KIGALI, Rwanda — If you’re tapped in to the internet, Twitter, Hollywood, or just generally following what’s happening in the world, there’s little chance you won’t hear of the extraordinary developments in the global fight against malaria.

WASHINGTON — Over 800 villagers lined up one day last month to celebrate the installation of a new public toilet in Janadesar, a tiny community in India’s Rajasthan desert. They had reason to celebrate the event, because a toilet is not taken for granted in rural Rajasthan, where only one in eight people has access to one. What is shocking is that this is not unusual. Worldwide, about 2.5 billion people — 40 percent of the global population — do not have access to basic sanitation. Most of those without access live in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Is the tongue an internal organ? That's the timeless question that gripped Taiwan this week, as the issue of U.S. beef imports once again reared its ugly head. The spark was Taiwan officials' statement Monday that U.S. beef tongues, testicles, tails and other choice bits are not "internal organs" and therefore not included in a ban on some U.S. beef products passed in January. This meant such imports would be allowed, albeit with close inspections.