Why does China restrict the rare earths trade?
Many of the high-tech devices we depend on—cell phones, laptops, and hundreds of others—would not exist without an obscure group of earth elements called rare earths. China supplies over 97% of the world’s rare earth needs but has enforced strict export restrictions, creating controversy and uncertainty about future global supplies of these critical raw elements.
Syria: A new destination for only al-Qaida’s Foreign Fighters?
Syria has become a magnet for foreign fighters coming from Iraq, the rebel forces of the Libyan city of Misrata, from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Lebanon. International media and many experts have attributed this massive affluence of foreign fighters to al-Qaida’s call on Muslims to join the Syrian revolution and fight against al-Assad’s regime. However, not all foreign fighters seem to be al-Qaida driven: another transnational Islamic democracy-based ideology is “recruiting” its combatants to help in the Syrian struggle.
The U.S.- North Korea deal: what does it really mean?
After three rounds of bilateral negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea it has been announced what has already been labeled the “leap day agreement,” a deal that, as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton put it, is “a modest first step in the right direction.”. What is this important agreement between the two countries about? We provide the main details.
Follow Me! @Twitter goes to China?
With its new country-by-country censorship approach, Twitter is actually loosing its censorship policy. Unlike Google, Twitter will remove contents only when required, on a case-by-case basis, rather than auto-filtering them. The Chinese government endorsed Twitter’s new policy. Is twitter going to China?
Thailand was the most generous country in the world in 2011
The “World Giving Index” is the first report of its kind looking at charitable behaviour across the world. Are the Americans more generous than the French? In which country do people give most to charity? Where are you most likely to be helped by a stranger or volunteer your time? Find out here the results for the year 2011.
The North Korean enigma (II): Just a young successor or a ruling clique?
The question most media outlets and intelligence agencies are asking themselves right now is the role Kim Jong-un will be able to play after the sudden death of his father. With only 28 years old is he too young, too inexperienced, too early to lead the country?
The North Korean enigma: is there life after Kim Jong-il?
The sudden death of Kim Jon-il, while traveling on his personal train through a region of Norht Korea, has been echoed across the world. The most hermetic country in the world is facing what no country in the world has been succesful at: a second hereditary power transfer. Read the first of a series of two articles about Kim Jong-il’s death.
Basic Humanitarian Principles: The case of Afghanistan
Some basic humanitarian principles have been accorded to be put in practice by humanitarian workers. Which are these basic principles and how have they been implemented in practice? We will take a closer look at the case of Afghanistan.
The Philippines: the Subic Bay or a case of oppression, injustice and suffering
In this article we are dealing with the paradox of the Philippines being 9th country (out of 134) with more gender equality (in politics, economics, education and health) in the world but also a significant destination in sex tourism and child sex tourism.
 with more gender equality (in politics, economics, education and health) in the world but also a significant destination in sex tourism and child sex tourism. "Pin It")
Osama’s gone… now what?
The death of Osama bin Laden has been – particularly on a symbolic level – marked as an important milestone in the US fight against terrorism. Nevertheless, its positive effects on the ground in Afghanistan will most likely be rather mince in the crucial time when the Afghan National Security Forces are preparing to take over security in various cities, districts and provinces.
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