Almost three weeks after UN Resolution 1973 was adopted by the Security Council to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya and take all �€œnecessary measures�€ to protect Libyan civilians, the political and military conflict in Libya continues to be in a deadlock. The rebels have failed to make much strategic headway on the ground, with the battle for control of key towns such as Misrata and Brega still raging. At this moment, a rebellion march into Tripoli seems a long way off. The Benghazi based Transitional National Council has offered the Gaddafi government an immediate ceasefire and freezing of present battle lines; a call which has been rejected by the government. 

Sundeep Waslekar examines the privileges of the poor in today's changing world.

A recent news article reported that the Lochness monster was photographed in England�€™s Lake District on the cell phone of a 24 year old Briton. Is it possible that cell phone technology finally solves the mystery that has been kept alive through numerous sightings since 1933? 

The Popular uprising that has gripped the Arab world marks an important turning point in the world history. The Jasmine revolution in Tunisia has inspired massive protests across the region: in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Yemen. There are strong chances of the revolution spreading beyond the Arab region. Protests have already reached south of the Sahara in Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe, clearly indicating that the Jasmine revolution has far more resonance than thought before. Where the revolt goes next is anyone�€™s guess. However, even as the prospects of a revolution in China appear slim as of now, the Communist regime no longer seems invincible. 

The severe drought being witnessed in north and northeastern China has become a concern for global markets. With almost a third of China�€™s wheat fields affected, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared the drought a �€˜food emergency�€™. Even if China does not need to turn to international markets to counter the effects of this drought, it is probable that it will have to do so in the next decade.

The mutual antagonism shared by India and China creates big headlines on a daily basis. What is often forgotten is the fact that both countries co-operate on a number of issues. While their interests are often in confrontation with each other, India and China's interests converge and intersect frequently. 

China is gaining an increasing stranglehold on Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). There are roughly 9,000 Peoples Liberation Army (P.L.A.) troops stationed in PoK, proving a substantial Chinese military presence in this area. Beijing also contributes significantly to aid and reconstruction efforts in PoK, at a time when the Pakistani government �€“ mired in an economic and energy crisis - has failed to do the same. In 2010, China transported food items and daily necessities to people in the northern Hunza area after the floods and it is currently engaged in reconstruction projects in the earthquake-affected areas of PoK as well. 

Recently China unveiled a new government policy document outlining its Innovation Strategy for the next decade. Its ambitious plans include filing a mind boggling 2 million patents in 2015 (including utility and invention patents) and increasing its R & D investment to 2.5 % of GDP by 2020, bringing it to the same level of R & D spending by USA.  China�€™s goals of moving away from being a low cost manufacturing hub to becoming a leader in strategically important areas such as supercomputers, cloning, space science, biotechnology, and alternatively energy already has the world watching in trepidation.