Darfur's rare boomtown; UN debates Zimbabwe; saving Niger River

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	April 30, 2008 | News covering the UN and the world Sign up | E-Mail this Fueled by aid workers, Darfur town an oasis of prosperity In stark contrast to the rest of Darfur -- where burned-out villages, constant danger and extreme poverty dominate the landscape -- stands the city of El Fasher. Fueled by thousands of aid workers from the United Nations and other organizations, as well as an influx of refugees, the town is booming and now has markets with imported fruits and vegetables, more gas stations and plenty of newly built houses. Los Angeles Times (free registration) (4/30) Security Council wary of Zimbabwe action  The food crisis' upside: an opportunity for agricultural reform  African leaders mull plan to help a drying Niger River  Korean dilemma: North's hunger and abuse complicate aid from South  U.S. wary of Pakistan's planned deal with militants  Skip to a section:  United Nations | Development Health and Poverty | Development Energy and Environment | Human Rights | Peace and Security If poor people don't even have enough for bread, how will they donate milk to the gods? This is very serious. Ram Gopal Atrey, a priest in New Delhi, on the reductions in food donations to his Hindu temple. Get the full story. UN DISPATCH: A Congolese warlord known as "the Terminator" is being sought for prosecution, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague has revealed... UN Dispatch Security Council wary of Zimbabwe action The Security Council. Source: The UN Despite diplomatic concern over the political stalemate and allegations of rights violations following Zimbabwe's March elections, the United Nations Security Council decided Tuesday to refrain from endorsing UN involvement in the crisis, even as the U.S. and European countries expressed support for sending in a fact-finding mission or special envoy. South Africa, which is heading the Council this month, led the opposition to any UN intervention. The New York Times (4/30) Other News Kuwait, others paid by UN Gulf War reparations body Reuters (4/29) The food crisis' upside: an opportunity for agricultural reform With the growing food crisis comes at least one important upside: a "golden opportunity" to reform the global agriculture system and get rid of rich countries' protectionism and other policies that are hurting developing nations, columnist Martin Wolf argues. "The right choices are evident. The time to make them is now," he writes. Financial Times (4/29) IMF boosts voting power, slightly, for poor countries Developing countries will get a little more voting power at the International Monetary Fund under a long-negotiated plan that has now won final approval. IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the change in voting rights marks "the beginning of the new legitimacy at the fund." The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (4/30) India's poor find it tougher to donate to temples Throughout India it's very common for Hindu devotees, even the poorest ones, to donate food to their temples. But in the latest sign that soaring food prices are hitting poor people worldwide, these donations to Hindu temples have recently dropped. The Washington Post (4/30) Israeli restrictions said to slow UN humanitarian work Israeli restrictions on movement between Jerusalem and the West Bank have caused more delays and lost man hours for United Nations staff in March 2008 than in all of 2007, according to UN humanitarian officials. Delays caused by vehicle searches are becoming daily occurrences, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. IRINNews.org (4/30) Cambodian school food program faces suspension Soaring global food prices are endangering a World Food Programme initiative that supplies free breakfast to 450,000 Cambodian children at more than 1,300 schools across the country. In just under a month, the schools' rice stocks will be gone and the breakfast program suspended indefinitely. The New York Times (4/30) Other News Uganda on wild polio alert as disease spreads in DR Congo AllAfrica Global Media/The Monitor (4/30) Business mentality spreading in Kyrgyzstan The Christian Science Monitor (4/30) African leaders mull plan to help a drying Niger River Water experts and local fishermen have noticed the same thing: the Niger River has become shallower and doesn't flow the way it used to. Now West African leaders are meeting in Niger's capital of Niamey to discuss a proposed 20-year, $8 billion plan aimed at stopping the mighty river from drying up. BBC (4/30) Russia balks at binding emission caps Russia will not agree to any binding carbon emissions caps as part of a post-Kyoto Treaty agreement, Russian officials have said. Russia, which has no imposed limits under the existing treaty, said it would welcome foreign investment aimed at cleaning up the country's energy sector and other industries. Environmental News Network/Reuters (4/29) Other News U.S. projects record Iraqi oil revenues this year The Wall Street Journal (4/30) Gasoline-starved Gaza turns to "falafel fuel" to power cars AlertNet.org/Reuters (4/30) Korean dilemma: North's hunger and abuse complicate aid from South South Korea over the years has given plenty of food aid to the often-starving people in Stalinist-run North Korea. But South Korea's new government is taking a tougher stance against the North's human rights violations, creating a dilemma as to how much the South now should help its bellicose neighbor. The Washington Post (4/30) Turkey relaxes law used to restrict free speech Turkey's Parliament voted Wednesday to approve changes to a section of the country's penal code that has been used to convict 745 Turkish writers, academics, journalists and others since 2003. The controversial article had been cited by European Unions officials as damaging to Turkey's bid for EU membership. Der Spiegel (English online version) (4/30) Radiohead song to raise awareness on human rights Pioneering rock band Radiohead has lent its song "All I Need" to an MTV campaign to raise awareness about sweatshop labor and human trafficking. The move builds on the British band's previous efforts to highlight slave labor and environmental issues. AlertNet.org/Reuters (4/30) Other News More pro-Tibet activists deported from Hong Kong The Toronto Star/Associated Press (4/30) U.S. wary of Pakistan's planned deal with militants A planned agreement under negotiation between Pakistan's government and militant tribes aimed at ending violence between the two sides is worrying the U.S., which believes it would give extremists more freedom to promote terrorism. U.S. officials are concerned Pakistan may withdraw many if not most of its troops from the area near Afghanistan, potentially creating a safe haven for militants. The New York Times (4/30) Bush says Syria nuclear information a warning to others U.S. President George W. Bush said Tuesday the recent disclosure of intelligence surrounding Syria's almost operation-ready nuclear reactor was intended to be a warning to Iran and North Korea against spreading nuclear weapons. The move is also believed to be linked to current U.S. administration efforts to ensure North Korea abides by an agreement to disclose all its nuclear activities. The New York Times (4/30) Other News Afghan intelligence chief: Karzai was warned of danger The New York Times (4/30)   Get more involved: Sign up for e-mail updates from: UN Foundation / Better World Campaign   Key Sites United Nations Secretary-General UN News Centre Key UN Bodies, Agencies, Funds and Programs UN Foundation UN Dispatch UN Radio News Service UN system responds to global food crisis... 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