TIME.com

India launches the world’s largest cash-to-the-poor program in January, the once-wealthy Greek part of Cyprus is ailing, and Dominique Strauss-Kahn may be tried for allegedly “pimping”

Euro zone finance ministers and the IMF reach a deal on a bailout for Greece, shadow banking in China raises concerns about massive loan defaults, and the remains of Yasir Arafat are exhumed as part of investigation into his death

Sudan allows China to set up an agricultural free-trade zone, the Amazon is Brazil’s fastest-growing region, and two young women are arrested in India for comments made on Facebook.

The Egyptian president issues a decree that grants him more power, South Korea’s nuclear sector is criticized for its lack of transparency, and the eurozone faces a dark fourth quarter for the European economy

Bribery is rife in China’s state-run education system, widespread malnutrition plagues India, and European leaders meet in Brussels to try to reach a budget deal.

Afghan opium production drops by a third this year, the rate of new HIV infections is cut by half, and legislation proposing women bishops in the Church of England is rejected.

Colombia’s Farc rebels declare a two-month cease-fire, the E.U. backs a new Syrian opposition coalition, and Egypt blames Israel for the conflict in Gaza.

Brazil’s educational system isn’t keeping up with the country’s economy, the Sri Lankan president is criticized for turning the nation into his personal fief, and the Church of England votes over whether to allow women to become bishops