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- Sri Lanka targets NGOs, journalists over UN report
The Sri Lankan government has been targeting Western-funded education and advocacy groups, particularly those which highlight civil liberties and press freedoms, in retaliation for their perceived role in the generation of the UN inquiry into alleged war crimes committed toward the end of the nation's long-running civil war against Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009. The report, which Sri Lankan leaders call biased and flawed, has yet to be made public. The Economist (4/14)       - Developing nations object to IMF curbs
The recent about-face by the International Monetary Fund over capital controls -- selectively curbing the free flow of capital to assist emerging markets -- was rejected last weekend by representatives of developing countries. The IMF's policy-steering committee said it would further study its policy reversal after being told capital controls would hurt more than help. The Wall Street Journal (4/18) - Brazil sounds off on U.S., European policy
The world's most developed countries, such as the United States, are trying to mend their economies at the expense of the world's poor, Guido Mantega, Brazil's finance minister, told the International Monetary Fund on Saturday. He said that current U.S. and European policies such as printing more money and keeping interest rates low, are pushing up global prices for food and oil, placing an especially harsh burden on developing economies. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/16) - World Bank chief warns on volatility
 The World Bank must act swiftly to bolster reforms in the Middle East and North Africa -- specifically in the spheres of citizen security, justice and jobs -- in order to ward off "a full-blown crisis" among poor countries, said Robert Zoellick, the body's president. BBC (4/17) 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.
- Japan faces 9 more months of nuclear crisis
The nuclear crisis in Japan should be over by the end of the year, according to the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which is still leaking radiation. Remote-controlled robots are being used in lieu of humans to measure radiation levels surrounding the plant. BBC (4/17) - Sugar cane fields give Brazil double benefits
The cultivation of sugar cane in Brazil as a means to provide an alternative fuel source for vehicles is also helping to cool local air temperatures, researchers said in report published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The benefit, researchers said, occurs when sugar cane fields are introduced into existing agricultural efforts to replace crops like soy beans. AlertNet/Reuters (4/17) - Eyewitness to the Bahrain crackdown
This account of the crackdown in Bahrain, written by a Bahraini identified only as Mahmoud, tells of a bloody and brutal campaign of anti-Shia violence conducted by soldiers and police from Saudi Arabia and allied Gulf states. Beatings, random searches and arrests take place at checkpoints designed to intimidate and terrorize Shiite Muslims amid the country's pro-democracy protests, according to this article. The Guardian (London) (4/16) - Libya rebels struggle to hold ground
Anti-government rebels and forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi clashed over the weekend around Ajdabiya, with government troops preventing rebel forces from advancing westward from the city to recapture the oil port of Brega. Western officials reiterated that there are no plans to send ground troops into Libya to help the rebel effort to topple Gadhafi despite widespread recognition that rebels are unlikely to defeat Gadhafi's forces even with the aid of NATO-led airstrikes. The Toronto Star/The Associated Press (4/17), AlertNet/Reuters (4/18) - British officials consider Libya actions
Restrictions on authorized actions contained in the UN Security Council resolution on Libya place limits on what coalition forces are able to do to support efforts to dislodge Moammar Gadhafi from power. British officials are seeking ways to increase supplies of aid and medical supplies to Libya, and to ensure access for delivery of relief. BBC (4/17) - Jonathan set to lead Nigeria for second term
Returns from Nigeria's election show a victory for incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, who has promised to target spending on improving infrastructure to increase employment opportunities and attract foreign investment. Electoral officials are expected to make a formal announcement today. Bloomberg (4/18)
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