The race for the new African markets? A matter between the Tiger and the Dragon. We are not talking about Ang Lee's film, but of the new economic partners of the black continent. In the last years the United States, and an ever more present China, have been joined by India, which according to the analysts is destined to remain a secondary partner compared to the first two, but one which could bring to Africa far more lasting benefits. From Johannesburg to Lagos, from Abidjan to Dakar, the Indian model of development is becoming the one to follow for a continent that up to now was only seen as a store of raw materials

A Human Rights Watch report denounces the abuses of Indonesian police officers

Massachusetts is the first State to require universal health insurance

An israeli journalist tells the demolition of two bedouin villages in Negev

At the summit in Accra the debate is about the continent union

Arizona Republican senator John McCain, has been presented for years as George W. Bush’s most likely successor at the White House. He had the qualities of a winner: he was popular, expert, honest, and straight. Now, after a weak campaign start, he is already considered a loser. His poll ratings continue to drop, he is short of money, and had to cut half of his staff while reducing the salary of the other half. While political analysts debate over who will be the next president of the United States of America, everybody seem to agree on one point: it will not be him

Argentina's first lady, Cristina Kirchner, announces she will run for president. “She is a woman with a sound political stature. There is no comparison between her and the women of the past of Argentina. If we really want to make a comparison, I would compare her to Hillary Clinton, rather than Isabelita Peron”, says Manuel Ferreira, an actor coming from Buenos Aires who has been putting on stage the crux of Argentinean society in many theaters all over Italy

Government invests millions of euros in war against poverty in order to placate discontent

Iran's wave of moralism goes on, but fuel rationing sets off people's anger

Georgia sets up a summer camp for kids on the border with Abkhazia

US forces attack militia strongholds but complain about lack of support from Iraqi troops

Egypt bans every form of woman circumcision, but much remains to be done

Bosnian writer Elvira Mujcic tells about her Srebrenica

Russia lays claim on the North Pole, threatening to annex it