Deadly Car Blast Hits Turkey’s Syria Border

(Al Jazeera) - At least 10 people have been killed and 30 others wounded following a car-bomb explosion near the border between Turkey and Syria, Turkish television reported.

Is Uzbekistan’s Economy Going into a Tailspin?

(EurasiaNet) - Uzbekistan has introduced sweeping new banking and import regulations that appear designed to keep hard currency from leaving the country.

Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas Threaten Civilians

The use of explosive weapons in populated areas -- whether a bombing in Pakistan, shelling in Sudan, Syria or Gaza, or the firing of unguided rockets in Israel-- is a major cause of death, injury and destroyed livelihoods.

Fishers Fight Over Dwindling Catch

Boats were tying up at the jetty and there was a bustle of activity as vendors cried their wares, offering shellfish to potential buyers, while young people, sharp knives in hand, filleted sea bass and red snapper. Meanwhile, on the promenade, octogenarian musicians played old-style cumbias and boleros for restaurant patrons.

Fidel Castro Votes to ‘Update Cuban Socialist Model’

Among millions of people flocking to the polls in Cuba to vote in general elections was the unexpected figure of former president Fidel Castro, making a surprise public appearance in what was interpreted as a reaffirmation of his support for the government of his brother, President Raúl Castro.

Hydroelectric Project Threatens Chile’s Lake Neltume

“This is paradise and they want to destroy it. This has had an enormous psychological impact on us,” says Guido Melinao, leader of the Mapuche indigenous community of Valeriano Cayicul, referring to the Neltume hydroelectric power plant project planned by the Spanish-Italian consortium Endesa-Enel.

U.N. Sees Global Decline in Female Genital Mutilation

There has been a decline in the life-threatening practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), according to the latest figures released by the United Nations.

U.S. Prison Population Seeing “Unprecedented Increase”

The research wing of the U.S. Congress is warning that three decades of “historically unprecedented” build-up in the number of prisoners incarcerated in the United States have led to a level of overcrowding that is now “taking a toll on the infrastructure” of the federal prison system.

U.N. Whistleblower Shines Light on Human Trafficking and Private Militaries

“It is bittersweet to be back inside (U.N. walls) after twelve years and virtually being kicked out on my ass on its front steps in Bosnia,” said Kathryn Bolkovac at an event hosted by the U.N. Bookshop.

Combating Hate Speech Without Infringing Freedom of Expression

The international community faces an ongoing challenge in protecting the rights to freedom of opinion and expression while also combating incitement to genocide and preventing violence based on hatred. This was stated at a panel discussion Friday about hate speech and incitement to genocide.

Building Beaches Against the Sea

The government of this historic walled city, a bastion of tourism on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, is widening beaches and building dual carriageways on its north side to protect against the ever-worsening impacts of climate change.

Murder of Landless Workers’ Leader Recalls Brazil’s Dictatorship

The execution-style killing of a leader of the Landless Workers’ Movement in a sugarcane plantation in the southeastern Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, where bodies of opponents of the dictatorship were incinerated in the 1970s, recalls one of the most tragic chapters in this country’s history.

Israel Using Crowd Control Weapons ‘Unlawfully’

The Israeli army is systematically using crowd control weapons and live ammunition unlawfully against Palestinians in the West Bank, signaling a widespread breach of military regulations and an alarming culture of impunity, a leading Israeli human rights group has warned.

UNESCO-IHE Rector Predicts Water Cooperation, not Conflict

“Many are saying that water will be the principle cause of the next conflict,” said András Szöllösi-Nagy, Rector at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – Institute for Water Education (UNESCO-IHE), at a press briefing at U.N. Headquarters in New York. “If you look at history, (that’s) not true,” he added.

Humanitarian Situation Worsens in Mali

“The humanitarian situation in Mali continues to deteriorate,” said Philippe Lazzarini, Deputy Director of the Coordination and Response Division for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OHCA) in a conference of member states at the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Twelve Promising Steps Forward for Global Development in 2012

As the developing world is fervently renewing and accelerating its efforts to achieve the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, and after a recent record-low in U.N. donor contributions for 2012, the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) on Monday recognised 12 stories of success.

Kyrgyzstan’s Labour Migrants Leave Behind “Social Orphans”

(EurasiaNet) - Like most residents of her children’s home in Osh, Nargiza is a part-time orphan. Her father disappeared when she was born and her mother works long spells in Russia. Nargiza has no siblings and doesn’t know her grandparents. But she does see her mother from time to time.

Learning From The Holocaust With “The Rescuers”

As the world continues to face the threat of genocide, Michael King’s poignant documentary film, “The Rescuers”, seeks to learn lessons through the little-known stories of 13 diplomats, who saved the lives of thousands of Jews during World War II.

Kerry Gets a Pass as Factions Gear Up for Hagel Fight

Sen. John Kerry received a warm reception from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee here Thursday, virtually assuring his approval as President Barack Obama’s second-term secretary of state as soon as next week.

Law Makes it Honourable to Kill

“Before she was murdered, she wasn’t alive. We’ll tell her story backwards from her murder to her birth”…so begins a powerful new song by critically acclaimed Palestinian hip-hop band DAM to draw attention to the continuing murder of Palestinian women by male relatives declaring that “family honour” has been damaged by alleged sexual indiscretions.

‘Green’ Approaches to Water Gaining Ground Around World

After Hurricane Sandy swept through the northeast of the United States late October 2012, millions of New Yorkers were left for days without electricity.  But they still had access to drinking water, thanks to New York City’s reliance on protected watershed areas for potable water.