ENVIRONMENT-BURKINA FASO: Winning People Over to Fight Deforestation

In the West African nation of Burkina Faso, millions of trees are planted every year to reverse desertification. However the growing socio-economic needs of local populations pose a constant threat to these efforts.

Q&A: 'We Need Policies That Address Climate Change'

Last year, Zimbabwe's second largest city of Bulawayo faced a crippling water crisis, after three of its five supply dams went dry. Some high density suburbs went for over three months without water.

CULTURE-SOUTH AFRICA: Made in Khayelitsha, Sold in New York

Entering the Monkeybiz shop, one is confronted with hundreds of brightly coloured beaded animals, dolls, place mats and pictures. You find yourself smiling involuntarily.

AFRICA: Link Between Crop Failure and Climate Change Often Missed

Climate change has a profound effect on food security in Africa, as increasing temperatures and shifting rain patterns reduce access to food across the continent.

AFGHANISTAN: Taliban Encroach On Karzai’s Turf

Dozens of civilians were killed over the weekend in Afghanistan, the latest in the trend of spiralling violence that has engulfed the embattled nation. The civilian casualties, Taliban attacks and troop casualty numbers are putting increasing strain on the Western-led coalition, leading some to speculate that the war is unwinnable.

DEVELOPMENT: Gender Focus Urged for U.S. Aid

Women's groups weighed in Tuesday on the growing debate over new goals and strategies for U.S. foreign aid, arguing that to work effectively, foreign aid should target women.

BRAZIL: Livelihoods Vs. Environment – Afro-Descendants Caught in the Middle

"They won’t let us plant our crops," says Leonila Costa Pontes, referring to the laws that require an environmental permit for her to cultivate her small plot of land.

ENERGY: Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil

After emerging in 2006 from 15 years of hibernation, the solar thermal power industry experienced a surge in 2007, with 100 megawatts of new capacity coming online worldwide.

MAURITIUS: Workers Urged to Work Nightshift in ‘24-Seven Economy’

In this era of technological progress people should be working less, not more, says Ashok Subron.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Wetlands Loss Fuelling CO2 Feedback Loop

Wetlands are dangerous, scientists say, in the sense that they are ticking carbon bombs best left alone. To help stave off extreme climate change, existing wetlands should be enhanced and new wetlands created so they could capture more carbon.

TRADE-AFRICA: Senegal and South Africa Moving Closer?

Senegal’s opposition to United Nations sanctions against Zimbabwe aligns Pres. Abdoulaye Wade’s government with that of South Africa. This should boost the two countries’ bilateral relations, which have seemingly been improving in the wake of a recent bilateral trade treaty.

NORWAY: Make Africa’s Tragedies Comic

How do you wake up comfortable Norwegians to the distressing realities of child deaths and maternal health in developing countries? Through the comic books they so love.

INDIA: Media Lessons From Rural Women

"We don’t know how to read or write, but we make our own films,’’ is how Narsamma, 42, a farmer from Pastapur village in Hyderabad, introduces herself and her colleagues.

TRADE: WTO Prescribes More Liberalisation

The shortcomings of globalisation must be amended by more globalisation, according to the World Trade Report 2008, released by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Q&A: "Reproductive Rights Can Overcome the Conservative Wave"

This year marks four decades of international recognition of people's right to decide how many children they want to have and when, and for that reason there is a great deal to celebrate, says Brazilian expert Carmen Barroso, of the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

ZIMBABWE: ‘‘Companies Cutting Ties Will Hit Average Person Most’’

As state violence in Zimbabwe worsens, economists in the capital Harare have warned that cutting international economic ties with the country will hit the average person the hardest.

HEALTH: Activists Hail US Senate Approval of Major AIDS Bill

AIDS and global health activists are hailing Wednesday's approval by the U.S. Senate of an unprecedented five-year, 48-billion-dollar bill to fight AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis overseas, particularly in Africa.

DEVELOPMENT: U.S. Sliding By Nearly Every Measure

The United States is "woefully behind" other developed countries when it comes to providing opportunities and choices - the very essence of the so-called "American Dream" - according to a new analysis ranking the quality of life in the country.

DEVELOPMENT: Progress on Water, Less on Sanitation

The number of people globally who lack access to an improved drinking water source has fallen below one billion for the first time since data was compiled in 1990, according to a report released Thursday by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF.

DEVELOPMENT-MADAGASCAR: Not Enough Money for Basic Water

Safe drinking water is a scarce resource in Madagascar. Considerable financial investment is needed to improve sanitation and water treatment and distribution for the population of this large island.

POPULATION-INDIA: Emergency Contraception Pill The Answer?

With unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions continuing to be a serious problem in India, some doctors have begun advocating use of the emergency contraceptive (EC) pill as a possible solution, though conditions in India are regarded far from conducive.