The World

10 ESSENTIAL STORIES

By Harriet Barovick, Laura Fitzpatrick, Alexandra Silver, Claire Suddath, Alyssa Fetini, Frances Romero, Kristi Oloffson and Kayla Webley Monday, Apr. 26, 2010

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    Putting another dent in Toyota's already banged-up reputation, Consumer Reports magazine issued a rare "Don't buy" warning for the company's Lexus GX 460 SUV because of high rollover risk. Toyota responded on April 13 by ordering its dealers to immediately stop selling the model. Plans to launch the SUV in the next few weeks in China were also put on hold. While only about 5,000 of the luxury vehicles had been sold since its November debut, executives decided to err on the side of caution following the revelation that Toyota had withheld information about gas-pedal problems in a number of its most popular cars. A week before the Lexus stoppage, the car manufacturer was hit with a $16.4 million federal fine for its failure to report the gas-pedal defect.

    6 | Sudan

    A TAINTED ELECTION

    Votes were cast in Sudan's first multiparty elections since 1986, held in accordance with a 2005 peace agreement that ended the nation's 22-year civil war. The landmark occasion was tainted, however, by accusations of vote rigging by supporters of President (and accused war criminal) Omar al-Bashir, leading many opposition parties to drop out of the race.

    7 | Belfast

    Blast Greets New Minister

    Catholic and Protestant lawmakers reached a power-sharing milestone on April 12 by jointly choosing Northern Ireland's first Justice Minister in almost four decades. Not everyone was pleased. Just hours before the agreement, an army base that houses the local branch of Britain's MI5 spy agency was bombed. At his swearing-in the afternoon of the attack--which caused alarm but no deaths--the new minister, David Ford, vowed to work toward political stability.

    8 | Thailand

    Protests Reach Boiling Point

    The monthlong conflict between protesters and the Thai government exploded on April 10, when more than 20 civilians and soldiers were killed (and at least 800 wounded) in the worst political violence the country has seen in almost 20 years. The Red Shirts continue to press for the dissolution of the government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. On April 12, Thailand's election commission cited the misuse of campaign donations in its call for the ruling party to be disbanded.

    9 | Philippines

    Just like Mumbai

    About 25 Abu Sayyaf militants disguised as troops and police officers perpetrated a series of attacks in Isabela City, located on one of the nation's southern islands. The attackers, who are seeking an independent Muslim state, detonated bombs and opened fire in what one official called "a Mumbai-style attack." Fourteen died in the assault. On April 14 a gun battle erupted between government troops and 60 rebels as police searched for those responsible for the strike.

    10 | Hungary

    Leaning Too Far Right?

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