Sayles sketches the racial and economic agitations that leave the city in a state of tense inertia.

NEWYORKER: City of Hope

Malaysia is boosting security in Sabah state amid an increasingly tense confrontation with a group from the Philippines occupying a village there.

BBC: Malaysia boosts Sabah security after Lahad Datu clashes

During his two and a half years running Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) on the northern coast of KwaZulu Natal, Mr Dlamini has done much to improve tense relations with the government and the state-owned rail company that brings coal to the terminal.

ECONOMIST: Face value

Relations between the two parties have been tense ever since the Congress made major inroads in this politically crucial state - Uttar Pradesh has 80 MPs in the Indian parliament - during recent general elections.

BBC: India leader held over comments

But Dart and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, both prominent local Democrats, exchanged tense words Friday about who should accept responsibility for having Robbins brought to Chicago from Indiana.

NPR: Mistakenly Freed Killer Captured While Watching TV