In The News

EU Ministers Snub Matrix Reloaded at Cannes

May 16, 2003
Many associate the French city Cannes with the most prestigious film festival on a global level. At the Cannes Film festival, films from all over the world are viewed, judged and awarded prizes. Apart from films from even the remotest corners of the world, Hollywood too makes an appearance, as the sequel to Matrix, Matrix Reloaded, did this year. While this futuristic drama, with its special...

Truck Bomb in Chechnya Kills at Least 36 and Wounds Scores

Steven Lee Myers May 12, 2003
The continuing separatist movement in the southern region of Russian territory certainly suggests that the breakup of the Soviet Union over 10 years ago is not quite over. Chechen rebels, fighting for independence from the Russian state, claim that the Russians are denying their right to sovereignty over their own nation, while Russian officials consider the rebels to be a fringe terrorist...

Eastern Germany to Stay Aboard EU Subsidy Train

Carola Schlagheck May 9, 2003
Economic integration on a scale the size of Europe is not easily accomplished. A plan to bring in another 10 member states expands the possibilities for regional cooperation, but it has also threatened to harm the economy of the former East Germany. After some deliberation, the European Commission agreed this week to continue subsidizing eastern Germany for the next few years, even though...

Europe Plan on Chemicals Seen as Threat to U.S. Exports

Elizabeth Becker May 8, 2003
With the issue of labeling genetically modified food still roiling trade negotiations between the US and European Union a new friction has emerged over trade in chemicals. The latest European requirement that companies undertake testing the effect of chemicals on humans before they export may affect $20 billion worth of American export. The Bush administration says the proposal amounts to...

Please Pass the Parma Ham

May 6, 2003
This New York Times editorial argues that of all the issues separating the Old and New Worlds, a food fight just seems silly. The EU's push – through the World Trade Organization – for increased protection of geographical indicators is being opposed by the US and other countries. Feta cheese, the EU's argument goes, is really Greek and should be protected as a Greek trademark....

Europe's Identity Crisis

Steven Erlanger May 5, 2003
Europe's left wing has given the right a boost. Popular liberal fears of Americanization and "coca-colonization" have fostered the belief that individual cultures are in danger of extinction. And France's extreme right is exploiting this pervasive anxiety in the current presidential elections. Though Jacques Chirac is sure to win ultimately, the neo-fascist Jean-Marie Le...

European Foreign Envoys Discuss Iraq and Use of Force

Anthee Carassava May 4, 2003
At a recent meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Greece, the discussions focused on the resumption of diplomatic missions to Iraq and the design of a European security strategy. The proposed European Security Strategy document will be "a common threat assessment on issues ranging from weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, to refugee flows and regional crises." The...