An ISI official in Islamabad spins a theory that Indian road-building in Afghanistan is really a cover for shipping enormous quantities of explosives there for use by terrorists inside Pakistan, including, supposedly, the 2008 bombing of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad.

ECONOMIST: Pakistan and India

It is not uncommon for retailers to tout free shipping benefits, but then charge a higher price per item to cover their expenses as a result of the shipping policy.

FORBES: 7 Tips For Avoiding Shipping Costs When Shopping Online

And although they cannot compete with aeroplanes for speed, or with water-borne shipping for volume, they could cover in a few days a distance equivalent to a six-week journey by ship.

ECONOMIST: Pushing the envelope

Our cover story tracks one such innovation, containerized shipping.

FORBES: Currency Watch