A leading U.S.-based humanitarian group is urging the George W. Bush administration to engage all rebel groups in the Darfur peace process as the U.S. president prepares to talk with the leader of just one particular faction.   more »

Humanitarian agencies in war-torn Lebanon are calling on the Israeli government to open a "humanitarian corridor" so they can help the sick without risking their lives.   more »

Mindful that life on Earth is seriously threatened by the continued loss of thousands of plant and animal species, an international group of scientists is calling for the creation of a global forum to help officials craft plans to preserve biodiversity on the planet.   more »

Iraq's most revered Shi'ite cleric called for an end to sectarian violence Friday, just days after separate announcements declared that, on average, 100 Iraqi civilians died every day in May and June and more than a 1,000 fled their homes each day over the past five months.   more »

A prominent rights advocacy group has launched a worldwide campaign this week against "big brothers" trying to block information on the Internet. London-based Amnesty International says its campaign aims to claim back the Web from technology companies that support official attempts to impose censorship on the Web in many countries.   more »