DEVELOPMENT: Welfare of Poverty-Stricken Families Depends on New Policy

For HIV-positive Tereza Chatsilizika, the monthly cash grant of 10 dollars she receives means that she can educate her disabled daughters and put food on the table.

Senate Urges Pentagon to Rein in Afghan Contractors

Failures in vetting, training and supervising Defence Department private security contractors are putting U.S. and coalition troops as well as Afghan civilians at risk and unwittingly aiding Afghan militants by hiring security contractors provided by the Taliban and by warlords, warns a new report released last week by the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee.

Malnourished Children Swell Ranks of World’s Hungry

With the number of hungry people growing to more than a billion last year, the world is "nowhere near" reaching the objectives outlined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to the latest Global Hunger Index (GHI) released Monday.

Ecobreves – CHILE: Campaign to Protect Sea Lions

The non-governmental Chilean Eco-Oceans Center is leading a national and international campaign against a proposal to authorize quotas to hunt sea lions (Otaria flavescens).

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Confiscated Lumber Turns Into School Equipment

Fifty percent of the lumber that Honduran officials seized from smugglers or illegal loggers will be used for school equipment, according to a reform in the Forestry Law approved by Congress.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Developing an Alternative to Cement

A cement alternative, one that is less polluting, cheaper and more durable, has emerged from research at the Brazilian São Carlos School of Engineering.

Compromise on Reforms Eludes IMF Fall Meetings

When the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund got under way this week, the agenda ranged from ongoing talks about "currency wars" between countries to how to maintain progress on poverty reduction in the face of economic crises, to reforming the mandates and governance of the Washington-based international financial institutions.

Civil society groups say South Africa will struggle to deliver quality education to more of its population by 2015, as set out in the Millennium Development Goals.

Civil society groups say South Africa will struggle to deliver quality education to more of its population by 2015, as set out in the Millennium Development Goals.

MIDEAST: Documentary Probes Death of a Peace Activist

The 2003 death of young peace activist Rachel Corrie, crushed by an Israeli military bulldozer, inspired worldwide press coverage, demonstrations and debates – and eventually at least two plays and a number of songs.

Liberian Women Find Their Voice

"Voice for the voiceless" is the slogan adorning the walls of Liberia’s first and Africa’s second radio station for women.

MIDEAST: Arabic Comes to Jewish Schools

"As a democracy Israel aspires to complete equality of all its citizens," said Dr. Shlomo Alon, head of the education ministry's Arabic and Islam education division as he launched a programme at the beginning of the new school year to make classes in Arabic compulsory in all Jewish public schools. But just a month later, the commitment to "complete equality" looks like it's taking a back seat.

Abolition of the Death Penalty – New ‘De Facto’ Millennium Goal

Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero announced Thursday the creation of an International Commission Against the Death Penalty, whose immediate goal is a global moratorium by 2015, to put an end to what he described as the "horror" of capital punishment.

Research shows HIV among men who have sex with men in Kenya is the same as the strain found in heterosexuals.

Research shows HIV among men who have sex with men in Kenya is the same as the strain found in heterosexuals.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Ignoring Patriarchy, Female Politicians Rise

In Malawi, if both a girl and boy are born into a poor family, it will naturally be the boy in whom all the financial resources are invested.

Research in South Africa shows children caring for parents with HIV/AIDS are as badly affected psychologically as those that have lost parents to the pandemic.

The Young Carers South Africa Project wants to inform and guide South African policy makers on how to help these previously unknown victims.

The World Health Organisation says 43 million toddlers in sub-Saharan Africa do not get enough Vitamin A.

Kenyan researcher, Mary Oyunga, has found that the sweet potato could solve the problem.

Education Cracks in Haiti

When Angelique tells her story, sadness and anger are mixed in her voice. She's a student at the bustling University of Paris 8 here, but her country and family are never far from her thoughts.

WATER-ZAMBIA: Vanished Funds Mean Fields Stay Dry

The M’cheleka Irrigation Scheme was meant to answer water and food security challenges in the Chadiza district of Zambia's Eastern Province. But ten years after the completion of the dam wall, only six families are benefiting from the water.

SINGAPORE: As Country Mourns, Political Differences Set Aside

"Estimated waiting time: 3 hours", read a handwritten sign near the tail of the snaking queue outside the Istana, which is usually used to receive state guests. Yet thousands of Singaporeans waited patiently despite the sun beating down mercilessly.

Peacemaking Raises Identity Fears

The fate of the just resumed Palestinian-Israeli peace-building efforts is being kept under a tight wrap by all parties. So far, so good.

PHILIPPINES: Over Decades, Child Poverty Hasn’t Changed Much

His bones pushing against his skin, Lean Ray Francisco has been feeding on rice coffee, or coffee made from roasted rice, and rice water - left over from boiling rice - for most of his three years.