In The News

A Journey for Change

Jessie Mangaliman September 24, 2003
The Statute of Liberty, who promises open arms to all immigrants rich and poor, will soon be greeted by some of her new Americans. In an attempt to recapture the spirit of anti-racism activism in the 1960s, thousands are traveling across America's 'Heartland' to decry anti-immigrant prejudice. The US has long prided itself on being a nation of immigrants, but this pride –...

E.U. Looks at Travel Policy for Gay Couples

September 23, 2003
Free movement of labor between EU countries is, in the words of one EU official, "key for Europe's competitiveness". Yet, each nation's policy towards same-sex relationships complicates this freedom of movement. As of now, a spouse can immigrate with ease, whereas a domestic partner – same sex or otherwise – has difficulty moving into some EU countries but not others. As...

Whatever Will Be Will Be Free on Internet

Steve Lohr September 20, 2003
After Napster, the first Internet music sharing network, was closed down by the recording industry three years ago, people in the industry were expecting some peace, but they were wrong – new software such as KaZaA and Morpheus, even better designed, emerged and were soon on computers across the globe. Now the recording industry has decided to make individual file sharers its targets. This has...

Attackers United by Piety in Plot to Strike Troops

Anthony Shadid September 20, 2003
Cassettes of a Syrian cleric, whose violent words used to be outlawed under Saddam Hussein's secular regime, sell freely on the post-war streets, and - more frighteningly - there's a growing audience willing to listen. Islamic extremism, which is denounced by most religious leaders as against the peaceful precepts of true Islam, is becoming increasingly appealing to angry Iraqis who...

Majority of 20s, 30s Wish to Emigrate

Hong Seo-rim September 18, 2003
More and more young adults in South Korea are looking to relocate to Canada, America, Australia and elsewhere. This potentially massive emigration would seriously damage the Korean economy and lead to even greater political instability. Citing better educational possibilities, less unemployment, and more opportunities elsewhere, young Koreans are frustrated with the lack of possibilities within...

Field of Tears

Jonathan Watts September 16, 2003
Although we cannot know whether Lee Kyung-hae intended to die when he stabbed himself in the heart at last week's WTO meeting in Cancun, people in his hometown see him as a hero who would have given his life to bring attention to the plight of South Korean farmers displaced by trade liberalization. Once a successful farmer and advocate of modern farmer techniques – he even received an award...

Al-Azhar on Air

Rania Khallaf September 8, 2003
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the US, Washington invested money and resources in trying to improve the image of the US in the Middle East. Now, it seems, the Middle East may be ready to launch its own media offensive. Egypt's venerable Al-Azhar University is considering launching its own satellite channel "to refute people's misconceptions about Islam and confront the...