Chinese rule has proved profitable for Hong Kong's British conglomerates
Swire and Jardine Matheson made very different bets as the 1997 handover neared, but both have done well since.

In West Bank, Hamas is hard to find but still strong
Hamas activists here may be kept in check by Fatah and the Israeli Army for now, but they remain a powerful presence.
- Israeli raids into Gaza Strip leave 13 dead

Chinese regulators find widespread abuses in food industry
After weeks of insisting that food here is largely safe, regulators in China said that they had recently closed 180 food plants.

Global poll shows wide distrust of U.S.
A new Pew survey indicates that majorities in many countries, including close U.S. allies, reject America's foreign policy and its brand of democracy.
- Global survey shows rejection of U.S. idea of democracy

European Commission blocks Ryanair's bid for Aer Lingus
The ruling from the European Commission prompted a robust reaction and the promise of a legal challenge from Ryanair's outspoken chief executive, Michael O'Leary, who accused Brussels of bowing to political pressure from the Irish government.

More than half of humanity will live in cities by next year, UN report says
The UN Population Fund says cities face the threat of overwhelming poverty unless policies for managing growth are put in place.

Brown takes over as British prime minister
On a day of old pageants and new promises, Gordon Brown took over from Tony Blair as prime minister Wednesday, offering Britain a sober pledge to "try my utmost" and bring "the best of chances for everyone."
- A cherished British tradition that never was
- Tony Blair to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians

10 years after Asia's financial crisis, worries remain
In the past decade, Southeast Asia has steadied itself, but it has never regained the dazzling growth of the mid-1990s.

Gas stations set ablaze as Iran begins rationing
Iranians set fire to a dozen gas stations in Tehran and smashed windows, angered by the sudden start of fuel rationing, a step that threatens to further increase the unpopularity of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Roger Cohen: No thought control needed
Blair has personified Britain's new openness. Under Brown, the government's style will change but not it's content.

CIA releases the 'family jewels'
The CIA's chief wants the public to believe that his CIA is not your father's CIA.

Spain's botched peace process
The gap between the ETA and the Spanish government appears to get wider by the day.

Milan: The color conundrum
Color has exploded on the runways here like a feast of fireworks. Yet the nagging doubt remains: Is this for real in a menswear world still dominated by a sleek sobriety?
- Hedge fund hotties! Targeting the golden boys

Prada's pajamas lost in a maze
In a moment of perfect fashion synergy, the artist Julian Schnabel showed up in purple pajamas at a l'Uomo Vogue dinner honoring his Milan exhibition, just after Miuccia Prada held a pajama party on her runway.
- Gucci: Bold and brash