World

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Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel came under attack June 28 by Taliban gunmen who stole into its heavily fortified compound, leading to a standoff ended only by the intervention of NATO helicopters and Afghan forces. All nine of the attackers and 12 others in the hotel were killed in the skirmish. That the Taliban could strike so well defended a site--a popular stop for foreigners--deepens concerns over what may happen as the U.S. and its allies scale back the troop presence.

Pride of Place

U.S.

Two men dance in the street during New York City's gay-pride parade on June 26. The march was part of Pride Week, a worldwide celebration of gay rights and diversity in cities from San Francisco to Toronto to Berlin. Gay New Yorkers had another reason to cheer: two days earlier, the state became the largest in the U.S. to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages.

The World in 2050: Expect Big Population Shifts

U.S.

The Census Bureau released its projections of what the world's population will look like in 2050. Slumping fertility rates in countries like Russia will lead to a 21% decline in population there, while Ethiopia's may triple in the next four decades. India's will surpass China's by 2025.

[The following text appears within a chart. Please see hardcopy or PDF for actual chart.]

Population, in millions

1,500

1,000

500

India's population is expected to surpass China's by 2025

Nigeria's population will double; Ethiopia's will triple

Russia's and Japan's populations will decrease

CHINA

INDIA

U.S.

INDONESIA

BRAZIL

PAKISTAN

NIGERIA

BANGLADESH

RUSSIA

JAPAN

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Lady, You Can't Meet The Lady

BURMA

American actress Michelle Yeoh was detained after landing at Rangoon airport and summarily deported by authorities. The Hollywood star was due to call on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whom Yeoh is playing in a biopic about the Nobel laureate's life. The two had dined in Rangoon in December after Suu Kyi was released following 15 years under house arrest. Yeoh's deportation is one more sign of the ruling junta's fear of truly opening up the pariah state.

Drawing Lines Around a Dictator

LIBYA

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, his son and his military-intelligence chief for ordering soldiers to fire on unarmed protesters. But some worry that by cutting off his lines of retreat, the ICC may renew Gaddafi's resolve to continue fighting.