Sri Lanka’s High Court has dealt a huge blow to press freedoms on the island, sentencing a prominent local journalist — J.S. Tissanayagam — to 20 years’ hard labor. His crime? Publishing a series of articles between 2006 and 2007 … Continue reading →

Over the weekend, Japanese voters ushered in a new political era in their country.  In a landslide election, they removed the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from power, which had dominated Japan’s political establishment for more than 50 years. One of … Continue reading →

President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan has always led with warlords in his midst. Indeed, a number of his top officials are widely-recognized criminals. But in his current bid for re-election, the president is actually naming a prominent drug trafficker as … Continue reading →

After decades of seedy, even alarming, organ transplant accounts, China has initiated a new voluntary organ donor initiative. The program hopes to replace the current norm of gleaning organs from executed convicts, from the black market, and more often than … Continue reading →

Infuriated by last Wednesday’s bombings in Baghdad, Iraqi officials are insisting that Syria extradite two Iraqi Baathists based in Syria suspected of orchestrating the deadly attacks. Syria has rejected all accusations of involvement and has not extradited Mohammad Younis al-Ahmed … Continue reading →

Almost every government is strained in keeping up public support during this global economic crisis, but Greece’s incumbent, Costas Karamanlis, is particularly in the hot seat. Not only has the Greek Prime Minister faced his share of financial woes—including an … Continue reading →

In the midst of skepticism over the ultimate effectiveness of pouring financial aid into poor nations, hope—real hope—is being located in a surprising place. The United Nations has termed this proposed solution “the highest-return investment available in the developing world” … Continue reading →

Al -Megrahi’s return to Libya last Thursday did not end the Lockerbie saga; quite the contrary, the case has become more incendiary.  At first, the controversy revolved around Al –Megrahi’s release from prison and extradition to Libya, though he was … Continue reading →

Iran will cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, announced Hassan Qashqavi, a representative from the country’s Foreign Ministry. For the first time in a year, IAEA inspectors were allowed to enter the nuclear facility in Arak last Friday, reports … Continue reading →

Under fire from a drug war yielding approximately 20 violent deaths per day, Mexico is resorting to some controversial counter tactics. On Friday Mexico’s congress approved the possession of small amounts of not only marijuana but also cocaine, heroin, LSD, … Continue reading →