Mike Hitchen Online: i On Global Trends

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126614902009-12-24T00:03:23.046+11:00Mike Hitchen Online: i On Global Trends - news, opinion, analysisThe award winning, blog of Mike Hitchen Consulting. Read by government departments, NGOs, schools, universities, child welfare organisations and numerous agencies. Over 10,000 articles on topics such as Human Rights, Corruption, Human Trafficking, Bilateral Relations, Child Exploitation, Child Trafficking, Child Soldiers, Zimbabwe, Iran, Sri Lanka, Middle East, Burma and the tragic betrayal of Madeleine McCann.Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comBlogger5000125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-3404715728293820502009-12-23T21:36:00.002+11:002009-12-23T21:40:10.663+11:00That's it until Jan 4th 2010!

That's it for the year folks!If however, there is a major development in any of the issues I have been covering, then the blog will be back to address those issues.Many thanks for visiting over the last year, and I look forward to seeing you Jan 4th, 2010.May you and your loved ones have a happy, healthy and safe holiday period!Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-59956415635727815642009-12-22T20:41:00.003+11:002009-12-22T20:48:34.907+11:00Child labour: Côte d’Ivoire - A quarter of all children work in Côte d’Ivoire and eight out of 10 are exploited

Children are working longer hours in rural areas says NGOSharply rising poverty is causing exploitative child labour to increase says NGO Save the Children in its report “It’s there it’s difficult: exploitative child labour in Côte d’Ivoire,” launched today.It is estimated that one quarter of all children work in Côte d’Ivoire and eight out of 10 of them are exploited according to the government.

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-21750405836804525842009-12-22T20:28:00.001+11:002009-12-22T20:30:59.729+11:00Bosnia and Herzegovina: Chile extends deployment of its troops

FOCUS Information Agency - The Chilean Senate on Monday approved to extend the deployment of its troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina for one year from Jan. 1, 2010, Xinhua News Agency informed.Senators unanimously approved the petition submitted by the Chilean presidency. The petition allows the troops to stay one more year for the European Union military operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-280509937716212932009-12-22T20:10:00.003+11:002009-12-22T20:24:22.587+11:00Human Rights: Ex-prisoner in the USA - “The first thing they do, is smash your teeth"

The United Nations Organization calls for a universal abolition of the death penalty, based on four precepts: the right to life, the risk of wrongful execution, the questionable premise that the death penalty ever acts as a deterrent and a disproportionately vengeful nature of a sentence. Has Mankind moved on from “An Eye for an Eye”? The position of the Russian Federation is clear: while the

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-14513589649357674642009-12-22T19:46:00.002+11:002009-12-22T20:10:07.829+11:00Corruption: Corruption in Kyrgyzstan targeted by children's TV cartoon

AlJazeera - A new children's television cartoon is being launched in Kyrgyzstan with a very grown up purpose - to fight endemic corruption in the country.The story revolves around five children who stumble on a world where bribery and police intimidation rule.As Robin Forestier Walker reports from the capital Bishkek, it's a thinly disguised parody of real life.Published by i On Global Trends -

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-38260820701372381502009-12-22T19:39:00.003+11:002009-12-22T19:46:09.613+11:00Freedom of Speech: Liberia - newspaper goes to court for libeling President

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of LiberiaSylvester Rennie, lawyer for the Plain Truth newspaper says the government cannot arrest an individual for the action of a corporationIn Liberia, the publisher of the Plain Truth newspaper and the general manager of the Seamarco Printing press will appear in court Tuesday to answer charges of sedition, criminal libel and malevolence.Syrenius Cephus and

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-25562776197238894882009-12-22T17:40:00.000+11:002009-12-22T17:52:37.347+11:00EU: Cyprus backs Jordan's bid for advanced status with the European Union

MENAFN - Jordan Times Cyprus supports the Kingdom's request for advanced status with the European Union, Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou said on Monday.Kyprianou, who concluded a two-day visit to the Kingdom yesterday, highlighted the importance of the government's efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.He told reporters yesterday that the Cypriot government is

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-50786060947798905062009-12-22T17:22:00.003+11:002009-12-22T17:39:39.945+11:00South Waziristan: Thousands fleeing fighting in Pakistan’s South Waziristan

International Rescue Committee (IRC) - More than two months after the Pakistani military launched an offensive in the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan, humanitarian aid organizations are only now gaining access to the estimated 430,000 people who have fled the fighting in the region. An earlier military offensive centered in the Swat Valley and surrounding areas uprooted some four million

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-45362209298585616392009-12-22T11:55:00.004+11:002009-12-22T12:00:35.720+11:00Corruption: Former New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Spargo sentenced for attempted extortion and bribery

Former New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Spargo was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe in Albany, N.Y., to 27 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for attempted extortion and bribery, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge John F. Pikus of the FBI's Albany office announced.A federal jury

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-51660423692176683082009-12-22T11:05:00.002+11:002009-12-22T11:13:09.969+11:00Cote D'ivoire: UN investigating allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation in Côte d’Ivoire

The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has announced that it is taking all possible measures to investigate allegations that have emerged of sexual abuse and exploitation among its military personnel, some dating back to 2006 and potentially involving minors.The UN has a zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse and exploitation by its peacekeepers. UNOCI announced that it has

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-46932038580131596092009-12-22T01:26:00.001+11:002009-12-22T01:29:05.681+11:00War Crimes: Brutal attacks on civilians by the LRA in Southern Sudan "may amount to crimes against humanity"

A series of brutal attacks on civilians by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Southern Sudan "may amount to crimes against humanity," according to a new report* released Monday by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).The report covers investigations by human rights staff employed by OHCHR and the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) into a series of 27 confirmed attacks carried

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-30209823501281453632009-12-21T20:40:00.003+11:002009-12-21T20:53:46.804+11:00France: Huddling in doorways of buildings with their few belongings, trying to keep warm - they are France’s homeless

By A. D. McKenzie - IPSRepublished permission Inter Press Service (IPS ) copyright Inter Press Service (IPS)http://www.ipsnewsasia.net/ and http://www.ipsnews.net/ PARIS, Dec 20 (IPS) - They huddle in the doorways of buildings with their few belongings, trying to keep warm. Or they sleep in covered shopping centres, accompanied by their pets - usually dogs. Some, reluctantly, make their way to

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-9605200325878056942009-12-21T20:34:00.000+11:002009-12-21T20:40:10.613+11:00Macedonia: Nuclear power plant still a topic of debate

FOCUS Information Agency - After some public discussion, the second draft version of the National Energy Strategy, worked out by academics from the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts / MASA / will be considered at the Macedonian Government this week, Macedonian newspaper Vecer writes today.The government should answer the question whether the country needs a nuclear power plant, whether

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-42909246078293506322009-12-21T20:27:00.002+11:002009-12-21T20:33:54.889+11:00Egypt: Egypt ready to respond positively to any initiative meant to contribute to settling the Somali issue

Egypt is ready to respond positively to any initiative meant to contribute to settling the Somali issue, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossam Zaki said SaturdayForeign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit delegated his Assistant for African Affairs Mona Omar to take part in the 16th session of the International Contact Group on Somalia hosted on December 17-18 by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-67074197397966656622009-12-21T20:13:00.002+11:002009-12-21T20:26:52.358+11:00Yemen: Human rights abuses largely ignored by the outside world

Human Rights Watch - Press Release: - For several years, tens of thousands of asylum seekers and refugees fleeing to Yemen from the volatile Horn of Africa region have endured terrible human rights abuses that have gone largely ignored by the outside world. Many have suffered violence or lost their lives while attempting the perilous sea crossing from the Horn. And the reception that awaits those

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-47133278819973276992009-12-21T20:10:00.000+11:002009-12-21T20:12:37.379+11:00Romania: Seeking the truth (video report)

December in Romania for those commemorating the 20th anniversary of a popular uprising is an emotional time. While few will admit regret over the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, other victims of the revolution were killed in secret. Their families' questions remain unanswered.Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysisSee also Sydney Irresistible and

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-81311235198007245122009-12-21T20:00:00.002+11:002009-12-21T20:03:26.935+11:00Armenian Genocide: Group claims U.S. policy-makers have failed to confront past genocides

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) called the attention of an influential U.S. Senate panel to how the failure of U.S. policy-makers to confront past genocides has materially contributed to an international environment which tolerates continued crimes against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).“Considering the moral and legal

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-65970113968001265382009-12-21T19:49:00.000+11:002009-12-21T19:55:51.258+11:00Myanmar: China gets exclusive operating rights of China-Myanmar oil pipeline

Xinhua - China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), the country's biggest oil and gas producer, announced on Monday it has signed an agreement with Myanmar's Energy Ministry to receive exclusive rights to build and operate the China-Myanmar crude oil pipeline. The deal has granted operating concession of the pipeline to the CNPC controlled South-East Asia Crude Oil Pipeline Ltd., said CNPC. The

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-12060598732217378222009-12-21T19:39:00.003+11:002009-12-21T19:49:43.659+11:00Tiger Woods: TAG Heuer stands by Woods - but will "downscale the use of his image"

Unlike the misleading information issued on December 18th by Associated Press, TAG Heuer confirms it will continue its partnership with Tiger Woods, as per the following press release.TAG Heuer confirms that it will continue its relationship with Golf no.1 Tiger Woods but will respect his desire of privacy by modifying his role in the coming months' marketing programs.Tiger Woods became a TAG

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-72926832611837271502009-12-21T19:29:00.005+11:002009-12-21T19:38:56.936+11:00Tourism: Sydney - the New Year's Eve capital of the world

Left, Midnight firework display 2008. Right - 9pm family firework display 20082009 Sydney New Year's Eve will burst into colour with another unrivalled fireworks show, a parade of decorated sailing boats around the Sydney Opera House and 1.5 million people wearing a touch of blue."Sydney is the New Year's Eve capital of the world with the largest and most technologically advanced fireworks

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-14782406640106423662009-12-21T17:50:00.001+11:002009-12-21T17:54:19.902+11:00Chad: U.N. peacekeeprs ambushed

United Nations peacekeepers have helped secure an area of south-eastern Chad where a UN civilian logistics convoy came under attack from unidentified armed men.The convoy was travelling between the towns of Goz Beida and Koukou Angarana when it was ambushed at gunpoint by the attackers, who commandeered one of the three vehicles in the convoy and fled, according to a press release issued by the

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-20848438290718694072009-12-21T17:30:00.002+11:002009-12-21T17:36:19.252+11:00Terrorism: How will the Headley case affect Indo-US intelligence cooperation?

By B.RAMANSee Also: www.southasiaanalysis.orgPeriodic misunderstandings and mutual bitterness in the relations between co-operating intelligence agencies are part of the game of intelligence.2.The CIA's penetration of the Chennai office of the Research & Analysis Wing in the 1980s to collect intelligence about India's role in Sri Lanka, its penetration of the Intelligence Bureau in the 1990s

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-52214637210162592782009-12-19T20:48:00.004+11:002009-12-19T20:54:39.475+11:00Kenya: From the vastness of the African savanna…to the inauguration of Obama, Kenya Boys Choir thrills and delights

Members of the Kenyan Boys Choir are thrilling audiences worldwide with their rich, deep baritones interlaced with light, pure soprano notes. Formed over a decade ago, the choir gained global recognition when it performed at U.S. President Barack Obama's inauguration early this year. But the choir's biggest accomplishment might be the personal development of the young men.From the vastness of

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-3409431198346010502009-12-19T20:28:00.003+11:002009-12-19T20:40:31.156+11:00Baltics: Anti-Russian politics drive Ukraine, Georgia

The achievements of the three Baltic countries with respect to EU and NATO membership make the pro-Western governments of Ukraine and Georgia regard them as role models, both in politics and economics. It came to the point when the former Estonian Prime Minister Mark Laar serves as an economic adviser to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.In many ways Victor Yushchenko’s and Mikhail

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661490.post-3430221803324886552009-12-19T20:16:00.004+11:002009-12-19T20:28:20.651+11:00Sierra Leone: Police plan to use ex-child combatants to battle crime

By Lansana Fofana - IPS Republished permission Inter Press Service (IPS ) copyright Inter Press Service (IPS)http://www.ipsnewsasia.net/ and http://www.ipsnews.net/ Credit:Ansu Konneh/IRINFREETOWN, Dec 18 (IPS) - A new police force plan to recruit youths in each community, to help fight the country-wide spate of armed robbery, has provoked controversy and sparked a nationwide debate.Communities

Mike Hitchen Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04941415634345652481news@ionglobaltrends.com