World

Game's Up For Gbagbo

IVORY COAST

After months of political paralysis and violence, forces opposed to Ivorian autocrat Laurent Gbagbo broke past his last line of defense in the country's main city of Abidjan and placed him under arrest. Gbagbo's refusal to accept his defeat by Alassane Ouattara in U.N.-monitored elections last November led to a standoff between the two sides that resulted in over 1,000 deaths, with 1 million displaced. After it became clear that pro-Gbagbo fighters were targeting civilians, U.N. and French peacekeepers launched strikes on Gbagbo's camps in early April while forces loyal to Ouattara swept into Abidjan from enclaves in the north. With Gbagbo gone, Ouattara still has much to do--not least the tricky task of demobilizing the many militias that ran amok during the crisis.

Protesters Turn on Their Protectors

EGYPT

Cairo's Tahrir Square, center of a mass uprising that led to the ouster of octogenarian dictator Hosni Mubarak in February, was once again occupied by tens of thousands of angry protesters. This time, they aimed their ire at the interim military-led government, seen to be dragging its feet on promises of delivering democracy and prosecuting those in the old regime--including some in the military brass--who are suspected of years of graft and other abuses. On April 9, in a familiar sight, security forces waded into Tahrir Square, injuring hundreds and killing at least two people. But the military then seemed to heed protesters' calls: Mubarak and his two sons have been detained for 15 days of questioning.

World by the Numbers

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113,553

U.S.

Number of people--a record--who slept in New York City's homeless shelters in 2010, including nearly 50,000 children

1,000

EGYPT

Estimated number of artifacts stolen from museums and archaeological sites since the political upheaval began in January

70%

SWAZILAND

Percentage of this landlocked country's population living on less than $1 a day; protests against the ruling monarchy continue

335

PAKISTAN

Number of supposed CIA agents and U.S. contractors Islamabad wants kicked out of the country

JAPAN

Severity rating officials assigned to the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant, the same given to Chernobyl; the rating was later scaled down

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$23

Amount earned by a Chinese "gold farmer" for every $100 spent employing outside help in accruing virtual wealth used in online video games

$0.66

Amount earned by the average Ugandan coffee farmer for every $100 spent on retail coffee purchases in Western countries

SOURCES: WORLD BANK; GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

How Online Video Gaming Can Drive Development

CHINA