Hot Spots our take on the world’s headlines

Africa

Can the U.S. keep conflict minerals from Congo out of your laptop?

FBI releases images of men wanted in Benghazi attack

France pullout from Mali leaving behind “incapable” African force

U.S., Uganda give up search for Kony

Asia

Thais raise questions about post 9-11 CIA torture facility

North Korea: bluster we should all ignore?

The case for India’s street dogs

Despite U.S. protests, Iran and Pakistan build new pipeline

Middle East

U.S. pollster wins political “Oscar” for campaign in Israel

Obama gets frosty reception in Palestine

“Biscuits and band-aids” not enough to end crisis in Syria

Parental controls cool down the Arab Spring

China

California signs $1.8 billion investment deal with China

Apple apologizes to Chinese customers over warranty

China launches media campaign against U.S. hacking allegations

Kobe Bryant joins China’s version of Twitter

Europe

Same-sex marriage & adoption debate in France echoes controversy in U.S.

Shooting in Switzerland has Europeans thinking of Newtown

Starbucks angers Brits by dodging taxes (legally)

Budget cuts at Bulgarian observatory will hurt American astronomers

North America

Third Boston Marathon victim identified as Chinese citizen

U.S. senators blast Jamaica for lottery scam

Canada launches lobbying bid for Keystone pipeline in U.S.

Would you go to the Cayman Islands for heart surgery?

Russia / Central Asia

Chechen leader blames U.S. for Boston Marathon bombing

The trouble with Chechnya

After U.S. beef ban, Moscow restaurants struggle to keep steak on the menu

Anger in Russia after Texas parents not charged in adopted son’s death

South America

Dissident Cuban blogger draws angry mobs of Castro-friendly Brazilians

Brazil’s richest man buys America’s favorite ketchup

What the U.S. can learn from Brazil’s epidemic of gun violence

Brazil’s booming middle class fuels growth — in Illinois