Old demons remain, new emerge

309,000 infants die on first day

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Emergence of South

RISE of the developing world, or the South, has resulted in a shift in the dynamics of the global market. This is the underlying theme of the 2013 Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Despite being low on human development index (HDI), a measure of health, education and income, developing countries like India and China have become strong enough to influence international decision-making on policies relating to trade and environment, claims the report.

Inheritance of loss

The year 2012 set major records. A quick Google search reveals it was the hottest year in US history and second wettest one in the UK. Data from 2011 and 2010 show similar extremes. But not only is climate change getting worse, it is also getting costlier.

Testing the CL route

Last month I ran into Ecuador’s popular president Rafael Correa as he was campaigning for a third term—he has since been re-elected with a record majority—and recalled his path-breaking decision to issue compulsory licences (CLs) to ensure cheaper medicines for his expanding public health programme. The decree, the first such in Latin America, was issued in October 2009 for some much-needed drugs and, six months later, the Ecuadorian government handed out the first CL on US multinational Abbott’s ritonavir, an AIDS medication.

Internet governance issues will dominate 2013

Treaty negotiated in Dubai is not a magic wand Author(s): Emma Llansó

Clash of the cyberworlds

Developing countries unanimously reject LCA text

The second week of the Doha talks opened amid high drama as developing countries unanimously rejected the “draft text” prepared by the chairperson of the ad-hoc working group on long-term cooperative action (AWG-LCA). Such a draft text details the areas of convergence and divergence on all issues that are to be taken up for further deliberations by Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

'We cannot sell the idea of equity back home,' says US negotiator

The US made it clear it is not on the same page on equity as the developing nations.

Improved hearths

Travel to rural India and you will see several women cooking on mud stoves. In urban areas, labourers light stoves in front of their makeshift shacks. The simple appliance has been the reason for many debates in government and multilateral agencies.