In The News

IoS 2060: Tsunami Horror Hits Britain

Geoffrey Lean November 6, 2006
Nations have slacked off in reducing energy use and efforts to combat global warming. Nations meeting in Nairobi on setting new targets for pollution reduction will hear three reports – the Stern Report in the UK on economics and global warming, the United Nations report on national efforts and an Institute on Public Policy Research report from the UK that suggests the need for immediate policy...

Silence Is a Decree All Should Fear

Umberto Eco October 30, 2006
People increasingly fear posing questions about other cultures or engaging in criticism. Religious fundamentalists are not the only culprits, according to writer Umberto Eco. He also criticizes Western cultures that promote political correctness for stirring fear about free speech. Eco warns that outrage about every gaffe and a growing culture of silence will mask history, polarize those with...

One World…Many, Many Government Policies

Irwin M. Stelzer October 26, 2006
In a globalized world, corporations often pursue business deals in the countries with the least costs, not just from wages or property – but also in terms of policy regulations or taxes. Corporations look to low-tax nations to avoid all manner of taxes. And in some cases, corporations lobby their governments to erect barriers and prevent regulatory polices from other countries creeping into their...

Turkish Novelist Orhan Pamuk Wins Nobel

Hillel Italie October 13, 2006
When the Nobel Committee in Stockholm announced its decision to honor Orhan Pamuk with the Prize for Literature on Thursday morning, outpourings of praise for the Turkish novelist and his moving, lyrical work came from all over the world. But one set of congratulations was notable for its absence: those of Pamuk’s own government. Turkey has been fighting Pamuk over the past years, indicting him...

Made in China: Wal-Mart Unions

Anita Chan October 12, 2006
Global labor leaders had long considered China’s unions as an arm of the government and not worthy of much respect. But that was before All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) took on Wal-Mart managers in China and quickly set up union branches at more than 20 stores. The move – requiring grassroots organization that’s not been seen in China for more than 50 years – could signal more...

Global Sludge Ends in Tragedy for Ivory Coast

Lydia Polgreen October 10, 2006
When a tanker leased by Trafigura, a multinational oil and metal trading company, docked in Amsterdam and hired the Amsterdam Port Services (APS) to process the waste it was carrying, the toxic sludge was found to be hazardous. Refusing to pay the high price asked by the APS to dispose of the material, the tanker took the waste back on board. Several weeks later, the tanker arrived at Abidjan,...

Alcohol Pickle

Adam Cohen September 25, 2006
The government of Finland has historically curbed alcohol through high taxes on the beverages. European Union law, however, permits individuals to carry alcohol throughout the bloc without restriction. Since the tax reductions, crime and alcohol-related illness have escalated in Finland, prompting the Finnish government, now holding the EU presidency, to propose higher alcohol taxes throughout...