Source: The Star of Malaysia

The US credit downgrade – coming after a weak solution to its debt ceiling crisis and signs of a new recession – is forecasting greater turmoil ahead in the global economy, according to the latest column written by Martin Khor, executive director of South Centre, for The Star, one of the leading newspapers in Malaysia. Even non-specialists comprehend that there is a serious governance problem in the US which is affecting the rest of the world.

Crowded buses at one of the rare times Rafah Crossing has been open. (Photo: Muhammad Sabah/B'Tselem)

Source: International Solidarity Movement

Dozens of Arab and international organizations and leading personalities have joined this week an urgent call launched from Gaza to permanently re-open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which remains tightly restricted despite the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in February. 

Herbert de Souza, Betinho, founder of Ibase. (Photo: Ibase/Flickr)

Source: Ibase

The Brazilian Institute of Social and Economic Analysis (Ibase), which is dedicated to strengthening democracy and affirming active citizenship, is one of the focal points of Social Watch in this Latin American country. It celebrated its 30th anniversary on Tuesday this week, and up to the middle of September it will be holding a series of commemorative activities opened by ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

A Jordanian woman voting last year. (Photo: Katarina Blomqvist/ WoMen Dialogue)

Source: The Jordan Times

The inequity between husbands and wives regarding the custody of children and the absence of a clear penalization of violence against women are some of the concerns that Jordan civil society organizations will submit to the CEDAW committee next year, before the government presents its official assessment to the panel, reported The Jordan Times this week. 

Photo: Council of Europe

Sources: Hammarrberg's blog, Midlands Zone.

The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights,  Thomas Hammarberg, has urged European countries to show more political desire to combat homophobia and transphobia. He also urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to remove "gender dysphoria" from the World Health Organization's list of mental disorders, as a way to reduce prejudices and stigmatization.