DEVELOPMENT BULLETIN-SOUTH AFRICA: Crime Down, But Not Out

While crime levels have begun to take a downward spiral in South Africa, experts say there is still no cause for celebration.

DEVELOPMENT BULLETIN-THAILAND: Farmers Protest Copycat ‘Jasmine’ Rice

Thailand's rights to its famed jasmine rice, as well as its rice exports, are under threat by a U.S. firm's use of the name "jasmati" as a brand for a product that it calls a copy of the Thai variety, farmers and activists say.

DEVELOPMENT BULLETIN-SOUTH KOREA: Fallen middle class may hinder economic recovery

Just a year ago, many of its members had more than what they needed, and were looking forward to reaping yet more rewards for their hard work.

G8 SUMMIT: No G8 Sanctions Likely Against Nuclear India

Leaders of the world's eight most industrialised countries meeting here in the wake of this week's nuclear tests by India, will not impose any collective sanctions on India, a spokesman for the British government said Friday.

ENVIRONMENT: New Diseases Stalk Farmers

For a long time, some economists have argued that the standard of living of the poor will improve faster if farmers in developing nations export flowers, fresh vegetables or fruits.

SOUTH KOREA: Fallen middle class may hinder economic recovery

Just a year ago, many of its members had more than what they needed, and were looking forward to reaping yet more rewards for their hard work.

POLITICS-U.S.: Suddenly Defied Everywhere, US Hegemony Looks Hollow

Pax Americana - the hegemony enjoyed by Washington after the Cold War - is suddenly under siege.

TRADE-SRI LANKA: Hammer Falls on London Tea Auction

The hammers fall next month on the venerable London Tea Auction giving way to Colombo and auction centres in other tea producing countries.

POLITICS-INDONESIA: Suharto Returns Home to an Angry Nation

The government moved to restore order in the Indonesian capital on Friday after a day of violence and destruction that left dozens of people dead as President Suharto arrived home to face the biggest challenge to his 32-year rule. In his first directive aimed at quelling the unrest, Suharto revoked price hikes for fuel and electricity prices, which triggered the rash of demonstrations which turned bloody this week.

ENVIRONMENT: Deforestation Rampant in Honduras

Deforestation is ravaging the environment to such an extent that Honduras could end up without any significant wooded areas within the next two decades, according to new study.

POLITICS-HAITI: Mission Supports Extradition of Coup Leaders

Haitian efforts to extradite leaders of the 1991 coup were boosted this week through the support of the International Civilian Observer Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH) - a joint body from the United United Nations and the Organisation of American States.

POLITICS-GUYANA: Govt.Seeks Protection in Regional Security System

These days it appears as if anything the government of this South American republic does is viewed with suspicion.

ZIMBABWE: Politicians Urged To Spearhead Fight Against AIDs

Zimbabwe's health authorities, worried by a crippling high HIV infection rate, are urging political leaders to spearhead the fight against the spread of the killer virus.

DRUGS: Non-Aligned Demand Shared Responsibility

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) will finetune its position on drug trafficking, based on the key concept of shared responsibility, next week in Colombia.

ECONOMY-D.R.CONGO: Starting out on a Long, Steep Road

It would have seemed impossible at the time, but since seizing power a year ago, the government of the former Zaire has stabilised a national currency that used to lose value almost daily and has slashed inflation by at least a digit.

POPULATION-CARIBBEAN: Managing Growth And the Brain Drain

Caribbean delegates here have been stressing the special requirements of the sub-region in the formulation of any wider regional policy to deal with the issue of population, reproductive health and poverty.

POLITICS-INDIA: Nuclear Tests Lack Strategic Rationale

India's six-week-old government dominated by the right-wing, Hindu-chauvinistic, Bharatiay Janata Party (BJP has outraged the world by conducting five nuclear tests which lack strategic and political rationale.

POLITICS-INDIA: Nuclear Tests Lack Strategic Rationale

India's six-week-old government dominated by the right-wing, Hindu-chauvinistic, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP has outraged the world by conducting five nuclear tests which lack strategic and political rationale.

SIERRA LEONE-BRITAIN: Details Emerge Over Arms And Mercenary Deal

Details are slowly emerging here about a controversial operation involving the use of British arms and mercenaries to restore President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah to power in Sierra Leone.

ZIMBABWE: Politicians Urged To Spearhead Fight Against AIDs //repeat//

Zimbabwe's health authorities, worried by a crippling high HIV infection rate, are urging political leaders to spearhead the fight against the spread of the killer virus.

POPULATION-CARIBBEAN: Moving From Agreement to Action on Women’s Rights

Latin American and Caribbean governments are being urged to resist the temptation to engage in tokenism when tackling women's issues and to carry out comprehensive programmes of reform.