The Economist, “That empty-nest feeling”

September 6, 2007

The World Bank, founded to fight poverty, is searching for the right role in places that need its help less and less

“A TYPICAL bank will do its very best to retain customers who are relatively mature and reliable. Whenever it deals with these favoured clients, it will try to offer a personalised service, devise innovative products and keep rival lenders away. The World Bank is certainly not a typical bank, but in this respect it follows the norm. It relishes dealing with its ‘best’ customers: the middle-income countries”…

The Economist, “Enter the judges”

September 1, 2007

Criminal charges for Lula’s aides

SÃO PAULO — “Brazilians are sadly used to corruption scandals, but even the most cynical might have paid attention this week. The Supreme Court indicted 40 people, including the former right-hand man of Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva”…