The New Economy - Commentaries

IMF gold plan poses tricky twist for market

The IMF's long-planned sale of its 403 tonnes of gold has taken on a new twist that may chip away at one of the fundamental drivers for higher gold prices

The IMF's strategy to capitalise on surging gold to raise new resources for lending was first announced in 2008 and had been comfortably received by the market, with expectations for enthusiastic take... Read More

Myanmar turns to bartering

Faced with a shortage of small banknotes, people in Myanmar are resorting to bartering cigarettes, shampoo and other items

The bartering illustrates the effects of sanctions on one of the world's most isolated, repressive countries, along with surging inflation and the military junta's curious decision to stop printing ... Read More

Russia, once a scientific powerhouse, loses standing

Political turmoil, a brain drain of scientists and waning interest have transformed Russia from a nation that launched the first satellite into an increasingly minor player in the world of science, according to a report

An analysis of research papers published by Russian scientists shows an almost across-the-board decrease, which reflects Russia's shrinking influence not only in science but in science-based industrie... Read More

Endeavour ends space shuttle fleet's 130th mission

22/02/2010 |

Space shuttle Endeavour and its six crew members wrapped up a 14-day construction mission to the International Space Station on Sunday with a precision touchdown in Florida....

Kenya moves zebras to feed marauding lions

15/02/2010 |

A zebra leaps to freedom after a gruelling six-hour truck journey to Kenya's Amboseli National Park. But if all goes to plan, it will soon fall prey to lions or hyenas...

No quick fix for Yemen, powers commit to long haul

27/01/2010 |

International talks to stop Yemen from joining the club of failed states and becoming the regional command for al Qaeda mark the start of a broader and more comprehensive strategy ...

Gene may pinpoint most aggressive prostate cancer

12/01/2010 |

Researchers have found a genetic mutation that helps predict which men will have aggressive prostate cancer and said it might help doctors choose who needs treatment and who does n...

Swiss precision

21/12/2009 |

The World Economic Forum returns to Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, between January 27-31. Lyndon Driver profiles the annual meeting....

Going it alone

11/06/2007 | Ben Olsen

From oil, to television, to steel, Hugo Chavez has a bold vision of nationalisation. But is he biting off more than he can chew?...

Identity theft

22/06/2009 | TNE

The highly lucrative theft of personal and corporate identities is becoming an international criminal activity...

Aviation emissions

11/06/2007 | Nathan May

Aviation is growing at a rate matched only by the rising pressure to cut CO2 emissions. Surely something has to give. Nathan May urges a compromise...

Branding an elephant called global warming

11/06/2007 | Jonathan Gabay

According to eminent people like Sir Nicolas Stern, if CEOs in the UK do nothing about climate change, it will cost the equivalent of at least 5 percent of Global GDP each year, no...

GM pharming

2007-06-11 | Paul Evans

The UK has no tolerance for GM crops in the food chain, but will it accept using them to produce drugs?...

Man machine

11/06/2007 | Nathan May

The concept of a machine that controls parts of the human body is no longer restricted to the confines of a Hollywood movie screen. The boundaries between science and nature are co...