What is regarded as good news and bad news is a changeable thing. Thirty years ago, when anxiety about rising population and diminished resources was fresher than it is today, figures showing a flattening out of population growth in many countries, including our own, would have been seen as a boon.

It is unlikely, argues Martin Woollacott, that Bush's military pre-emptive doctrine will be acceptable in other situations.

The world cannot just watch as west Africa falls apart, the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, said last week.

Ever since its foundation, Israel has been troubled by the thought that it might have as much to fear from supposed friends as from avowed enemies. That is one reason why Israelis are often anxious monitors of public opinion in North America and Europe.

What is regarded as good news and bad news is a changeable thing. Thirty years ago, when anxiety about rising population and diminished resources was fresher than it is today, figures showing a flattening out of population growth in many countries, including our own, would have been seen as a boon.

It is unlikely, argues Martin Woollacott, that Bush's military pre-emptive doctrine will be acceptable in other situations.

The world cannot just watch as west Africa falls apart, the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, said last week.

Ever since its foundation, Israel has been troubled by the thought that it might have as much to fear from supposed friends as from avowed enemies. That is one reason why Israelis are often anxious monitors of public opinion in North America and Europe.