Story Archives - Page 443 of 661

The Battle Over Bolivia’s Lithium and the Future of Energy

April Howard May 6, 2009 April Howard

Salt Piles at the Salar de Uyuni

In the brine under a crust of blindingly white salt in Uyuni, Bolivia, lies nearly 50 percent of the world's lithium reserves. Best known as a tourist attraction, the Salar is gaining fame as batteries made with this scarce element catch the attention of governments and auto-makers world wide.

Indigenous Peoples Outraged at Climate Change and False Solutions

Indigenous Environmental Network May 6, 2009 Indigenous Environmental Network

Native Mask (Photo: Langelle)

Anchorage, Alaska--At the first global gathering of Indigenous Peoples on climate change, participants were outraged at the intensifying rate of destruction the climate crisis is having on the Earth and all peoples. Participants reaffirmed that Indigenous Peoples are most impacted by climate change and called for support and funding for Indigenous Peoples to create adaptation and mitigation plans for themselves, based on their own Traditional Knowledge and practices.

Egypt Has Yet to Feel Impact of Female Genital Mutilation Ban

Iman Azzi May 5, 2009 Iman Azzi

In the year since Egypt outlawed female genital mutilation the government hasn't prosecuted a single case. "It's no longer on the government's agenda, they've moved on," Seham Abdul Salam, a medical doctor turned anthropologist, said in a recent interview. Nonetheless, some activists say the law is a tool, among others, for gradually dismantling an ancient tradition.

Paraguay: Protests and Rubber Bullets Greet Return of Dictatorship Criminal

Benjamin Dangl May 4, 2009 Benjamin Dangl

Protesting Montanaro

Workers and activists gathered in the central plaza of Asunción, Paraguay on May 1st to commemorate International Workers Day. Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo marked the day by raising the minimum wage by 5%, half of what many of the unions present were demanding. But another piece of news set the tone for this annual gathering: the return to Paraguay of an ex-minister from the dictatorship who orchestrated the murder and torture of thousands of political dissidents.

Romania: Gypsies Celebrate Roma Day, Yet Fear Reigns

Chuck Todaro April 30, 2009 Chuck Todaro

Roma Day Event in Apalina

Romania is home to Europe's largest Roma population and is the setting for some of the most pervasive societal violence and discrimination against Roma. The Twentieth International Roma Day was celebrated in bittersweet events throughout Romania on April 8th. "This day offers the press the chance to reverse the usual negative stereotypes," says Roma journalist Rudolf Moca.

Obama’s Real Plan in Latin America

Shamus Cooke April 29, 2009 Shamus Cooke

At first glance Obama seems to have softened U.S. policy toward Latin America, especially when compared to his predecessor. There has been no shortage of editorials praising Obama's conciliatory approach while comparing it to FDR's "Good Neighbor" Latin American policy. It's important to remember, however, that FDR's vision of being neighborly meant that the U.S. would merely stop direct military interventions in Latin America, while reserving the right to create and prop up dictators, arm and train unpopular regional militaries and promote economic dominance through free trade.