US agrees in principle to releasing top officials from Afghanistan insurgent group in exchange for starting process of negotiations UK Guardian Julian Borger, and Jon Boone in Kabul The US has agreed in principle to release high-ranking Taliban… more »

By Charles Q. Choi On Dec. 21, 2012, many doomsday believers fear the apocalypse — anything from a rogue planet smashing into us to our world spinning end over end. However, the world should expect nothing more next year than the winter solstice… more »

UK Daily Mail By Wil Longbottom and Daily Mail Reporter A madam who forced hundreds of women into prostitution has been executed in China. Wang Ziqi was sentenced to death for luring young women to work in brothels which were disguised as tea ho… more »

Trilogy supposedly contains 'colonial stereotypes' UK Daily Mail By Graham Smith Sweden's much-loved Pippi Longstocking children books have been branded racist by a leading German theologian. Dr Eske Wollrad, from Germany's Federal Association… more »

  CR Note: Gee, Is anyone actually wondering how this vote turns out? NY Times By NIKI KITSANTONIS and RACHEL DONADIO   ATHENS — European markets slid dramatically on Tuesday after Prime Minister George A. Papandreou stunned the continent’s l… more »