Global Pulse

(Global Pulse: July 17, 2008) Iran surprises the world with two rounds of missile tests. But the U.S. has a diplomatic surprise of its own. Can a U-turn in the White House be the first step in ending the Iran nuclear crisis? SOURCES: Press TV, Iran; Al Jazeera, Qatar; BBC, U.K.; CNN, U.S.; Fox, U.S.; NBC, U.S.; ABC, U.S.; Wall Street Journal, U.S.; Deutsche Welle, Germany

(Global Pulse: July 10, 2008) The world watched as Colombian soldiers "fooled" the rebel group FARC into releasing 15 hostages including 3 Americans and Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt. The Colombian government claimed the entire operation was implemented without guns, without ransom, and solely by the Colombians. But what about the $20 million dollars?nSOURCES: RCN, Colombia; TV5, France; BBC, U.K.; ABC, U.S.; NPR News, U.S.; Once Noticias, Mexico; Al Jazeera English, Qatar

(Global Pulse: July 3, 2008) Robert Mugabe wins re-election as president of Zimbabwe in a campaign of violence and intimidation. Activists fight back, with new media as their weapon. Can the people of Zimbabwe take back the democracy Mugabe stole?nSOURCES: BBC, U.K.; Al Jazeera, Qatar; ABC News, U.S.; CCTV, China; Deutsche Welle, Germany; The Chronicle (online), Zimbabwe; The Star (online), South Africa; The Times (online), South Africa; The Post (online), Republic of Cameroon; New Era (online), Namibia; Sokwanele.com, Zimbabwe

(Global Pulse: June 26, 2008) While the Iraq and Afghanistan wars rage on, consistent coverage of these conflicts is disappearing from network news. Lara Logan, chief foreign correspondent for CBS News, vented her frustrations to Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show," setting off a storm of commentary. While the foreign media continues to cover events unfolding in Iraq and Afghanistan, we compare what makes it into the U.S.'s nightly newscasts. SOURCES: Daily Show, Comedy Central; New York Times, U.S; Al Jazeera English, Qatar; BBC, U.K; Al Alam, Iran; Asia Today, China; NBC News, U.S.; The Huffington Post, U.S.; Power Line, U.S.; ABC News, U.S.

(Global Pulse: June 19, 2008) America's war on terror encountered a new challenge. In a stunning decision, the Supreme Court said even suspectednforeign terrorists are protected by the U.S. Constitution. Can the landmark ruling and the lesson of one man's ordeal end the legal limbo of detainees at Guantanamo Bay?nnSOURCES: NBC, U.S.; Al Jazeera, Qatar; ABC, U.S.; Press TV, Iran; Fox, U.S.;nBBC, U.K.; Herald Sun, Australia; Metro News, U.K.; Intl. Herald Tribune, U.S.

(Global Pulse: June 12, 2008) To ban or not to ban, that is the issue in Turkey. The pro-Islamic government tried to overturn a ban on women wearing headscarves in the universities. But the Supreme Court says no, lifting the ban would violate Turkey's strict constitution that separates church and state. For violating the constitution the ruling party could be banned from politics - a controversial move as the party has been elected twice by the people.nSOURCES: BBC, U.K; Al Alam, Iran; Al Jazeera, Qatar; TRT International, Turkey; Deutsch Welle, Germany.

(Global Pulse: June 5, 2008) Illinois Senator Barack Obama rises from political longshot to an historic victory in the battle for the Democratic Presidential nomination. His vision of change captures the attention of the world. Will that vision change how the world sees America? SOURCES: Al Jazeera English, CCTV, BBC America, Press TV, South Asia Newsline, Hechos, RCN, Al Alam

(Global Pulse: May 30, 2008) As the price of oil breaks new records, people worldwide are protesting the increases in their living costs. Now, politicians are responding, trying to come up with ways to ease the burden. Will tax cutting strategies work, or are they just an attempted quick fix for a problem that's not going away anytime soon? nSOURCES: CCTV, China; Deutsch Welle, Germany; Fox News, U.S; ABC, U.S, NBC, U.S; BBC, U.K; Univision, U.S; TV5, France; Al Jazeera English, Qatar.

(Global Pulse: May 23, 2008) A 7.9 magnitude earthquake decimates central China. In a startling move, the government allows 24/7 coverage of the catastrophe. News media, used to strict control, is suddenly free to report the scope of the devastation. But that freedom is not all it seems. Will the taste of Western-style news coverage help reshape Chinese media?nSOURCES: ABC News, NBC News, BBC, Al Jazeera English, CCTV, Asia Today

(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. nSOURCES: BBC, U.K; Russia Today, Russia; NHK News, Japan; KBS News, South Korea.

SUMMARY: 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.

(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 ?nSOURCES: ABC News BBC, U.K.; Al Jazeera English, Qatar; CCTV, China; 5 Day News, U.S.

(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 Press TV BBC, U.K.; Al Jazeera English, Qatar; TV5, France

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.

(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. nnSources: FOX News, ABC News, NBC News, U.S.; BBC, U.K.; Deutsch Welle, Germany; TV5, France; Asia Today, China and World Wide Watch, China.

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 biofeuls. 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.

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.

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.nSOURCES: CCTV, China; BB, U.K.; South Asia Newsline, India; NBC, U.S.; Al Jazeera English, Qatar

(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.nSOURCES: NTA, Nigeria; CCTV, China; NBC News, U.S.; TV5, France; Al Jazeera English, Qatar.

(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.nSources: Russia Today, Russia; Al Jazeera English, Doha; NBC News, U.S; Deutch Welle, Germany.

(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.nnSOURCES: ABC News, NBC News, Fox News, CBS News, U.S.; Russia Today, Russia; Al Jazeera English, Qatar.

(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.nSources: Deutsche Welle, Germany; Al Jazeera English, Doha; NBC News, U.S; Russia Today, Russia.

(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.nSOURCES: TRT, Turkey; Deutche Welle, Germany; TV5, France; TVE, Spain; Alalam and Press TV, Iran; Al Jazeera English, Qater.

(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.nSOURCES: RCN, Columbia; Globovision, Venezuela; KBS, Korea; CNN, U.S.

(February 13, 2008) Interrogation or torture, trial or travesty - news media around the world used their own perspectives to judge the upcoming trial of key 9/11 suspects by military tribunal. What you call it matters, shaping public opinion in the U.S. and worldwide. Especially revealing are the differences in images and words between U.S. and international broadcasters - of 9/11, and of waterboarding. SOURCES: BBC, U.K.; TVE, Spain; NBC News and Fox News, U.S.; Press TV, Iran; Al Jazeera English, Qatar.

(February 7, 2008) The United States' Super Tuesday primary elections drew significant world attention. Many countries covered the obvious historic significance of the first woman or black man being elected and even mentioned the liberal nature of the leading Republican candidate. nBut watch as we explore other stories - world news that showed preference toward one candidate over another, or certain countries focusing on campaign issues with great importance to their people. Regardless of the outcome, the world is watching as the United States moves toward an administration change - one with national and international impact.nSources: Russia Today, Russia; NHK News, Japan; Once Noticias, Mexico; Al Jazeera English, Doha.

(February 1, 2008) Is it possible that a single day without America's financial might could result in a world economic fiasco? No, not unless you add in the ongoing mortgage crisis and a spectacular bank fraud in Paris. Investors worldwide are being advised to batten down the hatches - its a perfect economic storm.nSOURCES: ABC News, The Daily Show, U.S.; KBS Korea; BBC, U.K.; Deutche Welle, Germany; TV5, France; Russia Today, Russia.

(January 31, 2008) France, the U.S. and Russia are selling nuclear technology to an energy-hungry world. It's part diplomacy, part brinksmanship - and good for business. Iran, India, Libya and Saudi Arabia are buying it. But who sells to who, and why, is partly a political calculation.nSOURCES: Press TV and Alalam, Iran; South Asia Newsline, India; TV5, France; Al Jazeera Englsih, Qatar; BBC, U.K., Russia Today, Russia.

(January 24, 2008) This year's Japanese whaling fleet plans to kill hundreds of whales in the name of "research." But, not if environmental groups like Greenpeace and The Sea Shepherd have anything to say about it. So far they have tried several tactics to thwart the harvest they believe is for commercial whaling, a practice that was outlawed in 1986 by the International Whaling Commission. Watch as we show you world wide opinions on this battle in the Antarctica.nSources: TV5, France; BBC, U.K; NHK News, Japan; Al Jazeera English, Doha.

(January 17, 2008) While US news was busy tracking the Primaries, a video showing an Iranian seaman communicating with a US Navy warship in the Persian Gulf was shown worldwide, ameliorating a tense situation that could have led to war. Now, some Navy officers are advocating a protocol with Iran, which would help reduce communications problems that could lead to war by mistake. Because next time, we may not be so lucky.nSOURCES: Alalam News and Press TV, Iran; ABC News and Fox News, U.S.; BBC, U.K.; Al Jazeera English, Qatar.