IPS Inter Press Service

Mallika Aryal

KATHMANDU - The period between 2002 and 2007, was marked with various political and economic changes in Nepal. As the government and the Maoist rebels fought a bloody war in the hinterlands, exports plummeted due to internal and international factors, investments by government and private sectors dropped due to instability caused by the war and agriculture stagnated. During this period Nepal’s average growth dropped from 5 to 2.9 percent.

Q&A: ‘Political Power is Still Very Masculine’

DEVELOPMENT: ‘Aid From New EU Members Disregards Women’

DEVELOPMENT: ‘Aid Must Budget for Women’

RIGHTS: Women’s Groups Push For Gender Sensitive Budgets

COLOMBIA: International Criminal Court Scrutinises Paramilitary Crimes
Constanza Vieira
BOGOTA - The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor ended a three-day visit to Colombia Wednesday, where he has been investigating who is ultimately responsible for the human rights crimes committed in this civil war-torn country.

POLITICS-US: Women Take the Platform at Dem Convention
Ali Gharib
WASHINGTON - From the party platform ratified by delegates between speeches Monday, to primetime, headlining speeches by two heavy hitters in the election -- Sen. Hillary Clinton and first-lady hopeful Michelle Obama -- the initial two days of the Democratic National Convention were dominated by women.

ENERGY CRUNCH
	ICELAND: Filling Up on Hydrogen More >>

MIGRATION AND REFUGEES
	Q&A: "They Mobilised Violence For Their Own Reasons" More >>

INDIA/US: Nuclear Deal Headed for Fiasco
	As the tortuous negotiations for the United States-India nuclear deal enters its final stage, it becomes clear that India seriously underestimated the discomfort and opposition the agreement would arouse in many countries because of the special privileges granted to India, largely on New Delhi's terms.

POLITICS: South Takes Aim at Security Council Elitism

POLITICS: Caucasus Crisis Raises Tensions at U.N.

Q&A: "They Mobilised Violence For Their Own Reasons"
	The text of the Kenyan National Dialogue and Reconciliation Accord, brokered by former UN chief Kofi Annan in March this year and released to the press in full last Sunday, identifies land as one of the central issues creating "economic, social, political and environmental problems" in the country.

RIGHTS-SWAZILAND: Women Challenge King Mswati

SIERRA LEONE: Commission Launches First Human Rights Report

RIGHTS-INDONESIA: Spy Boss' Trial May Reveal More on Munir Murder
	The current trial of former top Indonesian spy Muchdi Purwopranjono may be another stepping stone on the road to justice in relation to the sensational 2004 murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib.

INDIA/US: Nuclear Deal Headed for Fiasco

POLITICS: Iran Could Reap Benefits of U.S.-Russian Tensions

ICELAND: Filling Up on Hydrogen
	Earlier this year, the Icelandic whale-watching boat Elding was fitted with a hydrogen-powered generator that fuels its lighting system, electric equipment and navigation machinery. It is the first of its kind in the world.

RIGHTS: Accused Terrorist Sues Norway

POLITICS: Caucasus Crisis Raises Tensions at U.N.

MEXICO: Conservatives Lose Key Battle Against Abortion
	The Mexican government, Catholic Church and conservative groups lost a crucial battle Wednesday in their fight against abortion, which was legalised in the capital in April 2007.

COLOMBIA: International Criminal Court Scrutinises Paramilitary Crimes

PERU: Courts Move Closer to Clarifying Accomarca Massacre

MIDEAST: Israel Pushes Ahead with Settlement Expansion
	Israel has published tenders for the construction of 1,761 illegal housing units for Israeli settlers in occupied east Jerusalem alone, according to the Israeli rights group Peace Now.

RIGHTS: Accused Terrorist Sues Norway

IRAQ: Sectarian Clashes Flare Up Again

POLITICS: Iran Could Reap Benefits of U.S.-Russian Tensions
	Iran could emerge as a big winner, at least in the short term, from the rapidly escalating tensions between the United States and Russia over Moscow's intervention in Georgia, according to analysts here.

POLITICS-US: Women Take the Platform at Dem Convention

POLITICS-US: Housing Fund Seen as Grassroots Victory

ICELAND: Filling Up on Hydrogen
	Earlier this year, the Icelandic whale-watching boat Elding was fitted with a hydrogen-powered generator that fuels its lighting system, electric equipment and navigation machinery. It is the first of its kind in the world.

DEVELOPMENT: Africa Still Hampered by Lack of Geographical Data

SIERRA LEONE: Activists Cry Foul Over Mining Policy

RIGHTS-INDONESIA: Spy Boss' Trial May Reveal More on Munir Murder
	The current trial of former top Indonesian spy Muchdi Purwopranjono may be another stepping stone on the road to justice in relation to the sensational 2004 murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib.

MEXICO: Conservatives Lose Key Battle Against Abortion

Q&A: "They Mobilised Violence For Their Own Reasons"

MEXICO: Conservatives Lose Key Battle Against Abortion
	The Mexican government, Catholic Church and conservative groups lost a crucial battle Wednesday in their fight against abortion, which was legalised in the capital in April 2007.

POLITICS-US: Women Take the Platform at Dem Convention

RIGHTS-SWAZILAND: Women Challenge King Mswati

RIGHTS-SWAZILAND: Women Challenge King Mswati
	Hard on the heels of the signing of the Gender Protocol at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state summit, Swazi women have challenged King Mswati III on the monarchy's lavish lifestyle in the face of abject poverty and disease.

POLITICS-US: Housing Fund Seen as Grassroots Victory

DEVELOPMENT: Nepal Scrutinises Spending to Cap Gender Gaps