News stories by Kitty Stapp, page 7

GENEVA, Nov 06 (IPS) - Against a backdrop of cautious optimism, Iran and six world powers known as the P5+1 are reconvening here for talks Nov. 7-8 over Tehran's nuclear programme.

WASHINGTON, Nov 05 (IPS) - Deep cuts in food aid for poor people in the United States are poised to bring higher demands on charities and food pantries across the country that provide food to families in need – and which are already overstretched.

, Nov 02 (IPS) - Ten and a half years after invading U.S. troops ousted President Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime, Iraq re-emerged here this week, if only briefly, as a major foreign policy agenda item.

WASHINGTON, Nov 01 (IPS) - U.S. state legislators and corporate lobbies have engaged in an unprecedented attack on minimum wages that has lowered U.S. labour standards, according to new research released Thursday.

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 30 (IPS) - When Saudi Arabia permitted women to vote but not drive, a newspaper cartoon last year captured the double standard with dark irony.

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 30 (IPS) - Before we begin, perhaps we can set aside the stereotypes: no, she didn't "mess herself up by following boys around", and no, it is not in fact her fault that she became pregnant.

WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (IPS) - The talks between Iran and the P5+1 countries last week bring to mind Winston Churchill's 1942 description of World War II: "It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (IPS) - The U.S. government has been engaged in unlawful drone strikes in Pakistan that are in violation of international law, and may amount to war crimes, according to a new report released here by Amnesty International on Tuesday.

GENEVA, Oct 17 (IPS) - Talks between Iran and world powers known as the P5+1 over Iran's nuclear programme wrapped up here Wednesday with expressions of encouragement and hope by all parties, a commitment to reconvene in just three weeks, and several welcome "firsts".

UXBRIDGE, Canada, Oct 15 (IPS) - Oil, gas and coal are contaminating the world's oceans from top to bottom, threatening the lives of more than 800 million people, a new study warns Tuesday.