Jolie Jewelry Line to Fund Afghan Girls Schools
Angelina Jolie has opened another girls school in Afghanistan and plans to fund more from the proceeds of a jewelry line going on sale this week that she helped to design.
united nations
Record Drought May Be a Good Time to Stop Using Corn for Fuel
Newsflash: The United Nations and The Wall Street Journal just agreed on something: With this summer's brutal drought, America needs to stop using so much corn to produce ethanol for fuel, and start using it in the food chain.
A Growing Role for Tourism in Sustainable Development
In a somewhat surprising report, The U.N. Environment Programme says one of the most promising green industries -- at least when it comes to creating economic growth, reducing poverty, fueling job creation and addressing major environmental challenges -- turns out to be tourism.
Global Food Prices Highest in 20 Years
Global food prices are the highest in more than 20 years as rising oil prices stemming from civil unrest in the Middle East have caused the cost of items like cereal, dairy products and meat to increase, a United Nations agency said in a report released Thursday.
Wheat Prices Spike After UN Warns of China Drought
Wheat prices reached their highest prices in more than two years after a United Nations agency warned that China may face a wheat-supply shortage because of a recent drought, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The BP Oil Spill's Long-Term Threat to Bluefin Tuna
The Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico may have unleashed a chain of events that could extend economically far beyond the region, threatening one of the world's most lucrative fishing species -- the bluefin tuna. The main culprit: the dispersants used to dissolve the oil.
Climate Change: Smart Businesses Are Preparing Now
From flooding in Pakistan to wildfires in Russia, something seems to be going on. Climate change? A growing number of businesses aren't waiting around to find out for sure. Instead, they're making pragmatic plans to get ready just in case.
Carbon Credit Scam? U.N. Board Investigates Dubious Greenhouse-Gas Offsets
Carbon offsets are meant to reward companies for cutting their emission of greenhouse gases. But environmentalists claim that some companies are producing extra emissions in order to get paid for destroying it. A U.N. board has halted credits for the projects in question while it investigates.
Six Months Later, Haiti Foresees a Long Road to Recovery
How long will it take Haiti to make even a modest recovery from the devastating earthquake that killed 330,000 people six months ago? At least 20 years, according to the Action Plan released by the impoverished island nation's government.
Mini Marshall Plan Is Needed for a True Resurrection of Haiti
After the rescue stage is completed, Haiti will need a Marshall Plan like one implemented in Europe, post-World War II. But this time, there will need to be a large corporate presence to help make the island nation a land of opportunity and hope.
