Although the U.S. is allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit Iraq briefly, it has rejected calls for the return of United Nations inspectors to Iraq to join in the hunt for alleged weapons of mass destruction, and chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix has sharpened his public criticism. In a BBC interview, Blix said he had been disappointed with the tips his office received prior to the war from British and US intelligence. of the information he received prior to the war from British and U.S. intelligence sources.

Throughout the world, including Muslim countries, people place a high value on freedom of expression, freedom of the press, multi-party systems and equal treatment under the law, reports a 44-nation survey of world opinion conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. Support for the United States, however, is another matter. "The speed of the war in Iraq and the prevailing belief that the Iraqi people are better off as a result have modestly improved the image of America," states the survey summary. "But in most countries, opinions of the U.S.

Inter Press Service reports that "The recent appointment of fast food giant McDonald's to the advisory board of an environmental group has drawn accusations of 'green washing' from environmentalists and led one board member to resign in protest. Paul Hawken, a well-known activist and environmentalist respected for his strong opposition to corporate globalisation, resigned two weeks ago from the Green Business Network... .