Fw: 'Doomsday' seed vault set to open; WFP mulls aid strategies

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'Doomsday' seed vault set to open; WFP mulls aid strategies

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February 25, 2008 | News covering the UN and the world

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"Doomsday" seed vault set to open

The major underground vault that has been under construction the last couple of years in the Arctic and that will preserve crops from all over the world in case of future natural or man-made disasters will officially open Tuesday. Dignitaries such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai will be present as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault opens its doors to millions of seeds from almost every country. BBC (2/25) , The Daily Mail (London) (2/25)

As UN mulls new sanctions, Iran warns of firm response WFP mulls aid strategies amid soaring food prices World's first biofuel-powered flight takes off Putin's firm hand of power extends across Russia Castro takes over as leader of Cuba

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If ever there was a moment in history when conserving this diversity was worthwhile and yielded a great cost benefit ratio, it would be now.

Cary Fowler, executive director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, on the new seed vault in the Arctic. Read the full story.

UN DISPATCH: The World Food Program says that rising costs of food aid and transportation are forcing it to contemplate rationing strategies.

UN Dispatch

As UN mulls new sanctions, Iran warns of firm responseThe United Nations Security Council this week will consider whether to impose new sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program. Iran warned Sunday that if the Council proceeds with more penalties the Islamic regime would respond with unspecified "deserving action." The warning came on the heels of an International Atomic Energy Agency report Friday that said it has been unable to determine the "full nature" of Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Google/Agence France-Presse (2/24)

Other News

Book on murdered UN diplomat portrays a life devoted to human rightsBloomberg (2/25)

WFP mulls aid strategies amid soaring food pricesThe World Food Programme has launched talks on how it best should adjust its aid strategy as food prices continue to soar. The United Nations agency hopes it will get more donations to make up for the higher costs, but it is preparing a back-up plan to halt some aid in case it does not receive sufficient money from donors. Financial Times (free registration) (2/25)

Global malnutrition efforts fall short: Governments are failing to invest enough money to prevent and treat malnutrition among women and children in poor countries, nutritionists warn. The lack of funding is projected to increase the number of malnourished children by 5.9 million in the world's 10 poorest countries between 2005 and 2015. IRINNews.org (2/22)

Powerful drug wreaks havoc on Argentina's poorPorous borders, widespread poverty and lax cultivation rules for coca leaves in the region are all contributing to a rise in drug addiction among the poorest people in Argentina and Brazil. The growing popularity of paco, a smokable and crystallized form of cocaine, is driving crime and health concerns across the region. The New York Times (2/23)

North Korea ramps up minerals exports to boost incomeNorth Korea, long a hermit country, traditionally has shied away from trading goods and services with most other nations, to the detriment of its own impoverished people. But that appears to be changing as the country the last couple of years increasingly is exporting minerals and coal to get badly needed cash. The Washington Post (2/24)

Photos: Nigerian universities get a failing gradeNigeria used to have universities that ranked among the very best in Africa, but these institutions of higher learning are increasingly struggling to provide students with the education they want and deserve, BBC reports in this photo and text feature. Problems include old, failing infrastructure and frequent sexual harassment of female students. BBC (2/25)

Top five news stories selected by UN Wire readers in the past week.

Castro resigns (The Miami Herald)

Kosovo declares itself newest European country (ClipSyndicate)

U.S. posts confidential UN documents online (The Washington Post)

Scientists seek ways to turn greenhouse gas into fuel (The New York Times)

Asia cool on Kosovo independence recognition (The New York Times)

Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

World's first biofuel-powered flight takes off

Virgin Atlantic on Sunday flew a commercial aircraft partially powered by fuel derived from coconuts and the Amazonian babassu tree. The trip from London to Amsterdam represented the world's first biofuel-powered flight and is seen by supporters as the first step toward reducing the airline industry's carbon footprint. Associated Press/ClipSyndicate (2/24) , The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (2/24)

Other News

South African elephants to face legal cullingBBC (2/25)

Putin's firm hand of power extends across RussiaRussian President Vladimir Putin's decade-long campaign to extend his party's control over virtually every aspect of Russian life has proven effective in quashing political opposition, independent media and hopes for democratic development, The New York Times reports. The New York Times (2/24)

Armenia cracks down on opposition protestsArmenian authorities rounded up opposition leaders Sunday as protests continued over the country's presidential elections held last week. Opposition supporters are calling for a new round of voting, though international observers called the election largely fair. International Herald Tribune/Reuters (2/25)

Jamaican gays face bleak situationPervasive discrimination and violent attacks loom over any Jamaican perceived as being homosexual. Those brave enough to proclaim their sexual orientation also risk the island country's legal system, which criminalizes homosexual relations. The New York Times (2/24) , The Toronto Star (2/25)

Other News

Myanmar opposition calls for Olympic boycott over human rightsInternational Herald Tribune/Associated Press (2/25)

Castro takes over as leader of CubaCuba's National Assembly formally named Castro as the island country's new leader Sunday, ending five decades of rule by his older brother Fidel. pledged to continue many of his brother's policies, but he is widely expected to initiate some economic reforms in an effort to address Cuba's ailing economy. The New York Times (2/25) , Newsweek (2/24) , CNN (2/24)

China pushes Sudan over DarfurBeijing's top envoy to Sudan pressed the African country's leaders Sunday to remove all obstacles to the full and effective deployment of the new United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur. China has faced increasing international pressure to use its influence as Sudan's largest trading partner to push Sudanese leaders to support the Darfur peace mission. AlertNet.org/Reuters (2/24) , The New York Times (2/23)

UN: Darfuris face desperate situation: Recent violence has left tens of thousands of Darfuris with almost nothing and in desperate need of immediate protection, United Nations officials warned. BBC (2/25)

Kosovo's first week of independence marred by violenceKosovars celebrated their first week of independence from Serbia Sunday, but they did so in quiet fashion as the secession continues to draw protests from many Serbs. Serbs in several cities around Europe demonstrated Sunday, and Russia spoke out against the countries that have recognized Kosovo's independence, including the U.S. The Boston Globe/Associated Press (2/25)

Other News

Communist Christofias wins Cyprus presidencyReuters (2/24)

New York orchestra makes historic trip to North KoreaUSA TODAY/Associated Press (2/24)

South Korea's new president makes first speechThe Guardian (London)/Reuters (2/25)

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