Is anti-Semitism back?
On March 2 the yearly dinner party of the Representative Council of French Jewish institutions (CRIF) took place. Noticing a big rise in anti-Semitic activity at the beginning of 2009, its president boomed “anti-Semitism is back” and “in France today many Jews are afraid”. Once more some people do their best to frighten public opinion by waving the fantasy of a return to the horrors of the past. This is questionable.
Over 150,000 Gazans still without tap water
GAZA CITY, 7 April 2009 (IRIN) - Over 150,000 Palestinians in Gaza (around 10 percent of the population) are struggling without tap water as a result of the damage caused to wells, pipes and waste water facilities during the recent 23-day Israeli offensive which ended on 18 January.
Israel PM has first exchange with Palestinian counterpart
New Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday for the first time since taking office. However, it was by no means a peace overture from Mr Netanyahu.
GM maize finds its way to Cuba's fields
HAVANA, Apr 11 (Tierramérica) - With little fanfare, genetically modified maize produced by Cuba's genetic and biotechnology engineering centre, CIGB, is being grown on test plots as part of a new project involving five of the Caribbean island nation's provinces.
Morales on hunger strike over election delays
Bolivian President Evo Morales has announced he is going on hunger strike to put pressure on Congress to set a firm date for general elections that are likely to return him to power.
U.S. lawmakers visit Cuba, fan winds of change
Momentum is building toward breaking down U.S.-imposed barriers against trade and travel with Cuba. The five-day visit to Cuba in early April of seven members of the Congressional Black Caucus provided a push.
Obama team debates stance on Israeli attack threat
WASHINGTON, (IPS) - A recent statement by the chief of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen. David Petraeus, that Israel may decide to attack Iranian nuclear sites has been followed by indications of a debate within the Barack Obama administration on whether Israel's repeated threats to carry out such a strike should be used to gain leverage in future negotiations with Tehran.
Conflict threatens Ecuadors socialist government
Prevailing opinion places Ecuador in company with Venezuela and Bolivia as exemplars of “socialism of the 21st century.” The three countries rely upon sub-soil natural resource extraction to fund social programs. Falling oil and natural gas prices have forced their governments to improvise.
Future of classical music has a Venezuelan beat
CHICAGO — The internationally acclaimed Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela traveled to three cities in the United States this month, Washington, Chicago and Houston. And with this breath of fresh air from the South comes a new opportunity for the United States to get serious about music education.
Iraq seeking broader ties with Russia
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Friday that Baghdad is interested in Russian companies’ investments in Iraq and in expanding their presence in the country.
