Economy
China’s Telecommunications Giant Huawei Under Scrutiny
A Congressional report last fall urged American businesses and government agencies not to buy equipment from Chinese telecommunication giant, Huawei suggesting that it could be used as a backdoor for Chinese cyberspying.
Little Enthusiasm for Latvia’s Euro Effort
Latvia is on the path to adopt the euro starting in January 2014, but most Latvians don’t share their government’s enthusiasm and they don’t want to give up their own money — the lat.
High-Tech Manufacturing Driving Economy in Mexico
Mexico was once known for cheap manufacturing. But as that sort of business has fled to Asia, Mexico has concentrated on auto manufacturing and other higher-tech industries.
US Post Office’s Southernmost Branch at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
For our Geo Quiz, try to come up with the zip code for the southernmost post office in the world at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
Romanian Plea to the British: Why Don’t You Come Over?
After rumors circulated this week about a advertising campaign warning Romanians and Bulgarians not to come to England, Romanians have just unveiled their own cheeky ads about how life is better right where they are.
Some in Rural Ireland Trying to Loosen Drunk-Driving Laws to Support Local Pubs
As one farmer at the pub put it, who is going to be dumb enough to go to the police station, tell the police they’d like to drink and drive, and ask for a special permit to do so?
Kabubble: Kabul’s Looming Collapse
A recent article in Harper’s highlights the huge distortions in the economy of Afghanistan. Scenes of crass conspicuous consumption, alongside highly inflated prices for land and goods and services are unsustainable, the article argues.
Clash Over Canadian Lobster Catch
Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are at odds over the size of lobsters that fishermen are allowed to catch in the Northumberland Strait.
The Upside of Austerity in Spain: Rooting Out Corruption
Spain’s top corruption investigator recently called corruption a cancer destroying democracy.
Boeing Dreamliner Makes Emergency Landing in Japan
A Boeing 787 was forced to make an emergency landing in Japan after battery problems developed during a flight. It’s the latest in a string of incidents for Boeing’s Dreamliner.
Japan’s Pachinko Addiction
Pachinko, a Japanese game that resembles a cross between pinball and a slot machine, is huge business. The pachinko industry generates hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue each year. Sam Harnett reports on how the industry’s success depends on straddling the line between gaming and gambling.
France’s Love-Hate with Russia: Why Depardieu Was Granted Russian Citizenship
As French actor Gérard Depardieu embraces his new Russian citizenship to flee France’s 75 percent income tax on millionaires, some observers are reminded that the love-hate relationship between France and Russia has existed for centuries.
Google Diplomacy: Eric Schmidt’s Controversial Trip to North Korea
Google chairman Eric Schmidt is back from his controversial trip to North Korea. He says he told North Korean leaders to loosen their restrictions on internet access in the recluse nation, or risk being left behind.
Could Car Sharing Work in a Place Like China?
As millions of more Chinese enter the middle class, many are demanding a key passport to that lifestyle: a car. Millions throughout the developing world have the same demand. The world can’t sustain this. One possible solution: car sharing.
In Kenya, Violent Elephant Poaching Increases at an Alarming Rate
The New York Times’ Jeffrey Gettleman talks about the latest massacre of 11 elephants — killed by poachers for their ivory tusks in Kenya. He said that as a pound of ivory can fetch upwards of $1,000 in Beijing, there is little chance this violent and illegal trade will slow down anytime soon in Central Africa.
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