What’s New April 2008

This page lists changes to this site for April 2008.

See below for other updates and to get notified of changes to the site.

The global illicit drugs market is enormous, estimated at some $320 billion. This makes it one of the largest businesses in the world. Some believe in strong prohibition enforcement. Others argue for decriminalization to minimize the crime and health effects associated with the market being controlled by criminals. Are there merits to each approach? This new article introduces some of the issues.

Information was added on the recent violence in Tibet as well as some notes on the growing concern about China’s increasing involvement in Africa.

A small update was made to the Democratic Republic of Congo page noting that some 5.4 million people have died since fighting first broke out in 1998. This makes it the deadliest conflict since World War II, though by the global media coverage you probably would not know it. It is not just direct conflict that kills, but the knock-on effects. Most deaths have actually come from malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition. The vast majority who have died are children (19% of the population but 47% of the deaths). 1.5 million remain internally displaced or as refugees. It may seem a remote conflict with various neighbors involved, but the rich resources in the DRC means most of the world should have an interest on what goes on there.

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