In The News

Apocalypse Now

David Adam November 4, 2006
A report released by the British government has everyone talking about the weather, and contains dire reasons for the world to start doing something about it. The 600-page Stern Report warns that, unless drastic measures are taken to combat global climate change, average temperatures will rise 2 or 3 degrees Celsius in the next half century, which will in turn melt ice fields, raise sea levels,...

Horn of Africa Braces for Violence in Wake of Somalia's Failed Peace Talks

Alisha Ryu November 3, 2006
A round of Somali peace talks failed to produce a power-sharing agreement between the fragile secular government based in Baidoa and the Islamists who control Mogadishu. The breakdown highlights a long and bitter rivalry between Somalia, largely Muslim, and Ethiopia, with equal numbers of Christians and Muslims. Talks failed, according to this Voice of America report, after the Islamists...

Blood Feud in Bangladesh

November 2, 2006
Violence has rocked Bangladesh as supporters of the country’s two major political parties clash over the upcoming transition period before national elections in January. The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has interfered in elections and been negligent about corruption and extremism. The main opposition Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina Wajed, is equally...

Africa’s World of Forced Labor, in a 6-Year-Old’s Eyes

Sharon LaFraniere November 2, 2006
Every year, trafficking of children produces $10 billion worth of trade. Forced child labor is endemic in desperately poor areas of the world, and the trade in child workers is the modern-day vision of slavery. Journalist Sharon LaFraniere spent time with a group of children, some as young as six, and details their fatigue, pain and hopelessness. In countries where parents cannot afford to feed...

Vietnam’s Roaring Economy Is Set for the World Stage

Keith Bradsher October 30, 2006
Vietnam’s renunciation of statist economics in favor of capitalism in the early 1990s was a surprising development for the global markets. Along with China’s embrace of the market, Vietnam’s success story has raised the living standards of its citizens, drawn a large contingent of high-skilled émigrés back to the country and created a strong base for future development. Multinational...

Perilous Journeys: The Plight of North Koreans in China and Beyond

October 27, 2006
One reason for the stalemate over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is because neighboring nations fear a rush of desperate refugees from the country of 23 million people. The International Crisis Group reports that a record number of North Koreans headed to South Korea this year to escape the brutal political control and isolation of Kim Jong Il, which has led to famine, censorship and...

Beijing Hosts Big Africa Summit as West Watches

Shai Oster October 25, 2006
China has made no secret of its interest in Africa. Now the nation will host a lavish summit for the leaders of 48 African nations. One assistant foreign minister fends off criticism about China’s motives, pointing out that the nation pursues mutual interests with Africa in a transparent and open manner. “China has nothing to hide,” said Zhai Jun. Western oil companies have expressed some...