POLITICS-MIDEAST: After Killing, Anger, Frustration and Fear Peak

As Arabs and their leaders widely condemn Israel's assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin Monday, anger continues to spill into the streets, many are bracing for a violent backlash and moderates are raising their hands in frustration.

POLITICS-MIDEAST: After Killing, Anger, Frustration and Fear Peak

As Arabs and their leaders widely condemn Israel's assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin Monday, anger continues to spill into the streets, many are bracing for a violent backlash and moderates are raising their hands in frustration.

POLITICS-SERBIA: New Solutions Sought in Balkans

New solutions are being sought for Kosovo after 28 people were killed in an attack last week.

POLITICS: Japan Pushes ‘Inclusive’ Approach to Burma – Analysts

Through events like its hosting of a visit by the U.N. special envoy on Burma, Japan may well signal Tokyo's desire to expand its traditional role as Asia's key aid donor and become a more active player in regional diplomacy, say experts here.

/ARTS WEEKLY/VENEZUELA: Theatre Festival Come What May

The "show must go on" at the International Theatre Festival of Caracas, one of the oldest in Latin America, which this year was rescheduled due to the high political tensions afflicting Venezuela in the past several weeks.

/ARTS WEEKLY/NEPAL: Trans-Himalayan ‘Thankas’ Pull in Crowds

Tenzing Norbu grew up watching and helping his father paint, on plain-white paper and clothes, the life and times of Lord Buddha and other Buddhist deities - against the backdrop of the breathtaking trans-Himalayan landscape.

/ARTS WEEKLY/INDIA: New Film a Tale of Talents

The celebrated painter M F Husain's latest cinematic venture, 'Meenaxi-Tale of Three Cities', might as well have have been a 'tale of talents', because of the way it converges Indian artistic talent at its inspired best.

POLITICS-U.S.: Criticism of Israeli Killing Just ‘Rhetoric’

Implied criticism by the White House for Israel's killing of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin is merely ''rhetoric'', according to one Middle East expert in Washington.

ENVIRONMENT-INDIA: Elections Bad News for Forests

Legitimising encroachments into forest lands before the elections is a cheap way to win votes, but one that could prove costly for India's rapidly dwindling green cover, as well the country's tribal communities.

ENVIRONMENT: Mexico to Host 4th World Water Forum

Millions of dollars have been invested since the 1970s in conferences and projects for ensuring universal access to clean water, but 1.2 billion people still do not have access to this vital liquid - and their numbers could reach four billion in 2025. To confront this ongoing problem, another global forum is to take place in Mexico in 2006.

RIGHTS-ARGENTINA: What to Do With the School of Horror

It is now up to a coalition of human rights groups in Argentina to decide what to do with ESMA, the most notorious torture centre operated by the 1976-1983 military dictatorship.

HEALTH-U.S.: Women Seniors Battle HIV/AIDS

Miriam Schuler cannot say enough about sex. Over bingo at the senior centre and on the street outside the grocery store, she discusses the topic with unabashed chutzpah, offering up hearty laughter and no-nonsense advice.

LABOUR-BRAZIL: Unemployment Up for University Graduates

The Brazilian labour market trends of the past few years belie the notion that a university education is enough to ensure one a decent job and a tranquil future.

RIGHTS-ARGENTINA: What to Do With the School of Horror

It is now up to a coalition of human rights groups in Argentina to decide what to do with ESMA, the most notorious torture centre operated by the 1976-1983 military dictatorship.

EL SALVADOR: Right’s Victory No Boon for U.S. Trade Treaty

The overwhelming victory of El Salvador's governing party in Sunday's elections will not make it any easier to ratify the free trade treaty signed with the United States, because the left will maintain its majority in Congress until 2006.

HAITI: Everyday Life, Doubts Return

The flies hovering over the stinking, shining green open sewers here do not appear to notice any change. Nor do the naked children, their distended bellies and orange hair sure signs of malnutrition, worms or worse.

RIGHTS: Relocation of San an Immediate Talking Point at CIVICUS Conference

The World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS) has begun its biennial World Assembly with strong words from Botswana President Festus Mogae about the relocation of members of his country's San community. The assembly is being held in Botswana's capital, Gaborone.

ENVIRONMENT-EUROPE: Alarm Sounds on Bee-Killing Pesticides

"Gaucho", a broad-spectrum insecticide made by the Germany-based chemical giant Bayer, was banned in France in 1999 due to its toxicity to bees and other forms of life - including humans. But its replacement, "Regent", from another German giant, BASF, is just as dangerous say beekeepers and biologists.

POLITICS: French Right Suffers Setback

The French right-wing government led by President Jacques Chirac suffered a big defeat in the first round of regional elections Sunday, confirming predictions that social conflicts could influence election outcome.

POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Ruling Party Win Leaves Opposition in Tatters

In what is probably the biggest upset in Malaysian electoral history, the Islamic opposition party and its sole ally, the National Justice Party of jailed former deputy Premier Anwar Ibrahim, have lost nearly everything they had won in the 1999 election.

POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Ruling Party Win Leaves Opposition in Tatters

In what is probably the biggest upset in Malaysian electoral history, the Islamic opposition party and its sole ally, the National Justice Party of jailed former deputy Premier Anwar Ibrahim, have lost nearly everything they had won in the 1999 election.