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Thursday, August 20, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
FILM-US: You’ve Seen the Movie, Now Buy the Product
If you have any doubt that U.S. movies are becoming more like commercials, look no further than the current romantic film from Twentieth Century Fox, 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back'.FINANCE-RUSSIA: Fears of Global Crisis as Economic Woes Spread
The collapse of the Russian ruble has become the straw that broke the camel's back on Wall Street - forcing many U.S. investors to worry for the first time that Asia's economic woes could lead to a worldwide economic crunch.POLITICS-IRAQ: UN Weapons Chief Defends Work Amid New Woes
U.N. officials, backed into a corner by a worsening standoff with Iraq over arms inspections, insisted this week that disarmament work is going on despite one key resignation and rumours of outside pressure.RIGHTS-US: Racial Dispute Seethes as Youth March Goes Ahead
A demonstration by thousands of African American youths is set to take place next week in Harlem, after its organisers defeated an attempt by city officials here to redirect it to more remote park venues outside central New York.POLITICS-UN: Libya Asks for Time to Study New Lockerbie Deal
Libya's government has indicated that it is studying a new compromise deal which would allow two Libyan bombing suspects to be tried in the Netherlands, but has asked for time before the United Nations acts to approve it.POLITICS-UN: Sudan, Afghanistan Struggle for Response to Attacks
The past few days have underscored to the ruling groups in Sudan and Afghanistan how difficult it will be to muster U.N. or international criticism of the United States' Aug. 20 missile attacks against the two countries.UN-LIBYA: Britain, US Accept Compromise on Lockerbie Trial
The U.S. and British governments, in a reversal of their previous hardline support for sanctions against Libya, Monday announced their willingness to consider suspending a U.N. embargo in exchange for a trial in the Netherlands of two Libyan bombing suspects.POLITICS-PAKISTAN: U.S. Exodus Latest Blow to Alliance
For Pakistani schoolteacher Shaheen Hassan, the U.S. attack on Afghanistan last week not only hurt Washington's image here - it has also interrupted classes at her school and possibly cost her her job.DEVELOPMENT BULLETIN-BURMA: Latest Crackdown Boosts Pressure On Foreign Investors
A renewed crackdown by the Burmese government on the country's pro-democracy movement and its international supporters has added to the woes of business concerns already enduring criticism and local sanctions for their trade ties with Rangoon.POLITICS-IRAQ: UN Opens New Dialogue with Baghdad
The United Nations is pushing ahead on a new diplomatic initiative with Iraqi leaders in an attempt to end the stand-off over U.N. weapons inspections in Iraq.RIGHTS-BURMA: Latest Crackdown Boosts Pressure on Investors
A renewed crackdown by the Burmese government on the country's pro-democracy movement and its international supporters has added to the woes of business concerns already enduring criticism and local sanctions for their trade ties with Rangoon.POLITICS-YUGOSLAVIA: UN Efforts on Kosovo Stalled
In a week in which U.N. Secretary- General Kofi Annan denounced the Yugoslav government for a "scorched-earth policy" in Kosovo, the world body's low level of action in the region showed up the divisions between Western powers as the crisis worsened.POLITICS-UN: Full-Scale War Brewing in Angola
The Angolan government and the rebel UNITA movement are on a recruiting drive to boost their troop strengths and, with an increase in armed incursions, the nation appears headed for a new round of warfare, say UN officials.POLITICS-IRAQ: No War Talk in New Weapons Standoff
The last time Iraq defied U.N. weapons inspectors, the United States prepared a massive troop buildup in the Middle East; this time, U.S. diplomats are threatening to extend U.N. sanctions while avoiding any talk of war.POLITICS-IRAQ: Latest Crisis Brings Sense of Deja Vu
UN reaction to clear indications that Iraq intends to oppose the work of weapons inspectors there was demonstrated best by the UN team's chief, Richard Butler, as he evaded reporters' questions about a new crisis with the quip, "What's that? Can't hear you!"POLITICS-EAST TIMOR: Indonesia, Portugal Agree to Autonomy Talks
The pace of the East Timor peace process moved up a notch Wednesday when Indonesia and Portugal agreed to hold in-depth talks about granting "wide-ranging autonomy" to the region, perhaps by the year's end.DISARMAMENT-US: Canadians Attempt a Citizen’s Inspection
A delegation of Canadian activists, led by Parliamentarian Libby Davies, launched a new drive toward disarmament this week by trying to inspect a Trident submarine construction facility in Groton, Connecticut.TELEVISION-US: ‘South Park’ the Latest in Vulgarity
Parent groups and religious organisations have discovered something more reprehensible than rap music on U.S. airwaves - it's a TV cartoon show which focuses on foul- mouthed children telling dirty jokes.WOMEN-AFRICA: UN Launches Education Campaign Against Violence
African nations must do more to combat violence against women in their societies, U.N. officials declared at the outset of a new educational initiative focusing on gender-based violence.WEEKLY BULLETIN-UNITED STATES: Massachusetts Defends Burma Sanctions Laws
State officials in Massachusetts are headed for a showdown with a coalition of nearly 600 major corporations over whether state laws restricting business with companies that deal with Burma are against the U.S. Constitution.LABOUR-US: Activists Target Wal-Mart Overseas on Workers’ Rights
A US-based labour group intends using the winter holiday shopping season to force the nation's largest retail chain, Wal-Mart, to open its doors to independent monitoring of its overseas factories.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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