FEATURE: International Sex Trafficking is a Local Issue, Too

Trafficking in women is no longer just an overseas problem. There are reportedly 1,000 trafficked women in Australia at any given time, and the problem is not likely to go away any time soon. Yasmine Fathy investigates.

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FEATURE: Farewell Fidel

On February 19, Fidel Castro created waves when he announced his resignation as President in a letter to Cuba’s state-run newspaper. His departure was seemingly inevitable due to the effects of time and age, but has left the country uncertain of the direction in which it is now heading. So what will this mean for Cuba? The Cuban people wait in anticipation as the ‘post-Fidel era’ begins, writes Margaret Burin

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FEATURE: China's Other Western Province

With the world's attention fixed on China in the run-up to the Olympics, Tibet and its plea for independence has gained extensive media coverage. Meanwhile, largely unnoticed by the world and the Olympic media scrum, another large region to the north of Tibet struggles for many of the same goals.

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OPINION: Politicians' Personal Lives

The scandals in the private lives of recently resigned Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer and newly married French President Nicolas Sarkozy epitomise the perplexities that riddle political careers and reputations. Should personal failings matter in political figures, and does it affect their ability to govern? While their judgment may not be damaged, the public should not be expected to stand for hypocritical behaviour, writes Bonita Silva.

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AMERICAN ELECTION TRACKER: The Great Democratic Divide

The race to the Whitehouse has become a monumental struggle for supremacy, with both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama vying for the presumptive Democratic candidature. JJ Sassine takes a look at the split in the party and the chances the Democrats have of winning the upcoming election.

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AMERICAN ELECTION TRACKER: Mc who?

Even the most disinterested observer of the American election knows who Clinton and Obamba are...but who the hell is John McCain? Emma Rugg thinks we should pay a little more attention to this contender, after all, he may have a better chance than we think.

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Opinion: Time to break down the wall

The daily injustices and human rights abuses of the Palestinian people are overlooked by the international community. This article outlines the Palestinian side of the Arab-Israeli story, one not reguarly communicated by the Western media. It aso highlights the need for the Israeli Authority to be held accountable for its brutal actions.

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AMERICAN ELECTION TRACKER: "The Others"

McCain, Obama and Clinton have become household names; the Republicans and the Democrats are well known adversaries...but did you know there are 8 other parties and 5 independents running for the American presidency this year? Sascha Ryner unveils "the others” a.k.a the unknown, quirky, possible (though not very likely) future leaders of the USA.

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FEATURE: Earth Hour International

In March 2008, 29 global cities and 20,760 businesses dimmed their lights to participate in Earth Hour. But is it simple tokenism and guilt-tripping gimmicks, as some critics are saying, or is it much more than mere symbolism? Bonita Silva investigates.

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Fitna Fails to Fuel Hatred

ANALYSIS: The response to this week's release of Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilder’s anti-Muslim mini-movie, Fitna, was curiously quiet. Perhaps freedom of expression online defused the potentially explosive situation, writes KIMBERLEY LAYTON.

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Nuclear Nightmares: phototography changes the course of nuclear history

Annya Pesenko was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1994. In 2000 it reappeared, and now 18, she is unable to turn over or sit up on her own. She spends everyday in bed, where her parents have to inject her with medication daily and turn her every 15 minutes to prevent bedsores.

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AMERICAN ELECTION TRACKER: Clinton's Campaign

Confused and lost when it comes to the American Presidential Election? A lot of us are, particularly with updates coming in left, right and center. Vibewire to the rescue! Here is the first of three easy to decipher rundowns of the election candidates campaigns so far. Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain have been headlining for months now, so it's time to put them under the microscope.

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FEATURE: South American Tension

On March 1 2008 a Columbian cross-border raid into Ecuador pushed the nation to the brink of military conflict with its neighbours. In reaction to the incursion, Venezuala mobilised troops on its shared border and Ecuador cut off diplomatic relations. Michael Newton explores the hitorically and politically loaded event.

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FEATURE: Kosovo: To Set A Precedent?

“Kosovo is ours! Kosovo is Serbia,” Serb protesters chant, gathered outside the US embassy in Belgrade; such protests have become common since Kosovo declared its independence on February 17. While the Alabanian population of Kosovo is celebrating, the Serbs are outraged. Similarly, the world is divided in its support. Miranda Cashin reports.

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OPINION:Kenya lend a hand?

Concerned with the dissolution of order in Kenya following their national election early this year, Carl Fester weighs into the ever-complex humanitarian intervention debate. Despite the fact that intervention has become a "dirty word in foreign policy thinking" he argues that in cases of severe violence and corruption, help should not be deinied simply because its inconvenient.

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Are Australians ignorant of the world around them by Bruno De Paiva