* UK begins its official campaign over an EU exit, preparing for the "Brexit" referendum on June 23. * The average "democracy score" of 29 formerly Communist countries in Eurasia has declined every year since 2004. * Czech Republic may change its name to Czechia (CHECK-iya), which even
* Six months after the government told people in Flint to use bottled water, the tap water's still not drinkable. * ISIS appears to be losing in Iraq, but liberated areas aren't being stabilized. * Ever since Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 girls, thousands more have been taken, many
* Syria peace talks resume in Geneva, with the fate of Assad still a stumbling block. * America's ongoing air wars in the Middle East have depleted our stock of bombs. * Human Rights Watch issues startling report warning of the dangers of “killer robots.” * For poor Americans, geography greatly affects
* Following the Panama Papers, EU to require multinational firms to disclose more tax information. * The Panama Papers counterintuitive conspiracy theory: Putin is the mole. * So many Detroiters are seeking concealed pistol permits, classes are booked for two months out. * Analysts say NPR is signing its own death warrant by ignoring
* Government surveillance planes routinely circle over major American cities, but don't fly much on weekends. * The CIA's venture capital arm—who knew?—invests in a skincare start-up that collects users' DNA. * UK spy agency helps prevent leak of the latest Harry Potter. * David Cameron
* There was a 50% uptick in executions worldwide between 2014 and 2015. * Al Qaeda is winning a PR war over ISIS in Yemen by providing social services. * Boko Haram has used women and girls in more than 100 terrorist attacks since 2014. * There are some 4,000 internally displaced people
* Global military spending is on the rise—36% is the US alone, at $596B. * The trials of women and children refugees, who now make up over half the refugee population in Europe. * Report finds "unprecedented" levels of violence and threats against abortion providers in 2015. * Obama's
* Mossack Fonseca, the firm at the center of the Panama Papers, provided financial services to Bashar al-Assad's cousin and financier, whom America has sanctioned. * Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with his brother-in-law and other top officials, linked to Mossack Fonseca. * All mentions of the Panama
* Guide to the Panama Papers, exposing the financial workings of Putin and other world leaders and their families. * Anonymous leaker: “I want to make these crimes public.” * Related: How to wrap your head around the size of 2.6 terabytes worth of leaked material. * Cruz confident in winning Wisconsin tonight—
* “Panama Papers” document links Putin, Xi Jinping, other leaders and family to shady tax evasion firm Mossack Fonseca. * One immediate consequence of the leak: Icelandic PM hit with calls for a snap election. * Inside Iceland’s Kviabryggja Prison, which holds the only bank chiefs convicted in the wake of the
