Back to newsletter list
OneWorld - Weekly News Digest http://www.oneworld.net
A comprehensive list of all the news highlighted
on OneWorld in English, in a single weekly email.
News from OneWorld US/UK
http://us.oneworld.net
----------------------
AMAZON LEADER ENDS EMBITTERED ERA
---------------------------------
(19 may 2008) Marina Silva, the Brazilian environment minister widely
applauded for her anti-deforestation measures, resigned last week,
days after Brazil announced a controversial new sustainable
development plan for the Amazon.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160599/7263/258798
AN UNABATED 'GENOCIDE'
----------------------
(19 may 2008) Although an official truce was declared in 1996, the
rate of violent deaths in Guatemala continues at a pace similar to
that of the genocidal 36-year civil war. Many believe this is due to
the continuity of "'social cleansing' operations," writes Joy Agner.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160598/7263/258798
PROPOSED KENYA TRUTH COMMISSION 'SERIOUSLY FLAWED'
--------------------------------------------------
(19 may 2008) Unless Kenya's draft bill to establish a Truth, Justice
and Reconciliation Commission is revised, this future body "could
fail to contribute to or even undermine the justice which [the
country] so badly needs," says a human rights watchdog.
From: Human
Rights Watch
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160597/7263/258798
CONVERSING FRESHWATER LIFE
--------------------------
(19 may 2008) The first-ever comprehensive map and database of the
world's freshwater systems is helping conservationists protect the
100,000 species -- many of them endangered -- that live in aquatic
habitats.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160596/7263/258798
RELEASE OF AILING UZBEK RIGHTS ACTIVIST DEMANDED
------------------------------------------------
(19 may 2008) Mutabar Tojiboyeva has been named this year's recipient
of the Martin Ennals Award, an annual commendation given by 13
prominent human rights groups. There is concern that the Uzbek
activist could die in prison, where she has been held since
protesting the Andijan massacre of 2005.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160587/7263/258798
ZIMBABWE: AFRICAN GROUPS URGE AFRICAN LEADERS ACT
-------------------------------------------------
(18 may 2008) African leaders need to raise their voices in
condemnation of the shocking decline of democracy and mounting
poverty levels in Zimbabwe, and that the outside world must echo that
pressure, said a coalition of civil society groups across Africa last
week.
From: Global Call to Action Against Poverty
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160586/7263/258798
CHINA CONDEMNED FOR BLOCKING UN ACTION ON BURMA
-----------------------------------------------
(18 may 2008) China is taking new heat for blocking a potential UN
action that could bring relief to Burmese citizens suffering from the
effects of Cyclone Nargis.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160585/7263/258798
IRAQ VETERANS DESCRIBE ATROCITIES TO LAWMAKERS
----------------------------------------------
(17 may 2008) WASHINGTON, May 16 (OneWorld) - Antiwar veterans of the
U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan took their case to Capitol Hill
Thursday, baring their souls with stories of killings of innocent
civilians, torture, and wrongful detentions.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160567/7263/258798
CALIFORNIA LEGALIZES GAY MARRIAGE
---------------------------------
(16 may 2008) The California Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a law
barring same-sex couples from getting married is unconstitutional,
said a human rights monitor, welcoming the new law as an important
precedent for equal rights around the world.
From: Human Rights
Watch
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160579/7263/258798
NATIVE CANADIANS WIN MINI-VICTORY OVER BIG LOGGERS
--------------------------------------------------
(16 may 2008) NEW YORK, May 16 (OneWorld) - Pressure is mounting on
the Canadian government to take actions against private loggers and
other business concerns that encroach upon indigenous peoples'
territories.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160566/7263/258798
FARM BILL A BOON TO U.S. POOR
-----------------------------
(16 may 2008) "The conference agreement on the 2008 [U.S.] Farm Bill
makes numerous improvements in domestic food assistance programs to
help low-income Americans put food on the table in the face of rising
food and fuel prices," says policy analyst Dottie Rosenbaum.
From:
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160577/7263/258798
NUBIANS PUSH FOR RECOGNITION IN KENYA [PHOTOESSAY]
--------------------------------------------------
(16 may 2008) The approximately 100,000 ethnic Nubians living in
Kenya continue to demand official recognition -- notably citizenship
-- although they face less political discrimination than in previous
years.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160580/7263/258798
A KIDS' CORNER FOR DARFUR REFUGEES [VIDEO]
------------------------------------------
(16 may 2008) Visit some of the specials spaces set aside for youth
in a refugee camp in Darfur, where children of all ages can go to
play, learn, and begin the healing process. [Scroll down to view
video.]
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160576/7263/258798
MYANMAR: NGOS FILL IN WHERE UN, U.S. CAN'T GO
------------------------------------------------
(15 may 2008) WASHINGTON, May 15 (OneWorld) - As UN estimates of the
number of Burmese affected by Cyclone Nargis rose from 1.5 to 2.5
million and the United States and United Nations continued to wrangle
with Myanmar's rulers over visas for aid workers, Atlanta-based CARE
received a $1 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation to deliver humanitarian relief in Myanmar.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160565/7263/258798
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RESPONDING TO CHINA EARTHQUAKE
------------------------------------------------------
(15 may 2008) A number of international aid organizations and foreign
governments are helping Chinese authorities respond to the Monday
earthquake that claimed over tens of thousands of lives and destroyed
3.5 million homes.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160559/7263/258798
SURPLUS RICE IN JAPAN 'COULD END RICE CRISIS'
---------------------------------------------
(15 may 2008) Selling excess rice held in Japan and imported from the
United States would incite a rapid drop in the global price of rice
but requires immediate action from Tokyo and Washington, write former
editor of The Rice Trader, Tom Slayton, and policy analyst, Peter
Timmer.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160558/7263/258798
'CRUSHED' BY CLIMATE CHANGE
---------------------------
(15 may 2008) Indigenous peoples in Nicaragua are increasingly
threatened by climate change despite their minimal ecological
footprint, writes a Nicaraguan advocate for indigenous peoples'
autonomy and development.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160561/7263/258798
HALF IN TEN
-----------
(15 may 2008) Four prominent American social justice groups are
launching a campaign to halve poverty in the United States in 10
years.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160555/7263/258798
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS UNITE TO PRESSURE OIL GIANTS
-----------------------------------------------
(15 may 2008) WASHINGTON, May 14 (OneWorld) - Americans -- from
nonprofit groups to the Rockefeller family -- are starting to fight
back against the petroleum industry, which is earning record profits
as consumers face spiraling gas prices.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160548/7263/258798
AL-NAKBA AND ISRAEL'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY
--------------------------------------
(14 may 2008) This month marks the 60th anniversary of Israel's
existence, but the organization Jewish Voice for Peace says it will
not celebrate the establishment of a Jewish state until Palestinians
are granted their fundamental human rights.
http://us.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160546/7263/258798
News from OneWorld South Asia
http://southasia.oneworld.net
-----------------------------
HUMANS WIPING OUT WILDLIFE
--------------------------
(19 may 2008) The world's wildlife is undergoing a steady decline due
to human activities, according to latest data compiled by the
Zoological Society of London. The findings reveal governments failing
to reduce the current rate of biodiversity loss, and climate change
as a grave new threat to species.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160595/1893/258798
UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF ARRIVES IN MYANMAR
----------------------------------------
(19 may 2008) Amidst increasing criticism of the military junta for
obstructing aid assistance to cyclone victims, the UN's
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs arrived in Myanmar
to speed up relief activities. With no clean water available, health
experts warn of an outbreak of infectious diseases.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160594/1893/258798
TWO YEARS OF NREGA PRESENT A MIXED PICTURE
------------------------------------------
(19 may 2008) It has now been more than two years since India
launched its most ambitious programme to provide 100 days of
guaranteed employment to its rural population. If there have been
allegations of corruption and lack of political will in
implementation, there are some visible positive outcomes too, say
experts.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160593/1893/258798
FRESH AGITATIONS IN PAKISTAN
----------------------------
(19 may 2008) The ruling Pakistan People's Party is siding with
President Musharraf by backtracking on its promise to reinstate the
deposed judiciary, alleges Nawaz Sharif's party. The coalition
partner, after withdrawing from the government, has now decided to
join nation-wide protests in favour of the sacked judges.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160588/1893/258798
WASHED AWAY BY APATHY
---------------------
(16 may 2008) Floods in Bihar, a state in eastern India, have
devastating impact on women, children, the landless and dalits.
Waters Of Despair, a documentary film dives deep to reveal how
administrative negligence is an even bigger culprit. It finds holes
in disaster preparedness, relief distribution and beneficiary
identification.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160575/1893/258798
CYCLONE MEMORIES REVISIT BANGLADESH SURVIVORS
----------------------------------------------
(16 may 2008) Cyclone Nargis that wrecked Burma brought back horror
memories to the villagers of Southkhali in Bangladesh. People here
continue to live in makeshift shelters with little protection from
wind and rain. Last year’s cyclone Sidr had killed thousands of
people and left millions homeless in Bangladesh.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160572/1893/258798
UN SETS NEW TARGET OF 7 BILLION TREES
-------------------------------------
(16 may 2008) As part of the Billion Tree Campaign, United Nations
Environment Programme has set a new goal of planting 7 billion trees
by the end of 2009. The campaign strongly encourages individuals,
civil society networks and governments to plant indigenous trees that
are appropriate to the local environment.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160570/1893/258798
POOR LITERACY AFFECTS HEALTH IN PAKISTAN
----------------------------------------
(16 may 2008) Low levels of literacy make it difficult for families
in Pakistan to access information on post-natal care, contraception
and medical attention. With only two percent of its GDP allocated to
education, the country risks achieving the Millennium Development
Goals, says UNESCO.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160569/1893/258798
MISSING MANGROVE BUFFER CAUSED MORE CYCLONE DAMAGE
---------------------------------------------------
(15 may 2008) The clearing of mangroves along Myanmar’s coast exposed
communities to greater risks during cyclone Nargis, says the UN Food
and Agriculture Organization. Intact and dense coastal vegetation can
reduce impacts of stormy waves and act as windbreaks in reducing
devastation.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160560/1893/258798
THIRD WORLD UNHAPPY WITH EU CARBON TAX
--------------------------------------
(15 may 2008) The European Union’s plan for 'carbon equalisation' by
imposing carbon tax on all imported items from countries not bound by
Kyoto Protocol has not gone down well with countries like India. They
see it as a new tariff barrier that will severely hamper
international trade.
http://southasia.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160552/1893/258798
News from Digital Opportunity Channel
http://www.digitalopportunity.org
-------------------------------------
DAISY GETS WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SOCIETY AWARD
----------------------------------------------------------------
(19 may 2008) Marking the World Telecommunication and Information
Society Day, the UN's International Telecommunications Union awarded
DAISY Consortium for its efforts to enable equal access to
information and knowledge by the disabled. DAISY is a worldwide
organisation of libraries and ICT companies representing 35 countries
including India and Bangladesh in South Asia.
http://www.digitalopportunity.org/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160591/1138/258798
NEW FUELS TO INCREASE MOBILE COVERAGE
-------------------------------------
(16 may 2008) Solar power and biofuels could be used to power base
stations in developing countries, says the mobile industry trade
body, GSM Association. The rising price of diesel and remote
locations are making people look at alternative ways to reduce energy
and make base stations more self-sustaining.
http://www.digitalopportunity.org/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160568/1138/258798
UK DIGITAL DIVIDE WIDENING
--------------------------
(15 may 2008) Figures supplied by UK's telecom regulator revealed
that digital divide in the country has widened despite the
government's promise of achieving Internet access for all. Income,
ethnicity, region, and the presence of children in households appear
determining factors for web accessibility.
http://www.digitalopportunity.org/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160550/1138/258798
INDIAN ZOO MANAGEMENT SET TO GO GLOBAL
--------------------------------------
(13 may 2008) Indian zoos will soon be globally connected thanks to
an agreement with the US-based International Species Information
System. The world's largest online database on zoo animals has
historic data for several thousands of species, enables better
collection and sharing of information and makes animal exchange
easier.
http://www.digitalopportunity.org/link/gotoarticle/addhit/160518/1138/258798
----------------------------------------------------
To manage your email subscriptions, just login at:
http://www.oneworld.net/bulkmail/subscriptionlist/2/
----------------------------------------------------
***: http://www.oneworld.net/bulkmail/singlelist/***/52
