Feature archive

US education falling behind Europe and rest of world
When a country's elementary and high schools can no longer educate its own young people up to the highest international standards, then its security is endangered – writes Professor Paul E. Peterson of Harvard University

Europe must admit to CIA rendition and human rights abuses
The European Parliament is seeking to shine the spotlight on illegal practices - including kidnapping, torture and the disappearances of people across the continent - says Hélène Flautre MEP

European car industry struggling to stay competitive
In 2012, new car registrations are expected to decrease by 7 per cent and vehicle sales are set to drop from 13.1 million to 12.2 million - a record low since 1995 – warns Ivan Hodac

High-level corruption 'a constant' in Romania for decades
New names are added to the list of the corrupt each day and unclean connections between business and politics are revealed by the hour, writes Alina Inayeh

'No other power' has delivered like the EU - Catherine Ashton
When it comes to human rights, peace, prosperity and fighting oppression – the EU is well ahead of other global powers, writes the union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton

Aid-drunk Afghanistan should not be abandoned
On aid, it is clear that without a continued high level of international assistance - Afghanistan has received more than $55bn since 2002 - an economic tailspin is inevitable, warns Javid Ahmad

Reviewing the UK-EU relationship - the minister's view
Significant reform and change is compatible with the British government's belief that membership of the EU is in the national interest – writes Europe Minister David Lidington

End 'scams' that deceive car buyers, says MEP
Declarations made to buyers about a vehicle's fuel efficiency and emissions level may be astray by something well in excess of 10 per cent - reveals Chris Davies MEP

Give us a 'fair' referendum on EU membership - Nigel Farage
The UK should withdraw from the EU and become a sole trader on the global stage, rather than being tied to a 'failing Europe' – writes UKIP leader Nigel Farage MEP

Global poverty is a consequence of free-trade ideology
World Bank and UN 'poverty policies' aim to give neoliberal globalisation a human face but, in fact, they allow for a continuation of the agendas that cause poverty in the first place – claims Francine Mestrum

Universities need bold visionaries for the modern age
It is no longer sustainable for leading professors to stay in protective shells, within the so-called ivory tower of academia – they have to start sticking their necks out - argues Abhinay Muthoo

Conservative MPs publish blueprint for UK economic recovery
Britain will only prosper once its sizeable budget deficit is addressed and public spending falls in line with tax receipts – writes Kwasi Kwarteng MP

Nuclear war plans 'outdated' - armed states need to move on
By discarding outdated nuclear war plans - US President Barack Obama can open the way for mutual, verifiable reductions involving the world's other nuclear-armed states, write Daryl G. Kimball and Tom Z. Collina

Tired dogma of 'more Europe' from Barroso is dangerous
Democracy at the national level is on the verge of being extinguished – if governments are not able to control their tax and spend policies, people will have nothing to vote for - claims Martin Callanan MEP

EU farm policy ignores the environment at its peril
With an average contribution of €100 per person, per year, to the farm budget - citizens have a right to decide on how their food is created and how their countryside is managed, argues Tony Long