Most Popular

Revolution in a Box

October 23, 2009
Television ownership has increased rapidly around the world. But many people in developing countries are only getting access to TVs now. What is unique about today’s access for the heretofore underprivileged watcher is televisions now are receiving digital signals, which means less governmental...

Setting America above the Law

July 18, 2003
The US and Egypt recently signed a bilateral agreement guaranteeing the immunity of each other's officials and military personnel from prosecution in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Cairo's decision to exempt the US personnel from Court jurisdiction has angered those who uphold...

Europeans Need Clearer Vision to Revive WTO Talks

November 14, 2003
The US and the European Union helped derail negotiations at the Cancun meeting of the World Trade Organization by refusing to end subsidies to their farmers. Although European leaders talk of building a multi-polar new world order, says Shada Islam, their stand at the WTO betrays a reluctance to...

Spain’s Election: El País

April 29, 2019
The Socialist Party and Pedro Sánchez won more seats than expected and an absolute majority in the Senate, in Spain’s election. “Sánchez has even come close to winning a large enough majority to be reinstated without help from Catalan separatist parties,” reports Carlos E. Cué for El País. “Instead...

Asian Central Banks Consider Alternatives to Big Dollar Holdings

February 5, 2004
South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, China and Japan say they plan to shift out of US treasuries. The reasons vary: for some bankers, Treasuries are not bringing the required rate of return, particularly with a depreciating dollar; for others, now is a good time to pay down debt or help finance domestic...

Africa Unplugged

November 9, 2016
Two of three people in Africa lack access to electricity, and for the poor, connecting to an electricity grid is unfathomably expensive. Costs of solar panels have fallen dramatically in recent years, and off-grid solar systems are providing the sun-rich continent an inexpensive way to connect to...

Radioactive Material Stolen in Iraq Raises Security Concerns

February 19, 2016
A camera containing the radioactive isotope of iridium went missing in Iraq in November, and the concern is that the material could fall into the hands of Islamic State terrorists and be transformed into a weapon. The camera, owned by a Turkish firm and used for oil drilling, was last seen in US...

Scramble in the Horn

August 24, 2016
Landlocked Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country with more than 96 million people. Conflict lingers between Ethiopia and Eritrea since the latter obtained independence in 1993. “The fighting that broke out at the Ethiopia-Eritrea border on 12 June, reportedly involving artillery and...
More..