Will the Dollar Be Replaced by the SDR as the Global Reserve Currency?

An analysis by TIME reviews the possibility of a new global reserve currency, the "special drawing right" or SDR, to replace the dollar. The Financial Times reports on what such a move would mean for China, the U .S., and Europe.

Indian Election Coverage

The Indian general elections are right around the corner (April 16), with over 700 million people expected to participate. However, an op-ed in The Times argues that due to the existence of "criminality" throughout many Indian politicial parties, the populace's best option is the current government, despite its "general ineptness on security and defence, [and the fact that] terrorism has risen steadily, culminating in the Mumbai attacks late last year." The Times of India reports that the reliance on minor parties to form coalition governments and the existence of too many parties in the electoral process has hurt Indian democracy. In another story, the opposition party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has refused to drop Varun Gandhi, after he reportedly made derogotory remarks about Muslims. BBC News reports that the Indian Election Commission has suggested that BJP drop Gandhi.

30,000 Flee Eastern DR Congo

BBC News reports that 30,000 people have fled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in response to raids waged by the Hutu FDLR militia. Both the DR Congo and Rwanda have launched attacks against the FDLR, whose leaders have been accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Since 2006, over 1 million have been displaced due to on-and-off fighting with the FDLR and other militias. Another report by BBC News covers DR Congo's invitation to foreign militaries to help it deal with its lawless regions.

El Savador's New President and the China-Taiwan Battle For Its Support

For the first time since the end of its Civil War eighteen years ago, a candidate not from the Arena Party has won the Presidency in El Salvador. BBC News reports "Leftist Mauricio Funes of El Salvador's former Marxist rebel FMLN party has won the country's presidential election." Taiwan's China Post (one of three English-language newspapers in Taiwan) comments on the battle between China and Taiwan to gain diplomatic recognition from El Salvador.

Civil War in Madagascar; World Hunger on the Rise.

BBC News reports on the ultimatum given to Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana by opposition leaders: resign or face massive protests in the capital city of Antananarivo. Madagascar has been in a crisis for the entirety of this year, due to a power struggle between Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, with 135 people dying amidst violence. The Boston Globe is reporting that Ravalomanana has defied the ultimatum and is refusing to step down, allowing the deadline to pass.


An opinion piece in The Los Angeles Times reports that while employment around the world has shrunk due to the global economic crisis, food prices have stayed the same, leading to a rise in world hunger.

Sri Lanka Crisis Update: Up To 200,000 Civilians Remain in Harm's Way

The New York Times reports that "[a]s many as 200,000 civilians are trapped in a war zone in northern Sri Lanka," sleeping in the open or hiding in trenches as food, water and medical supplies run out and artillery shells explode among them." The 25-year civil war has claimed at least 70,000 lives thus far, including 14 deaths on Tuesday from a suicide bombing. The Economist provides a helpful summary on the situation. Time reports on today's death of a senior Tamil Tiger leader.

The End of the EU? Western Europe Must Bailout "New Europe" to Save the Euro Zone

The Economist recently published a series of articles about the future of the European Union, which has been put in jeopardy by the devastating economic problems of the Eastern European countries. A shortage of capital in "New Europe" has left "Old Europe" with the bill in hand, and the tensions resulting from such could break-up the EU. What Western Europe need fear most is the rise of nationalist and populist in dictators in Eastern Europe should it now come to the East's aid; Germany's close geographic proximity to these countries and status as Europe's largest economy make it likely that aid will be flowing out of Berlin. Finally, an articles covering the sharp divisions within the EU and how interdependence is the source of the rift.