In The News

Moscow Hostage Crisis Repercussions Felt Across Caucasus and Central Asia

October 31, 2002
The hostage crisis in Moscow has prompted neighboring countries to individually convene in security councils addressing the same issue of counterterrorism. Domestic decisions will have potential to determine the stability of cross national relations. While Azerbaijan has immediately closed its Chechen cultural center in an attempt to reduce tensions with Russia, for example, Georgia’s reluctance...

A Fight Over Farms Ends, Opening Way to Wider Europe

Elaine Sciolino October 25, 2002
One of the most contentious issues for the European Union as it prepares to admit 10 new members are the farm subsidies to the Eastern European economies. The question of who should foot the bill generates the greatest wrangling. Yet, much of the disagreement has suddenly disappeared now that France and Germany have negotiated a scheme in which subsidies to French farmers will be slowly reduced...

Moscow Siege May Have Wider Terror Link

Andrew Jack October 24, 2002
Men and women claiming to be Chechen rebels have taken hostage 700 people in a theater in Moscow. These same rebels were shown on the Al-Jazeera television network affirming their willingness to die, which suggests a link between the rebels and other terrorist organizations. The Russian president Vladimir Putin has already argued that such a link exists. Putin’s promise to deal with Chechnya...

European Union Set for Historic Expansion

Judy Dempsey October 9, 2002
The European Commission approved an expansion of the European Union that will take the regional bloc from 15 to 25 member countries by 2004. Several former Soviet states are joining the group, but Turkey's accession is still under negotiation. The expansion brings millions of new people into the EU's common market and also compels their national governments to enact EU-required...

Cows Can Fly While World's Poor Starve

Grace Sung October 3, 2002
European agricultural subsidy programs effectively give cows in the EU 1.40 euros per day to live on. Meanwhile, over 3 billion poor people around the globe struggle to survive on 1.3 euros each day. Combined with high tariffs on agricultural products to the EU, the massive subsidization of Europe’s largest farms puts farmers in developing countries at a competitive disadvantage. Despite...

Bid to Break Deadlock Over GM Food

John Mason August 28, 2002
The World Bank will launch an international biotechnology initiative aimed at opening up policy possibilities for the use of genetically modified (GM) foods. The global initiative sits against the backdrop of environmental, social, and economic concerns regarding the role of GMs. Economically, the biotechnology proposition has found European consumer opposition, creating rifts in trade with the U...

Chinese Meals Are Tops When Britons Eat Out

Alfred Lee August 12, 2002
Britons now dine out more often at Chinese rather than Indian restaurants. And while a British politician acknowledged the popularity of Indian cuisine last year, Parliament has gone as far as to include Chinese and Indian meals in its catering service. Though foreign meals have won over the British palate, original recipes have been altered to suit Western tastes. Are common flavors the...