In The News

Anders Breivik's Roots in Right-Wing Populism

Frank Patalong July 25, 2011
A bombing-shooting attack in Norway has left more than 70 people dead, mostly teenagers, and prompts nations to reflect on rising right-wing extremism and resentment. Populist opposition to immigration, a fast-changing culture and globalization of the economy is a potent political force. The impact of this cocktail can be seen in a 1500-page online manifesto, largely quoting other right-wing...

Is France on Course to Bid Adieu to Globalization?

Pierre Haski July 21, 2011
The French have long been critical of globalizing forces that disrupt their nation’s economy or threaten their identity. Calls for démondialisation, or deglobalization, has emerged as a leading issue in the French presidential campaign. Intense opposition to engagement with the world builds among the left and right, along with alarm about the global debt crisis, structural youth unemployment and...

The Next Domino? Italy Suffers from Euro-Zone Contagion Fears

Carsten Volkery July 13, 2011
After Greece and Portugal, the markets are sending signals of turning on Italy, and investor fears are raising rates on the nation’s government bonds. Analysts have issued warnings about the country’s aging population, weak economic growth, low productivity and rigid labor market, reports Carsten Volkery for Spiegel Online. Should Italy fall into the vicious circle of downgrades and rising bond...

WTO Says Chinese Restrictions on Raw Materials Break Rules

Stephen Castle July 8, 2011
Under World Trade Organization rules, countries engaged in global trade can’t suddenly turn protectionist. The WTO agreed with a 2009 complaint from the US, Mexico and Europe that ”Chinese quotas, export duties and license requirements put in place a discriminatory system for the sale overseas of industrial raw materials widely used in the steel, aluminum and chemicals industries,” reports...

Europe Seeks to Free Itself From Rating Agencies' Grip

David Böcking July 8, 2011
Risk and creditworthiness of state debt are largely assessed by three major agencies based in the US. Nations rated low – due to low revenues, excessive borrowing or threat of default – pay high interest rates to borrow. As Greece and Portugal struggle to repay massive debt, facing steep downgrade by the agencies, European politicians renew calls for an independent credit-rating agency based in...

Dutch State “Responsible for Three Srebrenica Deaths”

July 5, 2011
Since 1948, the UN has assigned peacekeeping forces, contributed by member states, to maintain peace in countries torn by conflict. The mandate to protect civilians is “often the yardstick by which we are judged,” notes the UN. A Netherlands court has ruled the Dutch state is responsible for the 1995 deaths of three Bosnian Muslims who had worked for the Dutch peacekeepers, reports BBC News. The...

Dutch MPs Vote to Ban Religious Slaughter

June 29, 2011
The Dutch parliament approved a bill, 116 to 30, banning halal and kosher slaughter. The bill moves on to the Dutch Senate. Jewish and Muslim leaders contend the ban on slaughtering conscious animals limits religious freedom. The European Convention on Human Rights describes when limits can be applied: “Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations...