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The article looks at cities that have changed their name. The Indian city of Bangalore has forfeited its British colonial-era name for Bengalooru. Other Indian cities, such as Bombay and Madras, have followed suit. After apartheid ended in South Africa, Pietersburg became Polokwane and the government is currently considering a proposal to change Pretoria to Tshwane, a precolonial chief. After the ousting of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the Baghdad neighborhood of Saddam City became Sadr City, in honor of a Shiite leader.

This article presents an interview with country singer Tim McGraw. McGraw discusses his acting role in the upcoming motion picture "Flicka," as well as his career as a musician and song writer. Lastly, McGraw talks of his wife, country singer Faith Hill, their four daughters and a possible future in politics.

This article focuses on former U.S. Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor who took her high-court oath 25 years ago and who retired from the Court in January 2006. She gives speeches around the world, keeps an office at the Court and will sit briefly on the Second and Ninth U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal.

The article presents an interview with television talk show host Meredith Vieira as she anticipates becoming the co-anchor on NBC's "Today Show" beginning September 13, 2006. Vieira fields questions such as why she turned down the opportunity to host CBS's "Early Show" in 2002. She is asked what she thinks viewers want from a morning show. Vieira also comments on balancing her career with her responsibilities as a mother and a wife.

An interview with conservative political analyst Pat Buchanan is presented. Buchanan, the author of the book "State of Emergency," discusses why he feels the United States is in a time of crisis in 2006. Buchanan states the immigration crisis in the U.S. is a main source of the crisis, and also discusses the gay marriage movement in the U.S.

This article provides an interview with actor Morgan Spurlock. Spurlock writes and stars in the television program "30 Days," in which participants spend a month with someone on the opposite side of a controversial issue. Spurlock discusses his film "Super Size Me," as well as his West Virginia upbringing.

An interview is presented with Isabella Rossellini, the daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, who wrote "In the Name of the Father, the Daughter and the Holy Spirits: Remembering Roberto Rossellini" and made the film "My Dad is 100 Years Old." Rossellini discusses her sister, the film "Crash," actress Julia Roberts and other things.

The author interviews Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Presiding Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. Asked about her focus as Presiding Bishop, she mentions poverty, education, AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and sustainable development. Asked about her prayer for the church, she answered to love one another and neighborliness. She believes that evolution ought to be taught in the schools.

The author reports that, although the Somali-born activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali quit the Dutch Parliament in May after being told she would be stripped of citizenship for lying on her 1992 application for asylum, Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk now says Hirsi Ali's citizenship is safe. But the Dutch coalition government was not, and collapsed amid discord over Verdonk's original move. Hirsi Ali, who campaigned against Islamic extremism, is moving to Washington to join the conservative American Enterprise Institute and is finishing her memoir.

The article offers news about notable people. Richard Scrushy, founder of HealthSouth, was convicted of bribery and mail fraud. Bernard Kerik, ex-New York City police commissioner, pleaded guilty to charges he took gifts while in office without reporting them. Moose, the Jack Russell terrier who played Eddie on the TV comedy, "Frasier" died.

This article presents an interview with actor Paul Newman. Newman discusses his voice work in the computer animated motion picture "Cars," what his first car was, what he's currently driving, and his search for at least one more motion picture to perform in. Newman also discusses how his wife feels about his habit with racing cars, and whether or not he's a backseat driver or ever allows his wife to drive.

The article presents an interview with Iranian human-rights activist Shirin Ebadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. The Iranian government has accused Ebadi of taking money from the U.S. to give to Akbar Ganji, a journalist who is in jail, so he would go on a hunger strike and make Iran lose face. Ebadi discusses her Muslim faith, Iran's nuclear program, and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The article profiles teenage professional golfer Michelle Wie. In her first year as a professional golfer, Wie is already making about $10 million a year in endorsements from the Nike shoe company and Sony. Wie refuses to limit herself to ladies' tournaments and intends to be the first woman to play in the Masters.

The article presents an interview with golfer Michelle Wie. Wie discusses the Kraft Nabisco Championship and her dream of playing in the Masters golf tournament. Other topics explored were Wie's time spent golfing with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Wie's respect for golfer Ernie Els, and talk radio host Rush Limbaugh's comments about her talent. Wie also comments on her high school career.

The article presents an interview with film and television star Chuck Norris. Topics discussed include the World Combat League, a fighting organization started by Norris, his film career, whether Hollywood takes him seriously, Western films, his political affinities, and his popularity on the Internet.

The article reports on a joint program by the governments of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to bring Saudi college students to the U.S. The program was launched after thousands of Saudi students returned home after the September 11 terrorist attack in New York for fear of repercussions. Both governments agreed that a way to assuage fears and apprehensions on both sides was to encourage personal contacts. Therefore, over the next four years, Saudi Arabia will provide scholarships for almost 20 thousand students, and the U.S. has agreed to expedite visa applications for students.

The article presents an interview with Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. The author, teacher and Holocaust survivor discusses the new translation of "Night," which has been chosen as an Oprah's Book Club selection. He discusses kabbalah, the virtues of Moses and the two most important things to focus on fighting: hate and indifference.

This article presents an interview with Pulitzer-prizewinning humorist Dave Barry, whose new book "Dave Barry's Money Secrets: Like: Why Is There a Giant Eyeball on the Dollar?" is due out next week. Barry says he is attempting to viciously mock all the books on money with his new book. In it, he picks on people like Alan Greenspan and Neil Diamond. Barry claims he does not plan on returning to writing weekly columns. He says his biggest comic influence was Robert Benchley, a humor essayist.

This article reports on the death of Rainier III, the prince of Monaco. Rainier was wed to American actress Grace Kelly until her death in a 1982 car crash. His daughter ran off with a circus performer and his son failed to wed or produce a legitimate heir. During his 56 years of rule, he restored Monaco from near bankruptcy to synonymity with glamour and wealth.

This article looks at housing designs from Brett Zamore. Zamore designs homes based on the shotgun style and the dog trot style. The shotgun style was developed from homes built by early African-American settlers in the South. It is built on concrete piers and is uninsulated making it suitable for hot Southern climates. The dog trot house has large side doors which give it an open feel. Zamore has designed an affordable kit home combining the shotgun and dog trot styles which could be used to replace hurricane-destroyed homes.

The article observes that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reshaped the country's political landscape by leaving his right-wing Likud party and forming a centrist bloc. Sharon says he wants to focus on the Israeli-Palestinian peace effort without input from hawks such as former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has emerged as the top candidate to take on Sharon and leftist labor party leader Amir Peretz in the 2006 election. Palestinian officials fear that Sharon's move may stall the peace process.

Reports on the status of notable people in current events and obituaries for those who have died as of Oct. 17, 2005. Guilty plea made by Lawrence Franklin; Arrest of William Davis, a convicted sex offender; Obituaries for Betty Leslie-Melville, Paul Pena, Nipsey Russell and Harold Leventhal.

Presents the experiences of public officials who have dealt with natural disasters in other areas of the country. Exasperation of Kate Hale, the Dade County director of emergency management in 1992, at the slow response of the federal government after Hurricane Andrew hit; Hale's cooperation with decision makers from the state and federal level; Belief of Mawardi Nurdin, the mayor of Banda Aceh after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2005, that housing, food and clean water are the first concerns after a natural disaster; Experiences of California Governor Pete Wilson after the 1994 Northridge earthquake and Charleston, S.C., mayor Joseph Riley after Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

Reports on the television program "Iraq Star," which is the Iraqi version of the television program "American Idol." Comments from the show's producer on why the country needs programming such as "Iraq Star"; Comparison of Iraqi judge Muhammad Hadi to "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell; Focus on a 12-year-old named Bilal who performed on the show.

Reports on Tommy Lee, drummer for the band "Mötley Crüe," and his new NBC reality series "Tommy Lees Goes to College," and various other college-bound celebrities. Why Richard Dreyfuss plans on studying at Oxford; Description of Paris Hilton's role as a sorority president in the film "National Lampoon's Pledge This!"; Examination of the musical group "Hanson" and their plans to visit colleges and give lectures on the music business and succeeding outside of the mainstream.

Interviews Candace Bushnell, author of "Sex and the City", about her new novel "Lipstick Jungle." Discussion of the redeeming qualities of the male characters in the novel; Explanation of what the title means, and the author's own lipstick preference; Comments from Bushnell on a possible plot for a book she may write in the future.

Reports on George Clooney and Rande Gerber building a hotel-casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Comments from Clooney on whether or not Brad Pitt will be involved in the project; Discussion of Clooney's hands-on involvement in picking chefs and setting the ambiance; Comparison of Clooney to Danny Ocean, the character he portrayed in the film "Ocean's 11."

Discusses malicious peer review by physicians against fellow doctors. How the system is too open to manipulation and needs reform, according to the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons; Support for reform; Views of physicians, including Texas cardiologist Lawrence Poliner, whose competitors trumped up charges of substandard care against him; Efforts to lobby Congress; Implications of peer review reform; Issue of malpractice claims.

Discusses controversy over whether illegal immigrants should qualify for in-state college tuition, one of the fiercest debates over immigration policy today. How illegal aliens can qualify for in-state tuition rates in nine states; Observations of Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies; Why people on both sides of the issue blame the federal government for embroiling states in this debate; Hopes of a girl named Pamela, an illegal alien, who hopes to attend college in Massachusetts.

Reports on a mixed-gender Muslim prayer service in New York led by Amina Wadud, an Islamic scholar at Virginia Commonwealth University. Claim by the organizers that she is the first woman to have presided over a mixed-gender prayer service in public since Islam's earliest days; Belief of worldwide Muslim women in the strict gender divisions in traditional Islam; Reference to a movement in the United States to meld the Western view of gender equality with Muslim teachings; Wadud's belief that women's inequality is not a tenet of the faith but a mark of misguided tradition; No Koranic ban on female leaders; Examples of Muslim women with important leadership roles in the history of Islam; Response to the prayer service from protesters.

Focuses on British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Protests at London, England's High Court, where Blair testified before the Hutton Inquiry into the apparent suicide of government weapons expert David Kelly; Accusation that Blair's aides knowingly inserted false information into a dossier on Iraq's unconventional weapons; Attitudes of the British regarding Blair's government; Resignation of Blair's closest adviser, communications director Alastair Campbell; Blair's relations with the U.S. President George W. Bush administration.

Not even a decade ago author J.K. Rowling was unknown and poor, a single mom on welfare who sometimes pretended to browse in maternity stores so she could cadge a free diaper in the changing room. Now, after four Harry Potter books, two movies and an armada of related merchandise, J.K. Rowling has a fortune estimated at $450 million, according to the 'London Sunday Times' rich list, making her $50 million wealthier than the Queen of England. Rowling was badly shaken when an American writer named Nancy Stouffer claimed she had stolen the word muggle and otherwise plagiarized Stouffer's work. Rowling appreciates that she can use her name and money to support worthy charities, including those for one-parent families and victims of multiple sclerosis. Obliged to do some publicity for her book Order of the Phoenix,' she plans to appear before 4,000 children in London on June 26, 2003 to answer their questions and read from the book.

Focuses on the product placement in the James Bond motion picture, 'Die Another Day.' Provision of several automobiles by Ford, including Aston Martins and Range Rovers; Other contributors of tie-in advertising.

Focuses on James Bond motion pictures and EON, the family business of Albert (Cubby) Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, who set up the production house in 1961. Management of the London, England-based company by a second generation of Broccolis, daughter Barbara and stepson Michael Wilson; Background on the two who are promoting the Bond franchise; History of the business.

Focuses on Muslim extremists in Great Britain who have expressed support for the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. How several young men have left Britain to join the jihad in Afghanistan; Indication that the jihad volunteers are mostly from first-generation British families; Details of the British extremist Islamic group al-Muhajiroun.

Profiles Italian surgeon Gino Strada who founded Emergency, which operates the only fully equipped hospital in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley. How Strada is preparing for war; Background on Emergency, including its clinics and rehabilitation programs in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Iraq, and Sierra Leone; Why it is dangerous work.

A review is offered for the Green Rooms hotel in London, England.

The article discusses the golf courses designed by golfer Annika Sörenstam, including the Annika Course at the Mission Hills Resort in Shenzhen, China, and Euphoria in Limpopo, South Africa. Her courses challenge golfers of both sexes, and if those are too difficult, Sörenstam offers the Annika Academy in Orlando, Florida, which features lessons with her sister Charlotta.

The article discusses the situation in which the family members have to decide regarding the treatment of a person in his final days. Relatives faced with a situation in which the patient has no living will, very often differ about what to do. When relatives disagree, compromise almost always comes when those who wish to terminate care accede to the wishes of those who do not.

The article focuses on the reason behind actor Geoffrey Rush's reluctance to play the role of British comedian Peter Sellers in the film "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers." By refusing to act in the film, Rush was walking away from a plum role as the man who wove the fabric of British comedy. He worried that audiences would scorn his impersonation of the great impersonator.

The article presents the views of some of the world's famous athletes for whom the 2004 Olympic Games at Athens, Greece would be the last chance of winning the biggest prize in sports. According to runner Hicham El Guerrouj, the only thing missing from his career is an Olympic gold. Tennis player Martina Navratilova is making her last attempt to win the only honor in the tennis that she does not have an Olympic gold. Swimmer Jenny Thompson is also taking it as a last opportunity to win a gold.

The article presents information on marathon runner Paula Radcliffe. She is 30 years old and belongs to Great Britain. She is under competition with Kenya's racer Catherine Ndereba, who is the second-fastest woman in history. In the past two years Radcliffe has broken through to win the Commonwealth title at 5,000 meter and the European title at 10,000 meter, and stepped up to the marathon, in which she has set two world records in just three races.

The article discusses the chances of Hungarian water polo team of winning another gold medal in the Olympics event to be held at Athens in 2004. Hungary has won seven titles in the water polo event at the Olympics so far and the expectations of winning yet another title are high. The team will be facing Croatia, Russia etc. in its own group and could meet Italy, Germany etc. in later stages which are all strong teams. Hungary needs to come out with the best in order to better these teams.

Discusses the public unrest over the actions of British Prime Minister Tony Blair to support a referendum to the E.U. constitution. How Blair's decision creates problems for other European countries such as France who believed they could veto a treaty that requires approval by all 25 members; Consideration of how public polls indicate British skepticism towards the policies of the E.U.; Efforts to streamline E.U. procedures to avoid gridlock during its expansion to include 25 members; Policies on tax rates and foreign and defense policy; Criticism of Blair from Conservative leader Michael Howard. INSET: THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE.

The article focuses on controversy regarding a referendum on the European Union constitution. Prime minister of Great Britain, Tony Blair, has backed the referendum. This controversy might risk Blair's premiership and drag him out from the office. There are lots of speculations over the victory of Blair in the upcoming elections.

The article presents information related to the habit of Europeans to enjoy summer vacations. The willingness of Europeans to go for holidays cannot be deterred by war, terrorism, economic condition of the continent and other problems. According to Peter Aderholt, secretary of the German Vacation and Travel Research Society, holiday trips are a regular consumer good, which is sacrificed only under extreme conditions.

The article discusses the complex nature of problems faced by Uganda's youth and children in a politically chaotic situation. A rebel army called Lord's Resistance Army is fighting the government for many years to establish theocracy in northern Uganda. They have kidnapped more than 15,000 children of the country for recruitment in their forces. International initiatives and non-governmental organizations working in the direction could help improve the situation in the country.