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- Ban Ki-moon is on track for a second term
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been securing key pledges of support from members of the powerful Security Council, including the United States, for a second consecutive term at the helm of the world body. "Russia and China won't oppose him. I think it's safe to say that he'll keep his job," says one diplomat. Reuters (3/24)       - North Koreans are in urgent need of food aid, UN says
A UN study has found that a quarter of the population of North Korea, or some 6 million people -- largely children, women and the elderly -- are in desperate need of international food assistance. The world body on Thursday urged the country's authoritarian government to allow food aid to reach civilians who most need it, as well as to cease subjecting political prisoners to torture and imprisonment in labor camps. Google/The Associated Press (3/24), Reuters (3/24) - Aid cuts would hit cost-effective health programs
Foreign aid spending reductions proposed by Republicans in the U.S. House would cut directly into some of the simplest and most cost-effective world health programs, such as provision of malaria nets, tuberculosis drugs and HIV screening. Those affected by the proposed $1 billion loss in outlays would number in the tens of thousands to millions worldwide, depending on the program they depend on, according to AIDS research foundation AmfAR. The New Republic (free registration) (3/24) - Earthquake hits Myanmar
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar near the Thailand border Thursday damaging homes, bridges and other infrastructure, and leaving at least one person dead. Myanmar authorities have released little information about damage estimates or plans for an official response. AlertNet/Reuters (3/24), TIME/Global Spin blog (3/24) - Meeting set to begin climate fund design
Representatives from 40 countries will gather in Mexico City in April to begin design of a United Nations-backed Green Climate Fund to manage funds intended to help poor countries cope with climate change as of 2020. Wealthy countries agreed to commit $100 billion a year at the last international climate summit in December. AlertNet/Reuters (3/24) - Japan urges wider evacuation around reactors
Japanese authorities have begun encouraging people in a wider radius around the country's quake-stricken nuclear power plant to leave as evidence emerged that another reactor's containment may have been damaged. People who are 12 to 19 miles from the Fukushima Daiichi plant will now be assisted in leaving the area after previously being advised to stay indoors. In a national address, Prime Minister Naoto Kan refused to say whether the government was ordering an evacuation but did say that life in the area had become more difficult amid mounting shortages. The New York Times (free registration) (3/25)  | - Syrian leader pledges reform as protests simmer
Thousands of Syrians took to the streets Thursday in the southern city of Deraa, chanting "freedom, revolution" as President Bashar al-Assad promised to consider permitting greater personal freedoms, as well as increase salaries. Political dissidents were reportedly being arrested nationwide, and security forces were patrolling the streets of Deraa, only days after dozens were shot dead while demonstrating against 48 years of Baath Party rule. BBC (3/24), Reuters (3/24) - Saleh mulls exit as Yemen pressure mounts
Yemeni opposition leaders plan to keep up public pressure on President Ali-Abdullah Saleh after turning down an offer by the embattled leader to step down after presidential elections scheduled for later this year. Saleh is reportedly in negotiations with other Yemeni officials on a plan to cede power but continues to strike a defiant tone in public when speaking of demonstrators' demands. Reuters (3/24), The New York Times (free registration) (3/24) - NATO is coordinating Libya no-fly zone as raids continue
 Less than 24 hours after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization agreed to assume command of the no-fly zone over Libya the British air force fired guided missiles at armored vehicles that allegedly were threatening the civilian population of Ajdabiya. The transfer of coordination to NATO from the United States has been met with disagreement over the scope of the action, and whether attacks on ground troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi should be allowed. BBC (3/25), The Wall Street Journal (3/25) - Taliban threats cut phone service in Afghanistan
Cellular telephone providers in Helmand province have cut service in response to orders and death threats from the Taliban. The move underscores the influence of the Taliban in the region -- an area where the Afghan government is looking to take over security from international military forces. NYTimes.com/At War blog (3/24) - Drug war reporting guidelines are adopted by Mexican media
Newspapers and broadcasters in Mexico have agreed upon universal guidelines governing the coverage of the country's ongoing drug war, pledging not to glorify drug traffickers or publish cartel propaganda. The agreement -- to which some major newspapers were not signatories -- states that the various media also should do more to protect staff from the violence that has claimed the lives of at least 20 journalists since 2006. BBC (3/24) - Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood flexes political muscle
The Muslim Brotherhood has quickly emerged as a political force in Egypt after the departure of President Hosni Mubarak, prompting speculation the organization has forged an alliance with the country's powerful military. Muslim Brotherhood leaders have thrown their support behind the transitional government's calls for speedy elections in what many observers see as a calculated bid to capitalize on existing organizational structures and prevent other opposition groups from coalescing. The New York Times (free registration) (3/24)  | |  | | | | | | Internship, UN Election Advocacy | Human Rights Watch | New York, NY | | Administrative Assistant, Partnership Development | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Communications Officer, mHealth Alliance | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Coordinator, Pledge Guarantee for Health | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Collaboration and Partnering, Advisor | World Vision International | TBD, United Kingdom | | Vice President for Programs | Trickle Up | New York, NY | | | |  | |  |
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