Syria Report Reveals Crimes Against Humanity

In conflict-ridden Syria, both government forces and  rebels have committed crimes against humanity concludes the latest report  by the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria.

Drug War Threatens Democracy, Mexican Peace Caravan Warns in US

“The war on drugs is endangering the best thing that the United States has given the world: democracy,” Javier Sicilia, the Mexican poet who heads the movement of victims of the violence unleashed by the war on drugs in his country, said upon reaching the United States this week.

Biopolymers and the Dream of a Green Petrochemical Industry

Brazil leads global production of biopolymers, an industry that generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuel-based plastic manufacture. But “green plastics” made from sugarcane have a sour aftertaste.

Eastern Caribbean Seeks Economic Unity

The nine-member Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is pushing harder for regional integration with the launch of a new parliamentary forum that it says will play a major role in its efforts to establish an economic union.

Violence in Darfur Reveals Security Issues

A peacekeeper from the African Union/United Nations hybrid mission ion Darfur (UNAMID) was killed and another injured on Sunday in line of duty in Nyala, South Dafur. The incident took place during late night. A gang appeared at the Otash camp for internally displaced people and fired at the staff. The peacekeeper was from Bangladesh's Formed Police Unit.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Biofilter Reduces Landfill Pollution

Researchers at the University of São Paulo have developed a biofilter that uses bacteria to reduce the amount of polluting gases released by sanitary landfills.

Ecobreves – ARGENTINA : Agrochemical Suit Could Set Precedent

The relatives of victims affected by aerial spraying of toxic agrochemicals in the central Argentine province of Córdoba hope the lawsuit filed against two farmers and a fumigator will set a legal precedent.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: First Solid Waste Plant Opening Soon

The municipality of Marcovia, in southern Honduras, will be the first in the country with a plant for treating and recycling solid wastes, which will enter into operation in September. The recycled material will be sold to companies in El Salvador and Guatemala.

Ecobreves – MEXICO: Promoting the Right to Mobility

Civil society organizations in Mexico City are promoting the right to mobility, which involves social, economic and environmental policies.

Mexican Victims of Violence Take Aim Against U.S. Firearms

“The United States should stop producing so many weapons, which cause us so much harm. That country also suffers from so much violence, as billions of dollars go into manufacturing guns.”

It’s Either Orangutans Or Cheap Palm Oil

When four men were sentenced to eight months in jail in March for the ‘murder’ of orangutans, it was the first time that people associated with Indonesia’s booming palm oil industry were convicted for killing man’s close relations in the primate family.

55 Million Dollars to Help Eight Countries

The United Nations announced Thursday that eight countries, currently  facing emergencies, will receive 55 million dollars for humanitarian operations.

U.N. Chief Announces New Sustainable Development Initiative

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday announced the  launch of a new independent global network of research centres, universities and technical institutions to help find solutions for some of the world’s most pressing environmental, social and economic problems.

HAITI: Kitchen Gardens Help Keep Hunger at Bay

Many Haitians living in poor neighbourhoods of the capital Port-au-Prince and semi-permanent tent camps are relying on kitchen gardens to put healthy food on the table.

Empty Condos Hold Opportunity in U.S. Housing Crunch

Even as thousands of families in the United States remain homeless due to a lack of affordable housing, millions of units are sitting empty across the country, including foreclosed single-family homes, foreclosed or vacant condominium units or entire condo buildings, and vacant high-priced apartments.

Honduran President Puts “Tigers” on the Streets

The Honduran government’s plan to create a new rapid response police force, as part of a strategy to militarise the fight against crime, is dangerously vague, experts say.

DRC Conflict Worsens, Oxfam Warns

Millions of people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are under siege as they get killed, kidnapped and abused --as the rebel group M23 takes control of the area. Elodie Martel, Oxfam's Associate Country Director, said:“We have reached a new depth of misery in Congo’s conflict when massacres go virtually unnoticed.” The organization reports that the widespread lawlessness is destabilizing the two eastern provinces of North and South Kivu and close to half million people have left their homes in the past four months. According to Andrej Mahecic , spokesperson for  the U.N. Refugee Agency, more than 470,000 Congolese have been uprooted since April – 220,000 in North Kivu and 200,000 in South Kivu –  while more than 51,000 fled to neighbouring Uganda (31,600) and Rwanda (19,400.) “Vast swathes of the east have descended into chaos with no government or security presence. People have been abandoned to killing, rape, looting and extortion. They are fleeing for their lives and very little is being done to help,” said Oxfam’s Martel. Regional leaders are meeting during August 7-8  in Kampala, Uganda at the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region to try to reach agreement on the resolution of the conflict. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: “I reiterate my call to key international stakeholders to provide enhanced and sustained support to the Congolese authorities for Security Sector Reform and other key endeavours.” Ban also pointed out the importance of implementing the Pact on Peace, Security and Development to ensure the regional stability. That accord was agreed by 11 countries on 2007 setting out four crucial areas of cooperation in order to reach peace in the Great Lakes area. Those 4 points are:  security, democracy and governance, economic development, and humanitarian and social welfare. “I condemn the violence and serious human rights violations committed by the M23,” said Ban, “as well as other armed groups, against civilians, including acts of sexual violence, summary executions, and the recruitment of children as combatants.” The rebel group M23 started with mutiny within the Government Army in April 2012. Since then the hundreds of people have been killed, many more have left their homes and the humanitarian situation is a “catastrophe” according to Oxfam. The international organization reports that cholera is a risk in displaced camps, since January 2012 there has been more than 20,000 cases of this disease and 481 reported deaths.

Swapping Trash for Fresh Produce in Mexico City

Isabel Becerril has come with some friends to the “barter market” in the Mexican capital, to exchange 40 kgs of recyclable refuse for fresh produce, sweets and plants. “This is the first time I have come here, and I like it,” the university student tells IPS, with her ecological bag in hand.

DRC Farmers Reap Benefits of Soil Fertility

Just two years ago, rice farmers on the Ruzizi plain in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo were content to harvest 2.5 tonnes of rice per hectare. The adoption of new techniques has seen their output rise to between six and eight tonnes, with smallholder farmers also increasing their local market share.

Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Used Notebooks Recycled

The government of the northern Venezuelan state of Miranda has launched campaign through which schoolchildren are encouraged to donate their used notebooks in order for them to be recycled.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Joint Assessment of Amazon Hydropower Dams Demanded

There is an urgent need for an in-depth analysis of the impacts of the construction of 30 hydroelectric dams in the Amazon region given the scale of public and private investment involved, maintains the Amazon Investment Observatory of Brazil.