OIL-MEXICO: PEMEX Reform Debate Entrenched in Dogma

The debate in the Mexican Congress over the government’s proposals to reform the state oil company, PEMEX, has placed the oft- amended constitution of 1917 and the elusive concepts of nationalism and sovereignty squarely at the centre of the controversy.

ENVIRONMENT: Lousy Salmon Causes an Upset

Sea lice from Norwegian-run salmon farms are killing off vital wild salmon stocks in Canada and Chile, according to a delegation that visited Oslo last week. It accuses Norway's government of complicity.

MIDEAST: Israel Targets Iran Through Syrian Friendship

"Spin" was the chorus that predictably emanated from Israel's parliament when the office of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced last week that Israel and Syria had initiated talks ultimately aimed at reaching a peace agreement. But to reduce the renewal of peace talks between Jerusalem and Damascus, after an eight-year hiatus, to mere "spin" is to underestimate how it currently serves the strategic interests of both countries.

TRADE-AFRICA: ‘‘Build Regional Markets to Prevent Hunger’’

Regional trade agreements could not only serve to protect farmers in developing countries but could also be used for the swift distribution of food aid from neighbouring countries in times of famine.

Ecobreves – CUBA: More Control over Energy and Environment

The Cuban National Assembly of Popular Power created a special commission made up of 32 deputies to reinforce government control over efficient energy use and environmental protection.

Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Annual Rite with Crocs and Turtles

Venezuela released some 900 young Orinoco crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius), hatched in nurseries and biological research stations of the Environment Ministry.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Legal Instrument to Protect Forests

The recently created Institute of Forest Conservation (ICF), entrusted with executing and supervising the application of the new Forestry Act in Honduras, is taking form following the arrival of its new director, Suyapa Otero.

Ecobreves – CHILE: Government Against All Whale Hunts

One month before the Chilean capital hosts a meeting of the International Whaling Commission, President Michelle Bachelet has repeated her rejection of allowing hunts for scientific purposes.

Ecobreves – GLOBAL: Tierramérica Wins International Zayed Prize

The weekly news service on the environment and development, Tierramérica, was awarded the Zayed International Prize in the category of Environmental Action Leading to Positive Change in Society, granted by the United Arab Emirates.

MIDEAST: Lebanon Deal Confirms Qatar’s Honest Broker Role

While Lebanon rejoices over the power-sharing deal among its rival factions that ended 18 months of political conflict and saved it from the brink of civil war, deal-broker Qatar revels in the glory of yet another diplomatic coup.

Q&A: ''Failing to Act For the Benefit of Children Is a Crime''

The world's religions are poised to step out of their 'comfort zones' to heed the feeblest of voices - those of children. Under the aegis of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), these religious institutions are learning to set aside differences and work together for the sake of 2.2 billion children around the world.

RIGHTS-JAPAN: Youths Find Their 'Voice'

If the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step then such a step has just been taken by a group of children from different parts of the world, guided by an older generation dedicated to giving youth a brighter and safer future.

Q&A: Lack of Food Is a "Persistent Myth"

The current food crisis has revived the myth that the world doesn't produce enough food for its six billion people, according to Michel Pimbert, author of a new study that highlights local production as a potential solution.

TRADE: France Seeks Greater Flexibility with Africa

France, the forthcoming holder of the European Union's rotating presidency, has asked that the bloc display greater flexibility in talks aimed at reaching free trade accords with Africa.

RIGHTS: Dutch Offer a Discriminatory Welcome

The civic integration test that would-be migrants of certain nationalities need to pass before being allowed into the Netherlands to join their families is discriminatory, says a Human Rights Watch report released last week.

JAPAN: Religious Leaders Renew Pledges to Children

Renewing solidarity and respect for the fundamental rights of children, over 1,300 religious leaders of different faiths, grassroots workers, and decision makers from about 60 countries are gathered in this historic Japanese city to give the younger generation a much-needed 'voice'.

BANGLADESH: Human Bird Flu Case Deadly for Poultry Industry

Authorities here have stepped up surveillance against avian influenza after the case of a 16-month-old boy, who took ill in January, was diagnosed as one of infection with the deadly H5N1 virus.

POLITICS: World Peace Report Card Shows “Slight” Improvement

Everyone loves rankings. The nations of the world are constantly ranked on some criteria by various governments and organisations, but notably absent has been a ranking that shows which countries are the most at peace. Until two years ago.

SOUTH AMERICA: Regional Integration Back on the Agenda

Political and economic integration as a strategy to combat poverty in South America was put back at the top of the regional agenda Friday with the signing of a treaty that created the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in the Brazilian capital.

KENYA: Teenage Mothers Denied Education

At 17, Julia Metito* (*not her real name) should be in her final year in secondary school in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, but three years ago she had to leave school to give birth and then nurse a child. Today, she finds herself in Class Seven with 13-year-olds. 13,000 girls leave school every year in Kenya due to pregnancy, according to research released at the beginning of May by the Centre for the Study of Adolescence, a non-governmental organisation that works on reproductive health, gender and social policy for teenagers.

POLITICS-CARIBBEAN: PMs Fight for Survival

Stephenson King and Bruce Golding waited years, even decades, to become prime ministers of their respective countries. Now both face the possibility of fresh general elections just months into their terms, although for different reasons.