IPS Inter Press Service

Antoaneta Bezlova

BEIJING - As China piles up gold medals, even the host nation has been watching in bewilderment. Despite popular expectations that China’s athletes would shine on home turf, the medal bonanza has surprised usually skeptical Chinese people.

Olympian Dreams - More IPS News

IPS Blog - Beijing Olympics Reporter's Notebook

ASIA: Rock Star's Expulsion Says No to Child Sex Tourists
Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK - When a British rock star, convicted on paedophilia charges, was turned away at two Asian airports, this week, it was seen by child rights activists as a sign that this region will no longer tolerate sex tourism that exploits minors.

POLITICS-US: McCain's Plan to Privatise Veterans' Health Care
Analysis by Aaron Glantz*
SAN FRANCISCO - If John McCain is elected the next U.S. president, wounded veterans could be in for a world of hurt.

ENERGY CRUNCH
	MIDDLE EAST: In the Race for Renewable Energy Sources More >>

MIGRATION AND REFUGEES
	REFUGEES-ZAMBIA: Making a Home For Themselves More >>

HEALTH: Global Agenda Increasingly Disease-Driven
	At the end of last month, U.S. President George W. Bush signed a global health package that effectively tripled U.S. spending over the next five years to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in poor countries, to 48 billion dollars.

DEVELOPMENT: South Africa Beats Deadline on Water, Sanitation

DEVELOPMENT: Wastewater Crops Feeding Millions

CULTURE-SOUTH AFRICA: Crafts That Steal Hearts All Over the World
	It is early on a Monday morning and Margret Woermann is late for her interview with IPS. The owner and creative force behind the Heartworks shops is at a meeting discussing a project with a clothing designer.

POLITICS-COTE D'IVOIRE: Anti-Xenophobia Law Gets Lukewarm Reception

SOUTH AFRICA: Measuring the Carbon Footprint of Fruit and Wine

ASIA: Rock Star's Expulsion Says No to Child Sex Tourists
	When a British rock star, convicted on paedophilia charges, was turned away at two Asian airports, this week, it was seen by child rights activists as a sign that this region will no longer tolerate sex tourism that exploits minors.

CHINA: Agony Turns Ecstasy as Gold Medals Pile Up

MIDDLE EAST: In the Race for Renewable Energy Sources

CULTURE-SOUTH AFRICA: Crafts That Steal Hearts All Over the World
	It is early on a Monday morning and Margret Woermann is late for her interview with IPS. The owner and creative force behind the Heartworks shops is at a meeting discussing a project with a clothing designer.

PORTUGAL: Easing Food Safety Standards for Traditional Products

POLITICS: Kosovo Casts Shadow on South Ossetian Standoff

BOLIVIA: Businesses Take On the Green Challenge
	What do Bolivia's largest textile mill, an organic cacao cooperative and an indigenous-run tourist hostel in the Amazon have in common? The answer lies in the path, shaky but inspiring, that they are all taking towards sustainable production.

NICARAGUA: US Fourth Fleet Treads Fine Line

CHILE: Exhibit to Celebrate Indigenous Art

MIDDLE EAST: In the Race for Renewable Energy Sources
	As the world scrambles to develop renewable energy resources (RES), the oil-rich Gulf countries that benefit from high prices on fossil fuels are making sure that they do not get left behind.

ISRAEL: Mr. Security versus Mrs. Clean

RIGHTS-MOROCCO: Firing Squads Silent - But Death Hovers

POLITICS-US: McCain's Plan to Privatise Veterans' Health Care
	If John McCain is elected the next U.S. president, wounded veterans could be in for a world of hurt.

HEALTH: Global Agenda Increasingly Disease-Driven

POLITICS-US: Anti-Obama Echo Chamber in Full Swing

CULTURE-SOUTH AFRICA: Crafts That Steal Hearts All Over the World
	It is early on a Monday morning and Margret Woermann is late for her interview with IPS. The owner and creative force behind the Heartworks shops is at a meeting discussing a project with a clothing designer.

SOUTH AFRICA: Measuring the Carbon Footprint of Fruit and Wine

MIDDLE EAST: In the Race for Renewable Energy Sources

POLITICS-COTE D'IVOIRE: Anti-Xenophobia Law Gets Lukewarm Reception
	Human rights organisations are wary of a new law against xenophobia, racism and tribalism adopted by the Ivorian parliament. Certain organisations fear it will lead to infringements on freedom of speech.

ASIA: Rock Star's Expulsion Says No to Child Sex Tourists

CHINA: Agony Turns Ecstasy as Gold Medals Pile Up

POLITICS-US: McCain's Plan to Privatise Veterans' Health Care
	If John McCain is elected the next U.S. president, wounded veterans could be in for a world of hurt.

HEALTH: Global Agenda Increasingly Disease-Driven

NICARAGUA: US Fourth Fleet Treads Fine Line

POLITICS-COTE D'IVOIRE: Anti-Xenophobia Law Gets Lukewarm Reception
	Human rights organisations are wary of a new law against xenophobia, racism and tribalism adopted by the Ivorian parliament. Certain organisations fear it will lead to infringements on freedom of speech.

KENYA: Gathering Storm of Expectations in Nairobi Slum

HEALTH: Global Agenda Increasingly Disease-Driven