IPS News - Top of the WeekIPS, civil society's leading news agency, is an independent voice from the South and for development, delving into globalisation for the stories underneath.VENEZUELA: International Observers Ratify Chvez's Triumph in Referendum- (Found June 19, 2008 ) CARACAS, Aug 16 (IPS) - Although the opposition complained of fraud, the international election observer missions monitoring the recall referendum in Venezuela agreed Monday that President Hugo Chvez had won, and said they found no signs of fraud.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25095 ENERGY-JAPAN: Nuclear Accident Shakes Public Confidence- (Found June 19, 2008 ) TOKYO, Aug 10 (IPS) - Japan's worst accident at a nuclear power plant has shaken public confidence in the industry's safety record with activists blaming the country's lax nuclear regulations for the mishap that killed four and injured seven others at the plant west of the capital.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25010 POLITICS: U.S. and France Begin a Great Game in Africa- (Found June 19, 2008 ) PARIS, Aug 11 (IPS) - France and the United States have begun a new race to compete for favours with undemocratic regimes in Africa. The competition is growing particularly in the oil- rich North and West Africa.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25032 VENEZUELA: U.S. Set to 'Grin and Bear' Chavez Victory- (Found June 19, 2008 ) WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (IPS) - Just days before Venezuelans vote on whether to recall Hugo Chavez, U.S. officials and analysts appear increasingly resigned to at least another two and a half years of a government headed by the fiery populist.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25044 SOUTH ASIA: Regional Approach Needed to Manage Rivers- (Found June 19, 2008 ) NEW DELHI, Aug 12 (IPS) - The recent spate of life-threatening floods, which has affected hundreds of millions in South Asia, once again points to the need for a regional approach to managing the Himalayan rivers that flow through India, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25046 IRAQ: U.S. Keeps Winning Battles, Losing Wars- (Found June 19, 2008 ) WASHINGTON, Aug 12 (IPS) - Once again, U.S. armed forces appear on the verge of winning a decisive military victory in Iraq -- this time in the holy city of Najaf. And once again, they appear closer to losing the larger wars for a stable and friendly Iraq and for an Islamic world that will cease producing anti-U.S. terrorism.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25063 RIGHTS-BRITAIN: 'Terrifying' Judgment over Suspected Terrorists- (Found June 19, 2008 ) LONDON, Aug 13 (IPS) - After years of condemning torture in other countries, Britian could now be approving it as official policy.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25077 IRAQ: Assembly Off to a Faltering Start- (Found June 19, 2008 ) BAGHDAD, Aug 15 (IPS) - More than 1,300 delegates from across Iraq gathered here Sunday to elect 100 members for the interim consultative assembly, but angry opponents disrupted the opening sessions and accused the government of undemocratic ways.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25083 JAPAN: Worship of War Dead Rekindles Brutal Memories- (Found June 19, 2008 ) TOKYO, Aug 16 (IPS) - Post-war Japan, unlike post-war Germany, has been never able to face its brutal wartime record in any serious, self-reflective manner. And this year's anniversary of the end of World War II, comes at a time when the country is undergoing a nascent nationalist rise - much to the worry of Japan's Asian neighbours, in particular China.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25088 ECONOMY-ARGENTINA: Paying the IMF - and Ignoring Its Advice- (Found June 19, 2008 ) BUENOS AIRES, Aug 9 (IPS) - Over the past year, the Argentine government has threatened several times to default on its payments to the International Monetary Fund. But on Monday it announced that it would keep up its payments, without arguing.http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=25007 |