By Sean Penn * This article is an adapted excerpt of the essay/interview “A Mountain of Snakes,” which will appear in full December 1 at HuffingtonPost.com. Soon to be Vice President-elect Joe Biden was rallying the troops: “We can no… Continue Reading
By Busani Bafana NAIROBI, Nov 28 (IPS) – Forget the view of climate change as impending catastrophe for a moment: if negotiators can recognise sustainable agriculture by African smallholders and forests as mitigating factors in climate change, carbon trading could… Continue Reading
From The Economist print edition Bold, unorthodox remedies are needed to jolt the world economy back to life Nov 27th 2008 . THE prognosis is looking ever more grave. What began 15 months ago with a seizure of the credit… Continue Reading
Analysis by Gareth Porter* WASHINGTON, Nov 27 (IPS) – The decision by President-elect Barack Obama to keep Robert M. Gates on as defence secretary has touched off a debate over whether Obama can pursue his commitment to rapid withdrawal from… Continue Reading
By Mirela Xanthaki UNITED NATIONS, Nov 26 (IPS) – “An AK-47 is not made for a kid. It is not made for a human being, let alone a kid,” said Kon Kelei, a former child soldier from Sudan. Kelei was… Continue Reading
By Andrew Jack – The Financial Times- London Richer countries may be better at providing treatment to people with HIV than their poorer counterparts, but they are often less effective at collecting the data necessary to understand and tackle infection,… Continue Reading
Thalif Deen interviews JACQUELINE CABASSO, winner of the Sean MacBride Peace Prize UNITED NATIONS, Nov 25 (IPS) – As President-elect Barack Obama marshals his transition team before he takes office on Jan. 20, some of his political supporters are wondering… Continue Reading
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL Just as the world seemed poised to combat global warming more aggressively, the economic slump and plunging prices of coal and oil are upending plans to wean businesses and consumers from fossil fuel. From Italy to China,… Continue Reading
From The Economist print edition The increasingly desperate search for the stuff is changing modern management—not always for the better SELDOM has corporate strategy been turned on its head so quickly. Barely a year ago, cash was a dangerous thing… Continue Reading
By Haider Rizvi NEW YORK, Nov 24 (IPS) – During his election campaign, Barack Obama repeatedly said that he cared about the issues facing Native American communities and insisted that they could trust him — pledges that Native leaders are… Continue Reading
Analysis by Julio Godoy BERLIN, Nov 21 (IPS) – Outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush has been unpopular in Europe, but his policies in fighting the ‘war on terror’ have found many takers. Daniel Finke and Thomas Koenig, professors of… Continue Reading
IRIN – humanitarian news and analysis GENEVA, 20 November 2008 (IRIN) – The UN is asking for a record US$7 billion to help 30 million people in Africa and the Middle East. “The money is being used to keep people… Continue Reading
By Michael Chebsi ADDIS ABABA, Nov 20 (IPS) – She fought alongside men in the Ethiopian liberation struggle. She fought for a free and fair society. But today, Yewubmar Asfaw feels that Ethiopia’s revolution has failed to deliver a fair… Continue Reading
IRIN – humanitarian news and analysis NEW YORK, 19 November 2008 (IRIN) – As the global recession bites, analysts are asking if emergencies such as natural disasters will continue to receive funding (on 19 November, a record appeal for US$7… Continue Reading
By Antoaneta Bezlova BEIJING, Nov 19 (IPS) – Eight months after Tibet’s capital of Lhasa was rocked by violent anti-Chinese protests positions have hardened, casting gloom on prospects for progress on the Tibetan stalemate. More than 500 Tibetan exile leaders… Continue Reading
IRIN NAIROBI, 17 November 2008 (IRIN) – An influx of asylum-seekers fleeing violence in Somalia to the refugee camps in Dadaab in north-eastern Kenya is causing overcrowding that could lead to a humanitarian crisis, UN officials have warned.
By Louise Redvers LUANDA, Nov 18 (IPS) – She was orphaned by Angola’s liberation struggle against Portugal, but through it she found a new family and a life-long inspiration. “I was raised on politics, I grew up through the revolution,”… Continue Reading
Mark Weisbrot Can South America escape the wrath of the economic and financial storms that have their epicenter in the United States? Since the financial meltdown began in mid-September, the bond markets of most of the region (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia,… Continue Reading
By Jeffrey Fleishman – Los Angeles Times Conservative Muslims may find it harder to rally opposition to a U.S. led by a multicultural, charismatic president. He could also inspire an Internet-based revolt. November 16, 2008 .Reporting from Cairo – Despising… Continue Reading
Thalif Deen interviews HEIDEMARIE WIECZOREK-ZEUL, German Development Minister UNITED NATIONS, Nov 17 (IPS) – A United Nations conference on Financing for Development (FfD) is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, next week against the backdrop of a devastating global… Continue Reading
