Ambassador Denis G. Antoine Tiny Grenada Struggles to Rebuild After Ivan by Larry Luxner It was the killer storm Grenadians had dreaded for yearsóbut the devastation left by Hurricane Ivan was worse than anyone could have imagined. "Our island is destroyed in a way that is unprecedented," says Grenadaís ambassador to the United States, Denis G. Antoine. "Recovery will be long, difficult and painful. And without help, itíll be impossible." more... See Also: Caribbean Governments Request Aid Rep. Ellen Tauscher Democrat Says Bush Has Shattered Bipartisan Consensus on Foreign Policy by John Shaw Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher of California is a moderate Democrat with pro-business inclinations, impressive national security credentials and a long history of working with Republicans on important issues. So you take notice when the respected lawmaker says the policies and attitudes of the Bush administration make it difficult to imagine a new bipartisan consensus on U.S. security policy re-emerging any time soon. more.... Diplomatic Community Gives Impressions Of Republican, Democratic Conventions by Sean OíDriscoll The level of planning for diplomats attending the Democratic and Republican conventions was impressive, and the security was relatively unobtrusive, according to various diplomats from European, African and South American embassies. more.... Concerns Over Avian Flu Take Flight As Cases Spread in Southeast Asia by Gina Shaw Move over severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), thereís a new virus on the block: avian influenza, or "bird flu." As of press time, the outbreak of the disease in Southeast Asia has hit Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. more.... See Also: Avian Flu Tips for Travelers Despite Iraq Hostilities, Egyptís Suez Canal Raking in Revenues From Asia-Europe Trade by Larry Luxner Before the U.S. invasion of Iraq last year, Egyptís Suez Canal Authority predicted that a full-fledged war in the Middle East would disrupt regional maritime traffic, slashing canal revenues by 10 percent or more. But exactly the opposite has happened in the midst of booming volumes sparked by a jump in Chinese exports to Europe. more.... Receiving Line: Raising Funds for MS

Culture Section Check out the arts section for the latest in museum exhibits, dance, theater and much more. See October 2004 Hotel Insert See October 2004 Law Insert Afghanistan Gears Up For Historic Presidential Election by Larry Luxner On Oct. 9óbarring another assassination attempt against President Hamid Karzai and any other unanticipated violenceó Afghanistan will hold the first presidential election in its history. more.... Kerryís Senate Record, Campaign Speeches Reflect Candidateís Foreign Policy Stance by John Shaw There is no way of knowing what kind of foreign policy Sen. John Kerry would pursue if he is elected president, but analysts agree that there are some ways to make an educated guess about what kind of agenda Kerry would advance as president. more.... Redeployment of U.S. Troops Raises Concerns in Europe, S. Korea, Japan by Michael Coleman When President Bush recently announced a plan to redeploy as many as 70,000 U.S. soldiers from countries such as Germany, Japan and South Korea, the decision quickly became a major economic and security issue for the nations affected by the proposal. more.... Ex-Colombian Diplomat Launches Juan Valdez Coffee Chain by Larry Luxner Juan Valdez is easily the worldís best-known coffee farmer. Since 1959, he and his trusty mule Conchita have been appearing in newspaper, magazine and television ads promoting 100 percent Colombian cofffee from washed mild arabica beans. Now Juan is going upscale. more....