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Saturday, November 7, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
POLITICS: Rich vs Poor in Power Struggle, Says Top UN Official
A new North-South divide between rich and poor nations - over budgetary control and management reforms - may be heading for a political showdown at the United Nations.POLITICS: Oil Boom Threatens to Trigger Arms Spree
The unprecedented rise in oil prices - from an average of 22 to 28 dollars per barrel in early 2005 to over 70 dollars last week - is expected to trigger an increase in arms purchases by some of the world's leading oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Venezuela, Iran, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).HEALTH: Seeking Answers in the Failed Response to AIDS
The AIDS epidemic, described by the United Nations as the "most destructive in human history" and accounting for more than 25 million deaths so far, is still a growing threat to global progress and stability.POLITICS: U.N.’s Second in Command to Quit Along With Boss
With seven months before a new secretary-general takes office, the 191-member United Nations remains sharply divided over several politically-contentious issues: a disputed slate of potential candidates for the job, regional geographic rotation as a criterion for selection, and even a proposed change in the routine procedure for the election of the next U.N. chief to succeed incumbent Kofi Annan.POLITICS: Africa Asserts its Collective Power at U.N.
The 53-member African Group at the United Nations - the second largest regional coalition after the 54-member Asian Group - is asserting its collective unity in a world body that is getting increasingly divided over politically-sensitive issues.POLITICS: South Seeks Authority to Decide on Next U.N. Chief
The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - have traditionally exercised, or threatened to exercise, their veto powers to assert their authority in ultimately deciding who should be the secretary-general of the United Nations, come election time.RIGHTS: The Scariest Predators in the Corporate Jungle
The world's oil, gas and mining industries account for nearly two-thirds of all violations of human rights, environmental laws and international labour standards, according to a soon-to-be-released United Nations study.MEDIA: Ten Stories That Desperately Need to Be Told
Every year, the U.N.'s Department of Public Information unveils its list of the world's 10 most under-reported stories, implying that politics, murder and sex scandals still take precedence over poverty, peace-building or economic development.MEDIA: Ten Stories That Desperately Need to Be Told
Every year, the U.N.'s Department of Public Information (DPI) unveils its list of the world's 10 most under-reported stories, implying that politics, murder and sex scandals still take precedence over poverty, peace-building or economic development.POLITICS: U.N. Staffers Subject to New Ethical Guidelines
The U.N. Secretariat, which faces ongoing charges of mismanagement and corruption, will provide advice and guidance to staff members on ethics and public morality.POLITICS: U.N. Defies West in Vote for Human Rights Council
The 191-member General Assembly, the collective voice of the international community at the United Nations, brushed aside both U.S. and Western criticisms to elect China, Russia and Cuba to the newly-created Human Rights Council.DEVELOPMENT: Big Business in Reform School, But Is It Sticking?
The United Nations, which has been trying to keep track of corporate social behaviour, is trumpeting some of the limited success stories in countries such as Canada, Britain, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, France and the Netherlands.WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: UN Chief Asks Media to Shun “Terrorists”
The United Nations is willing to convene an international conference to formulate ethical guidelines for journalists covering one of the most politically sensitive issues in the world body: terrorism.POLITICS: Asians Remain Divided over Top U.N. Job
With growing new support for an Asian as the next secretary-general of the United Nations, there is a possibility of new candidates joining the race - perhaps from India, Indonesia, East Timor and maybe even Japan.RIGHTS: U.N. Talks But Won’t Act on Genocide, Say Activists
The 15-member U.N. Security Council, which has shown a reluctance to penalise those accused of war crimes in conflict-ridden Darfur in Sudan, unanimously adopted a resolution Friday to protect civilians in armed conflicts.POLITICS: U.N. Chief Forced to Dilute Reform Proposals
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's wide-ranging plans for a radical restructuring of the United Nations received a political setback when he was forced to withdraw two of his proposals aimed at reducing the powers of the U.N.'s influential 191-member administrative and budgetary committee and shifting decision-making to a smaller group of select countries.RIGHTS: Despite U.N. Force, Child Soldiers Multiply in Congo
The United Nations, which is fielding over 19,800 peacekeeping troops in war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is virtually fighting a losing battle to contain the ongoing recruitment of child soldiers in a country the size of Western Europe.POLITICS: UN Reform Plan Hits G77 Roadblock
The Group of 77 - with 132 members the largest single coalition of developing nations - has rejected a move to enhance the administrative powers of the United Nations secretary-general, including his ability to make financial and budgetary commitments without the approval of the General Assembly.ENVIRONMENT: The Pros and Cons of Rising Oil Prices
As oil prices reached a record high of 68 dollars a barrel last week - compared with the oil producers' targeted range of 22 to 28 dollars back in January 2005 - the United Nations remains hopeful there will be increasing demand for conservation and alternative sources for energy.POLITICS: Search for New U.N. Chief Under Scrutiny
When Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden was elected the second secretary-general of the United Nations on an ominous first day of April in 1953, he was neither a declared candidate nor did he lobby for the then-coveted job.POLITICS: U.N. Worried About Escalating Mideast Violence
As violence in the occupied territories continued to escalate last week, the Palestinians and Israelis traded accusations during an open debate at the Security Council, where an overwhelming majority of the 191 U.N. member states pointed a finger at Israel for the worsening security and humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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