Archives: Morning Breakouts

In this Financial Times opinion piece, journalist Andrew Jack examines how, "[a]fter a period of fast expansion, and strong progress in tackling AIDS, [tuberculosis (TB)] and malaria alike," the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria "has become a target in the era of austerity. With a shift in power between the world's traditional and emerging economies, and donors seeking ways to cut support, billions of dollars and millions of lives are at stake." Jack recaps a brief history of the Fund in the 10 years since its inception; highlights a number of ways in which the Fund has been distinctive from other organizations; and notes several issues that have led to calls for reform within the Fund.

"Children's well-being has improved dramatically thanks to increased global political will and efficient supportive programs and policies, according to a report released [Wednesday] by [UNICEF] and Save the Children U.K., but it also warns that benefits need to reach the most disadvantaged children for gains to be sustainable," the U.N. News Centre reports, adding, "Among the most prominent accomplishments highlighted by the report is the significant decline in child mortality rates." According to the news service, "The authors of the report cite a number of factors for these advancements, but place particular emphasis on the high-level commitment and supportive government policies that have placed children's well-being as a priority" (11/23).

"United Nations aid agencies said Friday more than five million Pakistanis are in need of humanitarian assistance following the floods earlier this year," with nearly half of those being children, the VOA "Breaking News" blog reports (11/26). "UNICEF spokesperson Marixie Mercado said the most urgent risks to children are those related to safe water and malnutrition, with malnutrition rates in the affected areas already found to be high before the floods began," according to the U.N. News Centre (11/25).

"A United Nations assessment published [Friday] finds that the main annual harvest in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has improved compared to last year but serious nutrition concerns persist, especially among young children," the U.N. News Centre reports. "The joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that while harvests are expected to increase by about 8.5 percent over 2010, the country will still have a cereal import requirement of 739,000 tons," the news service writes (11/25). According to the Associated Press/Washington Post, "The report says nearly three million people will continue to require food assistance next year. U.N. officials have appealed to wealthy countries to put aside politics to help hungry North Koreans" (11/25).

Nine African countries -- Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe

McKesson, which has been the sole medicine supplier for veterans' hospitals and mail-order pharmacies since 2004, is now competing against Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corp.