Recommendation 1 from ‘Foreign Policy’
Article Name:‘Shanghaied’
By: ‘Geoff Dyer’
The article states that in comparison to last few years, people across the world are reading about the realities of power in China. Earlier it was not possible because the authorities in China hardly ever communicated with the press. Premier Wen Jiabao spoke to media once in a year and answered questions with regularity. However, in the last three months with the downfall of Bo Xilai, China has suddenly entered the 24×7 news channels. However, at the same time as BO Xilai’s situation has started to fall in broader political situation, it might become difficult to report on it. Article states that in China reporters have to rely on removed resources and depending on their bias regarding the topic in question, it becomes difficult to assess their credibility.
Summary:
The article has pointed out that because everything is so hush-hush in China, it becomes difficult for the reporters to report the real situation in the country, which means neither the reporters know what is going on and consequently nor the people. And such secretive nature of the authorities is because of the oppressive measures that the government uses.
Learn Words from the article:
Hitherto: Up till now
Mongering: A person promoting something undesirable
Recommendation 2 from ‘The Guardian’
Article Name:‘The crushing debt trap threatens to bring down the whole of Europe’
By: ‘Will Hutton’
The article states that Greece and Spain face a choice that will determine the future of Euro. Majorities in both the countries are in favour of staying inside the single currency. And as the article states that staying inside the Euro will promote austerity and staying in austerity will drive a fall in the living standards. Writer points out that he is in the favour of the single currency, as single currency is the only building block if Europe seeks to manage its interdependencies with pan-European economic and political structures. However, the article also points out that designers of Euro have never managed to solve the two inter-related problems.
Summary:
As you read the article, it would come to your notice that the writer has made sure that every situation is understood well. Right now, yes it is agreeable that staying in Euro is the safest bet. However, none of the problems that exist today would have occurred if all the countries would have stayed with their currencies. In the last few months this is the one of very few articles that have been written in favour of a single currency.
Learn Words from the article:
Interdependencies: Mutually dependent
Uncompromising: Inflexible
Recommendation 3 from ‘The Economic Times’
Article Name:‘Can Singapore serve as economic model for North Korea?’
By: ‘ET’
Article is talking about Kim Yong Nam of North Koreas’ visit to Singapore, which has come directly after UN imposed sanctions on the country. Article points out that this visit could have various possibilities like improving foreign investment and maintaining trade relations with a country like Singapore, which is a model of economic stability. Article points out that Singapore has a growth model , which does not threaten the political power structure.
Summary:
Taking into consideration Singapore’s model, it could very well serve as a growth model for country like North Korea, also having strained relations with South Korea. However, it is only for the time to tell, if the lessons taken from here are implemented in North Korea.
Learn Words from the article:
Trajectory: Route
Stability: Constancy
