19 May 2000 : news summary:

Natural Disasters, Hazards and Emergencies

‘Climate change signals ‘at red", G, 12/5/00
~ The UK Round Table on Sustainable Development have reported that governments urgently need to do more to prevent environmental disasters.

‘Floods in Somalia‘, T, 13/5/00
~ Heavy rains cause flooding in Somalia after long droughts.

‘West’s pollution blamed for world disasters‘, G, 15/5/00
~ Christian Aid claim natural disasters can no longer be termed ‘natural’ as it blames the pollution from Western nations for sentencing poorer countries to "an increasing number of … humanitarian catastrophes".
Also: ‘Unnatural Disasters: Climate change and developing countries‘, Christian
Aid, May 2000 ~ Christian Aid have published a new position paper focusing on climate change, "potentially one of the most serious development challenges" facing the world today. A briefing paper is also available looking at the potential impact climatic changes will have on developing countries.

Security/Conflicts

Various, 12-18/5/00
~ Mugabe consents to land commission as fears grow of copycat farm invasions in Kenya and S. Africa; Whites stripped of Zimbabwean citizenship; ANC delegation attempts to secure safe and fair elections..
Also: ‘Namibia to buy white farmers’ land for poor blacks‘, T, 17/5/00
~ Namibia to compensate white farmers for redistribution of land.

Various, 12-18/5/00
~ Follows the continuing involvement of British troops in Sierra Leone.
Also: ‘Hopeless Africa‘, The Economist, 13-19May 2000, p17
~ Discusses the UN Security Council’s dilemma over Sierra Leone as it stands as ‘symbol for Africa
Also: ‘Sierra Leone’s agony‘, The Economist, 13-19 May 2000, p71
~ How, and by whom, can this African nation be saved?

Various, 13-18/5/00
~ Violence resumes between Ethiopia and Eritrea after failed peace talks; UN to halt arms sales.
Also: ‘UN seeks end to bloody conflict…‘, STel, 14/5/00
~ The UN Security Council is demanding that Ethiopia and Eritrea return to their earlier peace talks with the Organisation of African Unity.

Various, 12-18/5/00
~ Reports of the Tamil Tigers advances on Jaffna as Sri Lanka defends its ‘cultural capital’.
Also: ‘Tamil Tigers close in‘, The Economist, 13-19 May 2000, p75

‘The lost continent‘, INDoS, 14/5/00
~ Looks at why Africa’s nations are so troubled.
Also: ‘Africa: The heart of the matter‘, The Economist, 13-19 May 2000, pp23-5
~ Why is Africa so susceptible to problems? With the spread of multi-party democracy hopes were high but its leaders are a product of Africa’s history and society.

‘Burma has most child soldiers‘, FT, 15/5/00
~ Burma’s child soldier record causes problem for ILO visit.

Human Rights

‘Greenpeace protests around the world to free four activists‘, Greenpeace News Release, 15/5/00
~ Greenpeace protest to free activists detained in Japan without charge.

Corruption

‘Making a bad cop good‘, The Economist, 13-19 May 2000, p72
~ Lawlessness and corruption among the Nigerian police force is rife and badly in need of reform.

Others

Various, 12/5/00
~ India’s population hits the one billion mark with the birth of a girl and its population is projected to exceed that of China.
Also: ‘A population of one billion…‘, INDoS, 14/5/00
~ Report on India and China’s growing population.

‘Into Africa‘, G(S), 17/5/00
~ How an English village has helped the medical work of nuns in Uganda.

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