In The News

Russian Oil ‘Can Ease Reliance on Mideast’

Nancy Dunne September 13, 2002
In an effort to decrease dependency on oil sources in the Mideast, US Senator Conrad Burns called for increased cooperation with Russian officials and oil companies. The senator hopes the development of Russian oil infrastructure will reduce the U.S.’s reliance on “rogue-oil” – an issue of particular sensitivity in light of President George Bush’s recent talk of war with Iraq. On October 1-2, the...

Merck Seeks Wider Coalition on Aids

James Lamont September 12, 2002
US pharmaceutical Merck is following in the foot steps of other multi-national corporations like Anglo-American and DeBeers, who have decided to provide anti-retroviral drugs used to combat HIV/Aids to their workers. While Merck has partnered with Botswana and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide treatment, the company’s chief executive is calling for a “larger coalition” of UN...

Anger at U.S. Said to be at New High

Jane Perlez September 11, 2002
In contrast to the perceptions of many Americans after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Arabs have generally felt a close affinity to America, according to journalist and analyst for the International Crisis Group, Rami G. Khouri. However, with plans to attack Iraq traveling rapidly across the international newswires, this affinity for America has transformed into a highly politicized critique...

Muslim Hardliners to Begin "Sweeps" Against Foreigners

September 7, 2002
Indonesian Islamic organizations led by the militant MMI have threatened a crackdown against foreign nationals working illegally in major Indonesian cities. The threat comes as a response to neighboring Malaysia's recent announcement of strict immigration rules against illegal workers there – many of whom come from Indonesia, The Indonesian groups' 'sweep' would check the...

China Raises Estimates of HIV-AIDS Cases to 1 Million

Elisabeth Rosenthal September 6, 2002
China's "closed attitude" toward its growing AIDS epidemic opened slightly today when officials acknowledged that at least a million Chinese were infected with the disease and appealed for international assistance. Officials also admitted that the Chinese government had been aware of the growing AIDS problem as early as 1995. This confession was issued in compliance with the...

Final Text of Environment Deal Hammered Out

John Mason September 3, 2002
With the understanding that environmental issues are not containable to any one region, representatives from all over the world have gathered at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to finalize a global agreement of cooperation. Issues on the table include universal access to clean water, globalization of trade and finance, new targets on renewable energy production, protection of fish...

A Free World

Martin Wolf September 3, 2002
Martin Wolf believes that the current era of globalization is better positioned to maintain its momentum than was the globalization wave of the late 19th and early 20th century. The earlier period’s economic integration collapsed between 1914 and 1945 due to 4 factors: 1) the rise of militarism, imperialism, nationalism, communism, and fascism; 2) the rise of protectionism, particularly in the US...