VIEWPOINT: North-South Impasse May Block Global Trade Deal
Few really wanted it started, and now no one knows whether to end it or how to end it. In between there has been almost a decade of a roller-coaster of the Doha negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
NEWS ANALYSIS: Green is Now the Wealth of Nations
Traversing a long and bumpy road since Adam Smith reflected on 'The Wealth of Nations' at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, his legatees have discovered a new source: the green economy.
NEWS ANALYSIS: Australia Set to Play Crucial Role in Asia-Pacific
As the world's axis pivots from West to East, and concerns grow over China, Australia is emerging as "a highly attractive partner" of the United States, says a new report, adding that due to its strong ties with rising powers such as India and Indonesia, and its positioning at the confluence of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Canberra will have an immensely positive influence on regional developments and stability in Asia.
NEWS ANALYSIS: Denmark Shines with Financial Aid Policy
A new report pours lavish praise on Denmark's "robust foundations and political backing for fighting global poverty" but draws attention to the fact that the new strategy for development cooperation – describing aid policy also as 'realpolitik' -- was adopted by only a small parliamentary majority in 2010.
COVER STORY: Africa Looks Poised for Second Independence
For much of the six decades of independence, much of Africa has been under the thumbs and boots of ruthless military and civilian thugs palming themselves off as leaders while sucking the continent dry as their private estate. There have been over 80 military coups in Africa and hundreds of attempted, plotted and alleged coups.
COVER STORY: Africans Best Suited to Drive African Development
A new global research project has come up with an upbeat message that sounds like a truism: "Progress in African development happens best when it is led by African states and citizens". But the message emerges from industrious research by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI).
COVER STORY: New Insights into Beleaguered Africa
"Africa has gone through a remarkable decade of economic transformation. The continent is abuzz with talk of new investment, new cities, new airports, new refineries: The new African Lions," says a new study offering an upbeat insight into the continent and expanding South-South relations.
PERSPECTIVES: Six Set to Fuel South-South Cooperation
India, along with five other emerging economies -- Brazil, China, Indonesia, South Korea and Russia -- is poised to account for more than half of all global growth by 2025, and the Six will help drive growth in lower income countries through cross-border commercial and financial transactions, according to a new World Bank report.
PERSPECTIVES: Walking the Talk Towards South-South Cooperation
South-South cooperation is not only a "promising approach" to development cooperation, but can also lead to "inclusive ownership" and help strengthen cooperation with non-state actors in developing lands, according to a high-level conference in the European Parliament.
MIGRATION: Building Bridges to Cope with Global Realities
Canada is a nation of immigrants and diasporas. A generation ago, the overwhelmingly percentage of immigrants to Canada were American or European. In 1967, Canada also adopted a "points system" for immigrants. Four years later, Canada was the first country to officially adopt a policy of multiculturalism. These two changes laid the basis for a radical change in who became Canadian citizens. Now, Asia predominates.
STRAY THOUGHTS: IMF, the Paris Elite and Madame Lagarde's 'Perfect English'
Paris journalists argued in a recent "debate" on the national public radio 'France Info' that Finance Minister Christine Lagarde is an ideal European nominee to lead the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because she speaks "such perfect English".
