The E.U. and Singapore agree on a free-trade deal, Wal-Mart allegedly used bribes to expand in Mexico and Queen Elizabeth II attends a cabinet meeting for the first time
Will Kurdistan’s Energy Wealth Lead to the Next Iraq War?
A visit to Kirkuk and the face-off between the Baghdad government and the autonomous Kurdish region in the northern part of Iraq
When Massacres Force Change: Lessons from the U.K. and Australia
Separate mass shootings sixteen years ago in the U.K. and Australia prompted soul-searching, anger and a rapid political response in both London and Canberra. The resulting legislation saved lives.
Culture Wars: After a Decade of Debate, the Philippines Passes Reproductive Health Bill
Filipino legislators on Monday approved a law that will allow the government to provide basic funding for sex education and contraceptives.
Tunisia: Two Years After a Martyr’s Death, His Struggle Remains Unfinished
Mohamed Bouazizi was completely unknown outside of his small Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid on Dec. 17, 2010 — the day he lit the spark of an Arab rebellion that has brought down four Arab dictators in the two years since. After …
Must-Reads from Around the World
Japan’s conservative party is back in power, North Korea marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il and Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse at the heart of the royal prank call, is to be buried in India
A Familiar Party Returns to Rule Japan, Promising a Fresh Start. Don’t Hold Your Breath
With a decisive win in the Dec. 16 general elections, the conservative LDP has returned to power
A Voice of Reason Falls Silent: Xavier Batalla, 1948-2012
A tribute to the great Catalan journalist by TIME’s Editor-at-Large
A Nervous Japan Swings Right Ahead of Dec. 16 Polls. But Don’t Expect Real Change
The Japanese, alas, aren’t expected to be shaken out of their muddling ways. They do have strong feelings about politicians and China (they don’t like all of them). But no one seems to know which direction to really take.
Germany Seeks to Ban a Far-Right Party
The NDP has been a target before but this time, its opponents believe they have a good shot at declaring the organization illegal
Behind the Story: TIME’s Aryn Baker Discusses Qatar’s Outsize Influence
As this tiny, resource-rich nation is becoming increasingly influential in the Arab world, Aryn Baker talks about what the future holds for Qatar
Russia and Its Syrian Debacle: When the Enemy of My Friend Becomes My Friend
Apparently acceding that its erstwhile ally Assad may lose the civil war, Moscow may be cosying up to acceptable members of the opposition
What If the World’s Soil Runs Out?
A broken food system is destroying the soil and fuelling health crises as well as conflicts, warns Professor John Crawford of the University of Sydney.