Middle East & Africa
Expectations for Annan replacement
It has been reported that Kofi Annan’s replacement as the UN-Arab League envoy for Syria will be Algerian Lakhdar Brahimi. Kofi Annan stepped down from the post last week because he said his position was severely compromised for “disunity” in the Security Council and a lack of compliance by the al-Assad regime. Confirmation of these reports, largely from diplomats, could come about as soon as next week. Mr Brahimi is a veteran of diplomatic posts, working as a senior Arab league envoy he played a crucial role in ending the Lebanese civil war, has worked in similar roles across Haiti, South Africa and was twice appointed the UNs’ top position in Afghanistan.
Asia
Indian minister advocates “a little” corruption
An Indian minister, Shicpal Yadav, of Utter Pradesh has reportedly told public officials that they could “steal a little”, but should not be “robbing” public funds. The Minister for Public Works said that he is against corruption and that the media had taken what was told out of context. He said, “As long as you work hard and get things done, you can steal a little. But this should not translate into robbery.” India had concerns over corruption when it dropped eight places in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. The index, based on perceptions taken from a series of questionnaires carried out in the country, currently rates India as 93rd in the world.
Kidney for iPad trial begins in China
A trial has begun in China where five people are charged with illegal organ trading and intentional injury, after a seventeen-year-old student sold them his kidney in order to afford an iPad. The Kidney, which received around $35, 000 was bought off the student for $3000. The five standing accused, including the surgeon who carried out the operation, potentially face up to ten years in prison. The student, who nearly died after renal failure, was too ill to attend the hearing.
Nepal bans women citizens going to Middle East
Nepalese women under the age of 30 are banned from going to work in the Middle East after grave concerns over their welfare. Embassies in the region say they have had a growing number of women seeking refuge after sexual and domestic abuses. Eighteen months ago the Nepalese government removed a 12-year ban on women working in Gulf countries. The move was largely instigated when a young woman committed suicide after abuse in Kuwait provoked strong reactions throughout Nepal. It is estimated that 200, 000 Nepalese women work in the Middle East unofficially.
Latin America
Brazil shakes up university education
The Senate of Brazil has given passage to a bill that will bind federal universities into giving half their places to state school students. It is expected to become law following Presidential assent. However, despite officials saying that it benefits the majority of Brazilians, with 90% going to state schools, it has been criticised for setting up racially profiled quotas. The ethnic demographic of states will determine such quotas, which will be discontinued after ten years. The bill aims to balance racial inequality in a country that has the second largest black population in the world, with private schools vastly populated by white pupils.
Europe
Barclays appoint new chairman
The British Bank Barclays has instated governance expert and City grandee David Walker as its chairman. The post opened last month when previous Chairman Agius and chief executive Diamond resigned over the libor rate rigging scandal. The bank’s reputation was tarnished after a $453 million fine for manipulating the interbank lending rate. The scandal provoked questions between banks and regulators, with the Financial Services Authority frequently saying banks are being too aggressive. Mr walker said in a statement that “The UK needs a strong financial services sector and Barclays has a crucial role to play in ensuring that this country has a successful well-governed banking industry”.
About the Author
