Although most projections show a continuation of positive growth in 2010, questions about the strength and sustainability of the recovery remain. To provide an economic outlook for the new year, the Carnegie Endowment on 5 Jan, hosted a distinguished panel of the heads of the economic forecasting unit at their respective organizations.
Reflections of a Retired Baby Boomer Topic: Haiti: U.S. Military Contributions While watching the excellent media coverage of the Haitian earthquake last night, I noticed that many people are beginning to wonder why it was taking so long for U.S. military units and other nations and relief groups involved in the effort to […]
Al Jazeera reports on the global response to Haiti’s earthquake: The PBS Newshour reports on the disaster relief efforts of the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti (MINUSTAH): And the New York Times elaborates on the Pentagon’s response: Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that 9,000 to 10,000 American troops […]
Parade of hybrids zips through Detroit is the headline from SmartPlanet. They give you a nice rundown of the hybrid and electric vehicles that took over the (very) big Detroit auto show. I’m not much of a car person, but even I can tell you that just about every automaker seems to be fully on […]
Here is another update on the U.S. role in dealing with the Haiti earthquake disaster. In the MSNBC video report below, Ann Curry reports on how the U.S. military is assisting the Haiti rescue and relief effort. The role of Army, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel is highlighted:
While it appears that China’s success and emergence is unsettling to many and is becoming the source of American angst toward China, rather than resent the shift of economic power from West to East, we may have something to learn from their ancient civilization.
A report that was released on January 7, 2010, by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), regarding the levels of sexual victimization within juvenile detention facilities leaves many shocked by the statistics. The report, Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-09, is part of a series of statistical reviews, which are required under […]
1. Is there a silver lining to Somali pirates roaming the ocean? Yes: more fish. 2. “…if some other country solves the problem of green energy, so much the better for us.” Tyler Cowen on the fruitful economic growth, in other countries, over the past decade. 3. The Director of the Energy Security Initiative at […]
The problems that affected Haiti before Tuesday’s earthquake are expected to make aid efforts even more difficult, reports Reuters. Prior to Tuesday, the World Food Program (WFP) had been feed 2 million of Haiti’s 9 million population, or over 22%. “The country has a long history of insecurity and violence. One of the major drug […]
A couple of months ago I wrote an article for a magazine here in Brussels about Eritrea. Eritrea is a nation struggling to come to terms with conflict, with a looming food crisis and human rights abuse. In November, Eritrea’s dismal human rights record was put in the spotlight at the United Nations. A month […]
The damage wrought on Haiti’s infrastructure by Tuesday’s 7.0 earthquake has made it extremely difficult for aid agencies to deliver much needed food and medicine. The Los Angeles Times reports how Haitians have taken matters into their own hands, looting a warehouse in Port-au-Prince where the World Food Programme (WFP) stored 15,000 tons of food […]
SAN FRANCISCO — The President of Kosovo, Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu, likes to say that he is the head of the world’s youngest state, but after nearly two years of nominal independence for his country, this is a statement with an asterisk. Independence was declared by Kosovo on February 17, 2008, but recognition is still a […]
As with the international aid community, Haitians living overseas are seeking ways to help from a distance after a devastating earthquake struck Port-au-Prince on Tuesday evening. Many migrants already send significant proportions of their earnings each week or month in the form of remittances. Rather than foreign assistance from governments, they may provide the most […]
Amnesty International: Czech school system discriminating against Roma Authorities in the Czech Republic must act to end systematic discrimination against Roma gypsy children that ensures they receive an inferior education, Amnesty International says. Roma-only schools use a less competitive curriculum than mainstream schools, perpetuating social exclusion and reducing Roma children’s ability to find future employment. […]
I know that times are hard. I also know that many of you want to help the people of Haiti at this horrible time. Below are some organizations whose vital work you can support. The links will take you directly to the donate pages. It’s not the size of donation but the thought that counts. […]