In an op-ed, Vice President Joe Biden discusses what America must do for Iraq. North Korea issues provocative claims about its nuclear program. Visiting Arab journalists share their impressions of America. Africa is getting increased attention at the stock exchanges. And finally, advances in modified crops could help avert a global food crisis.

Biden on Iraq
In an op-ed by Vice President Joe Biden in The New York Times, he discusses “what we must do for Iraq now.” Biden, right, says, “The United States must also continue to do its part to reinforce Iraq’s progress. That is why we are not disengaging from Iraq — rather, the nature of our engagement is changing from a military to a civilian lead.”

North Korea’s Nuclear Claims
North Korea’s claims that it has centrifuges for the production of enriched uranium reinforce longstanding international concerns over its nuclear activities, U.S. officials say. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says North Korea needs to “be serious about living up to their obligations” to the international community.

Arab Journalists Visit U.S.
150 emerging media leaders from around the world recently traveled to the United States through the State Department’s Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists. The journalists visited grass-roots programs, educational institutions, radio and television stations and newspapers.

African Stocks Heat Up
The NYSE Euronext – the home of the New York Stock Exchange – has seen a threefold increase in the trading of African stocks on its exchanges over the past five years.

The Need for Modified Crops
Advances in genetically modified crops could help avert a food crisis of massive proportions, agriculture experts say. Between now and 2050, food production must increase 70 percent to feed a rapidly growing population. This will require a dramatic overhaul of farming practices along with a new generation of superefficient and “climate-ready” crops. At right, farmers planting rice in the Philippines.