The Berlin International Film Festival was a product of the Cold War. The US military administration wanted to bring a touch of glamour to a West Berlin that had survived the Soviet blockade. Since then, the festival has gained a reputation for championing political, provocative movies, and has been no stranger to scandal. The Berlinale… Read More »
Mr Roger Cohen of the New York Times writes in his column: A strong Europe is essential to America’s recovery. The United States is too stretched — militarily and economically — to do without the cohesion of its closest allies. There are three major European powers: Britain, France and Germany. Britain is going through a… Read More »
Xan Rice of The Guardian interviews Asad ‘Booyah’ Abdulahi, a 42 year-old Somali pirate. Excerpts: I am 42 years old and have nine children. I am a boss with boats operating in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. … We give priority to ships from Europe because we get bigger ransoms. To get… Read More »
Time Magazine reports that South Korea’s Daewoo Logistics leased 3.2 million acres of farmland from the Madagascar government. The land would be used as a farmland, and the South Korean company hopes this would help secure food supply for their country. The lease is for 99 years. A Daewoo manager, Hong Jong-wan, told the Financial… Read More »