News Briefing: UN Using Food Aid as Lever to Lift African Farmers

• Gerard Mortier, who was to become director of New York City Opera in 2009, parts way with the board.  [New York Times]

• The U.N.'s World Food Program will spend $1 billion buying food for the hungry this year, in an effort to stimulate farmers in developing countries to produce more.  [Associated Press]

• A medical trial involving 16,000 children across Africa may start as early as next month.  [Associated Press]