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- UN: Peacekeepers freed in Darfur
Four South Africans serving with the joint Africa Union-United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur have been released after their abduction this month, United Nations officials say. The group responsible indicated no ransom had been paid, and the abduction was intended as a way to demonstrate the region lacks sufficient security to hold any elections. BBC (4/27)       - UN press corps won't be penned in
The UN Security Council has reached agreement with the United Nations press corps to reinstate better access to diplomats after a change in council offices left reporters in a closed off pen. Before the body was moved to its new basement location, reporters mixed freely with diplomats in the lobby outside the council chamber. ForeignPolicy.com/Turtle Bay blog (4/26) - Ahmadinejad decries "satanic" UN veto power
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the UN veto power wielded by a few select standing members of the UN Security Council a "satanic tool," an epithet once reserved for the U.S. Ahmadinejad's push-back was framed by the news that Ali Akbar Velayati, a former Iranian foreign minister, confirmed to a newspaper that Iran purchased its first centrifuge illegally from Pakistan in 1986. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (4/26) - UN agencies warn food disaster looms in Niger
International donors have only funded about a third of an appeal for $190 million to help with food aid for Niger, as food insecurity and malnutrition rates worsen, United Nations agencies warn. Niger's food crisis has prompted mass migrations and increased school dropout rates, and has left more than 50% of the population in dire need of immediate assistance, the agencies said. AlertNet.org/Reuters (4/27) - Russia and Norway forge Arctic pact
Russia and Norway agreed on parameters for their Arctic maritime border today paving the way for oil and gas exploration in the area. The deal, which comes after four decades of negotiations, will see the disputed area roughly split in half. Reuters (4/27) - Glover's Reef: "A model of hope"
The success of Belize's protection of Glover's Reef has stabilized marine life populations in the area and offers a viable plan for conservation that can be replicated elsewhere, scientists say. Authorities permit limited fishing in 75% of the marine reserve, but imposed a total ban on fishing activities in the rest of the area. The New York Times (free registration) (4/26) - Arbour lets criticisms fly in new role
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour is utilizing the relative freedom of working outside the government or United Nations system to criticize countries for short-sighted international policies. As president of the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, she's able to sound off on governmental abuses -- and indifference -- around the globe. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (4/26) - Bashir wins re-election in widely criticized vote
In an election that was criticized as falling well below international election standards, incumbent Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir won re-election by 68% of the vote -- marking the country's first multiparty election in more than two decades and perhaps its last as currently configured. It is widely predicted that Bashir will enter into a coalition with Salva Kiir, who won re-election in the southern semiautonomous region. Observers marked high voter turnout but widespread flaws in the presidential, parliamentary and local elections. The Guardian (London) (4/26) - Noriega legal battle moves to France
Manuel Noriega arrived in France today where he will face money laundering charges after the U.S. authorized a deportation of the former Panamanian leader, who was already serving a prison sentence on drug charges. Noriega's lawyers had sought extradition to Panama where he faces murder charges but would likely be allowed to serve out his sentence at home. The New York Times (free registration) (4/27) , The Miami Herald (free registration) (4/26) - Europe faces fallout from Greek financial troubles
Greece's economic woes are causing political ripples across the European Union, particularly in Germany where Chancellor Angela Merkel has committed to providing Athens with billions in emergency funding. Critics of a common European currency say the Greek financial crisis and its drain on the EU are proof the existing system does not benefit member countries. Der Spiegel (Germany) (English online version) (4/26) - Thai king speaks, but not about crisis
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand spoke for the first time since political unrest seized his nation, but he did not address the political calamity -- a sign that some are reading as an indirect comment on the matter. In 1973 and again in 1992, King Bhumibol has used his authority as a largely ceremonial constitutional monarch to interfere in political crises and avoid bloodshed. In his comments to judges, he asked them to follow strictly their oaths and set an example through fairness. The New York Times (free registration) (4/26) - 2 months on, Iraq is still parsing votes
An Iraqi election panel overturned votes for 52 candidates in the Iraqi election and promise to reconsider votes for 6 to 9 other candidates, an outcome that could threaten the standings of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. Nearly two months after the election, Allawi's allies have threatened to seek a new election, while Allawi has pledged to appeal. A reduction in Allawi's margin could boost the standing of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, though the Independent High Electoral Commission has said that only one winning candidate's election was affected. AlertNet.org/Reuters (4/26)
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