Astrid Zweynert

July 23 (AlertNet) - Disputes over water are common around the world, exacerbated by climate change, growing populations, rapid urbanisation, increased irrigation and a rising demand for alternative energy sources such as hydroelectricity.

Olivier De Schutter, Gaëtan Vanloqueren

UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein

A farmer gathers wheat in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.

In Brief:

Owen Bowcott

Targeted violence against female public officials, dismal healthcare and desperate poverty make Afghanistan the world's most dangerous country in which to be born a woman, according to a global survey released on Wednesday.

A report says a third of Africans are now middle class. Their interests coincide with the interests of the poor and should help to bring about change

Katie Nguyen

Feb 9,2011

A displaced Afghan woman receives winter aid from the U.N refugee agency in Kabul