United Nations : At the UN, it was the day of populist strongmen   (IPS, New York) (PRIV)
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The United Nations is an institution which promotes multilateralism and preaches some of the basic tenets of multi-party democracy and liberalism, including the rule of law, universal human rights, free speech, civil liberties, the rights of refugees and freedom of the press.

Environment : How slow-moving asbestos regulations compromise health   (IPS, Wallingford) (PRIV)
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Last year, the United States introduced a new asbestos rule that was received both positively and negatively and Canada banned the mineral altogether.

Latin America : In southern Brazil, need becomes an environmental virtue   (IPS, Concordia) (PRIV)
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The state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil is the largest national producer and exporter of pork and this year it also leads in exports of chicken, of which it is the second-biggest producer in the country.

Opinion : The social impact of economic inequality   (IPS, Geneva) (PRIV)
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Increasing economic inequality is a defining challenge of our time.