Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Eco-Friendly Formaldehyde Disposal

A technique for breaking down formaldehyde before disposal has been developed by Brazilian scientist Sônia Borges de Oliveira, professor at the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto.

IRAQ: U.S. Influence on the Decline

Iraq's much-awaited recent power-sharing deal signifies a shift of influence on Iraqi politics away from the U.S. and its regional allies to domestic Iraqi political actors, most notably the Kurds, and eastward to Iran.

US-MEXICO: Award Honours Rights Defenders in “War Against the Poor”

Ines Fernandez and Valentina Rosendo, two indigenous Me'phaa women from the Mexican state of Guerrero, were raped and tortured by members of the Mexican Army in 2002. Since then, they have been subject to a constant stream of threats to keep them from speaking about the incidents.

“Perfect Storm” Spurred 2007-08 Food Crisis, Study Says

Rising food prices have not yet reached crisis levels but they are expected to remain very volatile for about the next decade, researchers said Thursday.

Tough Action Urged to Protect Bluefin Tuna

With the Atlantic bluefin tuna being fished to extinction, environment groups have increased their pressure on governments to take action to protect the species.

U.S. Regulators Omit Wider Implications of GM Salmon

U.S. regulators are poised to decide as early as next week whether to approve a genetically modified salmon for human consumption.

EL SALVADOR: Political Tug-of-War Over Medicines

Two initiatives of the administration of President Mauricio Funes in El Salvador, aimed at increasing competition in the pharmaceutical industry in order to bring down the cost of medicines, are being fought by the opposition in Congress.

The relationship between researchers and policy makers has to improve for research results to have an effect on lives says Themba Mhlongo, the head of programmes from the Southern African Trust.

The relationship between researchers and policy makers has to improve for research results to have an effect on lives says Themba Mhlongo, the head of programmes from the Southern African Trust.

Funding Cuts on Horizon for Global Health, AIDS

Over the past several years, the number of people needing treatment for HIV/AIDS has risen, but so has the amount of funding for the treatment and prevention of the disease. The United States has been at the forefront of that funding, but with the new emphasis in Washington on reducing government spending that may be about to change.

Former Chadian Dictator May Finally Face Trial

International donors meeting in Dakar next week are expected to finance the prosecution of former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré nearly two decades after his removal from power, according to a coalition of rights organisations.

Congolese Women Refuse Poverty

To see how women's associations in the Democratic Republic of Congo are helping their members improve their livelihoods, just follow the hubbub you can hear from Justine Kakesa's office: the Kikwit 2 market is bursting with merchandise made by women.

Malawi Struggling to Address Paediatric HIV

There are 91,000 children living with HIV in Malawi. A shortage of resources means that many do not receive proper treatment and care.

AFRICA: New Drugs To Speed TB Treatment

Researchers are testing a new combination of tuberculosis drugs on patients in South Africa which they are hoping will shorten the treatment term of the disease to six months.

Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Hunger Strike Against Fumigation

On the eve of a predicted record soybean harvest, an Argentine forestry engineer, backed by environmental groups, began a hunger strike against crop fumigation with dangerous agro-chemicals.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: A New Way to Collect Trash

The municipal government of the southern Honduran city of Choluteca decided to collect garbage using horse-drawn carts in the neighborhoods not served by the sanitation service.

Ecobreves – MEXICO: Requesting More Funds Against Climate Change

Actions for adapting to and mitigating climate change need at least one percent of Mexico's gross domestic product (GDP), proposed a collective of environmental groups.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Making Use of Construction Waste

Mineral and industrial waste from construction is becoming raw material for new building through a technique developed by engineer Janaína Accordi Junkes, at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil.

The Red Cross says epidemics in Africa are exacerbated by the lack of development on the continent.

The Red Cross says epidemics in Africa are exacerbated by the lack of development on the continent. Zukiswa Zimela reports from Johannesburg.

Vaccines Make Gradual Headway Against Child Pneumonia

It had seemed her kids had the flu or a cold. But when it got worse, she took little Abigail to hospital. It was already too late; Abigail died in her mother's arms.

U.S.: Looming Partisan Shift Adds Urgency to Nuke Treaty

When U.S. President Barack Obama capped a flurry of activity on nuclear non-proliferation this spring by welcoming the largest gathering of world leaders ever in Washington for a Nuclear Security Summit, many experts hoped to see cascading effects that would lead to even further elimination of nuclear weapons.

AFRICA: Church Leaders An Obstacle To Preventing Maternal Deaths

The resurgence in religious fundamentalism and the inordinate influence of certain church leaders over public health policy present major obstacles to the prevention of needless deaths and injuries of women from unsafe abortion on the African continent.