The government of France has stepped up security at its embassies in 20 countries countries where there could be a hostile reaction to a French magazine's publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

This publication comes amid widespread outrage over a crude, provocative film, made by anti-Islam campaigners here in the United States, which mocked the Prophet and ignited days of deadly protests including an attack in Libya in which U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and others were killed.

US MEETS CHINA meets with Country's Elusive Leader-in-waiting
Xi Jinping reemerges from the shadows to meet with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta in Beijing.

FBI INVESTIGATION. Libya Probing Deaths of Americans.
The FBI’s arrival had been delayed by concerns about continued violence in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.

US ASSERTION Cyberattack Could Trigger Right to Self-defense.
State department’s top lawyer cites actions causing nuclear meltdown or disrupting air traffic as examples.

ROMNEY SCRUTINIZED. Under Fire From All Sides.

The United Nations General Assembly today opened its 67th session with an urgent call for cooperation to tackle the economic and political uncertainty which is being experienced in many parts of the world and ensure there are peaceful solutions to international disputes.

“Peace and security is a prerequisite for the stability needed for global economic growth, sustainable development and social progress,” said the President of the 193-member body, Vuk Jeremic.

Chicago teachers are going back to work. The city's teachers have finally agreed to return to the classroom after more than a week walking the picket lines and ending a spiteful stalemate with Mayor Rahm Emanuel that put teacher evaluations and job security at the center of a national debate about the future of public education.

Teacher's union delegates voted to formally suspend the strike after discussing details of a proposed contract settlement which was worked out over the weekend. Classes could resume for 350 thousand students as early as tomorrow.

ROMNEY VIDEO. Hurts GOP Revival Efforts.
Video of Mitt Romney saying that 47% of Americans ‘believe they are victims’ has put more pressure on the presidential candidate amid claims of infighting within his campaign staff

ANTI-JAPAN PROTESTS. Spreading Throughout China.
Anti-Japan protests are spreading across China and causing many Japanese retailers and manufacturers to close operations, as tensions remain high between the two Asian economic powers.

IRAN ATTACK. Nuclear Plant Sabotage Revealed.

The scale and frequency of gross human rights violations in Syria has significantly increased in recent weeks, according to a new report by the United Nations independent panel probing abuses committed during the country’s ongoing conflict.

The report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Syria, which was mandated by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, states that indiscriminate attacks against civilians are now occurring on a daily basis in many areas of the country including Aleppo, Damascus, Dera, Larakia, Idlib and Homs.

VIOLENT DEMONSTRATION. Kabul, Afghanistan.
Over a thousand protesters burn cars, throw rocks at a U.S. military base to protest an anti-Islam film.

CHICAGO: STRIKE TWO. Second Week of School Still Out.
Parents scramble to find daycare as the teachers' strike enters its second week; Chicago mayor says he will file a law suit to try to end the walkout which involves over 3 hundred thousand students.

HAS 'OCCUPY' EVOLVED? What Are They Up To?
Worldwide rallies today will mark the one-year anniversary of the movement, which these days is less organized but has more targets.