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- UN urges Iraq to endorse torture convention
Iraqi authorities should move immediately to ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, says Ad Melkert, the UN special representative to Iraq. Iraq is among 45 countries that have not signed on to the convention. CNN (6/26)       - UN prepares to receive Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II will make appeal to the 192 General Assembly members to strive for unity and world peace in a July 6 speech at the United Nations. This will be the first time the monarch has addressed the UN since 1957. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed hope that the queen will use the occasion to endorse efforts to meet Millennium Development Goals. Telegraph (London) (6/27)  - Has African soccer outgrown traditional healers?
African soccer players have begun to turn away from seeking the counsel of traditional healers to ensure success on the pitch -- a trend that intensified after the Confederation of African Football banned healers' associations with teams. Belief in the healers' abilities persists across large swaths of the continent and some players continue to seek their council clandestinely. Los Angeles Times (6/26) 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.
- Deaths spike among Argentina's whales
Scientists told the International Whaling Commission that stranding deaths have soared among southern right whales -- for reasons they cannot determine. The number of whales stranded on beaches around Argentina's Valdes Peninsula has risen dramatically in recent years, almost doubling between 2003 and 2009. The region is a breeding ground for the right whales, which explains why they are dying there, but not why they are dying. Reduced food sources, high biotoxin concentrations and disease have been suggested as culprits. Google/Agence France-Presse (6/25) - HRW: Rwanda cracks down before elections
Harassment, detentions and other forms of political repression are on the rise in Rwanda ahead of August elections, Human Rights Watch charges. Rwandan authorities deny any involvement in repressive activities ahead of the vote, which is expected to result in the re-election of Paul Kagame. AlertNet.org/Reuters (6/27) - Pope decries Belgian police raid over abuse allegations
Pope Benedict XVI sharply condemned the decision by Belgian police to conduct a police raid on church property, seizing files, detaining bishops and even searching at least one cardinal's tomb for evidence. The pope expressed solidarity with Belgian Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard, while the Vatican said that police had violated the confidence of those who have come forward recently alleging abuse in Belgium. Belgium's justice minister said the raid had been carried out appropriately. The New York Times (free registration) (6/27) - "Conflict minerals" are part of daily life
 In a development resembling the debate over "blood diamonds" sold by resource-rich countries with atrocious human-rights records, activists are beginning to organize against so-called conflict minerals: heavy metals whose use in products such as cell phones and computers contributes to the brutal conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Activists urge companies such as Apple and Intel to buy tantalum from Australia rather than from the Congolese militia -- and to find alternative sources for other industrial metals abundant in Congo. The New York Times (free registration) (6/26) - Observers praise Guinea vote
In an event that marked a transition from decades military rule, Guinea held its first free elections -- one that would have been impossible just months ago. Military junta leader Gen. Sekouba Konate put the country on the path toward free elections after the assassination of his predecessor, Capt. Moussa "Dadis" Camara, who led a bloody repression against thousands of protesters, killing more than 150 people. Two ex-premieres and a longtime opponent figure are among the top contenders for the presidency. Google/The Associated Press (6/26) - European workers feel the pinch of austerity measures
Millions of workers across Europe are struggling to adjust as governments impose austerity measures dealing severe cuts to traditional social models that encouraged workers to trade lower salaries for more robust benefits. Spain, Italy, Greece and France are among the countries taking measures to cut traditional benefits such as child care, vacation time, pension plans, health care and subsidized housing purchases. The cuts may carry political consequences in countries such as Spain, which has the highest unemployment rates Europe. The New York Times (free registration) (6/27)  | |  | | | | | | | | Communications Director, Global Health | United Nations Foundation (UNF) / Better World Fund (BWF) | Washington, DC | | Deputy Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs | United Nations Foundation (UNF) / Better World Fund (BWF) | Washington, DC | | Executive Director | Cultural Survival | Cambridge, MA | | UNITED KINGDOM DIRECTOR | Human Rights Watch | London, United Kingdom | | Online Communications Senior Associate, Public Affairs Girl Up Campaign | United Nations Foundation (UNF) / Better World Fund (BWF) | Washington, DC | | Campaign Associate, Girl Up Campaign | United Nations Foundation (UNF) / Better World Fund (BWF) | Washington, DC | | Communications Associate, Public Affairs Girl Up Campaign | United Nations Foundation (UNF) / Better World Fund (BWF) | Washington, DC | | Systems Administrator | United Nations Foundation (UNF)/Better World Fund (BWF) | Washington, DC | | Pledge Guarantee for Health (PGH) Associate | United Nations Foundation (UNF)/Better World Fund (BWF) | Washington, DC | | Managing Director, Thought Leadership | United Nations Foundation (UNF) / Better World Fund (BWF) | Washington, DC | | | |  | |  | |
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