In The News

Somalia in High Speed Internet “Culture Shock”

Moalimu Mohammed April 14, 2014
The extremist group al-Shabab had ordered a stop to internet services in Somalia, but that has not dented Mogadishu residents’ appreciation for newly installed high-speed internet, suggests one internet provider to BBC News. Following the threat by al-Shabab, “3G networks nationwide were turned off but the project to launch fibre optic cable services continued in the capital, reports Moalimu...

Saudi Arabia: Atheists Are Terrorists

Adam Withnall April 4, 2014
A series of royal decrees and laws in Saudi Arabia are defining terrorists – and atheists, peaceful protesters, members of the Muslim Brotherhood as well as those who leave to fight wars in other country, particularly Syria, all qualify, suggests a Human Rights Watch report. The crimes can be published with prison sentences up to 20 years. “Article one of the new provisions defines terrorism as ‘...

MH370 Amuses as Syria Suffers

Tony Burman April 1, 2014
The global audience appears to be more curious about the mystery of 239 people on board Malaysian Flight MH370 than the victims of the civil war in Syria – as many as 125,000 dead, including nearly 12,000 children, and millions of refugees as of December. Tony Burman, journalism professor, reviews the news coverage of a search by 25 nations for a missing jet versus the suffering in a refugee camp...

Laos in Danger of Losing Jobs, Culture as Chinese Pour In

Ken Quimbach February 19, 2014
China is investing heavily in neighboring Laos, rapidly altering the landscape. “Across Laos, Chinese laborers are building huge malls, dams, factories, golf courses and airports, taking jobs that could easily done by Laotians,” reports Bangkok-based Ken Quimbach for the Global Times. The source of the critique is unusual in that Global Times is an international arm of the state-run, party-...

Tread With Caution in Highly Sensitive Burma

David I. Steinberg February 13, 2014
The government in Burma (Myanmar) is loosening political controls, and welcoming more trade and interactions with the rest of the world. The strong culture has resisted waves of Indian, Chinese and Western influences in the past, suggests David I. Steinberg, distinguished professor of Asian Studies emeritus at Georgetown University, and new connections are introducing rapid change that could...

Coca-Cola's Multilingual "America" Ad Didn't Hit Wrong Notes

February 5, 2014
A major US sporting event is the football championship known as the Super Bowl. Many anticipate the television advertisements aired during the game more than the game itself. Coca-Cola’s ad celebrated multiculturalism by featuring the song “America the Beautiful” sung in eight languages from Arabic to Tagalog. Critics immediately blasted the ad, suggesting that the patriotic song should be sung...

Going the Distance

David Remnick January 22, 2014
President Barack Obama is a man with strong opinions but cautious about imposing those on others. The first quality irritates his opponents and the second frustrates supporters. David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker, profiles Obama and tackles the array of issues confronting any president. Depending on luck and which issues are pursued, Obama still has potential for presidential greatness. Yet...