Environment : Climate politics hots up (PRIV)
(Martin Khor, Geneva)
It's been another interesting week for global climate politics. Last Thursday saw the resignation of Mr. Yvo de Boer from his post of head of the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the body that is the guardian to the climate regime comprising the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.

Development : World's longest toilet queue in the making (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
The "world's longest toilet queue," scheduled for next month, may not be a celebrity-filled event worthy of a Hollywood spectacle - but it could still find a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Bulgaria : Government forced down on genetically modified crops (PRIV)
(IPS, Bucharest)
Campaigning by environmental groups and the general public has weakened the determination of the Bulgarian government to allow the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in this country.

Development : Grassroots aid groups struggle to stay afloat (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
The Holy Child Integrated Agricultural Centre, an organic farm near Abeokuta in southwestern Nigeria, was looking forward to having running water. An industrial borehole had already been installed, and a pump and piping to various buildings were in place.

Finance : Euro not for Europe's poor (PRIV)
(IPS, Brussels)
For 329 million people, shopping with the euro is a part of everyday life. Since its notes and coins were introduced on New Year's Day 2002, this single currency has made it possible to travel across a 16-country zone stretching from Cyprus to Ireland without having to change the money in one's pocket or handbag.

Chile : Will presidential CEO modify regional political scenario? (PRIV)
(IPS, Santiago)
Will right-wing billionaire Sebastian Pinera's arrival to the presidency in Chile modify the overall political outlook in Latin America? Analysts consulted in various countries have different takes on the question.