In The News

Chinese Media Star Gives Starbucks a Jolt

Mitchell Landsberg July 19, 2007
When Starbucks coffee shop opened in the Forbidden City seven years ago, China was striving to join the international economic community. Now, the country’s citizens are divided about adopting international trends versus preserving cultural and historical heritage. Rui Chenggang, a television anchor, wrote a blog entry protesting a Starbucks in the Forbidden City, claiming that it “trampled over...

Changes in Innovation Ecology

William A. Wulf July 19, 2007
Innovation flourishes in settings that promote curiosity, respect and vision. Education, research, science, investment and good-government practices contribute to innovation. But societies must also introduce, apply and distribute the best ideas – and the infrastructure in the US that produced so much innovation during the 20th century is now broken, warns William Wulf, president of the National...

Breastfeeding: A Philippine Battleground

Carlos H. Conde July 18, 2007
Research demonstrates that breastfeeding provides many health benefits for infants. As a result, mothers in developed nations have substantially increased breastfeeding rates since 1990. In search of new customers, pharmaceutical firms that make infant formula target mothers in developing nations, including those in the Philippines. One ad campaign hints that formula’s nutrients can increase...

China Shutters Nonprofit Newsletter

Nicholas Zamiska July 17, 2007
Chinese government officials recently ordered a stop to publication of “The China Development Brief.” This newsletter, read by many NGO representatives around the country, covers a range of human-rights topics, from AIDS to environmental issues. Founding editor, Nicholas Young, reports that his organization was under scrutiny in recent ears and suspects the closure is part of a broader political...

Chinese Migration Goes Global

Peter Kwong July 17, 2007
One out of every six people in the world is from China, and as a result, Chinese immigrants are increasingly visible around the globe. The movement of people begins in China: As the economy booms, many rural Chinese migrate to cities seeking good jobs, but instead find tough conditions and crowds competing for jobs with low wages. Many start saving again to migrate abroad in search of opportunity...

Congress Set to Tighten Scrutiny of Foreign Deals

Greg Hitt July 16, 2007
In the wake of the public backlash against the proposal that would have allowed Dubai Ports World, owned by the government of Dubai, to manage some US ports, the US Congress is expected to pass legislation that will tighten scrutiny of such investment deals. The legislation includes an extended 45-day examination period of companies owned by foreign governments and also requires the Committee on...

The End of Vaccines?

Laura H. Kahn July 13, 2007
Since the 18th century, vaccines have been hailed as miracle drugs by some and feared by others. Some individuals do have adverse reactions to vaccines, most recently with parents expressing concern that vaccines may have triggered autism in some children. Health concerns and legal cases, particularly over vaccines that once included thimerosal, a mercury-derived preservative, could slow global...