Americans see 18 percent of their wealth disappear in 2008. Why Bashar al-Assad, that "lisping former opthamologist who rules Syria with an iron fist," enjoyed the best week ever. Among TIME's world-changing 10 ideas: Africa as a business destination (for China). You know Warhol,
The news, by and large, was bad--just not quite as bad as feared. Wall Street mounts its second surge of the week. Lawmakers overturn Bush-era bill amendment that denied support to nations who wouldn't give the U.S. immunity from the I.C.C. I don&
Next month's G20 summit will see a "narrowing of differences," no "grand bargain to put the world to rights." Uptick noted in amateur American superheroes, armed with the internet and expensive costumes. Industry: shipping. Mexican drug lord makes Forbes billionaire list. With stimulus money
Within hours we knew that half a dozen of our friends had been hit, and that my dinner companion's retirement was over. Madoff's most intimate betrayals. Op: Don't swallow Wall Street's tales of victimhood; in hindsight, the bankers ignored foresight. More from
EU employs new official coffee monitors to make sure commissioners' espresso tastes good. Bankers will not hesitate to enrich themselves at the expense of the public good if they have the opportunity. If you're looking for a socialist revolution in the U.S., focus on guerrilla agriculture.
I do not give much importance to abstract concepts. President Lula da Silva of Brazil ponders the new human-based economic order. Channeling Genghis Khan, Kazakh premier suggests a global currency. Riding news of Citigroup's profits and Bernanke's call for reform, Wall Street posts its biggest
Truck that hit Tsvangirai's car, killing his wife, turns out to have been a USAID vehicle. Treasury department not answering its phones, says U.K. cabinet secretary. How the quants (physicists on Wall Street) came to be, and came to be slandered by Warren Buffett. Op: Merging big
Not enough Pakistanis have taken a stand against the Talibanisation of their country. Op: Terrorism, extremism left unchecked in Pakistan. The Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults developed sibling dolls named Sara and Dara, Muslim versions of Barbie and Ken. "Mother, look. I have made
Astounding story about the obstacles--thugs, secret prisons, beatings--Chinese citizens face to lodge a complaint about the government. Bad paintings of Barack Obama. Bush lawyers find themselves too toxic for employers; Gonzales blames "partisan politics" for his unemployment. Instapaper for the commute: For screenwriters everywhere: the path
In the run-up to Summit of Americas: hopes for easing Cuban embargo, mending ties after Latin America's move leftward. Clinton's "talk-show diplomacy" wins Turkish support; next, Obama must deliver on Middle East policy. Three makes a trend: Shoes hurled at Ahmadinejad. We
