Smoking has dropped to historic lows nationwide, dramatically decreasing revenue from tobacco taxes. In search of funds, a growing number of states are taxing electronic cigarettes — a trend that is sparking a fierce public health debate over whether it will deter smokers from switching to a safer alternative. California became the seventh state to tax e-cigarettes with the …

  The run-up to OPEC oil ministers’ meeting in Vienna on November 30 has been patchy. Last week’s talks of OPEC officials to resolve the issue of freezing production fell flat. On Saturday, Saudi Arabia abandoned the planned meeting with non-OPEC nations due to lack of agreement on how to share the burden of supply cuts. Despite the hiccups it …

  For all of my adult life I have been hearing that Cuba will blossom economically when Fidel Castro passes away. Now that time has come, and it seems Cuba will continue to struggle. At a superficial glance, the case for Cuban optimism is obvious. So many Cuban-Americans have impressed the world with their business skills and entrepreneurial drive. If …