News Rounds: UN to feed 1.5 million Syrians over next six months, Donald Trump’s latest idiocy is a charity drive, Pakistani girls stand up for Malala and more |
U.N. expects to feed 1.5 million Syrians monthly till mid-2013 (Reuters) — The World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday it plans to continue providing food for 1.5 million people in Syria until at least June next year, a sign it expects hunger to persist in a protracted civil war.
Trump’s new charity drive (CNN) – In a much-hyped announcement, real estate mogul and reality television star Donald Trump pulled yet another flashy move on Wednesday offering a monetary incentive in exchange for private information from President Barack Obama’s past.
In Swat, a girls’ school gripped by fear (Guardian) – Under a portrait of Sir Isaac Newton, the ninth-grade girls clasped their chemistry texts, smoothed their white headscarves and movingly voiced support for the cause of their classmate, Malala Yousafzai, shot in the head by the Taliban because she advocated a girl’s right to attend school.
The Whiff of Conflict Grows in a Divided Mali (NYTimes) – A military strike to recapture Mali’s Islamist-held north is growing more likely, according to Western powers, regional bodies and the United Nations — a pronounced shift after months of hesitation and hopes that negotiations might end what is now seen as a far-reaching jihadist threat.
Overlooking climate threats could wreck Asia’s economy, top economist warns (AlertNet) – With two-thirds of the world’s population and some of its fastest growing economies, Asia-Pacific should be “the centre of gravity in the world economy throughout this century” – but climate change could wreck this potential, leading U.S. economist and sustainable development expert Jeffrey Sachs says.
Committee advises halt to Indian Bt crop trials (SciDev) – A technical expert committee, appointed by the Supreme Court of India to advise upon open field trials for genetically modified (GM) crops, has recommended a ten-year moratorium on all Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) food crop trials.
Oxfam raises concern about finance scheme for malaria drugs (BBC) — The humanitarian advocacy group Oxfam has cast doubt on an international scheme that aims to boost the provision of the most effective treatment for malaria.