In The News

Sars-Free Asia Goes All Out to Woo Tourists Back

Paul Zach June 26, 2003
Jubilation is filling Sars-free Asian streets now that the WHO has issued the affected countries a clean bill of health and lifted travel warnings. City governments from Beijing to Taipei are sparing no expense on mass celebrations, encouraging people to go out and spend. Locals and even foreign businessmen have responded en masse, eager to join the colorful celebrations. However, amidst this...

Migrants Tell How Boat Split and Sank off Tunisia

Reuters June 22, 2003
The impact of the economic crisis gripping Africa is washing up on the shores of the Mediterranean. A stream of boats make regular crossings between Africa and nearby Italy, bearing scores of illegal immigrants desperate to escape war-torn countries and faltering economies. The trip is a dangerous one – a boat carrying 250 migrants capsized off Tunisia last week, killing most of the passengers....

China Closes Beijing Newspaper in Media Crackdown

John Pomfret June 20, 2003
The cover-up of the SARS epidemic in China at its initial stage has caused many foreign governments and international organizations to blame the Chinese government. Following the criticism China has enjoyed a period of relative openness and freedom in the news media. It was reinforced by China’s new president and premier who ordered accuracy and transparency in SARS reporting. However,...

Talks Collapse on U.S. Efforts to Open Europe to Biotech Food

David Leonhardt June 20, 2003
While the US thinks it is perfectly acceptable for the American people to consume genetically modified (GM) food, Europe remains adamant, unwilling to compromise consumer safety for consumer choice since the long term effects on human health of GM food are still unknown. The US has lodged formal complaints against the European Union with the World Trade Organization (WTO) alleging protectionism...

Report by the E.P.A. Leaves Out Data on Climate Change

Andrew C. Revkin June 19, 2003
Global warming has long been a hot political topic. In the US, the interests of environmentalists and big industry converge around this nexus, pitting the two against each other for political support and public attention – or the lack thereof. In the final draft of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s report on the state of the environment, the section on global warming has been...

Women’s Fate

Rasha Saad June 19, 2003
After decades of dictatorship, sanctions, and war, Iraqis are infused with a feeling of hopelessness. The current chaos after the US-led war against Saddam Hussein’s regime has only exacerbated the sense of despair. With the country’s infrastructure in shambles and uncertainty about Iraq’s political destiny, the sole goal of many young people is to leave the country. However, seeing the chaos...

WHO Lifts Travel Warning on Taiwan

Melody Chen June 18, 2003
The SARS epidemic finally seems to be waning. The World Health Organization (WHO) lifted its travel advisory to Taiwan on Tuesday, with Beijing the only place remaining on the list of areas with the health agency's warning. WHO officials said that Taiwan had met the agency's criteria for the lifting and that it was now a safe place for travelers. Because of SARS, Taiwan received more...