When the 15-member Security Council meets next January, the United Nations will celebrate a rare political landmark: the 10 rotating non-permanent members will include some of the world's rising new players on the global stage, including India, South Africa, Germany, Brazil and Nigeria -- all sitting under one roof and negotiating around the legendary horseshoe table.

Two decades after Latvia shook off Soviet communist rule, the country's women have survived the transition to capitalism better than men -- they are better educated and are less likely to die young. But a high male mortality rate means for many women, it is hard to find a partner.