In Chinese Factories, Lost Fingers and Low Pay

Posted by Matt in January 5th, 2008 | no comment

Published in China

GUANGZHOU, China â€” Nearly a decade after some of the most powerful companies in the world â€” often under considerable criticism and consumer pressure â€” began an effort to eliminate sweatshop labor conditions in Asia, worker abuse is still commonplace in many of the Chinese factories that supply Western companies, according to labor rights groups.
The [...]

Imagine a World Without Islam

Posted by Matt in January 5th, 2008 | no comment

Published in Islam

What would the world be like without Islam? No clash of civilizations? No 9/11? No holy wars?
Actually, all of these events would likely have occurred, says Graham Fuller, a professor of history at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia, and a former long-range forecaster for the Central Intelligence Agency. Take away Islam, and the [...]

The Pacific Arms Race

Posted by Matt in January 5th, 2008 | no comment

Published in Asia, Japan, Military

Just a few weeks ago, Japan successfully intercepted a ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean. Facing a rising China — which had, before the Japanese test, conducted its unparalleled military buildup as a one-nation arms race — Japan has now moved decisively to defend itself. But the Japanese move may now accelerate, and engage other [...]

China’s ability to sustain warfare

Posted by Matt in January 5th, 2008 | no comment

Published in China, Taiwan, War

Should a conflict break out across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese forces would face a grave shortage of ammunition after just seven days of fighting. Even though China has a much greater stockpile of ammunition than Taiwan, it would also encounter similar problems in a sustained conflict.
…
As a consequence, if a conflict broke out and a [...]

Rising food prices in China threaten stability

Posted by Matt in January 5th, 2008 | no comment

Published in China

A report published by a Chinese government think tank has suggested that rising inflation could threaten social stability if action is not taken to control food prices, state media reported Friday. The study by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences says about half of poor families’ income goes for food so rising prices are hitting [...]

Russia Warns of Tensions With Britain

Posted by Matt in January 5th, 2008 | no comment

Published in Britain, Russia

MOSCOW — Russia warned Britain on Thursday that reopening two offices of a British cultural organization would inflame already tense relations between the countries.
Russia in December ordered offices of the British Council in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg to close as of Jan. 1. The offices are closed for Russia’s winter holidays, but British officials say [...]