| |  | |  U.S. criticism of BP raises British hackles A backlash is brewing in the U.K. over BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which has prompted harsh criticism from the U.S. of the British oil giant. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron rushed to BP's defense, praising the "economic value" the company brings to both nations. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the U.K. would not engage in "megaphone diplomacy" with the U.S., noting that he would not get too involved in the discussion. At the same time, the situation in the Gulf appeared to worsen considerably, after revelations the well is leaking as much as 40,000 barrels per day -- double previous estimates. Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (6/11) , BBC (6/11) , The Guardian (London) (6/11)
|  |  | If you don't trade, you die." Former North Korean schoolteacher. Read the full story. |
|  | "Aside from being the world's largest-ever forum to discuss progress and the way forward on specific maternal health and reproductive issues, Women Deliver was fundamentally a strong call to action." UN Dispatch | |
- UN criticizes uptick in drone use under Obama
UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston said that the U.S. must reduce its reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Predator drone in nontraditional combat situations, including Pakistan, where a CIA drone killed a senior al-Qaida leader last week. The report -- which was submitted to the UN Human Rights Council -- noted that Pakistan has seen 91 drone strikes under the first year of the Obama administration, compared with 45 total strikes between 2004 and 2008. U.S. News & World Report (6/10)      - Sanctions provoke Iran, divide Lebanon
Iranian officials threatened to dial back their cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, after the passage of a UN resolution outlining new sanctions against the regime. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad put the blame squarely on the U.S. for the sanctions, sparing China -- a country that initially resisted imposing new sanctions against Iran for economic reasons. Lebanon was deeply divided on the issue of sanctions and abstained from voting. The Washington Post (6/11) , Bloomberg Businessweek (6/11) , Los Angeles Times/Babylon & Beyond blog (6/10)   | - South Africa youth league takes on AIDS stigma
Triad Trust, a U.S. organization working to reduce the number of deaths caused by AIDS, is working with a South African youth soccer league in an effort to eliminate the misinformation and stigma surrounding the disease, which is more prevalent in South Africa than anywhere else. By testing and educating sports players who serve as role models for younger children, the organization hopes to demonstrate that HIV is preventable, testing is available and living with AIDS is a possibility through medicine. The New York Times (free registration) (6/9) - U.S. medical association debates genital mutilation
The American Academy of Pediatrics sparked outrage by considering publicly an endorsement of a "ritual cut" in clitoral skin in place of the practice of female circumcision, a notion of appeasement proposed in recognition of the widespread nature of the dangerous practice. The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 140 million women -- spread mostly across African countries -- have been subjected to genital mutilation. Christian, Muslim and animist faiths in Africa have endorsed the practice. The Economist (6/10) - World's climate negotiators find some agreement
Representatives to climate-change talks in Bonn have made progress on addressing differences that have hobbled efforts to forge an international treaty. Negotiators reached agreement on a process to govern climate aid and methods to measure and verify greenhouse-gas emission reductions. Supporters hope the effort may serve as a blueprint for more progress at the next summit in August. Bloomberg Businessweek (6/11) , AlertNet.org/Reuters (6/10) - Melting endangers Asian water supply
 Millions of Asians will face increased food insecurity, as glacier and snow melt from the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau increase due to climate changes, a study finds. Residents along the banks of five major rivers rely on meltwater for their survival and the changes may set off water disputes, mass migrations and social unrest, the report finds. Environmental News Network/Reuters (6/11) - ICC looks to Security Council on Sudan warrants
Prosecutors from the International Criminal Court will request help from the United Nations Security Council today in exercising the arrest warrants for two Sudanese citizens wanted for war crimes. The ICC issued warrants for politician Ahmed Haroun and militia leader Ali Kushayb in 2007 for ordering the killing of civilians. The council is expected to consider the request Monday. AlertNet.org/Reuters (6/11) - Pope asks forgiveness at St. Peter's over abuse scandal
Pope Benedict XVI asked for forgiveness in front of thousands of priests and worshippers in St. Peter's Square, marking the Catholic Church's fullest admission yet of wrongdoing regarding the sexual abuse scandal. But the pope rejected calls from some that the Church re-examine its policy regarding celibacy. While the pope said that they would take new efforts to ensure the well-being of children, he reaffirmed his support for the policy of celibacy in response to a question posed by another priest. The New York Times (free registration) (6/11) , Los Angeles Times (6/11) - Africa's first World Cup kicks off in South Africa
South Africans have pinned much more than a hope for victory to this year's World Cup, an event that represents for its host country recognition of its rapid progress since the end of apartheid and its gradual emergence as a significant player on the world stage. Anticipation has gripped fans in Johannesburg and other cities for the opening match of the Africa's first World Cup, the most-watched televised event on the planet. A shadow marked the opening event after former South African President Nelson Mandela was forced to cancel his appearance at the games because of his great-granddaughter's death in an automobile accident. The New York Times (free registration) (6/10) , Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (6/11) , Los Angeles Times/The Fabulous Forum blog (6/11) - Turkey moves to increase regional trade
Turkish authorities have reached agreement with the leaders of Jordan, Syria and Lebanon to create a free trade and travel zone to boost regional economic cooperation. Turkey's trade levels with members of the Arab League have doubled in the past five years, but still remain significantly smaller than the country's trade with the European Union. BBC (6/10)  | |  | | | | | | | | Deputy Program Director | Human Rights Watch | New York, NY | | 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 | | | |  | |  | |
 | - In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions. On Thursday, the U.S. Senate will vote on a proposal that would strip the EPA of this authority.
Should Congress be the only body able to issue rules on global warming emissions?
| No -- emissions reductions are needed now and the Supreme Court has affirmed |  95.24% | | Yes -- a government agency has no business being in charge of such a sweeping issue |  4.76% | |
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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, June 10, 2010
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