News headlines in May 2013, page 5

KAMPALA, May 28 (IPS) - Phiona Mutesi was a muddy, desperate nine-year-old foraging for food in Uganda's biggest slum, Katwe, when she discovered, through her older brother Brian, a chess programme.

HALDIYAGANJ, India, May 28 (IPS) - In the small village of Haldiyaganj in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, 17-year old Injuara Begum is nursing her son who was born right here on the floor of her home three years ago.

PESHAWAR, May 27 (IPS) - Peshawar is breathing a little easier. Prime minister designate Nawaz Sharif's offer of talks with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has rekindled hope for peace in this Pakistan border town.

HAVANA/BOGOTA, May 27 (IPS) - Colombian government and guerrilla delegates have announced an agreement on the question of land reform – an important step in the peace talks that began six months ago in Havana.

BUENOS AIRES, May 27 (IPS) - In the 10 years since late president Néstor Kirchner, who was succeeded by his wife Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in 2007, first took office in Argentina, poverty has fallen, employment has climbed and educational coverage has expanded, although there is no agreement on the exact statistics.

LISBON, May 27 (IPS) - The economic crisis began in the United States under the administration of then-President George W. Bush, following the collapse of the Lehman Brothers Bank. It came as a result of unregulated globalisation and a neoliberal ideology that places usurious markets, offshore bank accounts, and money for the sake of money, above state power. It is an ideology that ignores citizens, even as they starve.

CAIRO, May 27 (IPS) - A controversial bill backed by Egypt's ruling Muslim Brotherhood and submitted to the Islamist-dominated legislature surpasses previous laws used to repress Egyptian civil society, rights watchdogs say.

MAPUTO, May 27 (IPS) - Mozambique is proud home to not one, but two female rappers who are both qualified lawyers. Yveth "Vauvita" Matunza is striking. She is tall, wearing shoes with enormous stilettos. She has on full make up and a smart, tailored dress suit. She is doing her masters part time while working full time at the Mozambican Human Rights League offices - and rapping on her off time.

KARACHI, May 27 (IPS) - Sherhshah Syed is a highly qualified doctor and president of the prestigious Pakistan National Forum on Women's Health (PNFWH) but his income does not match his qualifications.

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, May 26 (IPS) - When it comes to generating clean energy and reducing costs, the tiny Caribbean island of Nevis considers itself the leader within the nine-member Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).