Carol McCall of Humana, a big American health-care provider, thinks a move toward some sort of compulsory, universal coverage is inevitable, even in America.

ECONOMIST: Genetics, medicine and insurance

The government will also make it compulsory for any sex offender to tell the police if they move in to a household where there is a child under 18.

BBC: Sex offender appeals statement

Incentives or compulsory licenses should be put in place to encourage publishing companies to move to new distribution and pricing models.

ECONOMIST: Letters

Although Abbott could probably afford the loss of the Brazilian revenues (0.5% of its total sales) if a compulsory licence were issued, industry representatives and patent-rights advocates fear the precedent-setting effect of such a move.

ECONOMIST: Drugs and intellectual property