Written in a pithy and accessible style, this classic book brings readers up to date on major global news events. The seventh edition of this enduring text provides insights into the war on terrorism; war in Afghanistan and Iraq; quick victory ("Mission Accomplished"); long insurgency war; the Iraqi elections; and the impact of a global calamity story - the earthquake and tsunami in South Asia. This new edition also explores the impact that these happenings have had on telecommunications, technology, and the ever-expanding global media audience. Significant updates to the seventh edition include a look at globalization and its shortcomings, propaganda in coverage of the Iraq war, an expanded section on Arab comsat news, an entirely new chapter on China's media, and an increased focus on how new technological developments - the Internet, blogs, and the home camcorder's increasing role in documenting world events - affect news coverage.