In The News

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,...
Sadanand Dhume October 22, 2004
This week's inauguration of a new Indonesian president, elected with a strong mandate, has again shown that Islam is compatible with democracy. Coming shortly after the second anniversary of the Bali club bombings, the peaceful change in leadership provides some comfort to those concerned about the fate of the world's largest Muslim nation. However, as Indonesia-based journalist and...
John Lancaster October 21, 2004
As health care costs skyrocket, patients in the developed world are looking overseas for medical treatment. India is capitalizing on its low costs and highly trained doctors to appeal to these "medical tourists." Even with airfare, the cost of going to India for surgery can be markedly cheaper, and the quality of services is often better than that found in the United States and UK....
Hilton Root October 13, 2004
Many of the world's leading economists have issued dire warnings that US deficit spending is dangerous not only to its domestic economy - but may actually knock the entire global economy off kilter. Economist Hilton Root suggests that such concerns may be overinflated, if not misdirected. The relative stability of US social and political institutions - in spite of the cavernous deficit -...
Keith Bradsher October 13, 2004
Hong Kong's version of Disneyland, slated to open in the next year, will contain many cultural aspects created specifically with Chinese visitors in mind. The management is taking pains to incorporate indigenous interests into what is generally recognized as an American enterprise: selling local foods, repositioning the park for feng shui agreement, and operating in English, Mandarin, and...
Sim Sung-tae September 30, 2004
In an effort to stimulate the country's economy, Korean officials are trying to increase the number of domestic golf courses being built. Hoping to keep Korean golfers – many of whom travel overseas to play – and their money at home, the Ministry of Finance and Economy claims that more golf courses will also create new jobs, attract tourists, and salvage Korea's struggling construction...