AFGHANISTAN: War-Zone Medical Aid Doubly Endangered

The case of the three Italians arrested this month on suspicion of trying to assassinate a southern Afghan governor concluded with a happy ending of sorts and a sure fire certainty - an uncompromising attitude that makes war-zone medical aid doubly dangerous.

Ecobreves – CHILE: Renewed Mapuche Opposition to Airport

The Mapuche organization Ayún Mapu, which includes eight communities of Chile's largest indigenous group, will turn to the courts to prevent the construction of an airport on their land in the region of Araucanía, near Temuco, 670 kilometers south of Santiago.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Jesuits Launch Eco-Campaign

"Later is too late" is the campaign launched by the Society of Jesus in Honduras, working with various civil society groups, that seeks to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment.

KENYA: Farming Butterflies Puts Food on the Table

For 10 years, Roselyne Shikami, sold boiled eggs at the bus station just outside the densely wooded Kakamega Forest in western Kenya, near the border with Uganda. Now she is selling butterflies.

A Decade On, No Seats for Women at the Peace Table

It was a historic moment for the United Nations when, 10 years ago, the Security Council unanimously recognised "the intrinsic role of women in global peace and security" through Resolution 1325, said Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury of Bangladesh at a panel at the U.N. Thursday on the continuing obstacles to its implementation.

U.S. Sheriff Abused Immigration “Detainer”, Lawsuit Charges

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing a Colorado sheriff it says held a man for 47 days with no charges, no opportunity to see a judge and no opportunity to post bail, simply because federal immigration officers suspected that the man was in the U.S. in violation of federal immigration laws.

MALI: Rush For Land Along the Niger

Domestic and international investors are taking over increasing amounts of arable land in Mali.

DISARMAMENT: France Urged to Ban Cluster Bomb Funding

Human rights groups are urging the French government to adopt a law that would ban the financing of companies that produce cluster munitions, the deadly bombs that have killed or maimed thousands of civilians in the past 40 years.

Prosecutor Seeks Anonymous Jury in New York “Terror” Trial

U.S. Justice Department lawyers petitioned a federal court Wednesday to begin a controversial terror-related trial in New York City with an "anonymous jury" in order to protect the jurors, lawyers and court officials.

Privacy Groups Challenge U.S. Airport Body Scanners

More than 30 privacy and civil liberties organisations have filed a formal petition with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), urging the federal agency to shut down the use of 'full body scanners' (FBS) at the nation's airports.

EU Defends Food as Fuel

The European Union's anti-poverty chief has refused to concede that his promotion of biofuels has helped exacerbate global hunger.

WATER-LESOTHO: Getting Community Consultation Right

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project will move into its second phase in 2010. The first phase has been praised as a shining example of transboundary water sharing in Africa, but community dissatisfaction may mean a rough ride for its extension.

History Beckons in Trinidad’s Snap Election

Kamla Persad-Bissessar may never want the year 2010 to end.

Will Polio Go the Way of Smallpox?

Only one disease has ever been totally eradicated by human beings: smallpox, the last natural instance of which was reported in 1975. Two doctors are now making the case for adding a second disease to the list.

UGANDA: Fresh Concerns About Women in Captivity

The fate of thousands of women and girls held as sex slaves and child soldiers by Uganda’s Lords Resistance Army rebels hangs in the balance.

POLITICS-NEPAL: Himalayan Nation Split Over Federalism

Agreeing to turn Nepal from a constitutional monarchy into a federal state is turning out to be much easier than agreeing on exactly what kind of federal system is best for this Himalayan country.

CHINA: Slowly, Transparency in Public Funds Taking Root

For six decades, governmental budgets and spending in China have remained classified and inaccessible to the general public. Yet this may be about to change.

SUDAN: Election Results Expected Soon

Poor access to telephone networks and lack of roads in some areas of South Sudan is delaying the submission of voting results to the election commission.

MEDIA: Press Freedom Day to Focus on Threats

"Please remember that we know where your child goes to school."

Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: To the Rescue of Stranded Marine Animals

Argentine environmental activists and officials have united to help marine animals that are in situations of risk along the coast of the province of Buenos Aires.

Ecobreves – MEXICO: A Push for Eco-Lighting

The environmental group Greenpeace is pressuring the Mexican Parliament and businesses to promote the replacement of incandescent light bulbs with ecological alternatives.