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Proposed laws in California and Ohio would mandate paid sick leave statewide. Businesses decry the plans as “job killing,” but advocates say paid sick days would control the spread of disease, and give low-earning workers benefits enjoyed by the highest paid. Photo: thegirlsmoma
After years of struggle and the end of its traditional monarchy, Nepal, the world’s youngest republic, swore in Maoist and former guerrilla leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal as its prime minister. The ceremony brought dignitaries from around the world, including the United States and United Kingdom. Photo: Dahal poster/mattlogelin
Inexpensive mobile technology is opening doors in the developing world for those who have previously been shut out of the information revolution. Cell phones in India, Africa and beyond are used for banking, credit transfers, even reporting rights abuses.
Photo: India cell user/Tierecke
Tuna (right) may be a mainstay of Japanese cuisine, but the country’s fishing fleets have agreed to suspend tuna fishing due to sharply declining stocks. It was one of many recent news stories of oceanic declines caused by overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and climate change.Photo: Tsukiji Fish Market/tph567
Important but overlooked news from around the world. QUOTED:
“There are insufficient safeguards on the agency’s use of national security letters and other intrusive surveillance tools.” — ACLU spokesman Jameel Jaffer on an FBI apology for monitoring journalists’ phone records (see “Top Stories,” below). CONTENTS:
*Top Stories*
Myanmar Junta’s ‘Odd’ Rules Sap Cyclone Aid: Reports
FBI apology spurs further questions
Australia breaks ground on gay retirement home
*The Roof of the World*
World’s youngest republic swears in Maoist Prime Minister
Hindu and Muslim conflict rocks Kashmir
*Economy & Labor*
Will mobile phones vault the digital divide? Businesses decry paid sick leave push in California, Ohio
TOP STORIES
* Myanmar Junta’s ‘Odd’ Rules Sap Cyclone Aid: Reports
The military junta that rules Burma has changed its currency conversion rules, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid intended for victims of Cyclone Nargis, according to reports.
Tuna (right) may be a mainstay of Japanese cuisine, but the country’s fishing fleets have agreed to suspend tuna fishing due to sharply declining stocks. It was one of many recent news stories of oceanic declines caused by overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and climate change.Photo: Tsukiji Fish Market/tph567
Important but overlooked news from around the world. QUOTED:
“We don’t want to sew, we don’t want to knit, we don’t want to cook.” — Argentine sex worker Elena Reynaga says HIV programs shouldn’t preach morality, but simply educate (see “Top Stories,” below). CONTENTS:
*Top Stories*
Women claim space at AIDS conference
How green is my Wal-Mart? Salmon lose at California logging board
*World*
Immigrants seek assimilation under the surgeon’s knife
Olympic terror fears spur west China crackdown
*Endangered*
World forests face multiple threats
Save the (native) humans
TOP STORIES
* Women Claim Space at AIDS Conference
Circumcision, female condoms and sex work grabbed attention at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City last week.
Important but overlooked news from around the world. QUOTED:
“Nestle will face swift legal challenge if it does not fully evaluate the environmental impact of diverting millions of gallons of spring water from the McCloud River into billions of plastic water bottles.” — California Attorney General Jerry Brown wants to shake up the bottled-water industry (see “Top Stories,” below). CONTENTS:
*Top Stories*
Did U.S. taxpayers pay for Burma junta’s satellite? California may sue Nestle over water plan
Chile: Dammed if they do
*Environment*
Climate change, as the crow flies
Dreaming of a zero-carbon economy
Ain’t no other fish in the sea?
Even a society as tolerant of sexual minorities as Thailand struggles with discrimination. Now, a secondary school in the northeast of the country has built a toilet solely for its 200 transsexual students, who fear harassment, groping and more.
Photo: Thai facilities/Pilgrim Steve
Important but overlooked news from around the world. QUOTED:
“What power did any of these men have at the time of the coup in 1973? None!” — Retired Chilean Army General Guillermo Garin on the arrest in May of 98 formerly low-ranking soldiers suspected of abuses under the Pinochet regime (see “Chile,” below). CONTENTS:
*Top Stories*
It takes a tree to save a village
Argentina: Saving the family farm
A toilet for Thai transexuals
*World*
Pinochet’s ghost still haunts Chile
Court dates and coup attempts for Turkey secularists
Racial profiling in the Great White North?