Global/Local

The idea of a Peace Island conference came to me, whole, in the middle of a meal. Shortly after the announcement of Saint Paul as the location of the Republican National Convention (RNC), September 1-4, I wrote “peace island” on a napkin scrap, and lost it. But the idea festered—an undeclared recession, war without end, and 15,000 media people coming to town looking for a story. MORE »

The name Minnesota sur Seine is a clever play on words meaning “Minnesota on the scene,” hinting at the great Seine River running through Paris. The Minnesota sur Seine Festival, entering its fourth year, is gaining a reputation as a place to experience riveting collisions of musical styles in some of the Twin Cities’ coolest venues. MORE »

As news media heightens awareness in the Western world of human rights violations in China, Tibet, and Burma, one country’s record seems to have managed to stay hidden, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. MORE »

Last week, the Federal Register announced plans to increase prices for visa applications. Those wanting to apply for academic or vocational visas will have to pay up to $200, up from $100, starting Oct. 1. The program seeks to increase the fees by also charging schools that admit foreign students. As educational standards have risen worldwide and American tuition continues to skyrocket, the government should be finding new ways to attract – not detract – foreign talent to our schools. MORE »