Next Round of Pacific Trade Talks Pact to Be Lengthy, Secretive Carey L. Biron WASHINGTON, 7 May (IPS) - On Tuesday, the latest round of negotiations begins on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), potentially the largest free trade agreement ever signed by the United States. more...   Q&A How to Empower Youths to Take Charge of Their Health and Sexuality Mathilde Bagneres interviews ORIANA LOPEZ URIBE, youth activist for sexual and reproductive health s UNITED NATIONS, 28 Apr (IPS) - Young people aged 15-24 make up a quarter of sexually active individuals, yet they comprise half of new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) infections each year. more...   U.S. Occupy Earth Day Targets Chevron Judith Scherr RICHMOND, California, 23 Apr (IPS) - This year, Earth Day in Richmond, California was more than planting organic gardens or exploring solar panels. more...   U.S. Forming Coalitions, Tea Party Continues to Brew Matthew Cardinale ATLANTA, Georgia, 30 Mar (IPS) - In the three years since its inception, the Tea Party has cemented its place in U.S. politics, routinely making waves in political races of national interest. But some local Tea Party groups are beginning to run counter to the movement's narrative, building post-partisan coalitions that are both surprising and counterintuitive. more...   Urban Chicken-Keeping Movement Spreads Its Wings Matthew Cardinale ATLANTA, Georgia, 16 Mar (IPS) - With increasing concerns about the economy and environmental sustainability on the minds of many U.S. citizens, leaders in the grassroots movement to promote urban chicken-keeping report a renewed interest in their cause. more...   Acid Survivors Fight Back: A Story of Hope Amidst Despair Beena Sarwar BOSTON, U.S., 8 Mar (IPS) - When the Oscar-nominated film "Saving Face" won an Academy Award in Hollywood for Best Documentary (Short Subject), it was the triumph of several "firsts": the first time ever that a Pakistani filmmaker had won an Oscar; Pakistan's first Oscar winner was a woman; and it was the first time that an American and a Pakistani had co-directed an Oscar-winning film. more...   U.S. Limits Mercury Pollution as Big Coal Retreats Matthew Cardinale ATLANTA, Georgia, 23 Dec (IPS) - Environmental advocates praised a recent new rule limiting pollution of mercury and other air toxins announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, one of several new air pollution standards set under the Barack Obama administration. more...   U.S. Despite Obesity Crisis, Govt Slow to Rein in Fast Food Industry Elizabeth Whitman NEW YORK, 23 Dec (IPS) - When the fast food chain McDonald's decided to add oatmeal to its menu in January 2011, it literally sugar-coated the offering as a "portable, affordable and balanced breakfast solution... to help make it easier and more inviting for our guests to eat more whole grains and fruits". more...   SOUTH SUDAN Women Aim to Protect Their Rights in a Young State Amanda Wilson WASHINGTON, 15 Dec (IPS) - As South Sudan maps out its economic future at the South Sudan International Engagement Conference (IEC) this week in Washington, women from the new country called on donors to invest in projects that ensure women benefit equally from development plans. more...   Nigerian Bill Criminalises More Than Just Gay People Elizabeth Whitman UNITED NATIONS, 7 Dec (IPS) - "The prospect of arriving home... being arrested at the airport - that's kind of scary," said Osazeme O., a dual citizen of Nigeria and the UK, in a wry understatement. more...