Latest News

2006 News Archive

---

>> Recessions linked to one million infant deaths
A new World Bank research brief, examines the relationship between per capita GDP and infant mortality in 59 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They find that between 1980 and 2004, over a million extra deaths occurred in the developing world in countries that experienced economic contractions of 10 percent or above. The larger the negative shock to GDP, the larger the effect on infant mortality.

This suggests that households or governments (or both) are unable to smooth consumption over the business cycle. Credit-constrained households may be particularly unable to keep up investments in child nutrition or health care.

Extra Hook: The significant risks and uncertainty concerning the global economy going into 2008.
Extra Hook 2: Globally, climate change will likely cause stagflationary pressure (Morgan Stanley), ie, higher inflation and lower growth. The adverse effects of climate change are likely to be larger in emerging markets where there is also substantial potential to avoid emissions.


>> Hundreds dead as Kenya's elections go down to the wire
The European Union’s chief election monitor in Kenya on Friday (Reuters, 21/12/07) condemned clashes that have killed hundreds and displaced thousands in the run-up to a December 27th presidential and parliamentary election. It's down to the wire according to the Economist (19/12/07).

Kenya faces a huge moment in its history when its people go to the polls. Pambazuka News has some of the best coverage of the Kenyan situation, including a lengthy and impassioned analysis from the novelist Ngugi Wa Thiong’o (from the Foreign Policy Association Blog).

State funds ’abused for Kibaki’ (BBC, 18/12/07). The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights lists 16 ministers and says they should pay for their use of state cars and aircraft for campaigning. Last week, the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) accused the state broadcaster, KBC, of skewed coverage in favour of Mr Kibaki. Mwai Kibaki's main rival seems to be Raila Odinga. Comment: The open criticism by two separate Kenyan bodies is a positive sign at least. Parallel story: Chirac also faces allegations concerning the misuse of public funds.


>> "Take me to court" - Zuma
South Africa’s new ANC leader, Jacob Zuma, may face graft trial in the New Year (AP, 20/12/07). But the timing of comments by prosecutors, just hours before Zuma’s victory speech, drew accusations of a conspiracy to prevent him from becoming president (Guardian, 21/12/07).


>> The year's unreported stories - MSF and Foreign Policy Magazine
People struggling to survive violence, forced displacement, and disease in the Central African Republic (CAR), Somalia, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere often went underreported this year and much of the past decade, according to the 10th annual list of the “Top Ten” Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories, released today by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (20/12/07).

The 2007 list (see summary) also highlights the plight of people living through other forgotten crises, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Colombia, Myanmar, Zimbabwe, and Chechnya, where the displacement by war of millions continues. It also focuses on tuberculosis (TB) and childhood malnutrition. Contact: MSF Ireland.

Foreign Policy magazine has also challenged readers to see The Top 10 Stories You Missed in 2007 (December 2007). At no.8: dengue fever linked to climate change. Warmer climates may be putting millions of people around the world at risk for the disease, a virus that causes excruciating pain in people’s joints. This year is on track to be the worst year in nearly a decade for the mosquito-borne virus, also known as "bone-breaker disease."

>> Fidel hints at retirement. Not all Cubans are willing to wait
In a letter read out on state TV on December 17th, Mr Castro said "My basic duty is not to cling to office" (BBC, 18/12/07). Comment: Cuba’s leader since 1959 gave no hint of intentional irony. But, as so often, Fidel seems to want to keep Cubans guessing. He closed his televised message with a reference to Oscar Niemeyer, a Brazilian architect who turned 100 on December 15th and who is still working (Economist, 19/12/07).

But while everyone has been reading the tea leaves in Havana, more Cubans have been quietly fleeing to the United States than ever before... though not due to political persecution and despite Cuba's recent rapid economic growth (#5 of Foreign Policy's 10 Stories You Missed in 2007).

Remember Elián González? (Richard Cohen of The Washington Post wrote of the affair: "Elián has behaved like a typical 6-year-old, Juan Miguel like a typical father. And most of the politicians like typical fools", 6/4/00.) His return did not stem the tide. However, Fidel wished Elián a happy 14th birthday earlier this month (Granma, 7/12/07).

Jaime Suchlicki analyses the Challenges to a Post-Castro Cuba (Harvard International Review, 08/06/07). Press freedom in Cuba (BBC, 20/12/07).


>> No one-size-fits-all solution for Africa, where millions will be affected by climate change
“(L)arge regions of marginal agriculture in Africa may be forced out of production by 2100, while others will thrive ,” according to Ariel Dinar , Lead Economist in the World Bank’s Development Research Group, and co-author of the summary paper of new research that analyzed—for the first time—climate impact and adaptation in 11 African countries.

“What we take away from it is that some countries are more vulnerable than others, and help should be focused where it is needed most.” For example, 90 percent of the population in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world, is engaged in mostly subsistence agriculture—extremely vulnerable to rainfall variation


>> Who’s the best - and worst - humanitarian celebrity of the year?
Love them or loathe them, celebrity humanitarians have helped train media attention on crises from Darfur to Haiti. As the year draws to a close, Reuters' Alertnet have asked the public which famous faces have given the best - and worst - name to "celebrity humanitarianism" in 2007.

They've consulted aid agency experts to come up with a shortlist in five celebrity categories - actors, musicians (Bono and Geldof battle Youssou N'Dour), athletes (Drogba and Federer in tight race), philanthropists and leaders (Tutu leads, Carter may pip Clinton) - but given readers the chance to make their own choice too. They'll launch the results next week, so keep an eye on Reuters AlertNet. See the survey online and check out the results so far). Call Tim Large in London on +44 (0)7990 560 402 for more information.


>> Burma: For Muslims and other minorities, the monks’ battle was not their fight (Economist, 19/12/07)


>> Climate talks in Bali focus on rich-poor divide
The main negotiating bloc of developing countries, called the G77, said they were not ready to make new efforts to fight climate change by cutting emissions from fossil fuels (Reuters, 14/12/07).


>> Time to tackle discrimination in disasters, says Red Cross report
Blind, deaf or paralysed people may not be able to flee danger on their own. Young and old people lose out when relief is dropped from helicopters, and emergency shelters often exclude people with disabilities.

Poorly designed camps can make women more vulnerable to sexual violence, and prevent minorities from accessing aid, the report says (AlertNet, 13/12/07). World Disasters Report 2007; Release.


>> Somalia descends into crisis
AFGOYE, Somalia — A year after the U.S.-backed Ethiopian army toppled a hard-line Islamist regime in Somalia, the country has become Africa’s worst humanitarian catastrophe writes Shashank Bengali. Some 200,000 refugees, mostly women and children, have fled from a pro-government offensive to makeshift camps (McClatchy Newspapers, 13/12/07).

Ethiopia denies Somalia bombing (BBC, 14/12/07).


>> U.S. military’s Africa command alarms aid workers
Mary Yates, a career diplomat, is deputy to the commander of the U.S. military’s new Africa Command. The command, responsible for U.S. military operations in Africa, will include more diplomats, aid experts and other civilians than headquarters for other parts of the world. And they will be integral to the organization, not just advisers.

Aid workers also say putting civilian officials inside a military command sends the wrong signal to African nations, where military forces have a history of staging coups and riding roughshod over civilian institutions.

U.S. officials insist Africom has no intention of taking over the work of other agencies, it just wants to work in harmony with them. But analysts say the Pentagon unnecessarily stoked many concerns in the way it launched the headquarters (Reuters, 13/12/07).


>> Iraq 'shows-up the limits of humanitarian assistance' - MSF
In the worst war-zone of the new century, international assistance is absent on the ground. In contrast, the deployment - albeit fragile and often threatened - of over one hundred MSF international aid workers in Darfur, compared to the sum total of zero in central and southern Iraq where the war rages, is a painful reminder of the impotence of humanitarian aid agencies (13/12/07).


>> Sudanese peace deal back on track (BBC, 12/12/07)


>> The end of cheap food / Cheap no more (Economist, 6/12/07)


>>Africa is attracting Chinese migrants... and US laptops
Chinese trade and investment are increasing rapidly in Africa. The continent is also attracting large numbers of Chinese migrants. The latest wave - thought to total up to 750,000 - is not the first to have travelled to Africa. But the Chinese who have moved to Africa in the last 10 years are going for economic, not political reasons as they did under Mao in the 1960s (BBC, 29/11/07).

Meanwhile, there is a race to connect the next billion people worldwide. This has led to rancour between the makers of the Intel Classmate and the One Laptop Per Child Project’s so-called $100 laptop, also known as the XO. The two rivals are competing for attention in Nigeria’s schools [watch]. "It makes teaching easy and learning easy" according to headmistress, Mrs Esther Odekina (BBC, 29/11/07).


>> EU-Africa summit ends in trade deadlock
Africa and Europe’s first summit in seven years ended on Sunday without agreement on the key issue of trade, dealing a blow to efforts to forge a new economic partnership between the two continents.

More than 70 European and African leaders were also at odds on how to deal with Zimbabwe, which was singled out along with Sudan by German Chancellor Angela Merkel for not respecting human rights (Reuters, 9/12/07).

Mugabe overshadowed the Summit according to a report on RTE's morning Ireland (10/12/07).


>> Press freedom important but so is social harmony and peace
In a 14-country poll conducted for the BBC World Service, 56% of those interviewed thought that freedom of the press was very important to ensure a free society. But 40% said it was more important to maintain social harmony and peace, even if it meant curbing the press’s freedom to report news truthfully (BBC, 10/12/07).


>> Archbishop of York cuts up dog collar in protest
The Archbishop of York cut up his dog collar on live television (BBC Video, 9/12/07) in a dramatic protest against Robert Mugabe’s rule. He suggested Africa's leaders had become 'sycophantic hero-worshippers', backed Brown's boycott, called dialogue to date 'dialogue with the deaf' and said racism was responsible for Africa's unwillingness to condemn Mugabe.

Ugandan John Sentamu pledged that he would not wear the symbol of his office again until the Zimbabwe president had been removed from power (PA, 9/12/07).


>> "Our opinion about Kyoto has not changed" says US but China wins praise
Washington rejected stiff 2020 targets for greenhouse gas cuts by rich nations at U.N. talks in Bali on Monday as part of a "roadmap" to work out a new global pact to fight climate change by 2009. "It’s prejudging what the outcome should be," chief negotiator Harlan Watson said. He also said "Our opinion about Kyoto has not changed" (Reuters, 10/12/07).

However, U.S. emissions reductions may be cheaper than thought according to a new report from McKinsey & Co., a management consulting firm. The report found that US emissions could be lowered by up to 28% from 2005 levels [PDF, p.xii]

China, a booming economy known for its air pollution and rising greenhouse gas emissions, is winning praise at the same international climate conference for its efforts to clean up and support anti-global warming moves (AP, 7/12/07).


>> Aid workers lose count of Chad flash points
Chad Troubles: The European Union must speed up the deployment of a force on a U.N. mission to protect several hundred thousand refugees and the aid workers caring for them in eastern Chad, British aid agency Oxfam says. An EU force of up to 3,700 soldiers, around half of them French, is due to deploy soon to the border with Sudan's troubled Darfur region. But some EU countries have refused to make up a shortfall in vital resources, and the launch of the mission in the former French colony -- originally mooted for early this month -- has been delayed. U.N. news service IRIN reports that fighting is breaking out in so many parts of eastern Chad that aid workers can't even keep count. Meanwhile, six French workers for the activist group Zoe's Ark - detained in Chad on suspicion of trying to smuggle 103 children to Europe - will face four criminal charges, including attempting kidnapping and fraud (Alertnet, 10/12/07).

Chad "fighting has been so intense it is difficult to tell who is winning": Chad scorched by days of battles (BBC, 6/12/07).


>> Putin backs bear for President
Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed First Deputy PM Dmitry Medvedev as presidential candidate to replace him next year, Russian media report (BBC, 10/12/07). Medvedev, a 42-year-old former lawyer from St Petersburg, is seen as being more liberal and less hawkish towards the West than Sergei Ivanov, Russia’s other first deputy prime minister (Guardian, 10/12/07). Medved (медведь) is the Russian for bear. Expect puns if he is successfully put in office by Putin.

The UNDP 2007/2008 Human Development Report ranks Russia as having a high human development index (HDI). Nonetheless, its HDI rank (67) is nine places lower than its GDP rank. Because of Russia’s lower life expectancy (65 years), its HDI rank is similar to Albania’s, which has less than half Russia’s GDP per capita. Only South Africa and Botswana have a higher GDP and a lower HDI rank [PDF pp.229-232]. However, their HDI rankings are far lower: 121 and 124 respectively.

In the 2000 human development report, Russia’s GDP per capita was much lower, however it’s HDI rank was 62 and life expectancy at birth was 66.7 years [PDF, p.158]. 2000 was the year Putin became president.


>> Barroso criticises Brown rather than the African leaders who support Mugabe
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, ahead of this weekend’s EU-Africa summit. He is banned from the EU, but was let in after African leaders threatened to stay away if he was not invited.

UK PM Gordon Brown is boycotting the summit in protest. EU Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso has criticised the decision, saying that leaders sometimes have to meet people they disapprove of.

"If you are an international leader then you are going to have to be prepared to meet some people your mother would not like you to meet. That is what we have to do from time to time," he said. (BBC, 6/12/07). Related remarks by Barroso.[4’06"] (press conference, 6/12/07)

According to the Economist, the summit took place because it was Portugal’s big project for its presidency and because the EU is worried about increasing trade between Africa and China.

"If you’re a journalist,... This is the first EU-Africa Summit in seven years. Don’t waste your rare column inches and air time on a non-story about pointless political posturing" blogs Journalist Andrew Stroehlein of the International Crisis Group. He suggests following the lead of Zimbabwean Arnold Tsunga, Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights. Tsunga said Mugabe’s attendance was a diversion from the real issues the EU and Africa needed to address, particularly about Zimbabwe, but also right across Arica (5/12/07).

Comment: Barroso's basic point may be right - that you cannot boycott every country where there are problems with human rights - but does it follow that you cannot boycott any country? The plight of suffering Zimbabweans would be far and away more important than Mugabe’s fate if only the two could be separated - clearly, the EU (since it imposed a travel ban) and Brown believe that they cannot.

Mugabe is supported by sympathetic neighbours. His attendance, despite the EU travel ban and Brown’s boycott (threatened in advance), highlights that support. It also highlights the EU’s unwillingness to pressure those neighbours over Mugabe. That is a story... and one of many at the Summit.


>> Experts stunned by Down's Syndrome Art

An exhibition of acclaimed artwork from students with Down’s Syndrome has begun touring Europe (BBC video, 9/12/07). It will be in Poland in December and January.

The Mexican School of Down Art provides art education to adults with Down syndrome. The results of its program have stunned experts and art fans alike (CCTV.com article and video, 30/10/07). More than 90 percent of the foundation's students come from poor families.

Last Monday (3/12/07) was the International Day of Disabled Persons (UN Enable). Around 10 per cent of the world’s population, or 650 million people, live with a disability. They are the world’s largest minority. The World Bank estimates that 20 per cent of the world’s poorest people have some kind of disability, and tend to be regarded in their own communities as the most disadvantaged. Contact Thomas Shindlmay; +1 212 - 963 - 3203. Connect-World also recommends any of the speakers at this recent event in Dublin on disability and development. More on disability.

>> Bush wins popular vote in Venezuela
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said voting yes to a referendum on constitutional reform was a vote for him whereas a no vote would be “a vote for George W. Bush”. He lost. The Economist does not believe Bush swung the vote, it believes a student movement and growing apathy and disillusion may have. It calls the result "The beginning of the end for Hugo Chávez" (Economist, 6/12/07).

However, this article on the Socialist Workers Party Website questioned the scale of the student activism and praised police restraint towards "protestors, who were highly aggressive, confrontational and violent".

Latin America expert and author Andrés Oppenheimer explains why Chávez lost, what it means for the region, and where Venezuela—and the United States—ought to go from here (Foreign Policy website, December 2007).

GOP presidential hopefuls criticised Chavez Sunday. However, Texas lawmaker Ron Paul drew boos from the crowd when he said Chavez was the result of US foreign policy (10/12/07).


>> Vigilante women declare "war" on corrupt officials, caste discrimination and chauvinistic males
A group of vigilante women dressed in pink saris and armed with sticks and axes have declared "war" on corrupt officials, caste discrimination and chauvinistic males in India’s Uttar Pradesh. "Recently, the shrieking pink brigade stormed a police station after its officers arrested and maltreated a low-caste man, a common phenomenon in the district" (Irish Times, 5/12/07).


>> The Angolan Government must end abuses by army against Congolese migrants - MSF
The international humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) denounced Wednesday (5/12/07) the pervasive and systematic use of rape and violence perpetrated by the Angolan army during the expulsions of Congolese migrants working in diamond mines in the Angolan province of Lunda Norte. MSF has over 100 accounts from women who have been victims to the violence (English (10 translated), French (100)). Contact: Niamh Nic Cárthaigh on +353 85 106 9132 or niamh.niccarthaigh@dublin.msf.org.


>> Teacher in teddy bear row part of noble tradition of teaching others - Irish Supreme Muslim Council
The Irish Supreme Muslim Council said "the full criminal trial and now custodial sentence over the naming of a classroom toy is abominable and defies common sense... The only thing to come from this affair is for the name of Islam to be dragged through the mud yet again by bigots." The statement was signed by Sheikh (Prof) Shaheed Satardien. Ms Gibbons was subsequently pardoned and released (Guardian, 3/12/07).


>> Ten actual or potential conflict situations around the world deteriorated in November 2007
This is according to the new issue of CrisisWatch, released today (1/12/07). The countries are Bolivia, Cameroon, Chad, Georgia, Nigeria, North Caucausus (non-Chechnya), Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela. Improvements were seen in Israel/Occupied Territories, Iraq, and Sierra Leone. DR Congo is on Conflict Risk Alert.

---

>> Asia-Pacific must do more to tackle gay AIDS say group
Asia-Pacific countries are not doing enough to tackle a growing AIDS crisis among men who have sex with men, hampered by social stigma and discriminatory laws, according to the Asia-Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (launched in August). That stigma can range from lack of visibility to homophobic violence in places like Nepal (AlertNet, 30/11/07). Contact: Aditya Bondyoapdhyay at aditya@bamon.org or +91-9811170181.


>> Dáil approves Irish mission to Chad (RTE, 29/11/07)


>> Five+ Under-reported Stories
Domestic violence in the Russian Federation; sex slavery in India; self-immolation in Central Asian republics; gender-based violence and HIV; and ‘compensation’ marriages are five under-reported stories (27/11/07). They were compiled by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from 25 November through 10 December, Human Rights Day. 16 forms of gender-based violence.

In 2004, Ireland formed the Joint Consortium on Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The Consortium, which comprises 13 human rights, humanitarian and development agencies, as well as Irish Aid and the Defence Forces, came together “following reports of high instances of rape and abuse of women and children in the conflict in Darfur, Sudan.” Mary Robinson is an advisor the Consortium. See also the new report on Irish media coverage of international development.

2 more GBV stories: Ugandan justice system tacitly condones sexual violence against women and girls (Amnesty, 30/11/07). Saudi rape.


>> Chad fighting shatters ceasefire
Heavy fighting has broken out in eastern Chad between rebels and government forces two days after rebels announced a ceasefire had expired (BBC 26/11/07). Hundreds of rebels are claimed dead (RTE, 26/11/07)


>> Morning Ireland looks at life after Mugabe less than a week after the death of his predecessor, Ian Smith
Aoife Kavanagh reports from Zimbabwe where she speaks to people ahead of the scheduled elections next year (RTE, 26/11/07). Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai does not want Mugabe to die unexpectedly.

Ian Smith, prime minister of Rhodesia "for 15 turbulent years" (BBC obituary, 20/11/07) died on November 20, 2007. Roy Bennett, a leader of MDC in exile in South Africa, said Mr Smith "created an immense amount of suffering" but "those who replaced Smith happen to be worse and even more oppressive" (Irish Times, 22/11/07).

Mugabe’s tyrannical rule did not diminish that of Mr Smith, nor did it prove him right, according to the Economist (22/11/07), which described his Rhodesia as racist and "rather squalid." Ciaran Byrne remembers meeting Ian Smith in 2000 (Irish Independent, 24/11/07). Irish Times obituary (24/11/07). See also Irish Times, 21/11/07. Obituary in the Sunday Independent (25/11/07; ©Telegraph). [Why just these newspapers? A very quick search for obituaries on Ian Smith restricted to Irish domains yielded the IT and the Indo.]

More reports from Aoife Kavanagh in Zimbabwe: Mugabe’s divide and rule policy weakens rivals (Irish Times, 26/11/07) and Inside the ruined country (Irish Times, 24/11/07).


>> The second biggest killer of children was nearly omitted from the millennium development goals
Larry Elliott writes in the Guardian (26/11/07):

He makes comparisons with Victorian Britain and Dickens’ Bleak House. In the 1890s, an investment in sanitation "produced the biggest drop in infant mortality ever seen in Britain." An earlier investment was prompted less than three weeks after MPs got a whiff of the "Great Stench" of summer 1858.

Last Wednesday, the United Nations launched its year of sanitation to accelerate progress for 2.6 billion people without proper sanitation facilities. What Elliott describes as "insanitary conditions considered repugnant and intolerable by the Victorians" contribute to the deaths of 1.5 million children annually. However, Elliott writes:

More on water and sanitation


>> U.S aircraft join Bangladesh storm relief effort (Alertnet, 26/11/07)
Irish Aid will make up to €500,000 available to assist those affected by the devastating cyclone (Press release, 16/11/07)


>> ’Muhammad’ teddy teacher arrested
In Sudan, a British female teacher has been arrested over a teddy bear named after a vote by her schoolchildren (BBC, 26/11/07). The director of her school does not expect more than a fine but hopes she will be released and the case dismissed [Watch].


>> EU and ASEAN call for Myanmar democracy
The European Union and Southeast Asian leaders called on Thursday for enhanced economic cooperation and the release of political detainees in military-ruled Myanmar, but set no deadlines for either. The two blocs clashed over sanctions (Reuters, 22/11/07).

ASEAN’s failure over Myanmar is costing credibility and may jeopardise a planned trade deal with the United States (Economist, 22/11/07). "But after urging Myanmar to work with the UN to bring democracy, the summiteers backed down at once when (Myanmar’s Prime Minister) General Thein Sein objected to their plan for Ibrahim Gambari, the UN’s envoy to Myanmar, to brief them at the summit. The only leader to show some grit was President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines..."

(The Economist said the general was welcomed as "a family member" in Singapore. However, from an article in the Bangkok Post, it is not clear whether it was Burma or its leadership that was described in those terms. In any event, Thein Sein did not come under significant pressure from ASEAN members.)


>> UN concerned over Darfur/Chad mission.
A joint peacekeeping force planned for Darfur remains threatened by political deadlock and a shortage of equipment, the head of U.N. peacekeeping said Wednesday (21/11/07, Associated Press). Sudan has resisted critical contributions from Thailand, Nepal and Nordic countries, while U.N. member countries have failed to offer crucial equipment including 18 transport helicopters and six support light helicopters.

On Monday, Sean Whelan, RTE Europe Editor, reported that EU states have not pledged enough transport planes and helicopters to move troops for the EU Chad mission and keep them supplied (RTE, 19/11/07).

"Seldom has east Africa seen such turmoil" according to the Economist, which lists actual or threatened conflict in Eastern Congo, Sudan’s Darfur, Somalia, Chad, Ethiopia and Eritrea in its leader, ’Promises, promises’ (22/11/07). It suggests that Russia or India could help in Darfur with the "dire lack of helicopters; a prime cause of the peacekeeping failure to date." See also the companion piece, "The Doves of War", which includes a useful map of the major international peacekeeping missions in Africa.


>> Ireland scores high on gender equality, the Philippines scores higher but Saudi rape victim to receive 200 lashes
Four Nordic countries, Sweden (1), Norway (2), Finland (3) and Iceland (4) once again top the latest Gender Gap Index released this month by the World Economic Forum (press release). Ireland moved up one spot to ninth, while the Philippines held its sixth position. The EU dominated the top 15 places, including new members, Latvia (13) and Lithuania (14). With the exception of Israel (36), the highest rank in the Middle East and North Africa was Kuwait (96).

Other notable rankings: Sri Lanka (15), Croatia (16), South Africa (20), Cuba (22), Colombia (24), Lesotho (26), Costa Rica (28), Namibia (29), United States (31). At the lower end of the scale were China (73), Japan (91), India (114) and the bottom 10: Oman, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Benin, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Pakistan, Chad, and Yemen (119-128).

In separate news, authorities in Saudi Arabia have defended a judicial sentence of 200 lashes for a rape victim (BBC, 22/11/07). The Economist provides more details (22/11/07).



Saadia Zahidi head of the Women Leaders Programme at the World Economic Forum comments on the latest findings of the Global Gender Gap Report 2007 [watch].


>> Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai compares Zimbabwe to South Africa during apartheid
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday (AFP, 21/11/07) called for international support to help break the political stalemate between his party and President Robert Mugabe’s regime. "...Zimbabweans are seeking international solidarity, like South Africa during apartheid," Tsvangirai told reporters.


>> Irish troop deployment gets Cabinet approval
The Minister for Defence today (BreakingNews.ie, 20/11/07) secured Cabinet approval for the deployment of 400 Irish troops for the UN-mandated EU military operation in the Republic of Chad. Minister Willie O’Dea will now proceed to seek Dáil approval for the mission. "Our role is threefold: to help establish a safe and secure environment for refugees, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the refugees and to protect UN and humanitarian personnel," said Mr O’Dea (Irish Times, 20/11/07).


>> Army on alert to prevent British invasion: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe said Monday (AFP, 19/11/07) it had put its military on high alert against a possible British invasion. The statement came after the former head of the British armed forces, Lord Charles Guthrie, revealed in an interview (UK Independent on Sunday, 19/11/07) that the possibility of invading Zimbabwe had been discussed during Tony Blair’s premiership.

>> Africa's economic growth rate hits 5.4 percent over decade.
After years of stop-and-start results, many African economies appear to be growing at the fast and steady rates needed to put a dent on the region’s high poverty rate and attract global investment (World Bank; Press release, 14/11/07).


>> Annan-founded alliance for African agriculture names first president
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), set up by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan to aid African farmers, named Wednesday (AFP, 14/11/07) its first president, agricultural expert Amos Namanga Ngongi from Cameroon.


>> Pakistan: Bhutto ’to go ahead’ with march / Poverty matters / Georgia next
Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto (Profile) says she will go ahead with a march from Lahore to the capital, Islamabad, despite security risks (BBC, 12/11/07).

Musharraf’s declaration of emergency rule has left Pakistanis uneasy - but many are more worried where their next meal will come from, writes Zein Basravi in the New Statesman (09/11/07).

How well are Pakistan's poor doing under Musharraf? According to the UNDP, Pakistan's Human Development Index (HDI) rank of 134 trails its GDP per capita rank by 10 places. 38% of children under 5 are underweight. Out of 136 countries, it is fourth from bottom for gender equality, measured by the Gender Development Index relative to the HDI.

Pakistan's HDI has been steadily increasing since 1975. There appears to have been no deviation (up or down) from the trend when Musharraf took power in 1999. (The UNDP's 2007/2008 Human Development Report will be launched on Tuesday, November 27.)

Georgia is now also under a state of emergency after 6 days of opposition protests. Journalist Andrew Stroehlein wonders if the full moon is to blame.


>> Burma: Aung San Suu Kyi is "very optimistic" despite house arrest
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Friday (09/11/07) that she is "very optimistic" about the U.N.-promoted effort to start talks between the military government and pro-democracy forces, but appeared resigned to remaining under house arrest.

On Monday (12/11/07) UN Human Rights Rapporteur visited Insein Prison and the Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery, the scene of a bloody crackdown by security forces during the pro-democracy demonstrations (The Irrawaddy).


>> South Sudan Peace: Sudan could split
South Sudan could unilaterally split from the north because of a dispute over the oil-rich region of Abyei, the leader of the main Islamist opposition party Hassan al-Turabi warned on Sunday. Observers say the biggest obstacle to reconciliation is the unresolved status of Abyei which is near the disputed internal north-south border. Meanwhile, Sudan says it has charged 25 opposition politicians with crimes ranging from illegal possession of arms to organising terrorist groups. However, a lawyer for the defence says no charges have been formally pressed, rendering the politicians' imprisonment illegal. The politicians were seized at gunpoint four months ago and accused of attempting to overthrow the government (Alertnet, 12/11/07).


>> More pushers than users: technology in India and China / ICT in Africa
India and China have more to gain from the adoption of technology than from its invention according to Simon Cox in a special report in The Economist (08/11/07). Tsinghua University’s Mr von Zedtwitz believes that China’s optimism and curiosity about technology is an important asset that has diminished in Europe.

In 2004, according to the OECD, China passed America to become the world’s biggest exporter of information and communication technology (ICT) goods.

China also has 162 million internet users. Internet penetration in Africa, on the other hand, varies widely between countries (from 34% in the Seychelles to 0.03% in Liberia) but the continent has 44 million internet users, only 4.7% of the population.

However, ITU and Microsoft have launched an online platform to track ICT development ITU Global View, a virtual earth-based online platform to track and help accelerate the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) goals in Africa (07/11/07).


>> Irish Aid should help journalists in Africa
Ireland’s burgeoning foreign aid spend should include assisting independent journalism in poorly governed recipient countries, argues Michael Foley in the Irish Times (08/11/07)


>> Nigeria sues over child smokers
Nigeria’s government says it has begun legal action against three leading international cigarette companies, British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris and International Tobacco Ltd (BBC, 07/11/07).

In 2015, Tobacco is projected to kill 50% more people than HIV/AIDS, and to be responsible for 10% of all deaths globally [PDF].

The action by Nigeria is reminiscent of its ongoing action against Pfizer over an anti-meningitis drug treatment in 1996 (see news diary). The case had an unfortunate side effect in contributing to the paranoia in northern Nigeria over polio vaccinations (see next).


>> Analysis: The Vaccinations That Kill

The scientific consensus was wrong, there are accusations of a deliberate conspiracy. It's all exposed in a front-page story in the tradition of fearless publications by scientific "heretics" of their day, Copernicus, Galileo and Darwin.

Fringe theories on AIDS, MMR vaccines, climate change, creationism and even UFOs have been leant credibility by media coverage in South Africa, the UK and the US, for example. However, there are an infinite number of plausible but false theories. Is the media (as opposed to the scientific community) sufficiently competent to overturn scientific orthodoxies?

Nathan Geffen explores scientific 'controversies' in 'Encouraging Deadly Choices: AIDS Pseudo-science in the Media' [PDF]. According to Geffen, "Pseudo-scientists use the mainstream media to promote their views because they cannot successfully publish them in the scientific literature, where they have been evaluated and found to be nonsense."

He proposes to editors what he refers to as the consensus principle:

But can vaccinations kill? Polio is a paralysing disease that can cause death. Scientists warned in February 2000 (original article) that the eradication of polio would have to be done carefully since the vaccine would continue to cause a polio risk even after the apparent elimination of the disease.

In 2003, Rumours in Nigeria that the polio vaccine caused infertility were picked up by local and international media. Subsequently, one of Nigeria's most densely populated states boycotted the vaccine (BBC Radio 4 audio) (summary). The sad irony is that the failure to complete the immunisation programme in Nigeria led to an outbreak there of vaccine-derived polio. Worse, Polio has spread. This has led to 22 previously polio–free countries being re-infected. (Polio RSS feed.)


>> Niall Mellon plans house factory, calls for more cooperation with private sector
PHILANTHROPIST Niall Mellon has revealed plans to build the world’s first charity house factory which be believes can be used as a model to eradicated shanty-towns in developing countries (Examiner, 09/11/07).

Niall Mellon believes that Irish Aid should channel more of its increased budget though private sector projects Morning Ireland (07/11/07) .


>> Bidding for the press in South Africa
Johnnic Communications (Johncom) owns some of the newspapers most critical of President Thabo Mbeki. It is threatened with takeover by a company which includes several close allies of the president (Economist, 08/11/07). Both the company, Koni Media Holdings, and Mbeki have denied government involvement in the bid (Mail & Guardian, 5,12/11/07). The bid came on the heels of a 30% purchase of Johncom stock by business tycoon, ANC stalwart and presidential hopeful, Tokyo Sexwale.

Growth in sub-Saharan Africa should reach 6 percent in 2007 and 6¾ percent in 2008, both slightly lower than projected in the April Regional Economic Outlook but up from about 5½ percent in 2006. And inflation (excluding Zimbabwe) should average 7½ percent in 2007-with 32 out of 44 countries in single digits—and 6¾ percent in 2008. This would extend a period of very good performance. In recent years the region has seen its strongest growth and lowest inflation in more than three decades (IMF, 20/10/07). However, Zimbabwe's economy is likely to contract by a further 6 percent this year (Financial Gazette, 24/10/07).

>> "To lead, a great nation must command the respect of others" - Clinton
Senators and Presidential Candidates, Hillary Clinton and John McCain outline their foreign policy ideas in the November/December issue of Foreign Affairs.

Clinton wrote that the US should target: "...the growing ranks of democracies in Africa... for aid and other forms of support and work with them to strengthen regional institutions such as the African Union." However, she criticised the AU over Darfur and its failure "even to denounce the blatant political corruption and brutality of Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe."
She argued that US "interests in Africa are strategic, not just humanitarian." She also wrote that "The fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other dreaded diseases is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity." Other policies she mentioned included expanding access to primary education, providing clean water, reducing child and maternal mortality, enforcing labor standards, and promoting human rights - in particular, women's rights. She would also focus on global warming if elected President: "Far from being a drag on global growth, climate control represents a powerful economic opportunity that can be a driver of growth, jobs, and competitive advantage in the twenty-first century."


>> Air-freight food must pass fair trade test to retain organic label in future
Food air-freighted to Britain from developing countries will only bear an organic label in future if it can be shown that it was produced to fair trade standards as well as high environmental standards, the Soil Association said yesterday (The Guardian, 25/10/07). Soil association press release.


>> Cristina Fernández "The Penguin" de Kirchner wins
ARGENTINA’S president, Néstor Kirchner, coyly said in June 2006 that his Peronist party’ s candidate in this year’s presidential election would be a “pingüino o pingüina”—either a male or a female penguin... (Economist.com 29/10/07).


>> Who needs the mainstream media?

For nonprofit organisations sick of trying - and failing - to get their message across through conventional media channels, video websites like YouTube may have the answer. The online video giant, owned by Google, is creating a special section for charities to put up their offerings, and will link them to an online payment system so they can receive funds directly. And from December video camera maker Pure Digital plans to give away a million cameras to nonprofits that can shed light on parts of the world the traditional media doesn't reach. "Video has power and media has power but the challenge is that the media is limited to telling stories that are controlled by a very small number of people," said Pure Digital chief executive Jonathan Kaplan. (Alertnet)

Witness is one organisation that "uses video and online technologies to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations."

However, "the democratized media" has not been without its critics. Andrew Keen calls it "The Cult of the Amateur"

>> India fails its poor
India is the world’s second fastest growing economy after China, however, it has not yet eradicated hunger among a large proportion of its population of more than 1.2 billion, according to an (excellently researched) article in the Irish Times (16/10/07). The article cites this report, which states that "At the end of 2004-05, about 836 million or 77 per cent of the population were living below 20 rupees (approx. $0.5 or €0.35) per day. That was an increase on the figure of 811 million in 1999-00. The article also cites the IFPRI Global Hunder Index 2007 report, co-authored by Concern Worldwide and German Agro-Action. According to the report [PDF] (p.44), 40 per cent of the world’s underweight children aged under five are in India, while more than half of all babies with low birth weight continue to be born in south Asia. India's Human Development Index.


>> How Slim got Huge
The world’s richest man, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and his incredible fortune is more than a story of one man’s rise to riches. He is one of a growing list of tycoons from countries like China, India, and Russia who represent a new wave of wealth, power, and influence. Many are skilled businesspeople. But, in these fast-developing economies, being able to seize a political opportunity may count for a lot more (Foreign Policy Magazine, November/December 2007). Related story: The Billionaire Next Door.


>> “We didn’t realise that ordinary people could ask politicians questions like this…”
Woman, 28, Sadar Khana, Bangladesh commenting on the BBC World Service Trust’s 'Question Time' TV programme, Bangladesh Sanglap. Audiences peak up to 7 million weekly on TV and radio and there are now numerous ‘copycat programmes’ on Bangladeshi TV. The BBC World Service Trust’s 2006-2007 annual review [PDF] highlights the positive role of the media in the developing world. Innovative TV dramas – based on EastEnders and ER and Question Time style debates have raised awareness of health and social issues and allowed people to hold their leaders to account.


>> "Forget tomatoes"
Kenyan Mildred Ngesa discovers "amidst thousands of prospering Kenyans where the economy is said to have recorded a growth of 6.5 per cent annually," what it is like for those living on less than $1 a day.


>> China breaks FDI record for South Africa
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world’ s largest bank by market value, posted big gains in Shanghai trading yesterday after it bid for 20% of South Africa's Standard Bank Group last week (Business Day, 30/10/07). This was the biggest foreign direct investment yet in South Africa (Business Day, 26/10/07)


>> Funding two sides in the war on drugs
A plan has been agreed under which the United States will provide Mexico with $1.4 billion in aid over the next three years to fight drug traffickers. However, the American Justice Department’s National Drug Intelligence Centre reckons that each year between $8 billion and $23 billion in illegal drug proceeds flow south, much of it to the gangs in Mexico (The Economist, 25/10/07). More views on The War over the War on Drugs, from Foreign Policy Magazine.


>> "The situation in Afghanistan is NATO’s to lose rather than the Taliban’s to win"
Watch John Simpson talking to the frontline club. The BBC is not "Broken, Beaten or Cowed", according to Simpson


>> "Thanks for keeping this story alive" / Endemic bravery in Burma / More gas please says Thailand
European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday Oct 15th to strengthen sanctions on military-ruled Myanmar in response to its bloody crackdown on protests last month. In an opinion piece in the International Herald Tribune, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and British counterpart David Miliband said incentives were needed too (15/10/07). EU External Relations Commission Benita Ferrero-Walder said U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambarai "is the only one who has a chance for leverage at the moment," she said. "I think he should have sticks and carrots in order to be able to work."

U.S. President George W. Bush also recently announced tougher sanctions on Burma’s brutal military government, hoping to pressure the ruling junta to stand aside. Foreign Policy Magazine (Oct 07) takes a closer look at Burma’s major exports and suggests why this strategy is likely to fail.

According to the Economist, it is not China but Thailand that is Myanmar’s biggest export market and is proceeding with contracts to buy more natural gas from the military regime. India has also been "successfully bought off" (11/10/07). The Boston Globe accuses it of "shameful collaboration" (15/10/07).

Comment: Kouchner and Miliband seem willing to put (at least moral) pressure on Burma's Asian neighbours (and not only back Gambarai). They said in their opinion piece: "It is clear that for Asean in particular turning a blind eye to such a repressive government would damage its credibility." Is the EU willing to ratchet up the pressure on Burma's willing export markets?

"Fear is endemic in Burma, but then so too is bravery" ...according to BBC News website’s Kate McGeown, who has just returned from visiting Burma’s main city, Rangoon. The Military are trying to blame the BBC, RFA and VOA, describing them as "killers in the air waves", "sabateurs" and "airing skyful of lies" (BBC, 08/10/07)

The headline quote above was in reference to Burma, and was made by Charles Petrie, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Rangoon talking to Morning Ireland (12/10/07)

New section on Burma... on the Connect-World website.


>> Bishop for Darfur region visits Ireland / Rebel talks / Chad report
Splintered Darfur rebels search for common ground JUBA, Sudan, (Reuters, 15/10/07) - Representatives of seven Darfur rebel groups met in south Sudan on Monday to try to reach a common negotiating position ahead of peace talks with the government.

Bishop Macram Gassis of the Diocese of El Obeid in Sudan, which includes the whole of Darfur, will visit Ireland from October 19th to 26th. Bishop Gassis has been invited to Ireland by the The Irish Missionary Union (IMU) to heighten our awareness of the great suffering endured for so many years by the people of Sudan and especially today, by those living in Darfur. Bishop Gassis appeals to the various Irish missionary organizations to send more personnel to help with the reconstruction of Sudan.

Bishop Gassis is the only member of the Sudanese hierarchy who is of Sudanese Arab extraction. His itinery includes events in Dublin and Cork and coincides with Mission Sunday on October 21st. On Wed. Oct. 24th at 10 a.m. he has a Press Conference at the IMU Offices, Mt. Argus. Contact: Fr. Eamon Aylward, ss.cc, St. Paul’s, Mt. Argus, Lower Kimmage Road, Dublin 6W; Tel: 4923325/6. executive@imu.ie

In Worlds Apart “Darfur: A Desert Genocide”, Rodney Rice reports from Chad on the life and death of people from Sudan’s Darfur province, victims to Arab militias who do not share their culture. Refugees tell Rodney their stories and their hopes for peace talks which are due to start in 2 weeks time (skip to 4:30 into recording). One refugee says of the International community:"We want them to do not say".


>> 1.3 billion wasted? China may not be making the best use of its population
With its huge population, you might think that China would concentrate on labour-intensive services, rather than capital-intensive manufacturing. Not so. Distortions in Chinese taxes and regulations are biased towards manufacturing according to Louis Kuijs, an economist at the World Bank’s Beijing office. He believes China should initiate reforms so as to shift towards labour-intensive services.

More labour-intensive growth would boost household income and consumption as a share of GDP and so help to reduce the trade surplus. But, perhaps more importantly, by allowing workers to enjoy more of the rewards of rapid growth it could also help to prevent future social unrest, and it would reduce pollution as the economy became less dependent on energy-guzzling industries (