Full Coverage: Northern America

02/29/2008 Coinciding with the opening of the 2008 UN Commission on the Status of Women, women's advocates are calling on the public to urge U.S. representatives to support laws against child marriage, a custom that affects nearly half of the 331 million girls living in developing countries.
From: Women's eNews

02/29/2008 African rights advocates challenge President Bush's establishment of U.S. military forces in Africa by citing the opposition of various African heads of states and representatives of the Southern African Development Community, who maintain such a force "would have a negative effect."

02/29/2008 Kaksi vuotta täyttävällä El Salvadorin ja Yhdysvaltojen välisellä vapaakauppasopimuksella on salvadorilaisten kriitikoiden mielestä ollut enemmän huonoja kuin hyviä vaikutuksia maahan. Eniten ovat kärsineet maatalous ja maquila-teollisuus.

02/28/2008 A large number of HIV+ women who get pregnant say they didn't intend to, but U.S.-funded programs to prevent HIV, which got a boost in spending yesterday, do not provide contraceptions.

02/28/2008 The United States should follow the example set by other nations around the world and normalize relations with Cuba, "a country that continues to expand its influence as a leader in public health in developing nations," writes JoJo Farrell.

02/28/2008 For all his lofty talk of national unity, Obama may actually put back the arrival of a post-racial America, argues Trevor Phillips.
From Prospect

02/27/2008 Leading Indian politicians have outrightly rejected the idea of a U.S.-imposed deadline after a team of U.S. senators warned that a new inhabitant of the White House might quash a potential deal on the transfer of nuclear technology.

02/27/2008 In Oakland, CA, a unique high school for immigrants and refugees from around the world ensures that students are well-prepared for college while helping them adjust to their new home.

02/27/2008 SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 26 (OneWorld) - Most of California's furniture contains toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, and neurological and reproductive dysfunction, according to a report released today.

02/25/2008 After 61 years in power, Paraguay's conservative, U.S.-backed government "still permeates every inch of Paraguayan society" -- but the status quo may change as a new right-wing faction emerges within the party ahead of the April elections.

02/25/2008 NEW YORK, Feb 24 (OneWorld) - While in Africa this week, George W. Bush drew fire for his plans to expand the United States' military presence on the resource-rich but economically strapped continent.

02/22/2008 SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 22 (OneWorld) - Humanitarian workers are calling on the major presidential candidates to invigorate U.S. efforts to end global poverty by reforming the way foreign aid is allocated.

02/22/2008 The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that its military is holding Canadian Television journalist Jawed Ahmad, but refused to disclose any further information.
From Committee to Protect Journalists

02/22/2008 Human Rights Watchin mukaan kauppasaarto on antanut Kuuban hallinnolle tekosyyn ihmisoikeusloukkauksiin ja sananvapauden rajoittamiseen. Järjestön mielestä vallanvaihto Kuubassa tarjoaa Kuuballe tilaisuuden uudistaa lainsäädäntöään ja Yhdysvalloille tilaisuuden luopua kauppasaarrosta.

02/22/2008 Joukko Yhdysvaltain johtavia tieteentekijöitä on vedonnut maan kongressiin varmistaakseen, ettei maan seuraava presidentti sensuroi ja vääristä ympäristö- ja terveysalan tutkimusta. Tutkijoiden mukaan "poliittisesti arkaluontoisia asioita" sisältäviä tutkimuksia on George W. Bushin kaudella jätetty julkaisematta.

02/21/2008 Concerned Americans are adding their voices to a new campaign urging presidential candidates to not only address climate change, but to provide specifics -- including how they plan to help developing nations cope with human-caused climate change.

02/21/2008 NEW YORK, Feb 21 (OneWorld) - Graphic images of animal cruelty and this week's record recall of U.S. beef have spurred fresh demands to expand a ban on killing sick animals for food consumption.

02/21/2008

02/21/2008 An international media freedom group says it is "astonished" by a Californian judge's decision to order the temporary closure of Wikileaks, a U.S.-based Web site that invites people to post leaked documents with the aim of discouraging unethical behaviour.

02/20/2008 NEW YORK, Feb 19 (IPS) - As the United States moves towards holding death-sentence trials for six Guantanamo Bay detainees alleged to have plotted the Sep. 11 attacks, legal scholars and human rights advocates are questioning not only the six-year-long process and timing of the charges, but also whether the accused could ever receive fair trials.