In The News

Saving Iraq

Dina Ezzat November 3, 2004
As violence continues in Iraq, Egypt is organizing an international conference with the hope of uniting the world behind a plan to bring the country peace. Nations participating in the conference will affirm their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Iraq. They will also express their support for the interim government and discuss measures to end violence...

Globalization: Europe's Wary Embrace

Philip H. Gordon November 1, 2004
From anti-McDonald's crusader Jose Bové's campaign, to violent clashes between Genoan police and demonstrators, to the anti-globalization theme's growing popularity with left-wing socialist and right-wing nationalist candidates, the idea might seem to be dominating the European political landscape. Not so, says Brookings Institution scholar Philip H. Gordon. In fact, polls show...

The Fear That Chokes the Arab World

Youssef M. Ibrahim October 30, 2004
Since 9/11, Arab media outlets, such as Al-Jazeera, have appeared on the international news radar. However, the current Middle Eastern writers and pundits are not effectively performing their jobs, writes Youssef M. Ibrahim in this International Herald Tribune opinion. While quick to jump on inconsistencies and biases in the American media, they fail to scrutinize their own shortcomings....

The Dotboomers

Shobita Dhar October 29, 2004
Since Newsweek branded Indian model Saira Mohan the "new global standard of beauty" last year, the Indian aesthetic has truly established itself in the world of fashion. The rising popularity of Indian models and the growing sophistication of the modeling industry within India reflect a globalizing trend in the fashion scene. In order to appeal to a wider audience, designers are...

Bloggers Cut Through Fog of War

Mark Glaser October 29, 2004
For up-to-the-minute, in-depth news coverage, people are increasingly turning to personal weblogs, or blogs. As Mark Glaser reports, the phenomenon of blogging has fundamentally altered the scope of communications, providing a global megaphone for otherwise marginalized voices. Maintaining live journals, US soldiers and civilians in Iraq circumvented traditional media outlets and exposed...

For Its Own Reasons, Singapore Is Getting Rather Gay-Friendly

Gordon Fairclough October 26, 2004
Singapore today remains a conservative culture where the government retains the right to censorship, but a combination of international media and economic factors have led to a wider acceptance of homosexuality. While open organization and public demonstration may still be off limits for gay activists, the internet and other international news sources have allowed for an influx of gay awareness,...

Hooters Comes to China

Hamish McDonald October 23, 2004
China already has 580 McDonald's and over 1,000 Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets, not to mention the ubiquitous Coca Cola signs. But tomorrow, the country will reach a milestone in its growing embrace of all things American with the opening of China's first Hooters restaurant in Shanghai. Most of the aspirng Hooters employees are students wanting to practice English with expatriate...