Nearly half of African Americans have gone online with a handheld device, helping to offset traditional lower levels of internet access among blacks.

In a reversal of recent trends, the 2009 Pew Global Attitudes survey finds that among 25 countries surveyed, the largest increase in support for trade occurred in the United States.

Despite worldwide skepticism of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, he remains popular at home — though not quite as popular as his predecessor, Vladimir Putin.

Majorities or pluralities in 19 of 25 countries surveyed have a favorable view of the United Nations; moreover, ratings of the U.N. have grown more positive since 2007 in 12 of the 25 countries.

Majorities or pluralities in 13 of 25 countries surveyed believe that China will — or already has — replaced the U.S. as the world’s leading superpower.

Majorities express a favorable view of the U.S. in 16 of 24 countries.