| - Security Council blasts Iran attack on U.K. embassy
Some diplomatic staff were leaving the British Embassy in Tehran today, a day after much of the compound was overrun by protesters, who Iranian authorities as "students," angered over the decision by the U.K. to impose further sanctions on the country over its controversial nuclear program. The UN Security Council condemned Tuesday's attack. Bloomberg Businessweek (11/29), BBC (11/30), AlertNet/Reuters (11/30) - Partnership for global development nixed by China
China has withdrawn from ongoing talks in Busan, South Korea, that would establish a united front and common principles to steer aid to developing countries. Chinese officials said the country was not yet ready to endorse a partnership for global development, joining increasingly large aid players, Brazil and India, on the sidelines. The Guardian (London) (11/29) - China boosts services to poor by raising poverty line
Some 100 million rural poor in China are expected to become eligible for state benefits after the government adjusted the level at which people are officially regarded as poor. The limit was raised from 55 cents to include everyone earning less than $1 a day, closer to the World Bank's threshold of $1.25 a day. BBC (11/29) - China to help provide vaccines to the world
Preparations by Chinese vaccine manufacturers to enter the world market are expected to lower costs and expand access to millions in the developing world. Public health experts say Chinese production should face quality tests before mass sales begin because of a series of recent scandals involving food and medical products. USA TODAY/The Associated Press (11/29) - Ghana engages women to promote development
Ghana has successfully worked to increase female literacy from 16.6% in 1970 to 78% now, helping to trigger development and a trend toward female entrepreneurship. Authorities augmented education efforts with the embrace of microfinance programs that have created an entire class of Ghanaian businesswomen. The Christian Science Monitor (11/29) | - Could Kyoto Protocol be killed off at Durban talks?
The potential withdrawal of Canada from the Kyoto Protocol, hinted at by the country's environment minister at UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa, would likely be the death knell of the only global treaty compelling rich countries, by law, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. European Union plans to impose limits on emissions by international airlines beginning in 2012 were being portrayed by some countries, including China, Venezuela and Japan, as yet another obstacle to a new treaty. The Guardian (London)/Environment blog (11/29), Bloomberg Businessweek (11/30) - Bangladesh goes solar to enhance food production
Bangladeshi officials have launched an ambitious plan to reinvigorate the country's food production while promoting the use of renewable fuels. Authorities will install 19,000 solar-powered irrigation pumps across the country by 2016. AlertNet (11/29) - Development shows gains from new technology
New technology is empowering citizens the world over to hold their governments to account over the delivery of local services. Caroline Anstey, managing director of the World Bank, cites examples such as those in the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where online complaints and text messages resulted in a new school roof and the delivery of basic services to the poor. The Guardian (London)/Poverty Matters blog (11/29) | | Key Sites | | This SmartBrief was created for eleccion@yahoogroups.com Advertise With Us | Amy DiElsi Director for UN Foundation Communications United Nations Foundation 1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (D) 202-419-3230 (C) 202-492-3078 (F) 202-887-9021 www.unfoundation.org | | | 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: - Tuesday, November 29, 2011
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