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- UN renews Western Sahara mission
The UN Security Council on Wednesday extended by a year the world body's 230-strong peacekeeping operation in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, but stopped short of expanding the mission's role to include human rights. Talks have stalled between Morocco, which annexed the territory in 1975, and the Polisario Front independence movement. Reuters (4/27)       - UN rights council to meet Friday over Syrian crackdown
 A special meeting Wednesday of the UN Security Council failed to yield a consensus condemning the violence being committed by the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad against pro-democracy protesters, with Russia insisting the crackdown did not constitute a threat to global security. The UN Human Rights Council on Friday will hold an emergency session, at the request of the United States, to consider a resolution calling for an inquiry into the reported killings by security forces of at least 450 people over the past five weeks. Al-Jazeera (4/28), AlertNet/Reuters (4/27), BBC (4/28)  - Anti-malaria campaign gets sporting boost
A five-year campaign by the UN Foundation aimed at ridding the world of malaria raised $1.2 million, in a flash, after a well-known American sports columnist Rick Reilly urged readers to donate to the program, which has helped raise $35 million, and distribute 4 million malaria nets. The foundation even renamed the program Nothing But Nets after the title of the Reilly column. CNNMoney.com/Fortune/Postcards blog (4/25) - WHO: Chronic diseases cause most deaths worldwide
Chronic illnesses such diabetes, heart disease and cancer cause more deaths worldwide than communicable conditions such as malaria and tuberculosis owing to modern lifestyle habits, according to a report from the World Health Organization. About 63% of deaths are the result of noncommunicable conditions, with almost 80% of them occurring in low- to middle-income countries. Los Angeles Times (4/27)  - Negotiators don't expect an emissions deal
Lead climate officials from the U.S. and Europe predict a binding climate deal will not happen at an international summit in Durban, South Africa, in December. Many of the world's biggest greenhouse-gas emitters do not see the need for an immediate broad agreement, while poor countries still hope to see something beyond a voluntary framework. AlertNet/Reuters (4/27) - Africa is a central focus point for mHealth efforts
Mobile operators, government and developers are working to leverage mobile telephone capabilities to advance prevention, diagnosis and treatment efforts for health concerns across Africa. Qualcomm, Orange, MTN and the United Nations Foundation Health Alliance are among the companies and organizations involved in mHealth pilot projects on the continent. The Zimbabwean (4/27) - Women's rights activists keep an eye on Tunisia
Tunisian women's rights campaigners are working to make sure the country's uncertain future will not ultimately result in a different kind of repression than they faced under the recently ousted regime of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Secular administrations since the country gained independence in 1956 have given Tunisia some of the most advance women's rights protections in the Arab world. AlertNet/Reuters (4/28) - China is in no mood to defend human rights record to U.S.
The U.S. State Department is likely finding it tough going with its Chinese counterparts in two-day talks ostensibly slated to address the sharply deteriorating human rights situation in the Communist power, which has been rounding up intellectuals, artists, dissidents, religious minorities and civil society advocates in the harshest government crackdown in decades. "Since the 1990s, these dialogues have maintained their presence pathetically, but they are at the moment at a new low," says one China observer. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/27) - Palestinian factions unite
Palestinian rivals, Fatah and Hamas, announced Wednesday that they had united in their quest for independence during secret talks brokered by the Egyptian caretaker government. The deal -- which within a year aims to join the Fatah-run West Bank and the Hamas-run Gaza Strip under an interim government -- risks the loss of Western support for the Palestinian Authority, but those concerns are reportedly offset by a general feeling that U.S.-sponsored peace talks with Israel are unlikely to progress. BBC (4/27), The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/27)
- What do you think is the most effective tactic for ordinary Americans to help end malaria worldwide?
 | Donating to provide insecticide-treated bed nets to protect individuals from malaria | | Advocating for foreign aid that supports bed net distribution | | Engaging colleagues, family and friends in the fight against malaria | | Hosting local events to raise funds and awareness within communities |
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