The Jaipur Literature Festival, which wrapped up Tuesday, is India at its best, and occasionally not-so-best, proving that the proud emerging nation can easily trounce China in at least this category: the soft-power world of ideas, debate, criticism and a willingness to question authority.

Days after big names launched the Tijuana Innovadora, grisly slayings provided a reminder of Mexico's drug war. Still, the city is determined to shrug off the violence and enjoy its moment in the sun.