DEVELOPMENT: Debt, and Hope, Remain

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) wrapped up weekend meetings here with no major results for developing nations, but the gathering might have moved the issue of poor nations' debt onto rich nations' permanent agenda.

ENVIRONMENT: Only the Business Climate Might Change

Business climate may change more than world climate when the Kyoto Protocol comes into effect by the year-end following ratification by Russia.

ENVIRONMENT: Only the Business Climate Might Change

Business climate may change more than world climate when the Kyoto Protocol comes into effect by the year-end following ratification by Russia.

POLITICS-U.S.: Human Dignity, Crazy Mike, and Indian Country

The reason why Washington is having such a difficult time persuading of its good faith and its good works in the "war on terror" was best illustrated Tuesday this week.

CHINA: Change of Guard Just a Political Window Dressing?

The resignation of ex-president Jiang Zemin from his powerful post as commander-in-chief of the Chinese military heralds his impending political demise. However, his handover of authority to the younger President Hu Jintao signifies little imminent change in the political agenda of the ruling Communist party.

BURMA: Hardline Generals Now Have the Upper Hand

A major shake-up of Burma's cabinet over the weekend sends a signal to the outside world that military hardliners have strengthened their control over the country.

POLITICS-U.S.: From Bad to Worse in Iraq

After weeks of hurricanes and controversies over swift boats in Vietnam and Texas and Alabama National Guard records, Iraq is beginning to creep back onto the front pages, and the news is uniformly bad.

MALAYSIA: Anwar to Be a Formidable Force in Opposition

Although Malaysia's top dissident politician Anwar Ibrahim failed on Wednesday to make an immediate political comeback, after the Federal Court rejected his application to review and overturn his last remaining conviction, analysts predict the former deputy prime minister will still be a reckonable force in the country's pro-democracy movement.

U.S.: Three Years On, War on Terrorism Looks Like a Loser

Three years after al Qaeda-commandeered planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Pentagon, the leaked ruminations of U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld seem more pertinent than ever.

U.S.: Three Years On, War on Terrorism Looks Like a Loser

Three years after al Qaeda-commandeered planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Pentagon, the leaked ruminations of U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld seem more pertinent than ever.

POLITICS-US: Three Years On, War on Terrorism Looks Like a Loser

Three years after al Qaeda-commandeered planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Pentagon, the leaked ruminations of Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld seem more pertinent than ever.

ECONOMY-BENIN: Unemployment Inflames Debate on Illegal Fuel Sales

Government’s attempt to control the illegal sale of petroleum products in Benin is meeting with failure due to widespread unemployment in the country. The products, which include gasoline and diesel, are often smuggled in from neighboring Nigeria.

RIGHTS-BURMA: Women’s Hardships Belie Junta’s Tales

Rangoon's military government is arming itself to be perceived as a promoter of tolerance towards women in Burma as the world readies to mark the 10th anniversary of a landmark international conference on gender equality.

INDIA: Gandhi Idealism and Hindu Fundamentalism Still At Odds

It is an irony of history that Mahatma Gandhi, who led India to independence from British colonial rule in 1947, is now in a popularity contest with Veer Savarkar, arrested for the assassination of the 'Apostle of Peace' but acquitted for lack of corroborative evidence.

RIGHTS-MALAYSIA: More Than One Winner in Anwar’s Freedom

The dramatic Federal Court decision to free jailed ex-Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim after six years of incarceration will have far-reaching implications for Malaysia.

POLITICS-THAILAND: Dissent Grows Against the Thaksin Juggernaut

Sensing political trouble after the weekend's election for Bangkok's governor, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is making a valiant effort to appear as a moderate by extending the hand of friendship to the opposition Democrat Party.

RIGHTS-MALAYSIA: More Than One Winner in Anwar’s Freedom

The dramatic Federal Court decision to free jailed ex-Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim after six years of incarceration will have far-reaching implications for Malaysia.

POLITICS-BURMA: U.N. Sees Opportune Moment to Turn the Screws

By throwing his weight behind the legitimacy of Burma's opposition party, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has deprived Burmese Prime Minister Khin Nyunt of claiming political progress to mark his first anniversary in office.

VENEZUELA: Why Did Chavez Win?

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez triumphed in the recall referendum because he transformed the electoral struggle into a military-style campaign, with a unified command and a strong single message.

POLITICS-SUDAN: Foreign Troops Run Gauntlet of Government Displeasure

Television footage aired over the weekend showed a group of Rwandan soldiers dancing and clapping their hands. With AK-47 assault rifles firmly strapped across their shoulders, the 150 troops sported green berets adorned with African Union badges as they waited to hear a speech from President Paul Kagame.

RIGHTS: U.N. Envoy Hampering Burma’s Freedom?

The world was reminded at the opening of the 28th Olympic Games in Athens that democracy is still being held hostage in Burma when host Greece, as a member of the European Union, barred the South-east Asian nation's sports minister from the premier international sports event - along with ministers from Zimbabwe and the European state of Belarus.