

Danish minister: Muslims fasting is ‘dangerous for us all’

There are about 250,000 Muslims living in Denmark, and the Danish integration minister thinks that those fasting for Ramadan are better off staying at home until the month-long holiday is over. "I want to call on Muslims to take leave from work during the month of Ramadan to avoid negative consequences for the rest of Danish society," […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/22/danish-minister-muslims-fasting-is-dangerous-for-us-all/

The Grenfell fire inquiry started this week. Here’s what you need to know.

It's been nearly a year since the fire at the Grenfell Tower apartment building in west London killed 72 people, and there are still a lot of things we don't know. We know that the fire broke out around midnight on June 14, 2017, and that it quickly engulfed the entire building. But we don't know […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/22/the-grenfell-fire-inquiry-started-this-week-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Investigators insist MH370 crash was an accident, not a mass murder-suicide by the pilot

A despondent Capt. Zaharie Ahmad Shah, troubled over the end of his marriage or some other unbearable sadness, was the only person awake on the doomed plane full of unconscious people, one theory goes. The suicidal pilot disabled communications on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, took a final pass over his home town, then torpedoed the Boeing […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/22/investigators-insist-mh370-crash-was-an-accident-not-a-mass-murder-suicide-by-the-pilot/

Australian archbishop convicted of covering up sexual abuse

Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson knew, the men told the court. He knew that the Rev. Jim Fletcher had been sexually abusing young altar servers. He knew because they told him. He knew because they asked him for help. Now, Wilson is going to jail. The Roman Catholic leader was convicted of failing to act on reports of […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/22/australian-archbishop-convicted-of-covering-up-sexual-abuse/

Israel accuses head of human rights group of anti-Israel activities, orders him to leave

  JERUSALEM — Unless a last-minute appeal is successful, Omar Shakir, the Israel and Palestine director of Human Rights Watch, will be forced to leave here on Thursday as Israel puts into practice a recent amendment to its immigration laws aimed at fighting supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. While the new legislation has […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/22/israel-accuses-head-of-human-rights-group-of-anti-israel-activities-orders-him-to-leave/

What South Korea’s Moon has but Trump does not: A sky-high approval rating

President Trump will meet his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, at the White House on Tuesday. When they talk, both men will likely express their ongoing hopes for negotiations with North Korea. But the two leaders are coming at that shared goal from much different political positions: While Trump's approval numbers are mired in the low 40s, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/22/what-south-koreas-moon-has-but-trump-does-not-a-sky-high-approval-rating/

One of the most striking things about Harry and Meghan’s official wedding photos

LONDON -- Even some of those who are lukewarm about the British monarchy were looking forward to a wedding that would help the royal family reflect some of the diversity of modern Britain. Mixed-race British royals are rare enough that you have to go all the way back to the early 1800s to find a candidate: Some […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/21/one-of-the-most-striking-things-about-harry-and-meghans-official-wedding-photos/

Mumbai’s glow-in-the-dark waves may be fueled by climate change, study says

A team of American and Indian scientists say climate change is the likely reason for the curious, glow-in-the-dark waves washing up on Mumbai’s beaches in recent years. A year-long study by scientists at the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently found that global warming may […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/21/mumbais-glow-in-the-dark-waves-may-be-fueled-by-climate-change-study-says/

A German broadcaster called Meghan Markle ‘exotic.’ Viewers said it was racist.

A German television station is under fire for its royal wedding coverage. The public broadcast network ZDF used some loaded language to describe Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. In one instance, a host asked, “Are those dreadlocks on Meghan’s mother?” Another replied: “It’s curly hair that’s been somewhat de-curled, same as Meghan probably does all the time.” […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/21/a-german-broadcaster-called-meghan-markle-exotic-viewers-said-it-was-racist/

Meghan Markle declares herself a feminist on the British monarchy’s website

LONDON — Meghan Markle does not appear to be reining in her feminist views since becoming the Duchess of Sussex following her traditional-yet-modern nuptials to Prince Harry. On her new page on the British monarchy’s official website — in pulled out quotes — Markle says “I am proud to be a woman and a feminist,” referencing a line […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/21/meghan-markle-declares-herself-a-feminist-on-british-monarchys-website/

Greece’s most liberal mayor got beat up by a bunch of far-right protesters

Yiannis Boutaris is no stranger to controversy. The 75-year-old Thessaloniki mayor is one of Greece's most outspoken advocates for multiculturalism and international understanding. He's pushed for the construction of an Islamic masque in the city, along with monuments honoring Turkish leaders like Ataturk. He convinced Turkish Airlines to begin flying directly from Istanbul to Thessaloniki, resulting […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/20/greeces-most-liberal-mayor-got-beat-up-by-a-bunch-of-far-right-protesters/

France takes a step forward in fighting catcallers but falls short on setting age of consent

Men who whistle and catcall women on the streets of France may soon face stiff punishment. On Wednesday, lawmakers in the National Assembly — France's lower house of Parliament — passed measures to curb sexual violence. Among them: People caught harassing women on the street could be fined up to $885. Also, underage rape victims would have more time […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/20/france-takes-a-step-forward-in-fighting-catcallers-but-falls-short-on-setting-age-of-consent/

36 local candidates have been assassinated in Mexico. And the election is still 2 months away.

MEXICO CITY — This election season has been the most violent in Mexico’s recent history, with 36 candidates killed since September, and dozens of other politicians and campaign officials slaughtered. That macabre statistic has created a fresh challenge for the country’s political parties: They are now trying to fill dozens of  candidacies left open by the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/20/36-local-candidates-have-been-assassinated-in-mexico-and-the-election-is-still-2-months-away/

The surprise star of Harry and Meghan’s wedding: Bishop Michael Curry from Chicago

WINDSOR, Britain — There are some things you come to expect from royal weddings: There will almost certainly be fabulously silly British hats, a horse-drawn carriage ride, and global media interest. One thing you don’t expect: That sermon by the U.S. Bishop Michael Curry. Curry, the first black leader of the Episcopal Church in the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/19/the-surprise-star-of-harry-and-meghans-wedding-bishop-michael-curry-from-chicago/

Insurgents have waged a war on education in her home country. But she died in a Texas school shooting.

Sabika Sheikh grew up in Pakistan — a country that is intimately familiar with deadly attacks on schools. Between 2007 and 2015, there were 867 attacks on educational institutions in Pakistan, according to the Global Terrorism Database. But Sheikh was not killed by the Taliban. Instead, the teenage exchange student died at Santa Fe High School in […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/19/insurgents-have-waged-a-war-on-education-in-her-home-country-but-she-died-in-a-texas-school-shooting/

The royal wedding’s teenage cello player skipped U.S. debut to play in the ceremony

Sheku Kanneh-Mason had big plans for this weekend. The 19-year-old, who was raised in Nottingham, England, was supposed to make his U.S.-orchestral debut as the guest soloist for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Then Meghan Markle called. “I was bowled over when Ms. Markle called me to ask if I would play during the ceremony, and […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/19/the-royal-weddings-teenage-cello-player-skipped-his-u-s-debut-to-play-in-the-ceremony/

‘Just saying ¯\_(ツ)_/¯’ — BBC Three compares royal wedding crowd to Trump’s inauguration

BBC Three, the edgiest BBC, woke up super early Saturday so it could watch the run-up to the royal wedding and make fun of it on Twitter. make way for the Beckhams you peasants #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/yO93qDGkjG — BBC Three (@bbcthree) May 19, 2018 you vs the hat she tells you not to worry about #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/YYtAhVTxWh — BBC Three (@bbcthree) […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/19/just-saying-bbc-three-compares-royal-wedding-crowd-to-trumps-inauguration/

The royal wedding was mainly about hats and fascinators

Yes, we understand there's a wedding going on today. But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's holy matrimony aside, let's be honest: We're here for the hats. Big ones, little ones, crazy ones, ones that might be better off going unseen. In Britain, women's headgear — or millinery — are part of the pomp and circumstance of any […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/19/royal-wedding-hats-2018-oprah-amal-clooney-camilla/

Royal wedding 2018 live coverage

4:18 a.m.: Does this woman look like Meghan Markle? That’s what one person thought. He approached Layla Morris, 38, who works in credit control, and asked if she was the actress from “Suits.” As a fan of “Suits,” herself, Morris was amused. “I watched all of Suits. Meghan stood out. She as the girl you wanted […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/19/royal-wedding-2018-live-coverage/

Selling cannabis is illegal in Estonia, but the leaf is on one district’s new flag

Estonia's Kanepi municipality was formed by three existing districts last year, but some details had yet to be hammered out — among them, a design for its flag, logo and coat of arms. So Kanepi opened itself up to suggestions, asking artists to submit some possibilities. Out of the 23 ideas it received, a panel selected seven and […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/18/selling-cannabis-is-illegal-in-estonia-but-the-leaf-is-on-one-districts-new-flag/

Europeans had school shootings, too. Then they did something about it.

This post was first published on Feb. 15. It was updated on May 18. BERLIN — Contrary to what you may sometimes hear, school shootings are not unique to the United States. Germany, for instance, went through a string of devastating attacks between 2002 and 2009. Between 1996 and 2008, major school shootings also occurred in Finland and Scotland, among other […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/02/15/europe-had-school-shootings-too-then-they-did-something-about-it/

Hundreds of handbags, 72 suitcases full of jewels seized from ousted Malaysian leader’s home

Former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife were barred last week from leaving Malaysia in the wake of his stunning election loss, over fears that they may evade prosecution in a massive corruption scandal. Then, police announced Friday that raids on properties linked to Najib had turned up 72 suitcases stuffed with jewels and […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/18/hundreds-of-handbags-72-suitcases-full-of-jewels-seized-from-ousted-malaysian-leaders-home/

Russia’s parliament to consider proposal to allow Putin to run for reelection again in 2024

Russia's parliament is expected to consider a constitutional amendment that would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to run in the 2024 election — a move that could potentially extend his rule until he is 77, if not older. The proposal would change Russia's Constitution so that the president can hold office for three consecutive terms rather […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/18/russias-parliament-to-consider-proposal-to-allow-putin-to-run-for-reelection-again-in-2024/

In the age of #MeToo, these French actresses are protesting about race, not just gender

PARIS — The Cannes Film Festival, held every May on France’s storied Côte d’Azur, has known its share of scandals over the years. But nothing quite compares with 2018, with the #MeToo movement — which took off last fall in response to unsavory revelations about a Hollywood titan — taking la Croisette by storm. Perhaps predictably, most of the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/18/in-the-age-of-metoo-these-french-actresses-are-protesting-about-race-not-just-gender/

Father of the groom, Prince Charles, to walk Meghan Markle down the aisle

LONDON — With just one day to go before the royal event of the year, palace officials have said that Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, will now walk Meghan Markle down the aisle. In a statement, Kensington Palace said that Charles, who is the father of the groom, Prince Harry, was “pleased to […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/18/father-of-the-groom-prince-charles-to-walk-meghan-markle-down-the-aisle/

Burundi is deciding if its president will stay in power until 2034

The last time Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would extend his time in office, the country descended into political turmoil that still hasn't ended. Over the past three years, at least 1,200 people have died and another 400,000 have fled the country. Media outlets have been shut down, and human rights advocates have been thrown […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/17/burundi-is-deciding-if-its-president-will-stay-in-power-until-2034/

‘They want to kill me’: American in Venezuela prison riot pleads for help in video

Jailed for two years and in the midst of a prison riot in Caracas, Joshua Holt pressed record on a cellphone and pleaded for help. “I’ve been begging my government for two years. They say they’re doing things, but I’m still here,” a distraught Holt, 26, said Wednesday in a clandestine video posted to Facebook […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/17/josh-holt-american-in-venezuela-prison-riot-pleads-for-help-in-video/

Condoms ‘fit for a prince’ and Meghan’s face on a swimsuit: Royal wedding merchandise is out of control

LONDON — As anticipation for this weekend’s royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reaches astonishing new heights, Brits may want to take a step back and ponder whether, perhaps, it has all gone too far. Or, as one royal condom company suggests, lie back and think of England. The list of merchandise on offer is […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/17/condoms-fit-for-a-prince-and-meghans-face-on-a-swimsuit-royal-wedding-merchandise-is-out-of-control/

Meghan Markle: ‘Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding’

LONDON — Well, now we’ve gone and done it. The whole sad and depressing tabloid sideshow — will Meghan Markle’s father walk his daughter down the aisle? — has been answered. In a statement from Kensington Palace on Thursday morning, the royal bride-to-be announced, “Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding.” This ends […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/17/meghan-markle-sadly-my-father-will-not-be-attending-our-wedding/

African athletes disappeared at the Commonwealth Games. Now they’ve surfaced to seek asylum.

In the middle of the weightlifting competition at the Commonwealth Games in Australia last month, Rwanda's coach, Jean Paul Nsengiyumva, said he had to use the bathroom. He never came back. He wasn't the only one: Ernest Jombla and Yusif Mansaray, men's squash players from Sierra Leone, didn't show up to their doubles match on April 12; five […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/16/african-athletes-disappeared-at-the-commonwealth-games-now-theyve-surfaced-to-seek-asylum/

Why some Latin American countries are rushing to open Jerusalem embassies, too

The United States wasn't the only country to open an embassy in Jerusalem this week. Just two days after Washington moved its embassy there from Tel Aviv — and more than 60 people were killed by Israeli forces during violent protests in Gaza — Guatemala did the same. It's not the only Latin American country to […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2018/05/16/why-some-latin-american-countries-are-rushing-to-open-jerusalem-embassies-too/