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March 7, 2008

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An 8-year-old Brazilian who passed a law school entrance exam has been blocked from enrolling becasuse they think he should finish elementary school first.

Top Stories

>>Jerusalem - At least one gunman entered the Merkaz Harav seminary in Jerusalem on Thursday and fired 500 to 600 bullets, killing eight and endangering a fragile lull in the violence and the possibility of the resumption of peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Israel has said that it will not break off talks.

>>Weapons - Russian arms dealer Viktor "Merchant of Death" Bout, said to be the inspiration for the protagonist in Lord of War was arrested in a Bangkok hotel room on Thursday by D.E.A. agents posing as FARC rebels attempting by buy millions in arms. He was promptly charged with conspiracy in the U.S.

>>United Nations - Two top jobs at the UN just opened up as Jean-Marie Guehenno, the Undersecretary General for Peackeeping, and Louis Arbour, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, have decided to leave their posts. Guehenno oversaw UN peacekeeping over an 8-year period, during which time the number of peacekeeping missions and peacekeepers skyrocketed at the request of the UN Security Council.

Yesterday in UN Dispatch

Scorched Earth in Darfur - by John Boonstra
NHCR Releases Guide Addressing Women's Protection and Empowerment - by Mark Leon Goldberg
Why A Billion People Need a Stronger U.S.-UN Partnership - by John Boonstra
Mediators on Call - by Mark Leon Goldberg

The Rest of the Story

Africa ...	Traumatized Darfur refugees seek safety in Chad Zimbabwe shuts door on Western election observers
Asia ...	Russia may offer Afghan route for Nato Iran vote expected to test president's popularity U.S. negotiator wants North Korean declaration in March Sri Lanka says fresh fighting kills 42, most rebels North Korea far poorer than reported: expert Musharraf says will back new Pakistan coalition Ukraine president again blasts PM on Russia gas row Hamid Karzai gets his way as UN appoints low-profile envoy On Election Eve, Hazy Prospects for Malaysia Premier
Europe ...	Serbian leader "no longer trusts" coalition allies
Middle East ...	Nine dead as gunman hits Jerusalem seminary Bombs Kill 54 and Wound 123 in Baghdad

Posted by Matthew Cordell at 8:32 AM