HELSINKI, May 04 (IPS) - Press freedom is not just a beautiful idea but a very concrete thing, included in the UN's Sustainable Development agenda which is meant to lead the humankind to sustainable development, UNESCO's director general, Irina Bokova, said at the opening of the World Press Freedom Day here Tuesday.

DAKAR, Senegal, May 04 (IPS) - The tonnes of uncollected garbage piling up on the streets of her home in Cairo was a brain wave for Sherien Elagroudy.

UNITED NATIONS, May 04 (IPS) - High-level defamation, libel and sedition cases in Asian countries are sending signals to journalists that writing critical journalism can cost millions of dollars or years in prison.

UNITED NATIONS, May 03 (IPS) - As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day, a coalition of some 35 press freedom groups is calling on the 193-member General Assembly to appoint a Special Representative of the Secretary General to monitor and oversee the safety of journalists worldwide.

, May 03 (IPS) - This year's World Press Freedom Day marks the 250^th anniversary of the first-ever freedom of information law, enacted in what are now Sweden and Finland. 3 May, 2016 is more than just an important anniversary, however; this is the first celebration of World Press Freedom Day since the adoption of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Securing a free press is essential for progress towards achieving these ambitious goals for people and planet by the year 2030.

ROME, May 03 (IPS) - Just an ordinary citizen living in a Middle East and North of Africa country and requring a birth certificate for your new-born daughter? No problem—just take something with you, either some cash, a pack of cigarettes or just buy a glass of tea with milk and a lot of sugar.

NEW DELHI, May 03 (IPS) - A staggering 330 million Indians, making up a quarter of the country's population (or roughly the entire population of the United States), are currently reeling under the effects of a severe drought, resulting in an acute drinking water shortage and agricultural distress.

HAVANA, May 03 (IPS) - In the past, all rural homes in Cuba had gardens for putting fresh vegetables on the dinner table. The local term for these gardens is "conuco", a word with indigenous roots that is still used in several Caribbean nations.