Analysis


Moneyed Mumbai’s security hunt
By Phil Hazlewood
THE billboard above The Pizzeria restaurant on Mumbai’s sweeping Marine Drive promenade changes regularly. This week it tells anyone who passes: “Recommended. Helmets and bulletproof vests for Mumbaiites.” As people in India’s financial and entertainment capital pick up the pieces from last month’s attacks, one firm is happy to oblige.

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Investors invade as troops pull out
By Luke Baker
MAJOR businesses have lined up billions of dollars for investment in southern Iraq, where oil riches and long-term opportunities beckon, preparing to move in even as Britain prepares to pull its troops out. Foreign investors have earmarked more than $9 billion for the oil-hub of Basra and the region around it in the next three years, according to Michael Wareing,.....

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Answers to sceptics
By Sophie Pons
THE Czech Republic takes over the European Union presidency on January 1, and the pressure of having a eurosceptic president and following euro-heavyweight France is already beginning to tell. A wobbly Czech centre-right government, led by Mirek Topolanek, is battling doubts about its ability to help Europe out of the global economic crisis,...

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A new-found foe in the Balkans
By Boris Raseta
THESE days Croats frown most when speaking about their western neighbours, the Slovenians, forgetting — for a while at least — about their traditional foes, the Serbs, a survey released yesterday indicated. In a poll conducted of 900 Croats by the Vecernji List daily, 73 per cent said they consider Slovenians ‘the most dangerous’ vis a vis Croatia,....

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Belt-tightening across America as one in 10 claim food stamps
By Nathalie Laville
HEAD held high and with a steady gait, Donald Fortune walked toward a waiting room filled with others who came to collect food stamps. “I put my pride to a side, came down here to get me some food stamps today,” said Fortune, a tall 45-year-old wearing a spotless white T-shirt and jeans, and carrying a carefully folded black leather jacket.

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World player rising
By Ian Ransom
APART from goodwill visits, the last time Chinese warships sailed to Africa was some 600 years ago, when the Ming Dynasty Admiral Zheng He commanded one of the mightiest armadas in the world on a diplomatic mission. Now two Chinese destroyers and a supply vessel are due to set out this week to Somali waters to help international efforts to fight piracy,.....

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Window for peace
By Paul Marin Ngoupana
A DIALOGUE in Central African Republic that brought together the government and leaders of multiple bush rebellions has opened a window for peace in one of Africa’s most tangled — and forgotten — conflicts. More difficult will be translating the political pact announced at the weekend between President Francois Bozize and insurgent chiefs....

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