POLITICS: Washington Remains Vague on Aid Plans for Post-War Iraq

Despite calls from the humanitarian community for the administration of President George W. Bush to articulate its relief plans in the event of war on Iraq, U.S. officials refuse to give details of their efforts, blaming the uncertainty on an unpredictable Saddam Hussein.

DEVELOPMENT: World Bank Bashes Bloated, Burdensome Aid Donors

Reacting to criticism from western countries that blame development agencies for the ineffectiveness of international aid, the World Bank on Thursday pinned the shortcomings on interminable red tape and lack of cooperation between donor nations.

TRADE-U.S.: Central America Deal Must Boost Labour Rights – Report

A proposed trade agreement between the United States and five Central American nations could further worsen labour and environmental conditions in the region if Washington does not use its clout to press for greater workers' rights there, says a leading U.S. think tank.

BOLIVIA: IMF Policies at Root of Riots, Say Activists

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) backed a tax increase and economic austerity measures in Bolivia that fuelled riots in the South American nation this week that have left at least 20 people dead and dozens injured, critics of the Washington-based institution say.

FINANCE: IMF Policies at Root of Bolivian Riots, say Activists

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) backed a tax increase and economic austerity measures in Bolivia that fuelled riots in the South American nation this week that have left at least 20 people dead and dozens injured, critics of the Washington-based institution say.

ECONOMY: Asian Bank Cuts Growth Forecast on Fears of Iraq War

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has cut its growth forecast for East Asian economies amid fears that a war in Iraq and potentially higher oil prices could put the brakes on an already slowing world economy.

TRADE: U.S. Policies Risk Isolating Seed-beds of Terror – Report

U.S. trade policy could be isolating Muslim countries, including those that joined Washington in its self-styled ''war on terror'', deepening poverty and increasing social dissatisfaction - fertile grounds for anti-U.S. sentiment says a leading think-tank here.

DEVELOPMENT: Ethiopia Must Invest in Solutions to Hunger – Report

To prevent repeats of a deadly looming famine that could cost thousands of lives, Ethiopia, one of the world's poorest nations, needs to adopt food-for-school programmes, create efficient road networks and develop a working food market, says a think tank here.

LABOUR: Unions say IMF Pressuring Croatia to Cut Worker Protection

International labour unions say they will help Croatia resist pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to liberalise its labour legislation, a move they say would threaten workers' rights and create social instability in a country still reeling from years of war and civil strife.

POLITICS-U.S.: 2004 Foreign Aid Budget Spotlights ‘War on Terror’

U.S. President George W. Bush unveiled Monday a proposed increase in foreign aid in the 2004 budget, with most of the hike going to countries that have joined Washington in its self-styled ''war on terror''.

MIDEAST: U.S.-backed Iraqi Opposition Mobilises Western Corporate Support

The U.S.-backed Iraqi opposition leaders have vowed to turn the country into a secular, multi-party, federal and non-sectarian state that will welcome huge investment in massive oil fields.

ECONOMY: Davos Elitist Club Snubs Africa

Despite talk from officials of the World Economic Forum that the exclusive organization is moving towards openness and sharing, African officials and NGOs complained here Monday that the elitist gathering has failed them.

ECONOMY: Lula da Silva Pleads with the Mighty for War on Hunger

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talking to some of the world's richest and most powerful people said no to a war on Iraq and no to Western protectionist policies, but a yes to the fight against hunger and to bridging a gap between the world's rich and poor.

IRAQ-U.S.: Powell Argues for War, Dismisses Humanitarian Disaster Talk

U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell shrugged accusations Sunday that U.S. lacks evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and it has little consideration for a possible humanitarian disaster that could ensue after the threatened war.

ECONOMY: Lula da Silva Pleads with the Mighty for War on Hunger

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talking to some of the world's richest and most powerful people said no to a war on Iraq and no to Western protectionist policies, but a yes to the fight against hunger and to bridging a gap between the world's rich and poor.

IRAQ-U.S.: Powell Argues for War, Dismisses Humanitarian Disaster Talk

U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell shrugged accusations Sunday that U.S. lacks evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and it has little consideration for a possible humanitarian disaster that could ensue after the threatened war.

ECONOMY: Lula da Silva Megastar at Davos Forum

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, a long time critic of corporate globalisation, a former metal worker and union leader of humble background, is the unrivalled star of the pro-market, elitist annual gathering of top executives and government leaders, the World Economic Forum.

Hours before his arrival in this Alpine ski resort Saturday, participants in the 33rd meeting of the Forum were abuzz with anticipation of what the 57-year old leftist leader who presides over the world's 12th largest economy might have to say.

ECONOMY: Lula da Silva Megastar at Davos Forum

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, a long time critic of corporate globalisation, a former metal worker and union leader of humble background, is the unrivalled star of the pro-market, elitist annual gathering of top executives and government leaders, the World Economic Forum.

ECONOMY: Davos and Porto Alegre Pursue Identical Aims, Says WEF Chief

World Economic Forum President Klaus Schwab says his elitist forum, currently underway in the luxury ski resort of Davos, and its simultaneous "anti-Davos" alternative, the World Social Forum (WSF), organized by non-governmental organizations, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, are in fact one and the same.

"I have one just one word to Porto Alegre - we are the same," Schwab told IPS. "Both events, in principle, have the same objectives. That is to create a better world."

HEALTH: New Initiative to make Anti-AIDS Drug Accessible to the Poor

HIV/AIDS patients in the world's poorest countries could, at long last, have access to an affordable medicine under a new initiative launched at the World Economic Forum. A U.S. pharmaceutical company now allows international generic drugs makers the rights to sell its anti-AIDS drug.

HEALTH: New Initiative to make Anti-AIDS Drug Accessible to the Poor

HIV/AIDS patients in the world's poorest countries could, at long last, have access to an affordable medicine under a new initiative launched at the World Economic Forum.