Most Clicked UN Wire Stories
1. Qaddafi seeks to convert Italian women to Islam
UN Wire | Nov 17, 2009
Some 200 women who answered a modeling agency advertisement were taken to a villa in Rome, where Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi offered each a Koran and made an appeal for them to convert to Islam. The women were each paid $75 to attend. New York Times, The (11/16)
2. Obama discusses Internet freedoms in China
UN Wire | Nov 16, 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama gently touched on the subject of censorship and human rights during a town-hall meeting with students in Shanghai. Obama described the Internet and the transparency it enables as a source of strength for democracy. Though the event was staged, it offered greater freedom and spontaneity than similar events featuring Chinese leaders typically do. Obama has tried to present a softer U.S. during his Asia tour, bowing to Japanese Emperor Akihito and blunting his criticism of China's repressive regime. New York Times, The (11/16) Chicago Tribune (11/16) Washington Post, The (11/16)
3. Report: Corruption on the rise worldwide
UN Wire | Nov 18, 2009
Iraq and Afghanistan, whose recently established democratic governments have the close support of the U.S. government, are among the most corrupt nations on the planet, according to a report by Transparency International. The index of public-sector corruption in 180 nations lists the U.S. as the 19th-least corrupt government, a prize that offers little consolation to supporters looking at the significant cost associated with bolstering the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. The report found corruption has blossomed worldwide as government efforts to fight the financial crisis have slackened. Bloomberg (11/17) Los Angeles Times (11/18)
4. U.S. to engage ICC but will not join
UN Wire | Nov 17, 2009
Washington Post, The (11/17)
5. EU rejects Palestinian bid for statehood
UN Wire | Nov 17, 2009
The European Union rejected a bid by the Palestinian Authority to unilaterally create an independent Palestinian state without Israel's consent. Israel threatened to cancel all past agreements with the Palestinians if the bid was accepted by the UN Security Council. CBC.ca (Canada) (11/17)
6. Bribes an aspect of daily life in Afghanistan
UN Wire | Nov 18, 2009
In one of the most brazen examples of corruption yet to stem from Afghanistan's government, the nation's mining minister stands accused of accepting a $30 million bribe to award the country's top development contract to a Chinese mining firm. The news the $2.9 billion contract to mine Afghanistan's vast Aynak copper deposit -- considered one of the largest untapped mineral resources in the world -- has further diminished confidence in Afghan President Hamid Karzai's ability to root out graft. Graft presents a pervasive problem in Afghanistan, where opium pays for massive mansions, and most official interactions result in bribes. Los Angeles Times (11/18) Washington Post, The (11/18)
7. Anti-corruption measures for Afghan government, among other changes
UN Wire | Nov 17, 2009
The Afghan government pledged to combat corruption Monday, announcing legislation to create a major-crime task force and an anti-corruption unit. The announcement is seen as a response to criticism from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown. U.K. Foreign Minister David Miliband said further changes are on the horizon, noting the country might someday see senior Taliban commanders as members of the government. Los Angeles Times (11/17) CBC.ca (Canada) (11/17)
8. Scientists: Jellyfish swarm as planet warms
UN Wire | Nov 16, 2009
Jellyfish have thrived because of global warming, with scientists attributing a population boom and a wide range of territory to warming oceans. Fishermen have noted a severe uptick in jellyfish, which can ruin fish catches, as well as sting beach goers. Philly.com (Philadelphia) (11/16)
9. African immigrants find welcome in Latin America
UN Wire | Nov 16, 2009
The number of Africans seeking asylum in Latin American countries has increased as would-be immigrants discover governments in the region to be more welcoming than those in Europe. Africans account for 65% of all asylum seekers in Brazil, according to the Brazil's national committee for refugees. Yahoo! (11/15)
10. UN considers changes to DRC mission
UN Wire | Nov 16, 2009
The United Nations is mapping an exit strategy for its peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in response to pressure from President Joseph Kabila, according to UN officials and diplomats. The DRC mission is the UN's largest peacekeeping operation. Plans under discussion reportedly would see the mission shift toward civilian experts to aid in reconstruction, education of security forces and fighting corruption. AlertNet.org (11/15)
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