| |  | |  Scientists achieve major breakthrough with "synthetic cell" Scientists have reported that they are now able to program "synthetic" cells, a significant breakthrough in the little-understood but potentially consequential field of synthetic biology. By programming synthetic DNA and encasing it inside a living bacterium cell, scientists created a synthetic cell that bears the promise of programmable cellular organisms -- an achievement that could have a major impact on everything from medicine to climate-change science. The bacterium, which went on to successfully replicate its programming over billions of divisions, could lead the way to microscopic machines with novel, modular purposes. The Washington Post (5/21) , TIME (5/20) , BBC (5/20)
|  |  | What you see are real-time images of a real-world disaster unfolding 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf. These videos stand as a scalding, blistering indictment of BP's inattention to the scope and size of the greatest environmental catastrophe in the history of the United States." U.S. Rep. Ed Markey. Read the full story. |
|  | "Bamiyan province itself is among the safest in Afghanistan -- there is no insurgency, and the local Hazara population was brutally oppressed under the Taliban regime -- but getting there can be risky." UN Dispatch | |
- UN seeks more women for peacekeeping
A five-year effort to increase the numbers of women involved in United Nations peacekeeping operations is producing results in police units, but lagging in military units, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations officials say. The presence of female peacekeepers, supporters argue, can be a calming influence during tense security situations and provides a measure of comfort for women and girls who have suffered violent sexual assaults. IRINNews.org (5/20)      - Darfur peace talks grind on, but obstacles remain
Though UN officials see some progress in the ongoing peace talks in Darfur, conflict also continues between government and rebel forces -- despite the efforts of a joint UN–African Union peacekeeping mission. UNAMID chief Ibrahim Gambari has said that some parties, including Sudan Liberation Army leader Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nur, have refused to participate in negotiations altogether, whereas deep mistrust marks other groups. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has criticized Nur, saying that his stubbornness stands as an obstacle to peace. Google/Agence France-Presse (5/20) - The Hague subpoenas Naomi Campbell over gift of "blood" diamond
UN war crimes prosecutors at The Hague issued a subpoena to supermodel Naomi Campbell to answer allegations that Campbell received a diamond from notorious former Liberian President Charles Taylor -- whose regime is said to have seized diamonds from Sierra Leone's gem mines in order to subsidize his regime. Campbell's former agent testified that Taylor gave her diamonds, whereas Campbell has refused to comment on the issue. The Guardian (London) (5/20) - WHO fears resurgence of measles in Africa
Some 64,000 cases of the measles were diagnosed in Africa last year, and 1,100 people died from the disease, according to the WHO. Without sufficient funding and resources, the annual death toll could escalate to 500,000 in just two years, the WHO reported. AlertNet.org/Reuters (5/21) - Oceans are showing effects of climate change
 The world's oceans have been steadily warming since 1993 in patterns consistent with an increase in greenhouse-gas emissions absorption, scientists report in the journal Nature. While other scientists note the study's data to be incomplete, the overall conclusion corresponds with similar studies on ocean warming trends. TIME (5/20) - Safeguarding the world's water
To avoid the water shortages, stakeholders will need to consider four tactics: improving delivery and storage of water; developing water-conserving agricultural innovations; investing in desalination facilities; and most extreme, letting the price of water run to free market value. The Economist (5/20) - U.S. calls for transparency from BP over oil-spill data
Criticizing BP's early efforts to obfuscate the nature of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and deny responsibility for it, the Obama administration has called on BP to show greater transparency with regard to its findings. In a letter to BP CEO Tony Hayward, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson asked for BP to make public all its measurements regarding the leak as well as air- and water-quality tests in the wake of the catastrophe. BBC (5/20) , CBC.ca (Canada) (5/20)  | - China looks to stifle power of print in Tibet
Chinese authorities are reportedly looking to clamp down on photocopiers in and around the Tibetan capital of Lhasa over concerns the machines may be used to mass-distribute provocative political material. Photocopy shop owners will be required to obtain special permits and record identifying information of their customers under a new regulation authorities are preparing. The New York Times (free registration) (5/20) - Russia Paralympians are racing for gold
Russia's Paralympic athletes battle indifference, lack of training facilities and an absence of disabled-friendly transport infrastructure to keep their dreams of gold alive. The Russian team dominates at the international level -- having won 38 medals at the February Vancouver Paralympic Games -- attracting plenty of attention. But their success has yet to galvanize Russian authorities to follow through on promises for more support. The New York Times (free registration) (5/20) - Palestinian leaders are struggling to keep the peace
Palestinian authorities are looking to indirect dialogue with the U.S. and Israel to forward the goal of creating an independent Palestinian state while keeping a watchful eye on a growing number of protests in the West Bank. So far the protests remain largely peaceful affairs, but many demonstrators express frustration with authorities and Palestinian Authority political rivals Hamas have been increasingly present at events. The Economist (5/20)
- What is the best way for young entrepreneurs to positively impact international development and global problems?
| Mandate corporate social responsibility policies |  42.37% | | Activate clients and customers to take action on global issues |  33.56% | | Provide financing for development projects |  24.07% | |
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| | | About UN WIRE | | UN Wire is a free service sponsored by the United Nations Foundation which is dedicated to supporting the United Nations' efforts to address the most pressing humanitarian, socioeconomic and environmental challenges facing the world today. | | | | | | | | Recent UN Wire Issues: - Thursday, May 20, 2010
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