In The News

Asia’s Big Democracies Head to the Polls

Pallavi Aiyar April 17, 2014
Unity in Diversity is a motto for both India and Indonesia, and ongoing elections demonstrate that Asia’s two largest democracies have much in common, explains journalist and author Pallavi Aiyar. Election operations are complex and impressive, considering that India has more than 800 million registered voters and Indonesia has nearly 200 million. “Noisy political rallies, outspoken trade...

Beyond the Hype: The Industrial Challenges for 3D Printing

April 16, 2014
Many anticipate 3D printing to revolutionize the manufacturing of toys, biomedical products, weapons and more. “The machine – which can also handle resins, powders or food pastes – implements software instructions to build up successive layers of the matter to form the final object,” reports ParisTech Review. “Medical applications – printed human organs – are close to hand now… The University of...

“Partner for Russia”: Europe's Far Right Flirts With Moscow

Charles Hawley April 16, 2014
Members of the far right want to put a chokehold on government power in Europe, a goal shared by Russia. “Skepticism of immigration and a keen worry about the threat posed by Islamist extremism make Putin a natural ally for a xenophobic right whose political bread and butter is their vociferous attacks on European immigration policy,” reports Charles Hawley for Spiegel Online. “His heavy-handed...

Exploring Spices, We Bring the World to Our Tables

Susan Kelleher April 15, 2014
Spice is an ancient trading item and descriptions of one Seattle dealer suggest that the business did not change much over the past century. But Americans now embrace spicy dishes, watching competing cooking shows on television, exploring recipes and ordering spices online, and experimenting at home. “The wide availability means that pure spices that once inspired epic ocean journeys, wars,...

Walgreens Urged to Leave US to Gain Tax Benefit

Ed Hammond April 15, 2014
A small group that owns shares of the largest pharmacy chain retailer in the United States wants Walgreens to relocate to Europe: “investors owning close to 5 per cent of Walgreens’ shares lobbied the company’s management to use its $16bn takeover of Swiss-based Alliance Boots to re-domicile its tax base,” reports Ed Hammond for the Financial Times. “The move, known as an inversion, would...

Taliban Victory in Afghanistan Would Pose Problem for Pakistan

Riaz Hassan April 15, 2014
Perhaps no country depends more on stability in Afghanistan – as determined by fair elections, smooth withdrawal of foreign forces, long-term military agreement with the United States, and ongoing foreign aid – than Pakistan. Because of demographics and a history of conflict, Pakistan may well be relieved by Taliban political failure in Afghanistan, suggests sociology professor Riaz Hassan....

Ebola Virus Continues to Rage in West Africa

April 14, 2014
Ebola is a highly contagious virus without a preventive vaccine or cure. The disease emerged in Guinea in February, then spread to Liberia, with 200 cases in this first outbreak reported for West Africa. “So far, Ebola outbreaks have only been recorded in Central Africa, such as in Sudan, Congo or Uganda,” reports Deutsche Welle. “According to the World Health Organization, there have been 15...