Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Municipalities Promote Discussion of Draft Mining Law

The Association of Municipalities of Honduras has launched community discussion of a bill for a new mining law to be tabled in Congress later this year.

Kenyan nurses suffer after self-diagnosis

“ … when you are stigmatized, you hide away, you are in denial, you become depressed, and you stay away in isolation. That kills us …”   Audio Slide Show

Poorly Lit Neighbourhoods in the Philippines Bottle up Light

UNITED NATIONS, July 6 — A new initiative in the Philippines has inspired communities to brighten up their neighbourhoods turning empty bottles into solar powered light bulbs.

Paraguay’s Isolation Grows

ASUNCIÓN, Jul 5 2012 (IPS) - Paraguay’s isolation, following the impeachment and ouster of President Fernando Lugo 11 days ago,  has grown thanks to slender recognition for the new government and souring diplomatic relations with the neighbours.

Poland Clings On to Coal

BRUSSELS, Jul 2 2012 (IPS) - Coal has brought its own compulsions for Poland, as it has for many other countries in the call to move to more renewable and cleaner sources of energy.

‘Amazon of Europe’ Threatened by a Straightening

BELGRADE, Jun 30 2012 (IPS) - Wildlife is being increasingly threatened around the Danube river, the “Amazon of Europe”. The need for profit is taking over from the need to protect natural resources along the river.

New World Bank Chief Backs Defunding Bangladesh Bridge Project

WASHINGTON, Jul 3 2012 (IPS) - On Monday, his first day in office, new World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said he sees the institution’s recent decision to pull out of a massive bridge project in Bangladesh as “appropriate”.

Green Bricks Pave Future for Female Workers

DHAKA, Jul 3 2012 (IPS) - At first glance the smart young women in white overcoats, black rubber boots and protective face masks seem out of place in impoverished Bangladesh’s dirtiest industry – brick making.

OP-ED: The Future We Wanted — The Future We will Get

by Waruna Dhanapala & Ambassador Dr Palitha Kohona Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations
UNITED NATIONS, July 3 -- After months of arduous negotiations, sometimes mired in hopeless and acrimonious debate mainly between the North and the South, the Outcome Document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development/Rio+20 was adopted by acclamation by over 130 states represented at the highest levels on the evening of 22nd June 2012.

News Briefs – Stockholm International Water Institute Wins Prince Albert II of Monaco Water Award

Stockholm, 2 July 2012 – The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) has been named the 2012 'Prince Albert II of Monaco Water Award' laureate in recognition of its “high contributions on water issues”.

News Briefs – Kosovo to Gain Full Sovereignty

DOHA, Qatar, Jul 3 2012 (Al Jazeera) - Kosovo will finally gain full soverignty in September, almost four years after breaking away from Serbia, the International Steering Group (ISG) overseeing its independence has announced.

Mushroom farmers bloom in Cameroon

In the NW region of Cameroon, mushrooms are a cherished delicacy, eaten by almost every household. Yet in the markets mushroom is scarce and farmer say successful cultivation is highly profitable.

Mining Industry’s Attempts at Transparency Falling Short in Peru

LIMA, Jun 29 2012 (IPS) - Peru was certified as compliant with the global standard of the Extractive Industries Transparencies Initiative (EITI) earlier this year. However, its achievements have not satisfied the demands of the local population in mining and oil extraction zones.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Caribbean Women Caught in the Storm

SANTO DOMINGO, Jun 29 2012 (IPS) - Incorporating a gender focus in public policies for confronting and adapting to the impacts of climate change is still a pending task in the Caribbean, despite women’s proven skills in risk and disaster management.

NEWSBRIEF: Youth-Friendly Apps Visualise Carbon Footprint

Following what many regard as a disappointment at the recent Rio+20 Earth Summit, the World Bank and several groups have begun implementing new initiatives to “personalise” climate change, in hopes of revitalising the issue among the younger generation.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Despite Awareness, Water Is Still Being Wasted

Brazilians recognize that water is a limited resource, but they have yet to cultivate habits to preserve it, according to a survey conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Ecobreves – LATIN AMERICA: South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary Could Finally Become a Reality

Environmental and civil society organizations in Latin America, with support from other regions, feel confident that an initiative for whale conservation in the South Atlantic will finally be approved this year.

Ecobreves – MEXICO: Injunction Requested Against GM Soy

Non-governmental organizations and honey producers in the southern Mexican states of Yucatán and Chiapas have filed a petition with the federal court for an injunction against the government’s authorization of commercial production of genetically modified (GM) soybeans on an area of some 253,000 hectares.

U.N. Whistleblowers Muted and Victimized

A landmark case filed against U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon by a former employee has spotlighted the dangers of whistle-blowing inside the U.N. exposing a faulty accountability system.

Rwandan Government Denies Role in Mutiny in DRC

UNITED NATIONS, 28 Jun – Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs has strongly denied allegations that the Rwandan government is providing support to mutineers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Oxfam Cautions Against Potential Loophole In Upcoming Arms Trade Treaty

NEW YORK, 27 Jun -- In a report released Tuesday, the London-based Oxfam emphasized the importance of including spare parts and arms components under international regulation in the upcoming Arms Trade Treaty.