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The article considers regulation on bank capital and reserve requirements created by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the international organization of banking industry regulatory agencies. Rules which would require large banks deemed "too large to fail," meaning their failure could create a financial crisis, to have a larger percentage of bank capital than smaller financial institutions and much more than their previous requirements are discussed.

The article examines efforts in the U.S. to have the country host a World's Fair or Expo. No such international exposition has been held in the U.S. since the 1984 New Orleans, Louisiana World's Fair went bankrupt. In 2001, the government left the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the international organization that sanctions world's fairs, meaning no member countries could participate in such a fair in the U.S.

The article reports that students of math professor Nicole El Karoui are in high demand in financial circles. El Karoui teaches the math required to calculate derivatives at the Ecole Polytechnique in France. Her students have gone on to work for governments, international organizations, and the world's most prominent investment banks. Investments banks are making more of their profits from derivatives and require employees with extensive mathematical training.

The article focuses on how the 2008 Beijing Olympics are influencing the issue of counterfeit merchandise in China. The author reviews how China has become notorious for knockoff merchandise but that counterfeit Olympics good are hard to find. United States trade officials, business groups and intellectual-property lawyers now want to know why the Chinese government cannot protect other goods like it has protected Olympics goods.

Assesses the relevancy of the United Nations in the current geopolitical world. Symbolism of the United Nations building in New York City, which is in need of an update and repair, and the organization's political foundations; Comments from U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan regarding the organization's ability to promote peace and provide humanitarian assistance; Current debate about the future role the U.N. will play in international relations; Comments from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell regarding U.N. competency in health and environmental issues, but not in matters of national security. INSET: International Relations.

Focuses on the international commission that was established at the 1977 Geneva Conventions to investigate war crimes. Number of commissioners on the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission, headquartered in Switzerland, which has not had one case to investigate despite several international conflicts; Comments from Sir Kenneth Keith, president of the commission, suggesting the governments of the world are not eager to have the commission actually perform investigations; Budget for the commission.

Reports that drought is affecting Ethiopia. Number of people suffering from the effects of drought and starvation; How international aid in 1990s arrived when the country went through its last publicized drought; Why prices collapsed during a bumper crop including a lack of storage facilities, transport and financing; Why stretches of arable land are lying fallow while the country begs for international aid from famine; Comments from Bulbula Tulle, a commercial farmer and grain trader about making money and planting less; Amount of money lost by Tulle in 2001 despite his best yield ever; How international agencies dealt with the famine in 1984, which was thought to fix the problem from occurring again; Government's role in contributing to the present conditions; Limitations of the private sector.

The article discusses how Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan signed a treaty that created the Eurasian Economic Union as part of a continued effort by Russian President Vladimir Putin to establish an independent, Russian led economic force, and compares its resources to those of other world powers.

The authors argue that the U.S., the European Union, and eight other European countries should form a "D-10" organization of democratic entities aimed at promoting various common interests including the prevention of nuclear proliferation and the safeguarding of civilians from government-sponsored violence,

The authors suggest ostracizing Iran from international organizations such as the United Nations (U.N.) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a more forceful measure against the country's nuclear program and its violations of the U.N. Charter that calls for peaceful international relations.

The article addresses the shadow banking issue facing the Financial Stability Board and strategies for making a financial system safer.

The article discusses the challenge faced by international humanitarian organizations concerning the declaration of famine in Somalia due to the fear that donors may restrict or limit the funds that they offer to the people in the country in 2011.

The article reports on the decision of some relief groups including Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam to persuade the international vaccine agency GAVI Alliance to negotiate more forcefully with drug companies for lower prices on vaccines to help immunize the poor around the world.

The article focuses on the emerging conflict at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in relation to arguments as to who should be selected to serve as chief of the IMF.

The article reports on principles endorsed by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to reduce the dependence of governments and financial institutions on credit rating firms as of October 21, 2010.

This article reports on a proposal by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to strengthen a tax-information body as a way to crack down on tax cheating internationally. The OECD aims to turn the Global Forum on tax-information sharing into a formal international institution with a permanent staff of examiners. According to Pascal Saint-Amans of the OECD, the forum will use a peer-review process to increase transparency and promote the full exchange of information for tax purposes.

The article focuses on the rivals of the Group of 20 organization. It notes that the organization faces rivals in the proposed new board for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Group of Seven (G-7). Fred Bergsten of the Peterson Institute for International Economics believes that the G-7, which morphed into the Group of Eight (G-8) following the inclusion of Russia, will become a rich-country caucus for the G-20. South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has proposed the creation of a new IMF board that has a wider representation than G-20.

The article reports on the call of international regulators for greater disclosure and stricter standards on short selling. The recommendations were made by a special task force of the International Organization of Securities Commissions. Short selling was blamed for exacerbating the stock market turmoil in September 2008. The so-called naked short selling and the uptick rule are said to have been the two issues avoided by the organization in its recommendations.

The article reports on the status of U.S. diplomatic efforts to reverse the decision of Sudan to expel 13 aid organizations from Darfur, as international aid workers left the region ahead of a deadline in March 2009. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir told a rally in North Darfur that he would kick out peacekeepers, diplomats and aid groups if they intervened with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) case against him. Among the aid groups affected by the expulsion are Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee.

The article reports on the negative reaction of the U.S. to the decision of the Sudanese government to expel 13 aid agencies from Darfur. U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice has called the move reckless and callous and warned that millions of civilians will suffer if Sudan does not immediately change its course. Sudan denies the charge that the expulsion was in retaliation for the indictment of President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The article announces the report warranted by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and made by former U.S. Labor Secretary Ray Marshall. It is said that a California local headed by Sal Rosseli has engaged in financial malpractice. Andy Stern, president of SEIU has recommended that members of the United Health Workers-West (UHW) be merged with another local due to the financial mess. It is said that Marshall's report can resolve conflicts between the two leaders.

The article reports on the possible second term administration of incumbent director-general Pascal Lamy at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It states that the French Socialist Party member is the only nominee to govern the international agency for the next four years as its members did not present another candidate. If confirmed by the members at the end of May 2009, his second tenure begins on September 1, 2009.

The article deals with the cut made by international organizations and central banks on growth forecasts for gross domestic products (GDP) around the globe in reports released on November 25, 2008, with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It notes that the cut was due to the economic downturn that will drag the U.S. and Japan into a protracted recession. It is expected by the OECD that combined GDP of its 30 members will decline 0.4% in 2009.

The article reports on the speculation of U.S. officials that the 2008 financial crisis could diminish the role of the U.S. as the world's only superpower and affect the reshaping of international institutions. U.S. intelligence agencies are planning to publish a report on the position of the U.S. in the world in the coming decades. Intelligence analyst Tom Fingar believes that the U.S. will remain the pre-eminent power, but its dominance will diminish between 2008 and 2025. It notes that many countries still rely on the U.S. to guarantee stability.

The author offers opinion on the coordinated response to address the global financial crisis. He notes that there was only little cooperation in developing regulatory systems and monitoring risks before crisis occurs and a slow, joint reaction after it hit. He argues that international institutions are not set up to coordinate responses to a crisis. He suggests reforming an international institutions or creating a new one to help political leaders do quick analysis and make instant decisions to contain and reassure global markets.

The article reports that the nuclear agreement between the U.S. and India will be scrutinized by members of a 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group during a special plenary session on August 21 and August 22, 2008 in Vienna, Austria. U.S. and India will reportedly ask the group to permit the transfer of nuclear technology even if the latter country has not yet signed the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Information on the role of the group and the impact of the agreement on India and the U.S. is also offered.

The article reports that international aid agencies have sent foreign experts to areas of cyclone-hit Myanmar and several organizations are encouraging the country's military rulers to allow even wider access. According to United Nation's (UN) disaster-coordination body spokesman Richard Horsey, the UN has obtained visas for all its aid experts and some are working in the Irrawaddy River delta region to expand operations. The military requires aid workers to present detailed travel plans in advance to get permits every time they enter the delta area.

The article reports on the decision of Myanmar to open up to more international aid for the survivors of Cyclone Nargis in 2008. It is said that the military junta of the country seemed to have been intent on keeping control of the entry of aid to the country. The country insisted that its neighbors and partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) lead in channeling international relief assistance. Myanmar agreed to let a task force led by the Asean to collaborate with the United Nations and other international agencies to provide aid.

The article reports that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has won approval for a modest shift in voting rights that will give developing nations more power in the organization. Under the deal, the IMF will get 42.15 of the fund's voting power compared to 57.9% for richer countries. IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the increase in voting rights marks the beginning of the new legitimacy of the fund.

The author discusses Peru's dismay over the European Parliament's decision to take the Tupac Amaru (MRTA), a Peruvian guerilla group off its terrorist list. She said that the group is known for kidnappings, torturing and murdering civilians to advance its political agenda. She thinks that the decision shows how terrorist groups can advance their causes with help from nongovernment organizations (NGOs) under the guise of human rights advocacy. She believes that the work of foreign-funded NGOs for terrorist organizations deserve attention.

The article reports on the plan by the government of Ecuador to rejoin the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Oil Minister Galo Chiriboga announced the government's plan to rejoin the OPEC in October 2007. Ecuador officials believe that an OPEC membership can provide valuable political support to the country, as well as technical support.

This section offers news briefs related to political and economic conditions worldwide. The U.S. government requests that the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank should provide guidelines for sovereign wealth funds. U.S. acting Treasury undersecretary for international affairs Clay Lowery warns that the secrecy of funds means potential threats to global finance. China ranks against the U.S. as the top producer of carbon-dioxide emissions worldwide.

The article deals with the ruling of the International Trade Commission to ban the U.S. import of advanced cellular telephone models containing microchips from Qualcomm Inc. The ruling was a result of a patent infringement complaint from Broadcom Corp. The author cites that the ban would affect the third-generation cellular networks.

Discusses the position of the U.S. government regarding the proposal in the United Nations to create a Human Rights Council.

Reports on the possible impact on the oil industry of a meeting by the International Atomic Energy Agency and a separate meeting by oil ministers from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, as of March 2006.

The article analyzes the proposed membership of Israel to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Reports on the hiring of an outside investigator by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to look into allegations of mismanagement at the institution.

Deals with a proposal to create a European Securities and Exchange Commission.

Discusses the establishment of Asean Plus Three, East Asian Summit and other international associations which weaken the U.S. influence in Asia.

Focuses on criticisms against the decision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei to apply for a fourth term as director general of the IAEA, as of January 2005.

Comments on the political and social challenges being faced by the United Nations in 2004.

Discusses issues surrounding the United Nations Oil for Food program.

Discusses the prevalence of black-market pharmacists in Iraq. Erosion of the country's already-fragile health care system; Thriving underground market for drugs and medicines, which is also being blamed for instances of fraud and theft inside Iraq's vast state-owned pharmaceutical warehouses; Statements from officials that eliminating the black-market medication is a prerequisite for persuading foreign governments, international organizations, and private companies to donate pharmaceuticals.

Reports on the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund at the Bretton Woods conference in New Hampshire in July 2004.

Reports on a trade agreement being discussed by the World Trade Organization as of July 2004.

Comments on the implication of revealed American abuses toward detainees in Iraq for the International Civil Rights Commission and other humanitarian groups.

Focuses on the candidacy of Carlos Pérez del Castillo, an adviser for Uruguay's president for the director general post at the World Trade Organization.

Comments on the decision of the European Union to expand availability of its proceedings in the native tongue of participants.

Provides information on the scandal over the United Nations Oil-for-Food program in Iraq.

Comments on the role of International Committee of the Red Cross in the leakage of information about the abuses of U.S. troops against prisoners of war detained in Iraq.