Development news roundup: Australia defers aid hike commitment , proof of life for kidnapped aid worker, and more

Today, we reported:

• Confirmed: Australia defers aid hike commitment

• Kidnapped aid worker pleads for life in undated video footage

• MCC terminates compact with Mali

• No firm EU commitments on Green Climate Fund beyond 2012

• On the spotlight: Better nutrition during child’s first 1,000 days

Other must reads:

• Despite early response of some donors, Sahel hunger response remains ‘significantly underfunded’ –Ertharin Cousin and António Guterres

• Makhtar Diop is World Bank’s new vice president for Africa

• AfDB, IFC to host multilateral development banks’ conference May 10-12 in Tunisia

• Beverly Oda: No need ‘to change course’ but to ‘stay on course’ with CIDA’s education programs

• Ban Ki-moon to small island developing states: Dump fossil fuels for renewable energy sources

• World Bank clarifies work in South Sudan, says it is ‘deeply concerned’ about unresolved oil issues’ impact on economy, development

• ‘Youth on the move’ recognized on World Red Cross Red Crescent Day

• Innovative child malnutrition reduction program in Bangladesh cut stunting 28 percent over 3 years

• Is Melinda Gates ready for the ‘political firestorm’ her new crusade to invest billions in women’s health may bring?

• Aung San Suu Kyi tells international community Myanmar needs ‘sustainable, sound aid’

• UAE Red Crescent’s $5.5M family project to help flood victims in Pakistan’s Sindh province

• NGO Adaptation and Innovation symposium to be held June 14-15 in Toronto

• Despite insecurity, Afghan Red Crescent, Red Cross to step up relief operations in Afghanistan

• World Bicycle Relief, International Medical Corps donate bicycles to health workers in 2 Kenyan districts

• Valerie Amos aims to raise awareness of humanitarian situation in Afghanistan during her visit May 8-11

• Senegal’s admission of food crisis kicks off hunger response

• CIDA funds $1.7M maternal and child nutrition program in Kenya

• Justin Yifu Lin asks: What is the ‘Holy Grail’ of economic development?

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