ECONOMY: Despite Its Clout, China Feels Vulnerable to Shocks

Despite an impressive show of its increased economic and political stature at the just-finished G20 summit in London, China remains plagued by doubts about the sustainability of its economic miracle.

MEXICO: Military Justice System under Fire

The Mexican government, legislators and human rights organisations are calling for a review of the outdated military justice system, accused of letting human rights violators off the hook. But only activists seem to actually be doing anything to bring that about.

DR-CONGO: Electronics Firms Urged to Boycott “Blood Minerals”

The world’s mass consumption of cell phones, laptops and other electronics fuels widespread sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a new study released Wednesday by the non-profit Enough Project that echoes what many human rights activists and humanitarian workers have been saying for years.

MEXICO: Indigenous Woman on the Offensive

Two years ago, Eufrosina Cruz was kept from running for mayor of her home village by the "traditions and customs" of her indigenous community in southern Mexico, just because she is a woman.

MIDEAST: Israeli Military Cloaks Abuses

The Israeli army's Advocate General has summarily closed an internal investigation into allegations stemming from accounts by soldiers of abuses against Palestinian civilians committed during Israel's recent war on Hamas in Gaza.

AFRICA: ‘‘G20 Should Use Crisis as Opportunity to Fix Inequity’’

The daunting task of making Africa the centre of attention awaits Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi when the Group of 20 (G20) rich and emerging economies meet in London tomorrow.

ECONOMY: Global Public Backs Major Reforms

The international economic system needs a broad overhaul, said a strong majority of 70 percent of respondents to a global poll.

POLITICS-SOMALIA: Refugees Suffering in Kenyan Camps

In early March, Amina Ayanna Yusuf strapped her two-year-old son to her back and set off for the Kenyan border with her small savings.

US-CUBA: Support Builds in Congress to Lift Embargo

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators and interest groups is backing a bill that would end the long economic embargo against Cuba, including travel restrictions to the island.

G20: Japan Carries African Concerns To London

Japan, the world's second largest economy, is calling for global initiatives to reactivate financial flows to Africa, including government grants, concessional loans and lines of credit.

CAMBODIA: Trial of Khmer Rouge Leader Starts Healing Process

Om Chantha,69, says she has waited far too long before finally seeing, with her own eyes, Khmer Rouge leader Duch face trial for torture, crimes against humanity and murder.

CLIMATE CHANGE: G20 Leaders Wrangle Over Kyoto Successor

Senior legislators from the G20 bloc of the world’s biggest economies launched an international commission in Washington Monday to help lay the political groundwork for a global deal on climate change in Copenhagen this December.

POLITICS-US: Let Spy Laws Fade into the Sunset, Group Urges

One of the nation’s leading legal rights groups is calling on the U.S. Congress to make major changes in the USA Patriot Act to reverse parts of the hurriedly passed law that have been found unconstitutional or have been abused to collect information on innocent people.

MIDEAST: All Change, and Nothing Changes

In the Middle East this week it's all change. In fact, it's all diplomatic stasis. Neither Monday's Arab League summit in Doha nor Tuesday's induction of a new Israeli government in Jerusalem is likely to break or even ease the conflict deadlock that grips the region.

MIDEAST: US Overtures to Iran Must Wait – Analysts

While most countries in the world welcome Washington’s conciliatory message towards Iran, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are sceptical about an appropriate response from their neighbour.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: New Standards for Forest Products

The Brazilian industries that utilize raw materials from the forests will have to follow new production criteria, according to a resolution passed by the National Environmental Council this month.

Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Indignant Over Mining Project

Residents of Andalgalá, in the northwestern Argentine province of Catamarca, are preparing a national protest against the approval of a mining project they say will hurt their water supply and the environment.

Ecobreves – CENTRAL AMERICA: Universities to Study Natural Disasters

Representatives from the 19 public universities of Central America agreed on a 12-year strategy for studying and preventing natural disasters and for proposing appropriate public policies.

Ecobreves – MEXICO: Medications via Nanoparticles

Researchers in Mexico have encapsulated pharmaceuticals in microscopic nanoparticles, allowing the medications to be delivered with greater precision to the ill part of the body, without the secondary effects of conventional therapies.

MEDIA-PAKISTAN: Pondering Risks Covering Conflict, Crime, Corruption

The main issue before the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) meeting over the weekend in the central Punjab city of Faisalabad is the threat faced by journalists in this conflict-ridden South Asian country.

JAPAN: Tensions Rise Over North Korean Rocket

Japan’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF) have been readied to shoot down a North Korean satellite-fitted rocket if it disintegrates or veers over its territories early next month.