May 1998

RIGHTS-COTE D’IVOIRE: Land Conflict Leaves a Trail of Blood

A decades-long landownership dispute between two major ethnic groups -- the Baoule and Bete -- has erupted once again into a violent conflict that has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

LABOUR-PUERTO RICO: So Just What is Behind This Law?

By IPS Correspondents

For some in the labour movement in this Caribbean island it is a gigantic step forward, a historic achievement, while for others it is one of the most restrictive labour laws ever passed in this country.

CONGO-POLITICS: An Administration in Shambles

By IPS Correspondents

The impression left with a visitor to government ministries in the Congo is that of being in a house gutted by a cyclone, but the disaster here had nothing to do with nature - it was man-made.

SOCIETY-CHILE: Problems of Recognition and Protection

By IPS Correspondents

Chilean law dictates that only the traditional model of a family - with children born after the marriage of the parents is recognised. There is no recognition of children born out of wedlock nor are there any divorce laws to regulate any marriage breakdown.

RIGHTS-CHILE: Time to Change Outdated Concept of Family

By IPS Correspondents

Chile not only lacks a divorce law, but continues to differentiate between children born in and out of wedlock - a situation that must be rectified, according to politicians and UN officials.

MEDIA-THE BAHAMAS: Censorship By Any Other Name…

By IPS Correspondents

In just over a year since its last controversy involving censorship, trouble is again brewing at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, ZNS.

POLITICS-CHILE: US Hurrying in Post-Pinochetism

By IPS Correspondents

US Defence Secretary, William Cohen is in Chile aiming to speed the post-Pinochet era on its way, pressing for civilian control over the military.

POLITICS-NICARAGUA: Ortega’s Step Daughter Sues him for Rape

By IPS Correspondents

Former president of Nicaragua and head of the opposition Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel Ortega (1984-1990), will be in court facing rape charges filed by his step-daughter Zoilamerica Narvaez Murillo this week.

LABOUR: It’s Up to Governments to Eliminate Child Labour

By Gustavo Capdevila

When individuals break the law, they feel the full weight of the legal system. But when states flagrantly violate internationally accepted standards, what is the solution?

RELIGION BULLETIN-SOUTH AFRICA: Christian Group Challenges Pro- Choice Law

By IPS Correspondents

A Christian coalition has opened fire on South Africa's Termination of Pregnancy Act in a case that pits it against the state and human rights groups.

RELIGION BULLETIN-VATICAN: Double Celebration For The Pope

By IPS Correspondents

In the Vatican, Popes do not blow out the candles on their birthday, but on their saint's day. For that reason, no Polish nuns showed up here Monday with a cake bearing 78 candles for Karol Wojtyla, who was born May 18, 1920.

RELIGION BULLETIN-BANGLADESH: Family Laws Need to Include Women

By IPS Correspondents

Twenty four-year-old Alauddin was on the frontpage of national dailies in Bangladesh recently for marrying 17 times.

RELIGION BULLETIN-AUSTRALIA: Aborigines Want Their Cultural Heritage Copyrighted

By IPS Correspondents

For generations, outsiders have turned some of the Aborigines' most sacred symbols into trimmings on the most profane objects, and have made money using the teachings of indigenous healers with little acknowledgement.

HEALTH-INDIA: Whose Kidney is it Anyway?

By IPS Correspondents

When Ashok Gupta bought himself a kidney earlier this year, he thought the purchase would give him a reprieve on life. He never reckoned on his doctor getting arrested or the possibility that he would wind up in jail.

DISARMAMENT: U.S. to Sign Landmine Ban by 2006 – Maybe

By Jim Lobe

President Bill Clinton has committed the United States to sign the global treaty banning anti-personnel landmines (APLs) by the year 2006 - but only if the Pentagon developed alternatives by that time.

AGRICULTURE: Giant Moth Threatens Latam Potato Crop

By IPS Correspondents

A plague of giant moths, seemingly resistant to most insecticides is threatening potoato crops across most of Latin America.

NARCOTICS-RUSSIA: Drug Dealers Roam Russian Streets

By IPS Correspondents

"Gerych available here," says the vendor, offering his wares in downtown Moscow. 'Gerych' is the street name for heroin, and the one of the hottest spots for the trade is in Lubianka square -- right in front of the former KGB headquarters, now home to Russia's Federal Security Service.