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26/06/2009
The background to global news stories, every weekday.
Thailand rice subsidies
Rice subsidies has cost the Thai government dear.
Indonesia's democratic progress
Indonesia is one of the most democratic countries in SE Asia - and today is election day.
America and Russia
Has the relationship between Russia and the United States improved over the last week?
Mourning in public
Have the public become overly obsessed with the deaths of celebrities?
The Pope and the financial crisis
What does the Pope have to say about the global financial crisis?
Oil prices
The price of oil has swung wildly over the last year - from extremely high to very low.
How to measure democracy
How do you measure democracy?
Hostage negotiation
Should governments ever make concessions to kidnappers - or does it put citizens at risk?
29/06/2009
Iraqi oil
Iraq is about to open up to foreign oil companies for the first time in decades.
25/06/2009
Palestinian politics
How much progress has made in negotiations between the two main Palestinian factions?
24/06/2009
Pakistan Insurgency
Does the Taliban insurgency in Pakistan threaten the country richest's province?
23/06/2009
Financial Regulation
Can banks be regulated enough to make sure they never hit such a serious crisis again?
Bosnia's Future
Is Bosnia ready for complete self-rule - or would it revert to civil war?
Film Franchises
Do long-running series like Harry Potter represent the future of film-making?
Moon Landing
Should the United States be spending money sending more people to the moon?
Public Spending UK
The public spending debate that is dominating British politics.
Food Prices
Food prices are still high around the world -what can be done to bring them down?
Undersea Exploration
Why has deep sea exploration progressed so slowly over recent decades?