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- UN Women becomes a reality
Diplomats, NGO representatives and celebrities gathered at United Nations headquarters for the official launch of UN Women, an agency designed to help promote gender equality across the globe. Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet will lead the body as it seeks to overcome early funding shortfalls and meet high expectations of supporters. Inter Press Service (2/24)       - Western countries support UN move on Iran human rights
For the first time in more than a decade, the United States is pushing for the appointment of a special UN investigator into human rights abuses in Iran. The move -- which comes after a reported spike in Iranian executions, as well as arrests of human rights defenders -- apparently already has the support of the European Union, and could be debated as early as Monday. Reuters (2/24) - Modified fungus fights malaria
Researchers have identified a method to engineer a fungus called Metarhizium anisopliae to carry anti-malarial proteins and prevent mosquitoes from spreading the disease, according to a report published in the journal Science. The engineered fungus kills the malaria parasite and rids a mosquito carrier of the disease within days. NPR.org (2/24) - North Korea suffers in bitter winter
Observers from South Korea say that they have seen no signs of unrest in North Korea despite vast hardships marked by greater-than-usual shortages in food and fuel, as well as some of the coldest temperatures in decades. "The gap between the elite and the rest of the country has probably never been wider," says one academic, yet "there's no reason to expect things to change any time soon." The New York Times (free registration) (2/24) - Oil prices climb on fears of near-future scenarios
Oil prices are on the rise even though the supply of crude from the Middle East -- which provides some 35% of the world's oil -- has yet to actually be disrupted. The increases show just how susceptible oil prices are to future expectations, some of which envision periods similar to the oil embargo of 1973, the Iranian revolution or the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The Economist (2/24) - Zimbabwe activists accuse police of abuse
Zimbabwean police forces tortured labor and social activists facing treason charges for pro-democracy activities, lawyers for the accused told a Harare court. Twelve of the 46 people arrested for attending a lecture on North African anti-government demonstrations have complained of severe beatings, while others have been denied medication or access to lawyers. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)/The Associated Press (2/24) - Education for Afghan girls remains problematic
Continued insecurity, lack of funding and poorly trained teachers are hampering efforts to educate Afghan girls, according to research from aid groups. About 2.4 million girls are enrolled in school, but about 20% are not attending classes on a regular basis. Reuters (2/24) - Revolution could mean less sexual harassment in Egypt
Egyptian women, long accustomed to sexual harassment by men, are optimistic that changes brought on by the country's revolution will result in a decline in gender-based assaults. A 2008 survey by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights found that 83% of Egyptian women -- and 98% of foreign women -- had been sexually harassed. CNN (2/24) - Libyan revolt closes in on capital
 Protesters in Tripoli were planning rallies after Friday prayers as rebel forces closed in on the Libyan capital, seizing a western city only 30 miles away. Groups of militiamen loyal to the Libyan leader, Moammar Gadhafi, were reportedly lining the roads around Tripoli in anticipation of climactic clashes with the anti-government forces. Los Angeles Times (2/25) - Iran searches for new uranium supplies
Iranian authorities are broadening their search for uranium to fuel the country's nuclear activities, reaching out to potential new suppliers including Zimbabwe, according to report prepared by an International Atomic Energy Agency member country. The intelligence report indicates Iran reached out to Zimbabwe in recent weeks after completing a mapping exercise of uranium deposits in Africa. Google/The Associated Press (2/24)  | |  | | | | | | Campaigns Manager (International) | WaterAid | London, United Kingdom | | Regional Leader, East Asia | World Vision International | Bangkok, Thailand | | Researcher on Afghanistan | Human Rights Watch | N/A, Afghanistan | | Leo Nevas Human Rights Fellow | United Nations Foundations | New York City, NY | | Peacebuilding Program Director | Social Science Research Council | Brooklyn, NY | | Senior Development Associate, Girl Up | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Director, Global Vaccines Campaign | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Director, Nothing But Nets campaign | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Various Positions | International Labour Office | Geneva, Switzerland | | | |  | |  |
 | - Ban Ki-moon and Linkin Park encourage Facebook community to help the UN help Haiti
This week, the UN Foundation hosted a Facebook Town Hall to keep the public engaged in rebuilding Haiti after last year's earthquake, and giving participants unique access to experts and high-profile speakers from the United Nations, multiplatinum alternative band Linkin Park, and the United States government. The Town Hall was the first time UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken alongside members of a band to educate and raise awareness about efforts to rebuild Haiti. Click here to watch a recording of the discussion and to read the news release. |
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