Why Germany raises ire in a struggling Europe

Eastern Congo braces for election results

2:35 pm ET - Guest blogger Laura Heaton writes that vote tallies indicate incumbent President Joseph Kabila remains the frontrunner, but there is a chance of violence if Kabila is declared the winner.

• Africa Monitor: Closer look at Congo preliminary vote tally raises questions

Harsh sentence for Rod Blagojevich: Did his fight reflexes cause him harm?

2:29 pm ET - Despite his apparent contrition in court, Rod Blagojevich wasted little time after sentencing before vowing 'to fight through adversity.' Legal experts suggest his boxer's instincts antagonized the judge.

Turkey: Materials likely destined for Iran nuclear program seized (video)

1:31 pm ET - Turkey is determined to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon, Namik Tan, Turkey's ambassador to the US, said Thursday. It intercepted materials Iran might have used to advance its nuclear program, he says.

A Gingrich-Obama matchup? It's getting tighter, polls show

12:33 pm ET - Newt Gingrich looks increasingly competitive against President Obama in three key battleground states, new polls show. And registered Republicans in those states prefer him to Mitt Romney.

Thai court sentences American citizen to 2.5 years in prison for insulting monarchy

12:42 pm ET - American Joe Gordon, who translated a banned biography of Thailand’s king and posted it online while living in Colorado, was sentenced to 2-1/2 years in a Thai prison.

Is Eric Holder's grip on the 'Fast and Furious' fiasco slipping? (video)

8:47 am ET - As calls grow for Eric Holder's resignation, the embattled attorney general faces what one Republican promised would be 'fast and furious' questions Thursday from the House Judiciary Committee.

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How an email saying Hugo Chavez was dead grew Venezuelan bond prices

11:14 am ET - Was it a computer virus in the faked Hugo Chavez death story?  Or was it market optimism about a post-Chavez Venezuela?  Guest blogger Miguel Octavio says that it might have been both.

China executes Filipino drug trafficker, draws attention to Chinese drug problem

11:01 am ET - China, the world’s most prolific executioner, put a Filipino drug trafficker to death Thursday despite an appeal from the Philippine president.

Pakistan coup rumors: Could the military take over again?

9:40 am ET - Coup rumors come at a time of great public dissatisfaction with Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and growing disenchantment among the military with the US alliance.

Russia balks at NATO's revised plans for missile defense shield

9:10 am ET - NATO's revised plans for a missile defense shield to protect against Iran are likely to top today's NATO-Russia meeting.

New Mitt Romney 'fidelity' ad aims to lure social conservatives

8:14 am ET - Mitt Romney talks about fidelity. Rick Perry about religion. Will these new TV ads resonate with social conservatives in Iowa?

Democracy dial-back? Egypt military moves to hem in new parliament

12:59 pm ET - A member of Egypt's ruling military council said today that it would have a role, albeit indirect, in appointing the body that will write a constitution instead of leaving it to elected lawmakers.