CHINA: Olympics Leave Hong Kongers Cold

While the whole world tuned in on the spectacular Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing, there was little excitement in this former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.

CHINA: All the World's Stage

All the world is a stage and for a few mesmerising hours on Friday night that stage was China’s. Doubts over China as Olympic host faded away, at least temporarily, as the organisers delivered a fitting tribute to the mystery and sophistication of Chinese civilisation.

Q&A: “Latin America Needs a Regional Agenda” on AIDS Funding

If the economic status of Latin America and the Caribbean continues to improve, the region’s share of assistance from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is likely to drop to half the present level, under the current eligibility requirements, says Lelio Mármora, the Fund’s portfolio manager for this region.

RIGHTS-US: Hamdan’s Future Remains Unclear

Despite a sentence that effectively means convicted war criminal Salim Hamdan could be a free man before the end of this year, the future of Osama bin Laden’s driver is far from clear.

TRADE-AFRICA: New Technology to Sever Timber’s Link to Conflict?

While conflict diamonds or blood diamonds, as they are known, have gained attention the world over in terms of the role illicit gems play in fuelling warfare, the role that the timber trade has played in abetting conflict has received considerably less consideration. That may be beginning to change.

MALAYSIA: Anwar's Popularity Undimmed by Sodomy Charges

It was a humid, sweltering afternoon here in Permatang Pauh on mainland Penang state in northern Malaysia, the scene of what could prove to be a pivotal by-election for the country on Aug. 26.

RIGHTS-ETHIOPIA: Court Case To Test Limits of Press Freedom

A legal battle in Ethiopia over what constitutes contempt of court is likely to test the boundaries of free speech in a country where the liberty of press has deteriorated over the last three years.

CHINA: Olympic Glory Seen As More Than Sports

One hundred years ago Chinese athletes had neither money nor government support to compete in the Olympics. An invitation by the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, to Qing dynasty rulers to send a national team of athletes went unanswered.

INDIA/US: Racing to Clear Last Lap of Nuke Deal

As the Bush administration pushes the outer limits of the political timeline for the passage of the controversial nuclear cooperation deal with India in the United States Congress, two potential stumbling blocks have become apparent in securing exemptions for the agreement from the tough export rules of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG).

TURKEY: Government Survives Shakily

Turkey has barely managed to avoid a 'judicial coup' to overthrow its elected government, but others may be in the offing.

Q&A: "Seven Million People Still Lack AIDS Treatment"

A greater commitment to universal access to anti-HIV therapies and to the defence of health workers in impoverished countries are two achievements noted by Argentine physician Pedro Cahn as president of the scientific society that organised the XVII International AIDS Conference.

ECONOMY-INDIA: Market Reforms May Not Materialise

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s coalition government is no longer dependent on communist parties to complete its term in office but it may yet fail to push through market-friendly, neo-liberal economic policies - for lack of time and political consensus.

Q&A: 'Many Would Prefer To Die Than Endure This'

In the dungeons of Bishkek the summer temperatures are soaring. The air is thick and stagnant. Since the abolition of the death penalty, the threat of execution has been removed but inmates are living on the borderline of existence.

Q&A: “Condoms Have To Be Used To Be Useful”

Of the over 30 million people living with HIV, half are women and the rate of infections in women is rising, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. What’s more, women’s rights groups say gender inequalities are fuelling the epidemic - there is an irrefutable feminisation of HIV.

TRADE: ‘Increased Foreign Investment Will Not Lift All Boats’

Paul Moist, the President of Canada’s largest union, expressed concern about a free trade deal between Canada and Colombia during a recent meeting with Fabio Valencio, Colombia’s Minister of the Interior.

RIGHTS: Human Rights in the Age of Counter-Terrorism

Member states of the U.N. have frequently disregarded international human rights laws and principles in the name of counter-terrorism, an expert panel here found.

Q&A: “Policy Incoherence” Frustrates Funding for Gender Equity

Inequality between men and women "is not always linked to poverty. We must not postpone action until we are rich and happy, because we may get rich without achieving gender equality," Roberto Bissio, coordinator of the international network Social Watch, told IPS.

TRADE-CHINA: Food Security Prompted Tough Line at Geneva

China's tough stance at the 'Doha' trade talks in Geneva has less to do with political posturing than with the country's long-standing obsession with food security, experts here suggest.

DEVELOPMENT-SENEGAL: Water Still A Problem In Dakar

Dakar's suburban communities still deal with irregular access to water. The problem is especially pressing for neighborhoods such as Yeumbeul, Diamaguene et Cambérène.

POLITICS-US: Marketing Obama to Evangelicals

For the past three decades, the religious right has dominated the religio- political dialogue in the United States. The right’s growth, and its agenda - which revolved around so-called traditional family values issues including, but not limited to, opposition to abortion and full equality for gays and lesbians - was pursued on two tracks: they built multi-million dollar political and media enterprises, and they made themselves an indispensable force within the Republican Party.

RIGHTS-US: ‘When You Have To Leave America To Be Free’

Nearly three years after the U.S. government failed to convict Palestinian activist and former college professor Sami Al-Arian of any charges in one of the most high-profile terrorism trials following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he continues to be held in federal prison - where, if convicted in an upcoming trial on criminal contempt charges, he faces the prospect of remaining for decades.