China's role in Africa is becoming increasingly important and controversial. But as its profile has grown on the continent, so have concerns about Beijing's hands-off policy on internal affairs and human rights' issues, from Sudan to Zimbabwe. NPR investigates China's pivotal new role on the... View full entry
"Houston, we have water." NASA scientists said Thursday the Phoenix lander exploring Mars had confirmed water on the planet. AFP View full entry
Is Not Magazine is a magazine in the form of a 1.5m x 2m bill poster. Is Not is independently published, carries no advertisements and is, among other things, an experiment in publishing real content where people expect to find advertising. Is Not Magazine has no single editorial goal or ideology... View full entry
Hadley Freeman on what happens when you ask an architect to design a pair of shoes. Guardian | Previously | Discuss View full entry
What..? This means an uninterrupted train travel from London to Beijing will be a reality soon. Hurriyet | related | Marmaray View full entry
Francis McConnell is a field supervisor for the Philadelphia Water Department, but lately he is acting more like an undercover police officer. All due to an increase in scrap metal prices. In fact cities all over the country are facing the enormous costs of either securing or replacing thousands... View full entry
Planetizen talks with authors Bill Bishop and Richard Florida about how American cities and communities are increasingly attracting people with similar personality types, professional interests and voting preferences -- trends they've each documented in new books. Listen to the 3 part podcast at... View full entry
The war crimes suspect on the run for over a decade has been brought before Belgrade's war crimes court, in accordance with a law on cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, the Serbian presidency said. Now only one more to go, his wartime military leader, Ratko Mladic. BBC View full entry
Mumbai, or Bombay as many Indians still call it, is India's largest city, one of the world's greatest commercial centers and home to the vast, vibrant Bollywood film industry. Sure, you knew that. Ever heard of Navi Mumbai though? It's the two million people metropolis rapidly growing right next... View full entry
There is no better way to get a blogger talking than by telling him what he cannot publish — although you might forgive a government prosecutor for thinking otherwise. NYT View full entry
I wonder how many will cut their heads in the Robin Hood gardens!!! dailymail View full entry
A former public schoolboy from middle-class suburbia, Banksy is perhaps the most famous, or infamous, artist alive. To some a genius, to others a vandal. Always controversial, he inspires admiration and provokes outrage in equal measure. But perhaps his most provocative statement, and the one... View full entry
What if “eating local” in Shanghai or New York meant getting your fresh produce from five blocks away? And what if skyscrapers grew off the grid, as verdant, self-sustaining towers where city slickers cultivated their own food? NYTimes View full entry
Double A Train and the Balloon Man on the Lawn Chair View full entry
It is an unintended consequence of [New York City's] historic building boom: a traffic jam of similar sounding names. To showcase the sweeping views from buildings with huge, wrap-around windows, real estate developers are flocking to a set of words that evoke the sky, clouds and stars. NYT View full entry