RIO DE JANEIRO,May 27(IPS)-"Bridging Cultures, Building Peace"is theslogan of the third United Nations Alliance of CivilisationsForum which opens Friday in Brazil, gathering together some 3,000heads of state, members of parliament and delegates ofinternational bodies and civil society organisations.

KHON KAEN, Thailand,May 26(IPS)-She sang till the very end on a stage she couldnever call her own.

UNITED NATIONS,May 24(IPS)-Since its inception in 2005, the Alliance ofCivilisations (AoC) has worked to improve understanding andcooperation across nations, cultures and religions in order tocounter the forces that fuel polarisation and extremism.

BISHKEK,May 24(IPS)-While local and international media reports of theMay 19 clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan dwelt on rivalries betweenthe Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities, the two ethnic groups were seento be united against forces loyal to ousted president KurmanbekBakiyev.

PARIS,May 23(IPS)-France is likely to have a law banning the burqa byautumn of this year, but human rights groups say that suchlegislation would be discriminatory, counter-productive and alsodifficult to enforce.

ROME,May 23(IPS)-Saving the planet from environmental catastrophe isundoubtedly very important, but one of the reasons many peopleare not doing their bit could be that being green does not seemmuch fun.

ROME,May 21(IPS)-Biodiversity in agriculture is about culture.Traditional knowledge and culture are as important as researchand investments aver farmers, researchers and academicians whoare gathered in Rome to celebrate International Day forBiodiversity on Saturday.

CAIRO,May 21(IPS)-Although Egypt's many Sufi orders havetraditionally been known for keeping a safe distance frompolitics, recent events suggest they are now closer than ever tothe ruling regime.

HAVANA,May 18(IPS)-Interest in religion is on the upsurge in Cuba,indicated by the growth and variety of the faiths being practisedas well as by the ease with which people participate in more thanone spiritual community at a time.

GAZA CITY,May 18(IPS)-Ahmed Ismail, 23, is leading a dance out oftroubled times in Gaza.Breakdancing is his way to help theyouth of Gaza begin dreaming and havingfun again.

MEXICO CITY,May 17(IPS)-Horacio Ramos is not bothered about paying an extra50 dollars on his television subscription so that he can watchthe entire FIFA World Cup, which kicks off Jun. 11 in SouthAfrica.

MANAMA,MAy 17(IPS)-Surging dowries and the skyrocketing costs ofliving amid constrictingeconomic opportunities made worse bythe global financial crisis have placed aheavy burden onBahraini men contemplating marriage.

MEXICO CITY,May 13(IPS)-Learning to do aerial acrobatics has not onlyhelped 13-year-old Atenas Padilla overcome her fear of heights,but also to become more tolerant and creative.

BUENOS AIRES,May 12(IPS)-The First International Women and Film Festival forGender Equity drew enthusiastic audiences this month in theArgentine capital, where movies from nearly 40 countries werescreened.

BUENOS AIRES,May 11(IPS)-In little over a decade, Argentina has become oneof the world leaders in production and export of films,mini-series, telenovelas (soap operas), entertainment programmesand commercials.