A newly built $150 million memorial celebrates India's Dalits, once known as the "untouchables." The controversial project was spearheaded by the politician Mayawati, who is known as the "Dalit queen," and is seen as a bid to strengthen her position.

Chinese authorities keep tabs on activists in the streets and on the Internet. But microblogs are now drawing attention to some human-rights cases.

The U.S. has plenty of economic problems at home, and its international outlook is increasingly geared toward China and rapidly growing Asian nations. As a result, the U.S. has been more of a bystander than a major player in Europe's financial crisis.

One U.S. importer of Greek foods sees his business buffeted by the Eurozone's problems: Orders are delayed because of strikes in the port, and suppliers will change their contract terms. But the worst is when things don't show up at all. "I get mad because I depend on those products," he says.

Greeks are becoming increasingly resentful at what they see as a loss of their sovereignty. The EU, the IMF and the European Central Bank have demanded an ever tighter regime of austerity.

It's been raining heavily for months in Bangkok, and the river that runs through the city is spilling over its banks. The government has declared a five-day holiday and urged residents to leave the sprawling city.