Canada & World News
Environment-germany: Fleeing Famine, Bees Seek Asylum In Cities
BERLIN, Aug 14 (IPS)- For German bees, the countryside is no longer what it used to be. They are fleeing insecticides and genetically modified crops to take refuge in cities.
BERLIN, Aug 14 (IPS)- For German bees, the countryside is no longer what it used to be. They are fleeing insecticides and genetically modified crops to take refuge in cities.
Agriculture-south Africa: Small Farmers Pushed To Plant Gm Seed
DURBAN, Jul 21 (IPS)- Baphethile Mntambo has been farming organically for the past five years because she knows that avoiding chemicals will in the long-term benefit her yield. She decided not to plant genetically modified seeds because she has heard that they cannot be saved for the next season and will eventually deplete her soil. But she is not entirely sure how and why.
DURBAN, Jul 21 (IPS)- Baphethile Mntambo has been farming organically for the past five years because she knows that avoiding chemicals will in the long-term benefit her yield. She decided not to plant genetically modified seeds because she has heard that they cannot be saved for the next season and will eventually deplete her soil. But she is not entirely sure how and why.
'Need For a New Social Alliance'
FLORENCE, Jun 3 (IPS)- A global alliance of human rights activists, environmentalists and ethically run small enterprises is needed to save the planet from self-destruction, says Susan George, chair of the Planning Board of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. The institute works "to contribute to social justice."
FLORENCE, Jun 3 (IPS)- A global alliance of human rights activists, environmentalists and ethically run small enterprises is needed to save the planet from self-destruction, says Susan George, chair of the Planning Board of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. The institute works "to contribute to social justice."
Biodiversity: Ge Tree Dispute Exposes Biosafety Inequities
BONN, May 29 (IPS)- An intense North-South debate over genetically engineered trees has sidetracked delegates at a U.N. conference on biodiversity here: African nations want a global moratorium, while a few rich countries led by Canada say it should be up to individual countries to regulate.
BONN, May 29 (IPS)- An intense North-South debate over genetically engineered trees has sidetracked delegates at a U.N. conference on biodiversity here: African nations want a global moratorium, while a few rich countries led by Canada say it should be up to individual countries to regulate.
Biodiversity: Privatisation Making Seeds Themselves Infertile
BONN, May 22 (IPS)- Seeds were once for ever. After harvest, a few from the crop would be planted for the following year, and so it went on.
BONN, May 22 (IPS)- Seeds were once for ever. After harvest, a few from the crop would be planted for the following year, and so it went on.
Environment: Only The Cover Is Green
BONN, May 14 (IPS)- Notice how green the public relations campaigns of multinational corporations have become.
BONN, May 14 (IPS)- Notice how green the public relations campaigns of multinational corporations have become.
Mexico: New Rules Pave The Way For Transgenic Crops
MEXICO CITY, Mar 20 (IPS)- After a three-year-long process, Mexico is about to clear the way for legal cultivation of transgenic crops, in spite of resistance from environmentalists and several small farmer associations.
MEXICO CITY, Mar 20 (IPS)- After a three-year-long process, Mexico is about to clear the way for legal cultivation of transgenic crops, in spite of resistance from environmentalists and several small farmer associations.
Q&a: plan By Tncs To Control Seeds Bound To Fail
NEW DELHI, Mar 3 (IPS)- An attempt by a handful of developed countries and trans-national corporations (TNCs) to monopolise and control the worlds seeds is doomed to failure, says Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, director-general of Ethiopias Environment Protection Agency, and a formidable negotiator at biodiversity-related fora.
NEW DELHI, Mar 3 (IPS)- An attempt by a handful of developed countries and trans-national corporations (TNCs) to monopolise and control the worlds seeds is doomed to failure, says Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, director-general of Ethiopias Environment Protection Agency, and a formidable negotiator at biodiversity-related fora.
"It Is Upon Us to Pave the Way for Sustainability"
NEW YORK, Jan 24 (IPS)- Anuradha Mittal is an internationally renowned expert on trade, development, human rights and agriculture. In 2004, she founded the Oakland Institute, a policy think tank focused on social, economic and environmental issues.
NEW YORK, Jan 24 (IPS)- Anuradha Mittal is an internationally renowned expert on trade, development, human rights and agriculture. In 2004, she founded the Oakland Institute, a policy think tank focused on social, economic and environmental issues.
Trade: Wto Prescribes More Liberalisation
GENEVA, Jul 18 (IPS)- The shortcomings of globalisation must be amended by more globalisation, according to the World Trade Report 2008, released by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
GENEVA, Jul 18 (IPS)- The shortcomings of globalisation must be amended by more globalisation, according to the World Trade Report 2008, released by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Economy: Imf Reforms Itself, A Little
BRUSSELS, Apr 29 (IPS)- The poor have been given a little more say in the IMF. It is still a small step, but the biggest such in the last 60 years.
BRUSSELS, Apr 29 (IPS)- The poor have been given a little more say in the IMF. It is still a small step, but the biggest such in the last 60 years.
Africa: Agricultural Extension Work Both Important And Under-valued
NAIROBI, Apr 27 (IPS)- At a time of international concern about the future of the worlds food supply, its a comment that gives pause for thought: "I teach university students agriculture and extension but many of them opt for other professions, especially in ICTs, because agriculture is for those who havent gone to school."
NAIROBI, Apr 27 (IPS)- At a time of international concern about the future of the worlds food supply, its a comment that gives pause for thought: "I teach university students agriculture and extension but many of them opt for other professions, especially in ICTs, because agriculture is for those who havent gone to school."
Economy: Globalisation localises Inequality
BRUSSELS, Mar 11 (IPS)- Is the big North-South-divide finally diminishing? It seems to be, though slowly.
BRUSSELS, Mar 11 (IPS)- Is the big North-South-divide finally diminishing? It seems to be, though slowly.
"We Will Write About Them"
KANO, Sep 6 (IPS)- While formal publishing companies in Nigeria languished through the economic crises that accompanied the structural adjustment programmes of the late 1980s and early 1990s, young Hausa writers began writing about their lives and contemporary problems they faced. Bypassing formal publishers, they self-published their novels, often with the help of a writers; cooperative.
KANO, Sep 6 (IPS)- While formal publishing companies in Nigeria languished through the economic crises that accompanied the structural adjustment programmes of the late 1980s and early 1990s, young Hausa writers began writing about their lives and contemporary problems they faced. Bypassing formal publishers, they self-published their novels, often with the help of a writers; cooperative.
Rights: Swazi Law And Custom Under Pressure
MBABANE, Sep 6 (IPS)- When the women's movement in the southern African kingdom of Swaziland took to the streets in August to challenge what they called extravagance by the royal family, Swazi traditionalists were livid.
MBABANE, Sep 6 (IPS)- When the women's movement in the southern African kingdom of Swaziland took to the streets in August to challenge what they called extravagance by the royal family, Swazi traditionalists were livid.
Development-africa: Why The Richest Continent Is Also The Poorest
ACCRA, Sep 5 (IPS)- The ecological impact of natural resource exploitation on the lives of the poor in Africa and other regions is not being addressed sufficiently in aid effectiveness and development discussions, aid experts say.
ACCRA, Sep 5 (IPS)- The ecological impact of natural resource exploitation on the lives of the poor in Africa and other regions is not being addressed sufficiently in aid effectiveness and development discussions, aid experts say.
Q&a: ;our Voices Have Been Heard;
ACCRA, Sep 5 (IPS)- As the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness draws to a close in the Ghanaian capital, gender activists are reflecting on the way ahead.
ACCRA, Sep 5 (IPS)- As the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness draws to a close in the Ghanaian capital, gender activists are reflecting on the way ahead.
Latin America: Food Price Hikes Hit Poor Hard - Eclac
SANTIAGO, Sep 5 (IPS)- The countries of Latin America have coped relatively well so far with the rising global food and fuel prices. But the main challenge they face is to focus more attention on the plight of the poor, experts said at a seminar being held in the Chilean capital.
SANTIAGO, Sep 5 (IPS)- The countries of Latin America have coped relatively well so far with the rising global food and fuel prices. But the main challenge they face is to focus more attention on the plight of the poor, experts said at a seminar being held in the Chilean capital.
Climate Change: Arctic Meltdown Signals Long-term Trend
UXBRIDGE, Canada , Sep 5 (IPS)- Soaring temperatures have led to the collapse of several huge ice shelves in the Canadian Arctic over the past few weeks.
UXBRIDGE, Canada , Sep 5 (IPS)- Soaring temperatures have led to the collapse of several huge ice shelves in the Canadian Arctic over the past few weeks.
US-India nuclear accord approved
Nuclear exporters approve a US proposal to lift a global ban on the sale of civilian nuclear materials to India.
Nuclear exporters approve a US proposal to lift a global ban on the sale of civilian nuclear materials to India.
Divided Cyprus
Will digging up the past bring reconciliation?
Will digging up the past bring reconciliation?
Key US lenders to face new curbs
US officials plan to put troubled mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae under strict federal control, media say.
US officials plan to put troubled mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae under strict federal control, media say.
Wrestlemania
Mickey Rourke wows Venice with latest movie
Mickey Rourke wows Venice with latest movie
Wine challenge
Spanish vineyards fear climate change threat
Spanish vineyards fear climate change threat
Track record
Will Missourians pick US president yet again?
Will Missourians pick US president yet again?
US Libya relations in 'new phase'
Relations between the US and Libya have entered a "new phase", says US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
Relations between the US and Libya have entered a "new phase", says US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
US Boeing workers set to strike
Workers at the world's biggest aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, are to go on strike in the US.
Workers at the world's biggest aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, are to go on strike in the US.
Isotope shortage may delay scans
Hundreds of important NHS hospital tests could be put on hold due to a worldwide shortage of a radioactive isotope.
Hundreds of important NHS hospital tests could be put on hold due to a worldwide shortage of a radioactive isotope.
Rosetta probe makes asteroid pass
Europe?s Rosetta space probe makes a close pass of asteroid Steins, taking pictures and recording other scientific data.
Europe?s Rosetta space probe makes a close pass of asteroid Steins, taking pictures and recording other scientific data.
'Jules Verne' begins final voyage
Europe's space freighter undocks from the International Space Station after completing its mission to the orbiting platform.
Europe's space freighter undocks from the International Space Station after completing its mission to the orbiting platform.
Rice talks with Libya's Gaddafi
Condoleezza Rice meets Col Gaddafi in Libya in the latest step towards improving relations between the former enemies.
Condoleezza Rice meets Col Gaddafi in Libya in the latest step towards improving relations between the former enemies.
Week in pictures
Striking images from around the world this week
Striking images from around the world this week
One Laptop signs up with Amazon
Online retailer Amazon will help the One Laptop Per Child organisation with its plans to sell its XO laptop in the US.
Online retailer Amazon will help the One Laptop Per Child organisation with its plans to sell its XO laptop in the US.
Rapper West to make MTV comeback
Hip-hop star Kanye West is to close the MTV Music Video Awards, a year after complaining about failing to win a single prize at the event.
Hip-hop star Kanye West is to close the MTV Music Video Awards, a year after complaining about failing to win a single prize at the event.
Helping Haiti
Aid workers battle to reach Haiti flood sufferers
Aid workers battle to reach Haiti flood sufferers
Cheney seeks to bolster Ukraine
The US vice-president arrives in Ukraine in a show of solidarity, amid a war of words with Russia over its operations in Georgia.
The US vice-president arrives in Ukraine in a show of solidarity, amid a war of words with Russia over its operations in Georgia.
Economy stronger than expected in US
Downbeat US employment ad retail data adds to economic jitters despite more positive figures from the service sector.
Downbeat US employment ad retail data adds to economic jitters despite more positive figures from the service sector.
New cellphone carrier launching in 2nd half of 2009
More cellphone competition is on the way as Globalive Communications Inc. is aiming to have Canada's fourth national wireless service up and running in the second half of 2009.
More cellphone competition is on the way as Globalive Communications Inc. is aiming to have Canada's fourth national wireless service up and running in the second half of 2009.
U.S. 'stands in solidarity with people of Georgia': Cheney
U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney pledged his country's continued support and assistance for Georgia on Thursday in his first visit to the former Soviet republic since its recent conflict with Russia.
U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney pledged his country's continued support and assistance for Georgia on Thursday in his first visit to the former Soviet republic since its recent conflict with Russia.
Argentina buys back flag carrier
Aerolineas Argentinas is back in state hands 18 years after the troubled airline was sold to the private sector.
Aerolineas Argentinas is back in state hands 18 years after the troubled airline was sold to the private sector.
India pushes for US nuclear deal
Nuclear exporters hold more talks on whether to lift a global ban on the sale of civilian nuclear materials to India.
Nuclear exporters hold more talks on whether to lift a global ban on the sale of civilian nuclear materials to India.
Toronto dreams
Cinema's biggest names get set for 'people's festival'
Cinema's biggest names get set for 'people's festival'
Opec invites Brazil to join group
Iran invites Brazil, which recently announced major untapped oil sources offshore, to join oil producers' cartel Opec.
Iran invites Brazil, which recently announced major untapped oil sources offshore, to join oil producers' cartel Opec.
US economy 'facing stagflation'
The US economy is facing slow growth and higher prices according to the Federal Reserve.
The US economy is facing slow growth and higher prices according to the Federal Reserve.
Boeing workers decide to strike
Assembly workers at Boeing have voted to go on strike following a dispute over pay and benefits.
Assembly workers at Boeing have voted to go on strike following a dispute over pay and benefits.
Alaska's pride
Tracing Sarah Palin's roots in her hometown
Tracing Sarah Palin's roots in her hometown
Green roofs could stop sewage from flowing into waterways: group
Cities could stop raw sewage from being dumped into local waterways during heavy rains if they installed more rooftop gardens on their buildings, says a Canadian environmental group.
Cities could stop raw sewage from being dumped into local waterways during heavy rains if they installed more rooftop gardens on their buildings, says a Canadian environmental group.
Hasidic couple host public wedding in Ste-Agathe
A Hasidic couple who tied the knot Tuesday night in the Laurentians invited the whole town to their celebration as a goodwill gesture to ease tensions in the community.
A Hasidic couple who tied the knot Tuesday night in the Laurentians invited the whole town to their celebration as a goodwill gesture to ease tensions in the community.
Fire ravages longtime Cabot Trail business
Piper's restaurant, a fixture on Cape Breton's Cabot Trail for many years, was destroyed in a fire overnight.
Piper's restaurant, a fixture on Cape Breton's Cabot Trail for many years, was destroyed in a fire overnight.