In The News

In Global Health, Abortion Bears the Scarlet A

Jill Filipovic April 30, 2014
Abortion poses a moral dilemma – ending the life of a child, but sometimes saving lives of individual women. Illegal, unsafe abortions have been cited as a leading cause of maternal death globally and a driver of gender inequality. “U.S. foreign policy exacerbates this global public health crisis, perpetuating a culture of stigma, silence and inaction around a leading killer of women,” argues...

Agreement Reached on Deep Sea Mining

David Shukman April 28, 2014
A Canadian mining firm has finalized a deal for deep-sea mining with Papua New Guinea, despite environmentalists’ warnings of long-term damage. Environmentalists note that much of the sea floor has yet to be explored. “The mine will target an area of hydrothermal vents where superheated, highly acidic water emerges from the seabed, where it encounters far colder and more alkaline seawater,...

As Africans Surge to Europe’s Door, Spain Locks Down

Suzanne Daley March 3, 2014
Europe’s barricades and dangerous seas, beatings and insults, military police and rubber bullets, are not slowing the stream of immigrants attempting to flee poverty in Africa or war in Syria. “Ten years ago Spain spent more than 30 million euros building up the barriers around Melilla and Ceuta, its two enclaves surrounded by Morocco on the northern coast of Africa,” reports Suzanne Daley for...

Bangladesh in Al Qaeda’s Crosshairs?

February 19, 2014
An audio clip on a website known as Jihadology, claiming to be from an Al Qaeda leader in hiding, has called on Bangladeshi Muslims to fight secularists and atheists. “Though authenticity of the audio tape remained unconfirmed, this type of message raised concerns among the cross section of people as there was apprehension of further rise of Islamist militancy, radicalisation and terror...

Cambodia Garment Worker Dreams of Better Future

Kyle James February 14, 2014
Bargains for intricate fashions so plentiful in boutiques around the world are only possible because workers in less developed nations like Cambodia endure long hours, with a workweek that encompasses six 12-hour days, earning less than $3.50 per day. “This exhausting regimen is a reality for the majority of Cambodia's approximately 600,000 garment workers,” writes Kyle James. He profiles...

Of Aam Aadmi Party and the Aam Aadmi

Nayan Chanda January 24, 2014
In India, the Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Man’s Party, has shaken the establishment. A successful appeal to many can rely on promises of quick fixes and protection of special interests. “While AAP has plenty of positive attributes and is doing important work in terms of promoting transparency and accountability, not everything it stands for is necessarily in the country’s long-term economic...

Not Educating the Masses

January 6, 2014
The Chinese government has announced plans to reform its university entrance exam known as gaokao, allowing more tries for the English portion and accounting for extracurricular activities. Critics suggest such changes could decrease the numbers of university students from poor rural areas, according to the Economist. “China’s elite universities already resemble their Western counterparts in one...