Globe Trot: Democracy in Nepal doesn't extend to Christians

NEPAL: Once again we see that elections and a new constitution do not a democracy make. As Nepal’s draft constitution nears a completion deadline, one key article would make it illegal to change religion, evangelize, or even explain one’s religion. Already the proposed changes are leading to abuse of the country’s small Christian community. As of today, the new restrictions appear poised to become constitutional law.

FRANCE: President François Hollande awarded U.S. Airman First Class Spencer Stone, his two American compatriots, and a Brit with the Legion of Honor medal on Wednesday for thwarting a terrorist attack on board a train from Amsterdam to Paris. Moroccan attacker Ayoub El-Khazzani carried aboard 270 rounds of ammunition, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a box cutter, a bottle of gasoline, and a Luger pistol—all reminding us of the massive terrorist attack we could instead be mourning this week.

GLOBAL MARKETS have ticked back up, but this graph shows the worrisome plummet so far this month. The New York Stock Exchange’s Rule 48, designed to calm market turbulence, has been invoked only a few times since it was approved by the SEC in 2007. But it’s been used twice this week.

IRAQ: Shia militia leader Asaib Ahl al-Haq in this interview said his group has “big political ambitions.” He sounds positively lukewarm toward the current government in Iraq (not to mention toward the Kurds)—but big on Iran and the Sadrist movement.

ISIS: Cartographers have a challenge when it comes to depicting ISIS territory, and here’s a look at all the differing maps.