News headlines in January 2009, page 7

A scandalous trade in Burmese migrant labour involving Malaysian and Thai officials and international human traffickers is now coming to light.

Prominent Mexico-based German political analyst Heinz Dieterich said he believes the World Social Forum, which is meeting this week in the northern Brazilian Amazon jungle city of Belem, falls short in the innovation department and fails to generate real change.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva 'betrayed' community radio stations, said Magno Cruz, the head of Radio Conquista, speaking at a round table discussion at the International Laboratory for Free Media, held in the capital of the northeastern state of Maranhao.

Few hold much hope that a seventh summit of Southern African leaders on Zimbabwe will find a solution to the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

The figures are staggering. About half a billion small arms are in use around the world and nearly half a million people are killed by them annually.

Violent conflict is hardly new to the Middle East, but increasingly it is taking the form of unconventional warfare.

Bolivia’s voters approved a new constitution in Sunday’s referendum with around 60 percent support, ushering in further social changes under President Evo Morales, who will now be able to run for reelection in December, to a single consecutive term.

Civil society groups are looking to the World Social Forum this year to strengthen their campaign for justice in the face of organised crime.

At 7.30 am Jan. 22, five days after Israeli authorities declared a 'ceasefire' following their 22-day air, land and sea bombardment of the Gaza Strip, Israeli gunboats renewed shelling off the Gaza city coast, injuring at least six, including four children.

Things in Suffolk County on Long Island have gotten so bad lately that the U.S. Justice Department is launching an investigation into attacks on Latino residents, and may also examine whether local police agencies improperly handled several widely publicised incidents.