The hostage-takings
"A SINGLE death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic." This statement, attributed to Josef Stalin, ranks among the more cynical quotes of the 20th century, because it came from a man responsible for the deaths of many millions of people.

Ivan and the book evacuation
THE ONE-EYED Ivan is about to pounce. He is moving slowly, so you have no excuse: there is more than enough time to make preparations. You also have time to worry.

New democracies
VOTE FOR "the prettiest candidate," said Indonesia's President Megawati Sukarnoputri as the election campaign got underway, and the voters took her at her word.