BIOFUELS ARE NOT A SOLUTION TO THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY CRISIS

Science tells us that we are heading for a climate crisis, yet it is within our means to change course.

THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM

The relative dynamism of emerging economies over the past several years has meant that these countries, many of them in Asia, have come to play an ever-growing role in the world and to account for a larger share of economic activity. Adjusting politically and organisationally to shifts in economic power takes time. As we work towards a new equilibrium in international cooperation, new relationships and leadership patterns will inevitably emerge, just as they have throughout history.

MOROCCO: Believe or Leave

When he decided to publicly express his views about Islam, Kacem El Ghazzali had no idea that he was going to be beaten up and his life threatened. In spite of this, he continues his fight from his country of asylum for the freedom of faith in the Islamic kingdom of Morocco.

PAKISTAN: Persecution of Ahmadis Spreads

"Hatred against us has now spread to small towns and villages," Saleemuddin, spokesperson of the persecuted Ahmadiya community in Pakistan, told IPS.

CAMBODIA: Delayed Justice Begins Unconvincingly

Kim Vuthy has walked inside this courtroom on the outskirts of Phnom Penh three times. But it never gets any easier looking at the men she holds responsible for the deaths in her family.

NIGERIA: A Deadly Case of Mistaken Identity

The worst day of Olaniyi Emiola’s life was Mar. 17, 1998. At least it was for Olaniyi Emiola, 22, the spare motor parts trader. For Olaniyi Emiola, the armed robber, it was a lucky escape as another man with the same name had been wrongly sentenced to death for a crime he committed.

SOUTH AFRICA: Acid Mine Drainage Water Can Be Put to Use

Toxic water from derelict gold and uranium mines has reportedly destroyed Elize Strydom's dream to be a farmer in her retirement.

MIDEAST: Erdogan Most Popular Leader By Far Among Arabs

Despite repeated expressions of support by President Barack Obama for democratic change during the "Arab Spring", the United States remains widely distrusted in the region, according to a major new survey of public opinion in five Arab countries released here Monday.

U.S. Ratchets Up Economic Pressure on Iran

Under intense pressure from the U.S. Congress and U.S. presidential election politics, the Barack Obama administration Monday declared the Islamic Republic of Iran a "primary money laundering concern" - a designation that stops short of blacklisting Iran's Central Bank but is intended to persuade more foreign governments, banks and companies to curtail business with Iranian financial entities.

CARRIBEAN: Fresh Challenges Accompany Progress in AIDS Fight

Cracey Fernandes, the president of the Guyana Sex Work Coalition, does not hide the fact that he is homosexual.

SPAIN: Socialist Defeat Could Give Rise to a New Left

The crushing defeat suffered by Spain's governing socialist party may pave the way for the emergence of a new alterative left capable of standing up to the centre-right People's Party (PP), which won a landslide victory in Sunday's elections.

Activists Tie Occupy Movement to Global Gender Rights

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25, a group of feminist organisations will unite to launch a campaign calling for an end of the "immoral and unethical economy of Wall Street" against women and people of colour.

Cairo Clashes Cast Doubts over Egypt Vote

Protesters calling for Egypt's military to hand over power have beaten back a new raid by security forces to evict them from Cairo's Tahrir Square after more than 48 hours of violence in the heart of the Egyptian capital.

SOUTH AMERICA: Coming Together to Preserve the La Plata Basin

Five South American countries have launched a joint sustainable management programme for the Río de la Plata basin, to preserve one of the largest fresh water reserves in the world.

NEPAL: Community Forestry Unfazed by Political Turmoil

Nepal’s joint forest management system has taken such deep roots that the country’s prolonged political instability has had little effect on it.

Egyptians Launch New Battle for Minimum Wage

Mohamed El-Abyad's employer has agreed to increase his salary by 20 percent, but the factory worker still cannot afford to send his children to school. After paying his apartment rent and utilities, El-Abyad will have the equivalent of 20 dollars left over each month to put food on his family's table. And while education is mandatory, he pulled both his sons out of school to help cover the shortfall.

The future of carbon markets: Taking politics seriously

Strong rewards are needed for those businesses that are willing to invest in a low carbon future.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Recycling Project in Garifuna Communities

Four Garifuna communities (made up of descendants of Caribbean indigenous and African peoples) in the northern Honduran department of Atlántida will begin participating in December in a waste recycling project that encompasses environmental education, the creation of micro-enterprises and the sale of recycled products.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Studying the Impact of Climate Change on Estuary Birds

A project carried out by the Mater Natura Environmental Studies Institute of Brazil will assess the potential impacts of climate change on estuary birds and propose ways to conserve their habitat.

Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Miners Move Into Canaima National Park

Indigenous communities report that illegal gold mining has now penetrated into Canaima National Park, which covers 30,000 square kilometers in southeastern Venezuela.

Corporal Punishment Leaves Too Many Scars

Thousands of people are being left physically and psychologically scarred as countries around the world continue to breach international law in handing out brutal but "ineffective" corporal punishment for drug offences, it has been claimed.