CANADA: Court Faces Key Decision on “Aboriginal Title”

The Xeni Gwet'in First Nations in the western interior region of British Columbia are taking ancient myths into the courtroom as part of a nearly two decades-long battle with the Canadian government over the title to their land.

ARGENTINA: ‘Storytelling Grandmothers’ Spark Interest in Reading

In the northeastern Argentine province of Chaco, the poorest part of the country, the Storytelling Grandmothers programme has been so successful that the Ministry of Education has taken up the idea and turned it into national policy.

POLITICS: For U.S. Right, Canada Is the Great White Hope

Paul Weyrich, widely considered one of the founding fathers of the United States' modern conservative movement, is looking north these days with hopes that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's newly elected government will transform the social and political landscape of Canada.

HEALTH: Tobacco Bill, a Pipe of Peace in Sri Lanka

A Buddhist monk, who tabled a bill in the Sri Lankan parliament to control the sale of tobacco and alcohol, says he is gratified at the wide support he has received in a country known for the deep divisions among its ethnic and religious communities.

SOCIETY: ‘Polygamy Could Supply More Russians’

Proposals to permit polygamy in order to reverse a declining population have raised a heated debate in Russia between Muslims who support it and Christian groups that oppose it.

POLITICS-THAILAND: Thaksin Not Buddhist Enough Say Critics

He may have enough votes to back his claim to be the legitimately elected head of government, but beleaguered Thai Prime Miniser Thaksin Shinawatra is now being charged by his critics with lacking in qualities that befit a Buddhist leader.

CHINA: ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ Lost in Political Din

When the state-run newspaper 'Beijing Times' bemoaned the cancelled release of Hollywood blockbuster 'Memoirs of a Geisha' this month, it was a rare romantic take on a film that has stirred more political sentiment here than any propaganda-infused production from China's state-run film studios.

ARGENTINA: World’s First Homeless TV Talk Show Host

A plaza in a residential neighbourhood of the Argentine capital has become "Stellita's Living Room" for the first TV programme in the world hosted by a homeless person.

MEDIA-RELIGION: Cartoons Bring Up an Old Divide

Leading French Muslims say the Danish cartoons that seek to portray an equation of Prophet Mohammed with terrorism symbolise a growing European prejudice against the Islamic world.

POLITICS: Islamic Radicals Rise Via the Ballot Box

"You want democracy - and we will give you democracy," was the taunting comment by a Hamas supporter, as he joined thousands of demonstrators celebrating the stunning victory of the radical Islamic party in Palestinian elections last week.

SRI LANKA: Civilians Pin Hopes for Peace on Geneva Talks

Whether Sri Lanka's fragile peace continues to hold hinges on the outcome of talks, to be held this month in Geneva, between representatives of the government and Tamil Tiger rebels - the first in almost three years.

BURMA: Karens Isolated but Fight for Autonomy Stays

An anniversary marked along the remote Thai-Burmese border should offer little comfort to rebel groups who settle for the long haul to achieve their political ends. They are ignored by the international community and only appear as a blip on the world media's radar.

MALAYSIA: Legal Battle May Expose Mahathir Era Excesses

Opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim has filed a multi-million dollar defamation suit against his mentor- turned-nemesis, Mahathir Mohamad who has publicly repeated allegations, he first made as prime minister, that his former protégé is gay.

IRAQ: Shias Head for Uncertain Govt

Six weeks after parliamentary elections, occupied Iraq is still struggling for a viable government, as violence and instability worsen.

AFGHANISTAN: Continuing Violence Mars Healing Efforts

As Afghan leaders and international donors meet in London to discuss a new blueprint to rebuild and stabilise this war-shattered country, continuing violence and suicide attacks in the restless southern provinces overshadow the agenda.

EGYPT: Church Building Sparks Strife

Sectarian tension has risen again in Egypt after Muslims and Coptic Christians clashed over the historically sensitive issue of church building earlier this month.

POLITICS: Most Iraqis Doubt US Will Ever Leave

Large majorities of Iraqis believe that the United States has no intention of ever withdrawing all its military forces from their country and that Washington's reconstruction efforts have been incompetent at best, according to a new survey released here Tuesday.

ARGENTINA: Overcoming Past Antisemitic Injustices

"A state secret that became a family secret...and is no longer a secret" was how Argentine journalist Uki Goñi described a confidential order issued by the Argentine government to deny visas to European Jews before and during World War II, which he helped bring to light.

IRAQ: US Realignment With Sunnis Is Far Advanced

Two major revelations this past week show how far the George W. Bush administration has already shifted its policy toward realignment with Sunni forces to balance the influence of pro-Iranian Shiites in Iraq.

HEALTH-MOZAMBIQUE: Many Languages, One Message

Travel the length of Mozambique, and chances are that you'll hear a host of different languages being spoken: the official language of Portuguese, Shangana, Elomwe and Cisena to name just a few.

SOUTH AMERICA: The Business of Legal Coca

Micro-businesses in Bolivia, Peru and Colombia that use the legendary coca leaf in manufacturing medicine, soft drinks, soaps, chewing gum and other products are staking their hopes for success on one man: Evo Morales.