Gustavo Capdevila

CUBA: WTO Creates Tribunal to Rule on Helms-Burton Dispute

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) created a special tribunal Thursday that is to rule on the international dispute triggered by the U.S. Helms-Burton law, enacted to stiffen the economic blockade against Cuba.

SUDAN-HEALTH: UN Issues Call for Emergency Aid

By Gustavo Capdevila

The next month is crucial in terms of prevention of meningococcal meningitis in Sudan, because of the tendency for outbreaks of the disease - which has an up to 40 percent mortality rate - at this time of year.

TRADE: Argentina and United States Iron out Differences

By Gustavo Capdevila

Negotiations between Argentina and the United States made it possible for the Southern Cone country to sign an accord on liberalisation of the basic telecoms services market reached this weekend by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Historic Accord on Opening-up of Markets

By Gustavo Capdevila

Close to 70 countries agreed Saturday in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the liberalisation of basic telecommunications, one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy.

/IPS DEVELOPMENT BULLETIN/ HEALTH: AIDS – Major Threat to Emerging Markets

By Gustavo Capdevila

Young adults, the most oductive sector of society,have been hadest hit by AIDS while the virus is wreaking its worst havoc in the developing world, according to the head of the United Nations HIV/AIDS programme, Peter Piot.

DISARMAMENT: UN Conference to Debate Ban on Land-Mines

By Gustavo Capdevila

The UN Disarmament Conference finally approved this year's agenda on Friday, including - albeit indirectly - the most controversial issues: nuclear disarmament and prohibition of land-mines and production of fissionable material.

WOMEN: Gender Gap in Parliaments Traced Back to Parties

By Gustavo Capdevila

Women continue to be enormously underrepresented in parliaments all over the world, a problem that can be traced back to a skewed distribution of power in political parties, the latest study by the Interparliamentary Union reports.

HEALTH: Gender Gap in Cardiovascular Disease is Shrinking

By Gustavo Capdevila

The latest shrinking of the gender gap is not good news - findings that women are increasingly joining the ranks of victims of cardiovascular disease.

HEALTH: AIDS – Major Threat to Emerging Markets

By Gustavo Capdevila

Young adults, the most productive sector of society, have been hardest hit by AIDS while the virus is wreaking its worst havoc in the developing world, according to the head of the United Nations HIV/AIDS programme, Peter Piot.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Throwing Open the Markets

By Gustavo Capdevila

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) set out Monday on the last leg of negotiations on the opening up of telecommunications markets amid an atmosphere of cautious optimism.

HABITAT: Governments Powerless Without Civil Society

By Gustavo Capdevila

The size of problems in urban areas of the world, both in big cities and small towns, are too big for local governments and require the participation of the whole community, according to the United Nations.

HEALTH: Shortage of Vaccine for Fighting Meningitis in Africa

By Gustavo Capdevila

The World Health Organisation (WHO) decided Friday to put up the funds for the application of urgent measures against expected new outbreaks of meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa, while the market is suffering a shortage of vaccine.

HEALTH: 250 Million Asian Children Vaccinated Against Polio

By Gustavo Capdevila

Practically no child aged less than five years-old escaped a World Health Organisation (WHO) vaccination campaign against polio carried out in nine Asian countries.

HEALTH: 250 Million Asian Children Vaccinated Against Polio

By Gustavo Capdevila

Practically no child aged less than five years-old escaped a World Health Organisation (WHO) vaccination campaign against polio carried out in nine Asian countries.

HABITAT: Governments Powerless Without Civil Society

By Gustavo Capdevila

The size of problems in urban areas of the world, both in big cities and small towns, are too big for local governments and require the participation of the whole community, according to the United Nations.

ENVIRONMENT: Degradation Leading the Field on All Fronts

By Gustavo Capdevila

An overview of world-wide action to protect the environment released Monday, showed efforts to stop the degradation of the planet are advancing far too slowly.

TRADE: Environmental Treaty May Settle Turtle and Shrimp Case

By Gustavo Capdevila

The United States proposed an international ecological treaty for the protection of Asian sea turtles as a way to sidestep a trade complaint presented by several regional shrimp- exporting nations.

BURMA: Military Regime Gets Warning on Abuse of Child Rights

By Gustavo Capdevila

The United Nations Committee on Children's Rights recommended the Burmese government take specific action to eradicate child labour, the recruitment of minors to the army and child prostitution Thursday.

HEALTH: Fresh Approach, New Focus for WHO

By Gustavo Capdevila

In a change of focus underlined here this week at its annual executive council meeting, the World Health Organisation (WHO) plans to take account the social and poltiical cost of illnesses in determining priorities of its policies.

TRADE-CUBA: Europeans Keep up Objections to Helms-Burton

By Gustavo Capdevila

The European Union (EU) upheld its complaint over the US Helms-Burton law before the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Monday, despite President Bill Clinton's decisions to partially suspend the effects of this.