Global Pulse compares and contrasts news reports from around the world -- tracking important stories you might have missed, and revealing new angles on stories you thought you understood. http://www.linktv.org/programs/globalpulse en-us Thu, 22 May 2008 12:41:55 -0700 http://www.linktv.org/video/2562 dbab2adc8f9d078009ee3fa810bea142 (Global Pulse: May 16, 2008) In a matter of weeks, Asia has been hit with devastating natural disasters like the cyclone in Myanmar and China's earthquake. Thousands have been killed and millions left homeless. While millions suffer there is another possible disaster spreading throughout Asia, the H5N1 virus or "bird flu". More outbreaks of the virus are spreading from Russia to South Korea leading to quick quarantines and a fear that the virus will infect humans. SOURCES: BBC, U.K; Russia Today, Russia; NHK News, Japan; KBS News, South Korea. Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 linktv, global pulse, Asia, bird, flu, avian, cyclone, earthquake, Indonesia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, H5N1, outbreak, virus, China, Burma, Myanmar Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2538 1bf0c59238dd24a7f09a889483a50e8f (Global Pulse: May 8, 2008) While oil and natural gas prices are skyrocketing, the world's energy consumers are trying to find ways to reserve oil and gas for themselves. Now, energy rich countries are using their resources as political leverage: Iran is trying to sell it. Venezuela is trying to barter and trade, while oil hungry countries use different strategies to buy into Africa. SOURCES: ABC News, U.S.; BBC, U.K.; Press TV and Al Alam, Iran; TV5, France; Latino America Noticias, ; Asia Today, China; South Asia Newsline, India; Al Jazeera English, Qatar. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 globalpulse, linktv, oil, crude oil, gas, energy, natural gas, price, pipeline, pipe, Iran, nuclear, sanction, Switzerland, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Africa, China, India, Pakistan, military Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2527 ba3e9b6a519cfddc560b5d53210df1bd (Global Pulse: May 2, 2008) Global food prices soar and the world's poorest people go even hungrier. Food riots fuel political crises in some nations. Rich nations pledge more aid. Will it be enough to stop what some world leaders call "a silent tsunami of hunger"? SOURCES: ABC News & NBC News, U.S.; BBC, U.K.; Al Jazeera English, Qatar; CCTV, China; 5 Day News, U.S. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 linktv, globalpulse, food prices, hunger, riots, shortage, Josette Sheeran, Ban Ki-moon, wheat, rice, food Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2501 3f998e713a6e02287c374fd26835d87e (Global Pulse: April 24, 2008) Former president Jimmy Carter meets with the leadership of Hamas in Syria. The meeting brings swift and harsh condemnation from the Bush administration and Israel. Even the U.S. presidential candidates question the move. But a defiant Carter shrugs off the criticism, accusing Washington and Tel Aviv of missing an historic opportunity for dialogue. The meeting is largely overlooked in the United States. SOURCES: ABC News & Fox News, U.S.; Press TV & Al Alam, Iran; BBC, U.K.; Al Jazeera English, Qatar; TV5, France Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 linktv, globalpulse, Carter, Hamas, Israel, Mideast, dialogue, Palestinians, Meshaal Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2485 ea4eb49329550caaa1d2044105223721 (Global Pulse: April 17, 2008) The integration of Muslims in Europe has been a difficult process marred by several events that have lead to protests worldwide. The knighthood of Salman Rushdie, Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammad, the release of a Dutch anti-Islam film, and an Anglican archbishop suggesting the introduction of Islamic Sharia law continue to divide Muslims and Europeans. SOURCES: Press TV, Iran; Al Alam, Iran; South Asia Newsline, India; Al Jazeera English, Qatar; BBC; U.K; Deutsche Welle, Germany. Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 globalpulse, linktv, muslim, islam, Europe, sharia, integration, assimilation, salman rushdie, Danish cartoons, protests Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2472 73f490f3f868edbcd80b5d3f7cedc403 (Global Pulse: April 10, 2008) China has been haunted by accusations of human rights violations since it won the 2008 Olympics bid. China's TV news put a unique spin on the torch relay, turning a liability dogged by protests into an asset by stoking Chinese nationalism among ethnic Chinese worldwide. SOURCES: FOX News, ABC News, NBC News, U.S.; BBC, U.K.; Deutsch Welle, Germany; TV5, France; Asia Today, China and World Wide Watch, China. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 globalpulse, linktv, Olympics, torch, relay, China, Paris, San Francisco, London, Tibet, Darfur, Spielberg, protest Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2457 7e05d6f828574fbc975a896b25bb011e (April 2, 2008) In the U.S., pastries may cost a few pennies more. But in Pakistan and Egypt, soaring wheat prices have caused bread riots, and in the poorest countries, babies will starve. The wheat crisis is caused by a nexus of factors - drought in Australia, growing demand in Asia, market speculation, and even the use of food to make biofuels. The effects make clear that the global economy is, for some, a trap they cannot see, or escape. SOURCES: ABC News, U.S.; Deutche Welle, Germany; Hechos, El Salvador; Teletrece, Chile; BBC, U.K.; Al Jazeera English, Qatar; South Asia Newsline, India; KBS, Korea. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 linktv, globalpulse, wheat, price, biofuel, bread, riots, drought, starvation Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2446 2f4fe03d77724a7217006e5d16728874 (March 26, 2008) China launched a propaganda war as the Olympic torch was kindled. Tibetans were shown beating up Han Chinese and looting shops, juxtaposed with picturesque features on Chinese guarantees of freedom for Buddhists. Chinese nationalism has been stoked, but the path of the Olympic torch is already rife with dissent. SOURCES: TV5, France; Al Jazeera English, Qatar; BBC, U.K.; Fox News and ABC News, U.S.; Asia Today and China Today, China. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700 linktv globalpulse china tibet dalai lama lhasa cheng du riots olympic beijing torch buddhism Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2435 b1301141feffabac455e1f90a7de2054 (March 20, 2008) There has been a historic shift in Pakistan that is largely overlooked in the U.S. - a struggle for democracy, led by lawyers. In the U.S., the lack of news coverage has created a distorted view of Pakistan's President Musharraf and of the Pakistani people. The United States' support of Musharraf, widely considered a dictator, has generated anger at America in Pakistan's middle class. SOURCES: CCTV, China; BB, U.K.; South Asia Newsline, India; NBC, U.S.; Al Jazeera English, Qatar Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700 linktv, globalpulse, Musharraf, Chaudry, chief justice, lawyers, Pakstan, Sharif, Zardari, democracy, rule of law, Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2400 03cf87174debaccd689c90c34577b82f (March 12, 2008) Election results were disputed in both Nigeria and Kenya, but the similarity ended there. Kenya, considered one of the most stable democracies in Africa, descended into bloody tribal conflict. Nigeria, by contrast, conducted a massive vote recount and turned to the courts, patiently awaiting a verdict. A tentative peace is now holding in Kenya, and Nigeria's opposition has taken the case to the Supreme Court. But surely, the Nigerian faith in the rule of law has been the better course, with hundreds of lives saved. SOURCES: NTA, Nigeria; CCTV, China; NBC News, U.S.; TV5, France; Al Jazeera English, Qatar. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700 linktv, globalpulse, Nigeria, Kenya, election, tribal, Kofi, Annan Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2364 f7e2b2b75b04175610e5a00c1e221ebb (March 6, 2008) Russia has elected a new president, and, surprise, he's Dimitry Medvedev, President Putin's protégée and handpicked candidate. With an overwhelming 70% of the vote, restrictions on opposition candidates, and biased media coverage, many observers inside and outside the country have deemed the elections undemocratic. Watch as we compare the coverage from the Kremlin sponsored Russia Today and media from around the world. Sources: Russia Today, Russia; Al Jazeera English, Doha; NBC News, U.S; Deutch Welle, Germany. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800 linktv, globalpulse, Russia, elections, Medvedev, Putin, protests Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2349 70fcb77e6349f4467edd7227baa73222 (February 28, 2008) Why shoot a satellite down? You are 1000 times more likely to get hit by lightning than by the toxic fuel in the dead satellite the U.S. shot down last week. Broadcasters worldwide speculated on the real reason - to keep enemies from getting their hands on secret technology; to display our missile prowess; to tweak China, which shot its own satellite down a year ago. China, now repentant, is joining Russia and the UN in a treaty to ban weapons from space, a treaty the Bush administration refuses to join. Americans are unaccustomed to thinking about treaties, but with a new U.S. president on the way, this may be one worth considering. SOURCES: ABC News, NBC News, Fox News, CBS News, U.S.; Russia Today, Russia; Al Jazeera English, Qatar. Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800 satellite missile russia china space weapon UN treaty toxic fuel explosion Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2347 b23975176653284f1f7356ba5539cfcb (February 22, 2008) Kosovo declared independence from Serbia and the whole world took sides. President Bush was the first to recognize the region's autonomy, with the U.K., France, and Germany following suit. But not every country in the EU agrees; Spain and Greece have problems with regions within their borders also wanting independence. Russia has called the declaration illegal and charged the U.S. with possibly leading to the destabilization of the world. Sources: Deutsche Welle, Germany; Al Jazeera English, Doha; NBC News, U.S; Russia Today, Russia. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800 linktv, global pulse, Kosovo, Serbia, U.S., Embassy, Belgrade, protests, Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2316 778609db5dc7e1a8315717a9cdd8fd6f (February 21, 2008) Turkey's ban on women's headscarves kept religious women from attending college. Is the lifting of the ban a liberalization, helping equalize the poor and the rich? Or is it a step on the slippery slope toward Islamization? As Europe continues to mull over Turkey's bid to join the EU, the answer will have serious consequences. SOURCES: TRT, Turkey; Deutche Welle, Germany; TV5, France; TVE, Spain; Alalam and Press TV, Iran; Al Jazeera English, Qater. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800 linktv globalpulse turkey eu head scarf veil Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/video/2281 0f46c64b74a6c964c674853a89796c8e (February 15, 2008) Global Pulse looks at news from Korea and Colombia - two nations where the U.S. fought hard to establish free trade agreements - discovering that many people are less enthusiastic about the agreements than their leaders. And guess what? The same is true in the United States. SOURCES: RCN, Columbia; Globovision, Venezuela; KBS, Korea; CNN, U.S. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800 globalpulse, linktv, free trade, agreement, FTA, TLC, tariffs, beef protest Link Media, Inc. http://www.linktv.org/rss/linktv_rss.gif http://www.linktv.org/programs/globalpulse