Whatever Happened To... Bird Flu?
You couldn’t find a hotter health story in 2006 than bird flu–specifically, the H5N1 variety, which killed 60 percent of the people it infected and was predicted to kill between 5 million and 150 million more if a full-on outbreak were to occur. So why are we all still here?... 
In South Africa, designers are using surprising materials to house locals
Every year, Cape Town’s Design Indaba conference draws together high-profile architects from around the world to muse about the power of contemporary design. In 2007, Indaba’s organizers decided to use that concentrated creative energy to address a problem in their... 
“We are too poor to afford education. But until we have education, how will we ever not be poor?”
— Headmaster in rural Nepal
It is such a simple solution to the issue of global poverty: Teach a child to read and you could vastly improve not only his or her life, but also the life of... 
A look at how countries rank in math and science test scores.
(Average score of a 15-year-old student on science and math literacy tests, out of a possible score of 1000.)
Five things that will change education this year.
1 Laptops for all
The One Laptop per Child computer is expected to dip to its lowest price ever in 2010, selling for a mere $75. Bonus: The newest model is also rumored to have a touch screen. Expect record orders for it in 2009, with Peru leading the pack.
2... 
Abu Dhabi is bridging the gap to the west with by bringing art (and biopsies, and Econ 101 classes) to its own shores.
1. The Louvre
It’s still unclear where the Mona Lisa’s going to live, but one thing is certain: By 2012, Abu Dhabi will have its very own Louvre, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. The Emirate... 
Five Groups That Aren’t Buying It
The Amish
Estimated Membership: 232,000
Homeland: U.S. & Canada
The Amish have been partying the same way since 1693, and though less-strict communities allow for some use of technology (solar energy, hydropower) their commitment to simplicity is... 
And changing your lightbulb isn’t going to fix it. See what other countries are doing to curb their impact.
China, the world’s biggest consumer of plastic bags, has banned them nationwide. Rwanda has a similar ban.
German manufacturers are required by law to foot the bill for mandatory recycling of their... 
America has had the biggest demand in the global economy for so long that we can’t remember what it was like when that wasn’t the case. But that’s all about to change.
I’ll let you in on a little secret about globalization: It is demand that determines power, not supply. Consumption is king; everybody else serves at will. So... 
In 2008, trafficking of the world’s 27 million slaves made up the third-most-profitable criminal enterprise. Here’s what the $40-billion industry looks like.
The United States abolished slavery in 1865. Now, every country in the world has outlawed the practice. But you’d be mistaken to think that humankind had left the... 
