The Economist magazine noted on the eve of Xi Jinping's first overseas trip as president, when he visited three African countries: “China's image in Africa, once marred by suspicion, is changing ... (A) growing number of Africans say the Chinese create jobs, transfer skills and spend money in local economies.”

The Economist magazine noted on the eve of Xi Jinping's first overseas trip as president, when he visited three African countries: “China's image in Africa, once marred by suspicion, is changing ... (A) growing number of Africans say the Chinese create jobs, transfer skills and spend money in local economies.”

In “The Analects of Confucius,” disciples of China's great sage wrote, “The master did not talk about prodigies, force, disorders and gods.” He never attested to, asserted or debated claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, as well as other religious and metaphysical claims.

Well, it was the first time a pope had resigned in more than 600 years. So it was only fitting that it would also be the first time a pope would come from other than Europe in more than 1,300 years.

News this week about a guitar-playing elementary school principal who moonlights as a street performer has me thinking about the meaning of education. Education is a gradual process. Education is not so much about fulfilling a specific goal or arriving at a destination. Education is a long and often unpredictable journey. This I truly believe.

On March 22, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel reached out the hand of peace by telephoning Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to apologize. Often belligerent “Bibi” Netanyahu was making amends for the notorious incident in 2010, when Israeli armed forces boarded a Turkish ship attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to occupied Gaza.

“The rise of the south” was what the United Nations Development Program flagged as a selling point for its human development report (HDR) this year.

The winds of change continue to swirl throughout the Middle East as the region enters the third year of the political phenomenon optimistically dubbed as the Arab Spring. While political scientists debate the ebb and flow of freedoms and anarchy in the region ranging from Egypt to Libya and Syria, the ancient Christian communities which have lived in the Holy Land are buffeted by daily events and by the enduring fear of the future.

The Nation/Asia News Network

The results of the 13th general election (GE) aside, it is already several things to many people.