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- UN's Vieira de Mello remembered in documentary
For more than three decades, Brazilian Sergio Vieira de Mello used his diplomatic skills as a troubleshooter for the United Nations, from reaching out to controversial military-political movements such as the Palestine Liberation Organization and Khmer Rouge to leading UN involvement in Kosovo and East Timor. Vieira de Mello's dramatic death in an August 2003 Iraqi suicide attack and the UN's difficulty in replacing his unique skill-set are examined in a documentary, "Sergio," which will air May 6 on HBO. Foreign Policy (free registration) (4/20)        - South Africa takes aim at HIV/AIDS
Once internationally criticized for ignoring HIV/AIDS, South Africa is ramping up provision of prevention and treatment services for the disease at a faster pace than ever attempted by a single country before, United Nations officials say. Authorities are training thousands of health care workers to test for HIV/AIDS and provide drug treatments at every one of the country's 4,333 clinics, and hope to get 1 million more people started on treatment over the next couple of years. The New York Times (free registration) (4/25) - Developing economies gain new leverage in World Bank
In a meeting of the World Bank in Washington, the U.S. and Japan agreed to give up a share of their voting rights over the direction of the international lending institution in order to increase the authority of developing countries. The shift gives developing countries just over 47% of the vote and increases the vote share of countries such as China -- which is now the World Bank's third most influential member. Ministers from South Africa and Brazil argued that the changes do not go far enough to increase the clout of economically vulnerable countries and that the shift of power toward China comes at the expense of diluting their own authority. Deutsche Welle (4/25) , Reuters (4/25) - Russian orphanages may inhibit development for children
Recent research may help to explain the mental instability exhibited by a young Russian boy whose behavior led his adoptive U.S. mother to return him to Russia -- where an outdated orphanage system leads to poor development. Similar to the system used in the U.S. in the early part of the 20th century, the Russian orphanage system emphasizes clinical care but discourages the kind of loving attachment that babies need for healthy development. UNICEF deputy representative to Russia Kemlin Furley says that Russia is increasing efforts to transition to foster care programs, including an initiative by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to increase foster care presence in provinces such as Perm. The Washington Post (4/25) Top five news stories selected by UN Wire readers in the past week. - Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.
- A new Aceh emerges in tsunami's wake
The December 2004 tsunami devastated the Indonesian island of Aceh and changed the region's future. Aceh's rebellion ended in the tsunami's wake as the province was granted autonomy and millions of dollars in aid money poured in to help construct sturdier housing and infrastructure. But the tsunami has also strengthened the hand of religious fundamentalists in an area not traditionally known for restrictive practices, according to this article. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (4/25) - BASIC looks for agreement on binding climate treaty
A binding international agreement on a climate treaty should be completed by 2011 at the latest, representatives of Brazil, South Africa, India and China said Sunday. The group -- known as BASIC -- also endorsed the use of $10 billion in funding to examine ways countries can adapt or mitigate the effects of climate change. AlertNet.org/Reuters (4/25) - Honduras turns deadly for reporters
Seven radio and TV reporters in Honduras have been killed since March 1, with the majority of those slain having covered organized crime in the country's northern coastal region; the area is reportedly a major place to ship cocaine to the U.S. "This is unprecedented," said Carlos Lauria of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. "Journalists are being targeted, and the state is almost absent. It's a green light for these people." The Washington Post (4/24) - Torpedo sank navy boat, says S.K. defense chief
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said that a torpedo is the most likely cause of an explosion that sank a naval patrol boat near the border with North Korea. South Korean officials have refrained from making a final statement on the cause, waiting out difficult sea conditions to recover the ship and complete the investigation. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has said that he does not intend to invade North Korea, despite widespread support among South Koreans for punishment, for fear that North Korea could collapse and fall under the responsibility of South Korea. The Wall Street Journal (4/25) , Google/The Associated Press (4/25) - U.K. ambassador to Yemen escapes suicide attack
The British ambassador to Yemen was not harmed after a suicide bomber carried out an attack near his convoy -- an attack that authorities believe was the work of al-Qaida. Several people were wounded when the attacker, disguised as a schoolboy, hurled himself at the convoy as it passed through Sanaa, an area popular with militants. Sanaa was the site of a failed attack against a South Korean convoy last year. BBC (4/26) - India, Pakistan jockey for influence in Afghanistan
India and Pakistan are waging a proxy battle against one another in Afghanistan, where influence represents access, resources and security. Pakistan, which shares a religion and ethnic ties with Afghanistan, considers the country its natural ally -- and abhors the thought of finding itself sandwiched between India and a pro-India Afghanistan. India's efforts to build roads and electrical infrastructure in western Afghanistan reflect its interest in opening new trade routes and energy corridors through Central Asia as well as expanding its regional influence. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (4/26) - China's economic clout guarantees friendly Niger relations
Economic concerns have helped China, which is heavily invested in oil and uranium interests, ride smoothly through a change in Niger's government. China was broadly condemned in Niger for helping prop up recently ousted autocratic President Mamadou Tandja and damaging the country's democracy, but his successors have made it clear they recognize Niger's need for China's significant investments. The New York Times (free registration) (4/24) - "Popegate" prompts official British apology
British authorities have issued a formal apology to the Vatican over the leaked contents of a memo on preparation for Pope Benedict XVI's scheduled September visit to the U.K. The memo's authors, a group of junior diplomats, mused the pope might like to use his visit to launch a helpline for abused children, fire questionable church officials, unveil a line of condoms or sing a song with the British queen. The Guardian (London) (4/26)
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