The Economist (July 13)
“Roughly two-and-a-half years after the revolutions in the Arab world, not a single country is yet plainly on course to become a stable, peaceful democracy.” The Arab spring appears “doomed” to some. Yet, “despite the chaos, the blood and the democratic setbacks, this is a long process. Do not give up hope.”
Tags: Arab spring, Blood, Chaos, Democracy, Hope, Peace, Revolution, Setbacks
New York Times (May 9, 2013)
Three years of fighting in Syria have cost 70,000 lives. “There are reasons to be skeptical about plans by Russia and the United States to hold an international conference on Syria — diplomats often propose meetings when they don’t have solutions. But, at a time when the civil war is worsening in every way, this initiative counts as a hopeful sign.”
Wall Street Journal (May 9, 2013)
“The yen’s decline signals hopes for a more groundbreaking economic shift: the reversal of nearly two decades of stagnation, weak demand and declining prices.”“The yen’s decline signals hopes for a more groundbreaking economic shift: the reversal of nearly two decades of stagnation, weak demand and declining prices.”
Tags: Demand, Economic shift, Hope, Japan, Prices, Stagnation, Yen
Time (April 21)
Time will include Dr. Takeshi Kanno in its list of the 100 “most influential people in the world.” When the tsunami alert sounded, the doctor “immediately began moving patients to the highest floor, helping dozens of people in the short window between the 9.0-magnitude quake and the deadly wave.” He remained at his post in Minami Sanriku treating patients until the survivors could be evacuated from the stricken Shizugawa public hospital. After three days he rejoined his wife for the birth of their second child. They named the boy Rei, which means “the wisdom to overcome hardship,” a trait Dr. Kanno exemplified during the disaster.
New York Times (January 1)
Just the same as any other day, New Years lasts 24-hours. Yet somehow it offers much more. The “chance to start over” is a most welcome event. Most fresh starts may be short-lived, but “Who can live without fresh intentions, new purposes? …. Life goes on, but it goes on so much better with hope and renewal and recommitment.”
