US calls for comprehensive reform of IMF

By Andreas Sandre von Warburg

The United States is stepping up its call for a comprehensive reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to better support global growth and respond to global economic challenges.

Climate change is killing us, it’s time for a body count

Source: Guardian Unlimited | by Simon Lewis*

April last year a group of environmentalists shut down E.ON’s coalfired power station in Ratcliffe-on-Soar. The goal: to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and, in their words, “save lives”. Yesterday judge Morris Cooper presented a 20-page judgment accepting there was an “urgent need for drastic action”, but convicted them of aggravated trespass, saying their defence, that their crime was necessary to save lives, could not be substantiated.

Book review: Chasing the flame, Sergio Vieira de Mello and the fight to save the world

Source: Scoop New Zealand | by Andreas Sandre von Warburg

The United Nations is often criticized for being a complex and inefficient machinery, too bureaucratic, inadequate and unfocused. Its Secretariat and staff have been a too-easy target for the UN many detractors, especially after the Oil-for-Food scandal hit the news. Yet, it has the strength to empower the less fortunate and foster great heroes.

U.N. launch new global climate change initiative

By Andreas Sandre von Warburg

The United Nations, four countries, four cities and five corporations have become the pioneering founders of the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), a bold new initiative to address climate change and the urgent need to de-carbonize the global economy.

Climate change threatens human rights of millions

Source: Reuters | by Laura MacInnis

Climate change threatens the human rights of millions of people who are at risk of losing access to housing, food and clean water unless governments intervene early to counter its effects, experts said on Tuesday. At a conference on climate change and migration, United Nations officials said rising sea levels and intense storms, droughts and floods could force scores of people from their homes and off their lands — some permanently.

U.S. and E.U. recognize independent Kosovo

Source: Reuters | By Douglas Hamilton

Europe’s major powers and the United States said on Monday they were recognizing Kosovo, a day after it seceded from Serbia. Paris was first to announce the move after a European Union foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. London, Berlin and Rome followed.

Kosovo: world first reactions to declaration of independence

By Andreas Sandre von Warburg

While Russia has backed its ally Serbia in condemning Kosovo’s declaration of independence, the West largely supports the demand of Kosovo’s 2 million ethnic Albanians for their own state, nine years after NATO went to war to protect them from Serbian forces. The United States and most EU members are expected to quickly recognize Kosovo. Here are the first reactions…

Kosovo: scenarios after independence

Source: Reuters

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on Sunday, ending a long chapter in the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia but cementing a bitter ethnic frontline in the Balkans. Western powers back moves by Kosovo’s 2 million ethnic Albanians for their own state, nine years after NATO went to war to save them from Serbian forces. Serbia and Russia are opposed.