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Ruled by the militant Islamists of Hamas, the Gaza Strip is home to almost 2 million Palestinians, most of whom are unable to leave. Recently, Israel has partially eased its economic blockade. But 18 months since Israel's war in Gaza, there has been only limited reconstruction.

Egypt's way to democracy will be, at best, messy. But assuming its military can reach agreement with opposition leaders about the timing and shape of elections, Egypt's stage is set in some ways that its neighbors' have not been.

Witnesses said a person clutching a suitcase got close to where passengers arrive from international flights and set off the explosion that killed dozens of people at Domodedovo Airport. "From the preliminary information we have, it was a terror attack," President Dmitry Medvedev said.

Tunisia's interim leaders announced a new national unity government following the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali amid massive street protests. Several top ministers retained their posts and at least one top opposition leader was expected to join the government.

Scientists are predicting that average sea levels could rise as much as 3 feet by the end of the century. However, the country's deep religious beliefs have residents of the tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean torn between God and science.

Egypt uses more Nile River water than any other country, citing colonial-era agreements as proof of entitlement. But upstream, Ethiopia has begun asserting its rights and has visions of harnessing the river to produce more electricity and irrigation.

States, already facing multibillion-dollar shortfalls, will come under additional financial pressure as Congress seeks to cut the deficit. Surprisingly, some state officials welcome the opportunity to tighten their belts.

NPR NEWS INVESTIGATION: The two officials were underground, unsupervised for as long as four hours after the explosion at the Upper Big Branch coal mine in April. Massey Energy says the pair were searching for survivors, but some investigators and experts are concerned they could have tampered with evidence.

The Labor Department's use of its toughest enforcement tool has resulted in a court-supervised settlement with coal mine giant Massey Energy, giving the federal court jurisdiction over Massey's Freedom Mine.

NPR INVESTIGATION: In states like Illinois, parents can provide at-home care for children with severe illnesses and Medicaid foots the bill. But the funding disappears the minute they turn 21, forcing families to make a painful choice: Find the money to pay for sometimes exorbitant health care costs or send their children to a nursing home.