Malaria is one of the deadliest and most prevalent diseases in the world today. It is caused by Plasmodium, a parasite carried by mosquitoes. Unlike recent epidemics such as AIDS, malaria has been afflicting people for hundreds of years. Indeed, some believe that the disease contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire. Although malaria is rare or nonexistent in developed countries, it continues to plague many poor, tropical nations. Each year, there are as many as a half billion malaria infections worldwide, resulting in the deaths of over one million people. Although there are effective treatments and preventive medications, there is still no vaccine for malaria, and many of those treated suffer relapses. Continue reading
Unlike many cities in Europe, Tokyo is almost entirely modern. With little left of its historical past, the bustling metropolis is typified by skyscrapers, concrete, and electric lights. This is largely because the city was devastated by bombing during World War II and had to be rebuilt during the post-war years.
Most visitors to Tokyo are struck by its sheer size. Indeed, with a population over 30 million, Japan’s capital is the world’s largest metropolitan area. During the Cold War, Tokyo was the heart of East Asian industrialization and modernization. For this reason, it has become a center for business across the region. Perhaps that is why a staggering 47 companies on the Forbes 500 are headquartered in the city. Continue reading
Imagine you are on a lovely vacation to a small Tuscan hill town in Italy. Just before stopping at the local café you use the ATM across the square. You don’t remember anything peculiar about the machine at the time, but several days later you get a phone call from your bank inquiring about unusual activity on your account. Your bank’s representative informs you that over 3000 Euros have been withdrawn from your checking in just the past week. Although it seems impossible, the withdrawals all seem to have been made with your ATM card and pin number. Continue reading
For decades, Latin America has been at the center of the global drug trade. It has also been its chief victim, as the black market narcotics industry has generated high rates of crime in most every country in the region. For example, kidnapping occurs more often in Latin America than in any other area of the world by far. Furthermore, 16 of the 20 countries in the world with the highest rate of homicide are in Latin America and the Caribbean. Fortunately, Argentina has been able to buck this trend to some extent. Although it should not be considered a low crime country, Argentina does experience significantly less criminal activity than other nations in Latin America. That is why it is regrettable that there have been reports of increasing numbers of kidnappings on Argentinian highways. Continue reading
Although Copenhagen was founded in medieval times, it stands out as a modern city in an international age. The Danish capital is one of Europe’s cleanest cities and has one of the most advanced metro systems in the world. The consultancy Mercer ranks Copenhagen 11th in the world on ‘quality of life’ and 9th in the world on ‘safety.’ The city has also become a hub for international businesses and organizations. For example, Carlsberg Brewery Group and Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, are both headquartered there. International organizations also have a large presence in the city. The headquarters for the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) is located in Copenhagen. Additionally, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Program, the World Food Program, and the World Health Organization all have offices in Denmark’s historic capital. Continue reading
Unlike many cities in Europe, Tokyo is almost entirely modern. With little left of its historical past, the bustling metropolis is typified by skyscrapers, concrete, and electric lights. This is largely because the city was devastated by bombing during World War II and had to be rebuilt during the post-war years.
Most visitors to Tokyo are struck by its sheer size. Indeed, with a population over 30 million, Japan’s capital is the world’s largest metropolitan area. During the Cold War, Tokyo was the heart of East Asian industrialization and modernization. For this reason, it has become a center for business across the region. Perhaps that is why a staggering 47 companies on the Forbes 500 are headquartered in the city.
In our last article, we discussed the potential for war in the Persian Gulf and the impact this could have on firms with employees assigned there. In today’s post, we will be discussing the potential threats and contingencies firms should prepare for if a conflict in the Gulf does break out.
Obviously, the best course of action for any business would be to evacuate its employees and their dependents prior to the commencement of hostilities. However, there is no guarantee of advance warning, and there may not be adequate time for an orderly withdrawal of personnel before the fighting begins. Furthermore, standard crisis and evacuation plans may prove inadequate given the potential for a high-intensity conflict lasting for several months. That is why it is crucially important that firms prepare themselves for the special challenges that could materialize if a war in the Persian Gulf ensues. Continue reading
The Republic of Korea, more commonly known as South Korea, is one of the economic success stories of the past half-century. The nation emerged from the early 1950s war-torn and impoverished. Soon after, South Korea launched itself on a path of rapid economic growth and development. Today, it is considered one of the world’s more prosperous and developed nations. Korean firms such as Daewoo, Hyundai, LG, and Samsung are well-known brands with a global reach. As a result of this success, businesses from all over the world have established a presence in the Republic. In fact, there are now an estimated one million foreigners living in South Korea while millions more tourists and business travelers visit the country each year. Continue reading
Following the disclosure of a string of assassination operations during the Cold War, President Ford issued Executive Order 11905, prohibiting government personnel from engaging in political assassinations. The order was reaffirmed by President Reagan in Executive Order 12333 and has generally been considered US policy ever since.
However, the United States has continued to engage in military operations that have often blurred the lines between assassination and targeted warfare. For example, President Reagan directly targeted Moammar Gadhafi’s home in 1986 with air strikes. For his part, President Clinton used cruise missiles to attack insurgent camps in Afghanistan in 1998. Furthermore, both presidents Bush and Obama have made drone strikes against Al-Qaeda leaders and militants a major component of the War of Terror. Continue reading
In our last three articles on kidnapping, we covered the types, geography, and targets of the crime. In this piece, we will present practical information on how to avoid becoming a victim of abduction. While the past few articles should help individuals assess their risk, this piece will identify clear steps to protect people from this crime. The following are ten tips that can be taken in order to reduce the risk of kidnapping. Continue reading