Kenyans rekindle interest in World Social Forum

Kenyans rekindle interest in World Social Forum  

The director general of IPS, Mario Lubetkin, says the upcoming World Social Forum should focus on solutions to the world’s socio-economic problems.

The director general of IPS, Mario Lubetkin, says the upcoming World Social Forum should focus on solutions to the world's socio-economic problems.

U.S.: Super Bowl Draws Fans, and Human Traffickers

This weekend, thousands of people will temporarily migrate to Arlington, Texas, to attend U.S. football's Holy Grail - Super Bowl XLV. They expect to watch the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers, and to enjoy a performance by the Black Eyed Peas during half-time.

MIDEAST: Israelis Discover a New Love for Mubarak

Around the world, peoples revel in anticipation of the fall of a regime that has denied its citizens their basic rights. But most Israelis are haunted by nightmare scenarios of 'the day after', as if their country's stability was anchored in the continuity of the rule of Hosni Mubarak – not in peace.

Women assert voices in SA local elections

Women assert voices in SA local elections  

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Poverty without Borders

It's the land of freedom, of bright lights and burgers, where daring entrepreneurs arrive from across the planet in search of fame and fortune. The United States of America - the world's melting pot - has been a symbol of hope for centuries, but behind this vision of wealth and wonder is a tale often untold.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Kenyans Rekindle Old Flame

"One of the things we will be taking to Dakar," says Onyango Oloo, "is [knowledge of] how not to organise a World Social Forum."

MIDEAST: Israeli Army Battles New Dangers Within

They chant, "One people, one draft!" They raise the flag of unified, across-the- board army enlistment – students and veterans wearing scars of past wars from a few dozen mainstream Zionist civil society organisations and youth movements.

SOUTH AFRICA: Delayed Drug Registration Could Affect Region

Delays in drug registration by the country's Medicines Control Council (MCC), contribute to depriving South African HIV patients of important fixed dose combination antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. But there are indications that the effects of the delays are being felt even farther afield.

Report Confirms Gang Rapes at Canadian-Controlled PNG Mine

One of the world's largest mining organisations, Barrick Gold, is in damage control this week following the release of a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report outlining longstanding incidents of sexual and physical violence at the company's Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) mine in Papua New Guinea.

SRI LANKA: Press Freedom Burns in Colombo

At 2 a.m. on Monday morning, the headquarters of one of Sri Lanka's leading bilingual news sources, Lanka E-News (LEN), was burned down in the predawn darkness.

MALAWI: Women’s Voices to the Fore in New Development Policy

As Malawi works on its second development blueprint, the Malawi Development and Growth Strategy (MDGS II), the country’s women are hoping health and education will be prioritised and given proper attention in implementation.

AFRICA: ICC Justice a Dream Deferred

The African Union Summit drew to a close today in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Among the headline decisions was the continental body's support for Kenya's planned request to defer prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of six suspects in post-election violence that claimed more than 1,200 lives in 2008.

POLITICS: UN Falling Apart Under ‘Ban Ki-Who’

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon is under fire again. Inga-Britt Ahlenius - until recently one of the highest-ranking officials at the U.N. - explains to IPS her blistering attacks on Ban’s leadership.

Headscarf Returns to Trouble Turkey

A ruling by an administrative court banning female candidates for academic posts from being veiled during an admission examination has brought the headscarf back to the front of Turkish politics, and reignited tensions between secularist and religious forces.

Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Fighting the Ashen Moth

Researchers at the Central University of Venezuela are proposing to develop the Beauveria Bassiania fungus in mangroves on the Paria Peninsula and other region in the country's northeast as a biological agent to control an onslaught of the ashen moth (Hylesia metabus).

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Communities to Manage Sustainable Forest

Eight communities in the northern Honduran departments of Atlántida and Yoro will take charge in the next two months of 30,000 hectares of forest to carry out a sustainable management project.

Ecobreves – CUBA: Eco-Friendly Freezers

Cuba will begin production this year of solar-powered freezers, after successfully manufacturing a prototype in 2010. This appliance ensures considerable savings of electrical energy.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Agro-Toxins Threaten Environment and Humans

Brazil has held first place since 2008 in consumption of agro-toxins.

Arms Treaty Campaigners Seize on “Merchant of Death” Case

When Andrew Niccol wrote and directed the feature film "Lord of War", the story was partly inspired by the life of Viktor Bout, a Russian businessman suspected of using his air cargo company as a cover for arms dealing.

MIDEAST: In the Ring, It’s Peaceful Attack

The opening bell resounds through the bomb shelter turned boxing club located in the western part of the city. A Palestinian boxer swiftly jumps from his corner, moves across the ring, trades punches with his Israeli opponent.