The pluck of one Irishman

Cheers to all on St. Patrick’s day. The Irish celebration has spread through much of the world alongside the popularity of Irish pubs. Today F&O‘s resident “Irishman” won’t be wearing green, and he certainly won’t hoist a green beer. (Dye in beer

FactsandOpinions this Week

Fresh up on FactsandOpinions: commentary, reporting — and one very cool video of an unusual musical performance. Take time out for some slow journalism in a week fraught with the mysterious disappearance of a Malaysian airliner, and growing tensions between Russia and

Frederick W. Taylor: the man who made us

Our world is Taylor-built, and we don’t even realize it because, rhetorically asks Jim McNiven in his new Thoughtlines column, “Does a fish know it’s wet?” An excerpt of his thoughts on Frederick Winslow Taylor: This application of research and science to

A lost airliner triggers China’s fear of Uighers

To its Muslim Uigher residents, the Chinese-occupied Xinjiang region of Central Asia is East Turkmenistan — and they want it back. Efforts by the Uighers to reclaim the land from China have intensified under the recent influence of Islamic radicalism, writes international

Putin vs Obama: who is in step with the times?

As the world focuses on Ukraine and the dispute between Russia and the “West,” let’s take a step back for a wider view. Democracy — as a system of representative and accountable governments, operating under the rule of law mediated by an

Edward Snowden writes to Europe

Europe has released American whistle-blower Edward Snowden’s written responses to questions by members of the European Parliament. Europe is expected to decide soon on a controversial “Safe Harbour” data transmission and privacy agreement with the United States, considered essential for American technology

F&O Weekend

F&O’s rich selection of reports, analysis and commentary this weekend includes: new Commentary pieces by Chris Wood and Jonathan Manthorpe, and an Arts note on Norway’s choice of a design to memorialize the country’s horrific 2011 slaying. A Dispatch from ProPublica reviews

Fake trial and setback for Malaysia’s opposition leader

Another case of truth is stranger than fiction: For 16 years Malaysia’s establishment has managed to thwart the political efforts of the country’s opposition leader, whose followers have remained loyal despite the horrendous allegations against him. Now, once again, a Malaysian court

Lookin’ for love – not to get fracked

Chris Wood has a parent’s perspective on planetary etiquette in his new Natural Security column: if you’re looking to date “his” planet, you better be ready to treat her right. An excerpt: These eight simple rules — borrowed from an American sit-com

Chinese imperialism ignored amid Ukraine-Russia debate

The outpouring from the West of shock and outrage over Russia’s actions in Ukraine has been … “entertaining,” writes international affairs analyst Jonathan Manthorpe. The reaction to Russia is especially bizarre given there really is a colonial, expansionist power afoot in the

1 35 36 37 38 39 49