Botswana has been condemned by the United Nations for its 'discrimination' against Bushman tribes. The UN Human Rights Commission heard that the Bushmen have been the victims of 'discriminatory practices', and are being 'dispossessed of their traditional lands'.

Some 4,800 families have been displaced in Rushubi town in Isare District, in Bujumbura Rural, east of Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, a humanitarian source reported local authorities as saying on Wednesday.

The administration of President George W. Bush is actively considering "unsigning" the 1998 Rome Protocol establishing an International Criminal Court (ICC) before it takes effect next week when the 60th signatory to the treaty is expected to deposit its ratification with the United Nations, according to knowledgeable sources.

As the international leaders meet in the Hague this week to discuss the UN Convention on Biodiveristy, activists are finding it difficult to get the biotech genie back in the bottle. Not even negative world opinion has slowed the development of a new generation of genetically modified plants and animals.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) have slammed governments gathered at UN Headquarters in New York for failing to respond to the widespread global concern over globalization. FoEI accused the United States, Canada, Australia and the OPEC countries of trying to ruin the historic World Summit on Sustainable Development to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa this August.