In The News

The Great Leap Backward?

Elizabeth C. Economy September 7, 2007
China has become a leading polluter in the world, with its citizens suffering from air pollution, decreasing supplies of potable water and reckless development. Consumers around the world buy inexpensive goods from China, but do not pay the true costs. The country has environmental laws, but businesses and local leaders ignore them in order to increase jobs and profits. The nation is capable of...

Mystery of the Vanishing Bees

Norman L. Carreck August 30, 2007
Honey bees contribute much to agriculture and the delicious variety of foods we eat. But the social insects are under stress. The reasons could be many: Mites that attack bees increasingly become resistant to pesticides; researchers have also theorized about modern society’s reliance on cell phones, insecticides and genetically modified crops. Policies to protect bees are in order, argues Norman...

“Made in China” Label Spurs Global Concern

Paul Mooney August 23, 2007
As lead exporter in many types of products, China takes pride in serving as factory to the world. But a spate of tainted products and recalls involving goods made in China gives many global consumers pause. China’s reaction includes denials, scapegoating and even the fast execution of one government official accused of taking bribes to allow production of shoddy goods. But the government has also...

Africa Struggles to Get on the Internet

Ron Nixon August 6, 2007
Four years ago, the firm Terracom signed a contract with the Rwandan government to provide 300 schools with internet access. Rwandan officials had planned on equipping schools with the internet as a way to modernize the rural economy. But as of mid-July, only one third of the schools had been connected. That rate is better than that for Africa as a whole, with only 4 percent of the continent...

Kenyan Farmers’ Fate Caught Up in US Aid Rules

Celia W. Dugger August 2, 2007
US legislators debate a massive farm bill – estimated at more than $260 billion – which will fund loans, subsidies, conservation and many other agriculture activities over the next five years. The Bush administration has proposed allowing the purchase of up to $300 million worth of food in poor countries to quicken response times during times of emergency. The US often provides food aid to Africa...

In Africa, Mortgages Boost an Emerging Middle Class

Michael M. Phillips July 26, 2007
A growing middle class in Africa requires housing, but political and economic instability often contribute to shortages. The wealthy can pay cash for homes, but financing home purchases is difficult in a country where only 16 percent of the population holds salaried jobs. In Zambia, the Lilayi project tackles the problem with a suburban development, funded by public and private investors, that...

The End of Vaccines?

Laura H. Kahn July 13, 2007
Since the 18th century, vaccines have been hailed as miracle drugs by some and feared by others. Some individuals do have adverse reactions to vaccines, most recently with parents expressing concern that vaccines may have triggered autism in some children. Health concerns and legal cases, particularly over vaccines that once included thimerosal, a mercury-derived preservative, could slow global...