In Essence

Narendra Modi, flanked by Ford executives and government officials, promoted development in Gujarat--and some say, Hindu fanaticism. (Ford Asia Pacific)
In Essence

Don’t look to New Delhi for solutions to India’s woes.

Nene Teye Kwesi Agyeman, chief of the Shai people, flanked by tribal elders and traditional healers. (U.S. Army Africa)
In Essence

Africa is growing more democratic—so why are traditional authorities still popular?

This is Iraq? Families celebrated the Persian New Year last March at a downtown park in the Kurdish Iraqi city of Erbil. (Newscom)
In Essence

Iraq’s Kurds have gone from rags to riches—and may be poised to secede.

Scared of rats? Try reprogramming your memories! (Tatiana Bulyonkova / Flickr)
In Essence

Scientists are learning how to alter memories.

Drug-resistant MRSA bacteria, shown here with a white blood cell by an electron micrograph, have caused a large increase in hospital-related infections and highlighted the need for new breakthrough pharmaceuticals. (Photo Researchers)
In Essence

American pharmaceutical firms are producing as many breakthrough drugs as ever.

An elephant pair clasps trunks at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. (National Geographic Stock)
In Essence

The accounts of elephant altruism, intelligence, and feeling are too many to be ignored.

This concept car from Toyota promises to be even lighter than its featherweight predecessors. (Toyota Motor Europe)
In Essence

Accidents pitting eco-friendly cars against trucks and SUVs have increased traffic fatalities.

An 1895 map reveals the profusion of foreign languages spoken in one Chicago neighborhood, but it wasn’t long before English prevailed. (Newberry Research Library)

In the United States, imported languages are doomed.

The ancient inhabitants of England, who built Stonehenge, had geography on their side. (Mari / Flickr)
In Essence

Geography and history stack the deck against poor countries.

Despite great progress, malaria still kills almost 1,500 children every day in sub-Saharan Africa. Many deaths could be prevented by mosquito nets like the one protecting Siama Marjan in Nairobi, Kenya, but the $5 cost is more than many Africans can easily afford. (Newscom)
In Essence

Helping the poor save could be as simple as handing families safe boxes.

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