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- World Bank worries over recession-related risks to developing countries
Developing countries face dire economic and health consequences as a result of the global recession and need more help from wealthy countries to cope, said Marwan Muasher, World Bank senior vice president for external affairs. Developing countries, Muasher says, "don't have the fiscal space to deal with it because it comes hard on the heels of a severe food and energy crisis." AlertNet.org/Reuters (7/28)  - Cacao plantations still sites of conflict
Conflict in cacao production has not declined since the elimination of slave labor as cacao farmers frequently find conflict with corrupt officials on one side and gangs armed with machine guns on the other -- which is to say nothing of the problems associated with blights, squatters and other perpetual troubles. Cacao yields have plunged, owing largely to the difficulty associated with doing business in Venezuela. The New York Times (7/28) - Dutch pro-choice campaigners curtail efforts
A Dutch organization running a controversial sailing clinic for unwanted pregnancies has suspended operations over fears changes in Dutch law could see patients brought up on charges. Women on Waves has been providing abortion pills and counseling to women from countries where abortion procedures are illegal. Der Spiegel (Germany) (English online version) (7/28) - Bombing in Spain attributed to ETA
Several dozen people were injured in a blast near a police barracks in Burgos, Spain, an attack being attributed to the Basque separatist group ETA. Though ETA declared a permanent ceasefire in 2006, the group quickly resorted to violence after talks with the Spanish government failed. The Guardian (London) (7/29) - Women take more tough police posts in Brazil
Women are making inroads into Brazil's male-dominated police force, accepting high ranks in the organization's hierarchy in record numbers and taking up dangerous posts in Rio de Janeiro -- the front lines in the nation's battle against drugs. Increasingly, women are taking jobs in business and government in greater numbers, though perhaps no sector is as dominated by men as security. The Guardian (London) (7/28) - Fear hampers Africa cooperation, labor migration
A pervasive lack of laws across Africa to foster the flow of skills and talent through labor migration hamstrings efforts to promote regional economic cooperation, African economists and the United Nations say. Source countries resist the practice over fears of severe brain drain, while some destination countries express concerns for effects on local job markets. AllAfrica Global Media/Business Day (7/28) - U.S. to unofficially ease sanctions against Syria
In the latest signs of easing relations between the U.S. and Syria, the Barack Obama administration said it would relieve U.S. sanctions against the once-rogue nation on a case-by-case basis. Though the shift does not change the law regarding the sanctions -- which prohibit the export of all American products to Syria except food and medicine -- it will expedite individual requests for exemptions under the law. The New York Times (7/28)
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