Poor stand with Venezuela’s president , despite country’s growing hardships
Venezuela “strike”: the anatomy of a US-backed provocation CARACAS (IPS)–The support of the poor, as well as the armed forces, with the exception of a minority group of dissident officers, has sustained President Hugo Chavez in the face of a month-long general strike by the opposition, which has staged the biggest protest demonstrations in the history of...
Groups say U.S. plan erodes Africa’s sovereignty
WASHINGTON (IPS)–The United States and 38 Sub-Saharan African nations began discussions of a trade pact that Washington says would give Africa greater access to the U.S. market at Final Call press time. But critics call the effort little more than a "colonial" sham. The second annual trade and development forum in Mauritius, which ends Jan. 17, is...
Will U.S. Unilateralism turn World against it?
When America Attacks Iraq (Ghanaian Chronicle)Bush’s unilateralism aggravates world’s problems (National Catholic Reporter) UNITED NATIONS (IPS)–Nelson Mandela, the former South African president and one of the world’s most respected political figures, thinks the United Nations is being undermined by the United States. He is not alone. Recently, Mr. Mandela said he was disappointed that not a single world leader had...
U.S. war plans a concern for Cairo
CAIRO (IPS)–While senior government officials in Cairo are urging the U.S. Administration to act with caution, some of Egypt’s eminent political analysts are blasting what they perceive as Washington’s bias towards Israel and saber-rattling at Iraq. "Egypt is making every effort to persuade the U.S. not to take unilateral decisions which could raise tension and endanger everybody’s...
Taboo cracks on HIV/AIDS in Libya
TRIPOLI, Libya (PANA)–When he came home after a long day’s work, Mokhtar was embarrassed when confronted with two unexpected questions from his nine-year-old daughter Zeina, a fourth grade pupil. "Tell me Daddy, what is AIDS? What does illicit sexual relations mean?" Mokhtar, who had so far managed to avoid discussing certain aspects of adult life with children, was speechless for...
UN protests Israeli killings of humanitarian workers
UNITED NATIONS (IPS)–The United Nations has protested the killings of five UN humanitarian workers by Israeli military forces this year. A UN spokesman said this would be the second-largest number of UN staff members killed in a single year in the Middle East. "This loss of civilian lives, of people working for a humanitarian UN agency is completely unacceptable,"...
Bombing creates friction in U.S.-Kenyan relations
NAIROBI (IPS)–Kenyans are calling for their government to rethink its close military relationship with the United States, following last month’s terrorist attacks on Israeli interests on the Indian Ocean coast. "Kenyans should not needlessly be killed, sacrificed, and then humiliated and demeaned for the sake of a contest in which they are not central players, and for which...
UN protests Israeli killings of humanitarian workers
UNITED NATIONS (IPS)–The United Nations has protested the killings of five UN humanitarian workers by Israeli military forces this year. A UN spokesman said this would be the second-largest number of UN staff members killed in a single year in the Middle East. "This loss of civilian lives, of people working for a humanitarian UN agency is completely unacceptable,"...
Bush, Saddam Agree: War on Iraq is Inevitable!
Analysts: Latest Iraq weapons inspections a pretext for war Iraq beats deadline, U.S. continues to beat war drumsUNITED NATIONS(FinalCall.com)–Even as Iraq beat its deadline to turn over documents detailing their weapons programs, the country appeared to be on a collision course with the Bush administration, and, therefore, war. Despite increased action by peace activists and a letter signed Dec. 9 by...
Scandal in Puerto Rico
GINNEWS A highly regarded Reseacher accused of injecting patients with cancerNEW YORK (GIN)–The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has commissioned an independent investigation into charges that an esteemed researcher for the Rockefeller Institute caused the deaths of eight Puerto Ricans more than 70 years ago by injecting them with cancerous cells. Meanwhile, the association has suspended its annual award in...