TIME.com: Top World Stories

Rape and the Plight of Female Indonesian Migrant Workers

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Like many people willing to work for cheaper wages, millions of Indonesians have found employment abroad -- but who protects their rights and dignity?

Thai Protesters Smoke Out Global Tobacco Execs

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

On Tuesday, more than 600 fired-up protesters invaded a convention center in Bangkok, Thailand, in an attempt to smoke out representatives of the global tobacco industry

Enke's Suicide Stuns Germany; Soccer Star Hid Depression

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Robert Enke, goalkeeper of the German national team, shocked the country by leaping in front of a train, taking his life. Few knew about his secret torment -- a six-year battle with depression

Brazil Blackout Raises Concern About Olympics, World Cup

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

As Brazil prepares for the Olympics and the World Cup, a huge power outage darkens its two largest cities

Spain's Somali-Pirate Drama: Hostages Wait for Solution

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

The capture of two Somali pirates has made negotiating for the release of Spanish captives a lot tougher

Recession Retail Theft: Middle-Class Shoplifters on Rise

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

More outwardly reputable middle-class people are shoplifting to cope with the economic downturn. Researchers say it may be hard to break them of the habit

Should Obama Attend the COP15 Copenhagen Climate Summit?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

President Obama says he will attend the climate-change summit in Copenhagen if it seems a global agreement is nigh. But the prospects of such an agreement may depend on the President's presence

Fashion Week Pakistan: Global Style Visits Karachi

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Pakistani's designers celebrate couture with a nod to local styles and fashions -- and political turbulence

Beneath Lebanon's New Political Deal, a Fear of Violence

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Hizballah got a greater share of power than that allocated them by the voters in a country where the ballot box rarely has the last word

France's Anglophile Leader Lellouche Turns on Britain

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

France and Britain have never been the best of friends. But when PierreLellouche, the French Minister for European Affairs, called Britain'sConservative Party "autistic" and "pathetic," he may have crossed the line

Why Sexism Kills, Global Women's Health Report by WHO

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

In its first report on women's health around the globe, the World Health Organization explores how gender inequality kills millions of women and girls each year

IEA Report: Recession Recovery Could Spark Energy Crisis

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Now that the world appears to be climbing out of the economic doldrums, it may have to deal with tighter fossil-fuel supplies and skyrocketing prices, an energy watchdog warns

North, South Korea Navies Trade Fire Before Obama Visit

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Despite the exchange of gunfire between North and South Korea, Washington will continue to press for nuclear-disarmament talks with Pyongyang

Former Nazi Hitman Boere, 88, Finally Stands Trial

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

After World War II, former SS commando Heinrich Boere confessed to killing three Dutch civilians, then spent decades on the run. He's now going on trial in what will likely be one of Germany's last Nazi prosecutions

Iraq Approves Election but Kirkuk Kurds' Tensions Remain

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Allowing a vote for those expelled by Saddam Hussein from Kirkuk breaks a stalemate, but doesn't resolve the disputed oil-rich city's fate

Japan Protests U.S. Military Bases Ahead of Obama Visit

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

While more police officers patrol Tokyo's subway and train stations in preparation for U.S. President Barack Obama's two-day trip to Japan this week, people in other parts of the country have already sent the American President a message

Crime Writer Michael Connelly Tackles Hong Kong Case

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Why has American novelist Michael Connelly, who writes the Harry Bosch detective mysteries, taken an interest in the unsolved disappearance of a tourist in Hong Kong?

Nepal's Somali Refugees: Duped in Human-Trafficking Scam

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Dozens of Somalis duped by traffickers who promised them refuge in Europe are now stuck in Nepal, with nothing to do but wait for international agencies to find them a way out

Interview: Joe Cada, World Series of Poker Champion

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

The 21-year-old Michigander outlasted nearly 6,500 competitors to win $8.5 million and become the youngest world champion of poker in history

China's 'Most Dangerous Woman' Hu Shuli Gets a New Forum

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Held back by her conservative publishers, journalist Hu Shuli has resigned from the daring financial chronicle that she founded to strike out on her own

Yemen-Saudi Arabia Rebel Conflict May Draw in Iran

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST

Yemen should be celebrating its first exports of liquefied natural gas. But with an insurrection in the north threatening to spin out of control, President Saleh has a big problem to worry about