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 Swazi women rage at royal spree
Hundreds of women have taken to the streets in Swaziland protesting against a foreign shopping trip by the king's wives. Nine of King Mswati III's 13 wives have chartered a plane to go to Europe and the Middle East.
They are shopping for twin celebrations to mark Swaziland's independence from Britain and the king's birthday in September. Protestors say the money would have been better used to help solve the country's many pressing problems. Swaziland is one of the poorest countries in the world with up to 40 per cent of the population estimated to be living with HIV. Forests spark climate row
Tropical forests are expected to be the subject of a battle between developing countries and human rights groups at a UN climate change meeting starting today in Ghana. Developing nations and G8 countries back proposals to include tropical forests in the global carbon market. This would allow developing countries to earn money for not cutting down trees, and is expected to increase the value of forest land. But rights groups fear the move could lead to indigenous people being driven from the forests, leading to violent conflicts. Destruction of forests is responsible for almost 20 per cent of annual global carbon emissions. Cuba mulls welfare cuts
Cuba is considering reforming its generous social welfare system in a drive to stem labour shortages. A senior government official has been quoted as saying Cubans are over protected by the welfare system. The system has been a cornerstone of Cuban economy for nearly 50 years. All Cubans are entitled to basic foods, including bread, eggs, rice, beans and milk, at much cheaper prices than elsewhere in the world. Rents and utilities are cheap and education and healthcare are free. But Cuba currently limits the amount of money people can earn, prompting labour shortages in key industries. Colombia army killings rise
Killings of civilians by the Colombian armed forces have soared, according to a report by a coalition of human rights groups. At least 329 civilians were killed by the Colombian military and police last year, up from 223 in 2006. The Colombian Commission of Jurists, a Bogota-based civil society group say armed forces have killed a significant number of civilians in five Colombian states. It is alleged the military kill landless workers or unemployed youths, and brand them leftist guerrillas. Colombian authorities, which are backed by billions of dollars of US military aid, acknowledge the problem and say troops are being retrained. Fiji holds firm over elections
Fiji faces being thrown out of the South Pacific Forum if it fails to show it is making progress towards holding elections. The regional grouping is demanding a return to democracy in Fiji. Fijian leader Frank Bainimarama seized power in a December 2006 coup. He had previously pledged to hold polls by March 2006 but now claims lengthy electoral reforms are needed first. He boycotted this week's meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum, which ended yesterday.
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