Quito declaration: A step towards free trade

In a recent meeting in Quito, the Ecuadorean capital, the heads of the four Andean Community of Nations signed the Quito Declaration, which seeks the extension of trade preferences with the us for a year. The agreement comes against the backdrop of a left-oriented group of nations taking on the us.

Ghana devotes one day out of seven to environment-related cases

Ghana's ministry of local government, rural development and environment has said a day should be set aside each week for hearing environment-related cases. "Environmental offences are not being prosecuted in most courts and they continue to cause havoc either deliberately or accidentally," says Jonathan Aboagye, assistant public relations officer of the ministry.

Gujarat NGOs demand separate environment court

ngos in Gujarat recently demanded that each state in the country should have a separate environment court. "Gujarat has become the capital of special economic zones (sezs) and the sez Act and rules are diluting existing environment laws," said Mahesh Pandya of Paryavaran Mitra, an environment activists group in Gujarat.

Cholera epidemic in Angola on the rise

With nine deaths on May 23, the toll in a cholera epidemic in Angola has gone up to 1,374 , according to who. The outbreak was declared in mid-February this year. Official reports say 38,422 cases have been reported and 12 of Angola's 18 provinces affected. The main cause for the outbreak is said to be poor hygiene, lack of potable water and environmental pollution. The onset of the rainy season has worsened the situation.

Australian Aboroginal Land Rights Act tabled for amendement

The Australian federal government recently tabled the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory) for amendment in parliament. The amendment seeks to place the financial resources of land councils under the control of the federal indigenous affairs minister, who will decide their level of funding, how they spend their money and also direct their resources. The current minister, Mal Brough, has also sought the power to delegate land council functions to other bodies created and funded by him.

Polluted Yangste river may be dead in five years

UAE concerned about Iran's nuclear programme

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has voiced concern over the environmental impact of Iran's nuclear programme. UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan raised the issue in Abu Dhabi at a joint news conference with German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who echoed Western fears regarding Iran's nuclear programme.

UK environment regulator pulled up for failing to check pollution

Agovernment environment regulator in the uk has been pulled up for the first time for failing to check the pollution of a river.

Columbian tribe ready to join the world

About 80 members of the remote Nukak-Maku tribe of Colombia recently wandered out of the Amazon forests and set up camp in the southern part of the country, declaring themselves ready to join the modern world.

California, Los Angeles sue Coca-cola