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- UN summit will seek to rescue MDGs
Nearly 150 world leaders will convene in New York next week for a UN summit to discuss ways to rescue the Millennium Development Goals -- an ambitious schedule of global health, development, human rights and education targets established in 2000. Facing the prospect of failure after the global financial crisis and subsequent recession, U.S. President Barack Obama will be joined by international business leaders to produce some $26 billion in new funds. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (9/14)       - Ban projects $100 billion is needed for MDGs
World leaders will need to commit to providing $100 billion in funding over the next five years to poor countries to meet the Millennium Development Goals, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said ahead of a next week's UN summit. Ban advocated allocated the funds for education, jobs, health and other areas where the biggest impact is possible. Google/Agence France-Presse (9/13) - UN moves to prevent Haiti sexual violence
The United Nations is launching a program to help protect Haitian earthquake survivors living in camps from sexual assault and gender-based violence. Police and soldiers from the UN's 12,000-member strong Haiti mission -- MINUSTAH -- are receiving training on managing sexual assault cases and to make certain medical care is made available. The program also contains a public awareness component focused on sexual attack prevention and response. Google/The Associated Press (9/13)  - Report: Global hunger goals "decades off track"
A report by Action Aid found global hunger is costing developing countries $450 billion per year. The total number of undernourished people remains higher than before the 2008-2009 economic crisis, according to a report released by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. While the number of undernourished people has fallen from last year, global hunger remains "unacceptably high," FAO said. BBC (9/14) - Cuba's economic makeover to include mass layoffs
Cuban authorities have announced plans to cut 1 million public sector jobs and loosen controls on private businesses as part of economic reforms. The move follows comments from former Cuban President Fidel Castro that the Cuban economic model no longer functions effectively. More than 85% of the Cuban population is employed in state-owned enterprises, and authorities said they would provide land leases and create cooperatives to help workers make the transition. The Guardian (London) (9/14) - Merkel draws heat over nuclear plant deal
Environmentalists, European Union officials and opposition politicians are expressing concerns over German Chancellor Angela Merkel's plans to extend the life spans of 17 nuclear power plants. Merkel's coalition kept a deal with utility executives under wraps until details were agreed upon and presented the new plan as a fait accompli. Der Spiegel (Germany) (English online version) (9/13) - Amnesty slams Iraq over prisoner treatment
About 30,000 people are being held in Iraqi prisons without charge, many of them subject to torture and other rights violations, Amnesty International says in a new report. Iraqi and U.S. officials deny the charges, and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office said the country's prisons are open to inspection by international agencies. CNN (9/13) , BBC (9/13) - EU pushes Bulgaria, Romania for more reform
European Union officials are urging Bulgaria and Romania to accelerate efforts to reform their judiciary systems, address corruption and act more forcefully against crime. Both countries joined the EU in 2007 and are seeking qualification for the Schengen zone in 2011, which would allow their citizens access to the EU's passport-free travel zone. BBC (9/13) - Israeli, Palestinian leaders extend Egypt peace talks
Critics and observers are uncertain whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a longtime critics of the ongoing U.S.-brokered peace talks process, will seek in earnest to establish peace with the Palestinians -- and risk his coalition government in the process. Though Netanyahu has ruled out extending a moratorium on settlements construction that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has described as a prerequisite for any talks, both leaders agreed to extend the current round of talks in Egypt. Los Angeles Times (9/13) , The New York Times (free registration) (9/14) - Turkish referendum vote highlights identity concerns
 Turkish voters' approval of a referendum to change the country's constitution handed an important political victory to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but also exposed a rift between secular and religious Turks on the future and identity of the country. Voters split along three fault lines, with Kurds largely boycotting the vote and secularists voting against the measure. Secular Turks fear the constitutional changes will usher in an era of increased religion in daily life. Reuters (9/13)  | |  | | | | | | | | Communications Officer, mHealth Alliance | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Director of Performance Measurement | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Director, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program | HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | New York, NY | | Executive Director, Europe and Central Asia Division | Human Rights Watch | London, United Kingdom | | New York Director - Crisis Action | Crisis Action | New York, NY | | | |  | |  | |
- What should President Barack Obama say at the UN General Assembly?
 | Support international efforts to curb climate change. | | Strengthen global cooperation in counterterrorism. | | Encourage reduction of nuclear stockpiles. |
- Register now for the mHealth Summit in Washington, D.C.
The 2010 mHealth Summit brings together leaders in government, private sector/industry, academia and not-for-profit organizations to share information and experiences related to the intersection of mobile technology, health research and policy.Featured speakers include Bill Gates, Co-chair and Trustee of the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation; Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer; Dr. Julio Frenk Dean of Faculty, Harvard School of Public Health; and Ted Turner, Chairman, UN Foundation. The mHealth Summit takes place Nov. 8 to 10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Click here for more information and to register. |
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