World | WPN World People News

At its most recent peak of drought, famine and conflict, the UN refugee agency reported that more than 135,000 Somalis had fled their homes with a quarter of Somalia’s 7.5 million people estimated to be either internally displaced or living outside the country as refugees.

The crisis in Syria was again at the top of world leaders’ agendas Friday during the United Nations General Assembly’s annual debate.

This courtroom sketch shows Nakoula Basseley Nakoula talking with his attorney Steven Seiden, left, as U.S. Central District Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne Segal presides over the proceeding in Los Angeles, California, September 27, 2012.

China has published an expensive, two-page color advertisement in a prominent U.S. newspaper, defending its claim to disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) meets with Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel addresses the General Assembly.

The civil war in Syria has attracted a wide range of young fighters trying to overthrow the government of President Bashar al-Assad. But there are increasing signs of beards and black flags among the rebel battalions, raising concerns that the push for democratic reforms might turn into a holy war against western influence.

Two more airports are joining a TSA program to speed pre-flight screening for active-duty service members.