Africa

Africa is booming, but less restrictions to trade and a crack down on corruption is needed to sustain growth and prevent collapse.

The world’s fastest-growing continent: Aspiring Africa

HCP

The US is about to launch the "human connectome project" that seeks to map out every connection in the brain using electron microscopes and cognitive imaging. If it works, it will reveal life's greatest mystery.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science: mapping the brain: Only connect

Texas

The Texas budget surplus is not all it's cracked up to be, as they have to make budgets 2 years in advance and are not allowed to spend more than indicated in the budget, the flailing school system is still facing $6 billion in cuts.

The Texas budget: Too much of a good thing

Transactions tax

A tax is being proposed that will charge a minimal tax on all transactions in Europe, but such a tax will deter foreigners from investing in European assets at a time when Europe needs it the most.

Europe’s financial-transactions tax: Bin it

Illegal drugs

Banning drugs has done nothing to curb its consumption and only lead to rise in crime and loss of lives. Legalizing, regulating, and taxing drugs is a better alternative and politicians should be brave enough to enact such a change.

Illegal drugs: The great experiment

Asteroids

Apocalyptic asteroids can be detected decades or centuries in advance and acted upon, but smaller ones big enough to still kill a city can not. This is something that a NASA without a space shuttle program can divert their attention to.

Asteroid defence: The real star war

Cyber theft

China should reconsider supporting cyber theft if it wants to be taken seriously in the international community.

China’s cyber-hacking: Getting Ugly