(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.