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In April, China posted an $11.4 billion trade surplus—up significantly from the previous three months, and far above the predicted $1 billion surplus. Imports and exports also rose significantly in April, over one year ago (Wall Street Journal, May 11, 2011). China also maintains over $3 trillion in foreign exchange reserves. Although China is wrestling with...
While Australia, Colombia, and the American Midwest are suffering from catastrophic flooding, much of the state of Texas is experiencing some of its driest conditions in history. Additionally, vast portions of the state are ablaze! Since the fire season began in November 2010, more than 9,100 fires have been responded to, 2.5 million acres have burned, and...
January witnessed devastating floods across Australia. Colombia has been and is currently experiencing “some of the heaviest rains” in its history—with hundreds dying, more than 140,000 homes damaged or destroyed, and more than three million affected (Seattle Times, April 29, 2011)! The central U.S. is flooding too.
New data suggest that a sexually transmitted bacterium, gonorrhea, is becoming resistant to the only remaining antibiotic that still kills it. Should it become totally resistant to the drug, gonorrhea could be unstoppable. Untreated gonorrhea usually results in sterility—the inability to have children.
Syria is now the latest nation experiencing a bloody interchange between a ruling family—the Assads, in power for 40 years—and citizens desirous of democracy. The Assad government has attempted to put down the rebellion through the use of force—an action which appears to be solidifying the people’s resolve.
British scientists recently discovered the super-gene NDM-1 in 25% of the water sampled in New Delhi, India. The gene has the ability to cause bacteria to become resistant to all but the most powerful and toxic drugs.
“Italy has promised to give over 20,000 Tunisian refugees temporary visas allowing them to travel freely in the border-free Schengen zone, which covers all EU countries except Britain and Ireland.” In response this week, “Germany warned Italy that it will not accept the migrants and that Berlin will tear up the EU’s border-free travel arrangements to stop them...
From the Ivory Coast and Morocco to Saudi Arabia and Syria and Iraq, the nations of North Africa and the Middle East are in some type of, or are threatened by, civil and/or governmental upheaval.
“For years, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has been a technocrat shaping institutions to be ready for a future Palestinian state. Now he is crisscrossing the West Bank like a prophet, telling his people the dream of sovereignty is about to be fulfilled.”
In the wake of Japan’s recent earthquake and tsunami, Tokyo’s governor referred to the events as tembatsu—or “divine judgment.” Mr. Ishihara subsequently apologized for his religious-sounding comments. However, many around the globe agree with Mr. Ishihara’s initial assessment. A recent poll of Americans revealed that about 40% view natural disasters as “a sign...