World Digest

Economy
Central Asia – Economic changes in Central Asia focusing on the old Silk Road

Romania – Welfare checks to be replaced with goats

Human Rights
China – The villagers, in Guangxi province, reportedly attacked government offices after officials imposed heavy fines on families who had too many children.

China – Changes in women’s rights

Russia and European Union – Tensions in conference over concerns about human rights. (See also)

Russia – Mikhail Gorbachev defends Putin’s policies

Migration
Britain – Migrants cause debate over public housing.

Lebanon – Concerns that conditions in refugee camp may breed more militants

War and Peace
Central African Republic – CAR agrees to send child soldiers home

Columbia – 19 Arrested for supporting death squads.

Iran – Political pressure between Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmud Ahmadinejad

Pakistan – Taliban influence grows and moves eastward across Pakistan

Palestine – US may be cutting deal with Fatah over Hamas