News headlines in February 2015, page 9

WASHINGTON, Feb 06 (IPS) - Women are running some of the United States' most prominent foreign policy focused think tanks, leading groundbreaking foreign policy initiatives, and reporting from the front lines of the world's most dangerous conflict zones.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 06 (IPS) - Sri Lanka's newly-installed government, which has pledged to set up its own domestic tribunal to investigate war crimes charges, is seeking political and moral support both from the United States and the United Nations to stall a possible international investigation.

NEW YORK, Feb 06 (IPS) - A recent study suggests that one of the multiple threats to coral reefs contains both the problem and solution.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 05 (IPS) - The United Nations, which is the legal guardian of scores of human rights treaties banning torture, unlawful imprisonment, degrading treatment of prisoners of war and enforced disappearances, is troubled that an increasing number of countries are justifying violations of U.N. conventions on grounds of fighting terrorism in conflict zones.

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 05 (IPS) - If cities have souls, the Argentine capital's is turning more and more grey. Real estate speculation, the fencing in and paving of parks, and the installation of private bars and restaurants in public squares have changed the face of the city. Green spaces with carefully tended flower beds? Today they're found mainly in the nostalgia brought on by a classic tango song.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 05 (IPS) - Formerly derided as the domain of time-wasting and self-obsession, social media has emerged as an unlikely shining light for international relations and social activism.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 05 (IPS) - Measles remains one of the leading causes of death for young children worldwide, even though a safe and ostensibly affordable vaccine is available.

TAIPEI, Feb 05 (IPS) - "The clock is ticking." Those were the words of Taiwan Democracy Watch Director Yeh Chueh-an on Feb. 4, as scores of civil society organisations in the capital, Taipei, began a countdown for a citizen-based rewriting of Taiwan's constitution aimed at safeguarding human rights and social equity.

Feb 04 (IPS) - Global tourism, which stood at a mere 25 million international travelers in 1950 has, over the past decades, experienced such phenomenal growth and diversification that today it has become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world.