While scores of international observers wait on tenterhooksfor the first election in Burma in two decades - and one ofonly three multiparty elections in 60 years–a report by theU.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights theresuggests that the world need not wait for Nov. 7 to judge theoutcome.

Damming a river may bring electric power, but it often comesat the price of high-quality food fisheries, experts say. Whendams are proposed for power, flood control or irrigation, theoften devastating impacts on fisheries in rivers and lakes areignored or discounted.

Poor indigenous and peasant farmers who have developed initiatives to gain access to land have been invited to take part in a global competition that will award prizes for innovative, effective approaches to the struggle for property rights.

Ten years after the Security Council issued its landmarkresolution 1325, designed to address the"disproportionate andunique impact of war on women", U.N. officials andinternational human rights advocates say it is high time theprinciples it espouses move from paper to reality.

While women have made strides forward in areas like job marketparticipation over the last two decades, in 2009 only 14 womenin the world held the position of head of state or government,and of the 500 largest corporations, just 13 had a female CEO.

Blame Canada if countries fail to agree to a new bindingtreaty to curb the rapid loss of plant, animal and speciesthat form the intricate web of life that sustains humanity.That is the view of indigenous representatives from Canada inresponse to a late night move by the Canadian delegation tostrike a reference to indigenous peoples' rights at the U.N.Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) members' conferencehere.

Contact: John Edward, 707-222-1277MEDIA ADVISORY, Oct. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- West Records recording artist Janeene Lavelle releases her highly-anticipated debut album, Janeene Lavelle, which is gaining international attention and press."We are so excited about this album release and working with Janeene on this project"Benson Duboir, Vice President of sales at West Records said."Janeene Lavelle, and the music on this album, is great and it's not a surprise this album is reach Source: West Record5

Contact: Natalie Brown, Press Asst., S.T.A.N.D., 757-410-7740, 757-648-9957MEDIA ADVISORY, Oct. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- Bishop E.W. Jackson Sr., an active member of the Tea Party movement, has taken aim at the NAACP for,"becoming nothing more than puppets for the far left and the Democrat Party."The NAACP has issued a report alleging"racist"elements in the Tea Party. Jackson, through STAND -- Staying True to America's National Destiny -- has turned t Source: S.T.A.N.D

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's Chief Executive Julia Unwin sees the CSR as offering mixed news for those in poverty.Following the announcement of the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on 20 October 2010, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) Chief Executive Julia Unwin commented:"It is encouraging that the Chancellor cited'fairness'as one of the main principles behind the measures announced in today's Spending Review. He also claimed that those with the broadest shoulders would bear the biggest proportion of the pain, a stance we welcome."Yet, when we look at the detail of the measures announced, the news is mixed for people and places in poverty. The JRF will monitor the impact of these decisions closely and will continue to shine a light on what happens to the poorest."The JRF also observed that increased funding for schools and childcare could have real positive outcomes for children from deprived backgrounds and compensates for cuts to other areas. In contrast, benefit cuts look regressive and will hit the poorest hardest.It comments that the protection of universal benefits for pensioners, along with the increased funding to adult social care is welcome news. However, it is disappointed that the plight of childless working-age adults remains ignored.The Foundation says there is already a serious problem with housing supply, and in particular the supply of affordable housing. It is concerned that the level of funding for affordable housing is now far too low, and that the new approach, which will place all new tenants into a single system, is too rigid.JRF will publish further detailed analysis of the CSR announcement in relation to welfare, education, adult social care, social housing and the environment onhttp://www.jrf.org.uk/public-spending

China's rebel artist Ai Weiwei had intended a political message. And may be atruly memorable metaphor for the state of modern China and humanity as awhole. But the final outcome of his multimedia installation at the London's TateModern may have been rather unexpected, for what he got was a striking symbolof the 'Made in China' effect on the world.

China's rebel artist Ai Weiwei had intended a political message. And may be atruly memorable metaphor for the state of modern China and humanity as awhole. But the final outcome of his multimedia installation at the London's TateModern may have been rather unexpected, for what he got was a striking symbolof the 'Made in China' effect on the world.

The accelerating destruction of natural habitats will takemillions of years to recover from, scientists have warned.This may be the last chance to apply the brakes, AchimSteiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme,reminded delegates representing the 193 member countries ofthe U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The accelerating destruction of natural habitats will takemillions of years to recover from, scientists have warned.This may be the last chance to apply the brakes, AchimSteiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme,reminded delegates representing the 193 member countries ofthe U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).