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- UN investigator questions terrorism powers
Efforts to frame the United Nations Security Council's ability to sanction suspected terrorists are so far proving insufficient, warns Martin Scheinin, a UN special rapporteur on human rights. The council appointed an ombudsman in July to work with individuals on the sanctions list and present recommendations, but the position lacks any real power to affect decisions, Scheinin says. Google/The Canadian Press (10/26)        - Malaria researcher warns of resistance
Growing resistance to broadly used drug treatments for malaria may lead to an increased spread of the disease, warns Nicholas White, one of the scientists who helped develop artemisinin therapies. White cited the proliferation of counterfeit artemisinin-based drugs that contain insufficient amounts of the drug to counter the disease but enough for malaria parasites to develop resistance as a major factor. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (10/26) - Development of HIV/AIDS protection gel progresses
Researchers are moving forward with the development of a gel containing tenofovir to protect women against HIV/AIDS with the backing of U.S. health authorities. Results of a two and a half year South Africa trial released in July showed the gel reduced infections among participants by 39%. AlertNet.org/Reuters (10/26) - Researchers urge more animal species protections
Conservation efforts to protect animal species are helping, but one in five mammals still faces extinction, according to a study published in the journal Science. Conservation tactics such as habitat protection and predator control have helped move some species away from threatened status, researchers said, but government need to do more to protect from species loss. AlertNet.org/Reuters (10/26) , TIME/The Associated Press (10/26) - Cambodia limits Khmer Rouge trials to leaders
The Cambodian government is refusing to allow the United Nations to prosecute low-ranking officers of the former Khmer Rouge on grounds that the arrests would endanger domestic peace. Last summer, the chief jailer of the regime, under whose four-year rule some 1.7 million people died, was imprisoned for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Google/The Associated Press (10/27) - U.S. prods Iran to resume nuclear talks
The United States again is offering to help Iran develop a peaceful nuclear energy program in exchange for the transfer of a portion of the country's enriched uranium stockpile to another country. American officials believe Iran might be more likely to reopen negotiations -- meant to limit the country's capacity to build a nuclear weapon -- in light of the effects of far-reaching economic sanctions. The Wall Street Journal (10/27) - Report confirms Sudan weapons violations in Darfur
The Sudanese government has facilitated the transfer of military supplies and troops to Darfur in direct violation a 2005 UN arms embargo, according to a confidential report. A large portion of the weapons and ammunition was supplied by China, which is accused of trying to suppress the report. AlertNet.org/Reuters (10/27) - Taliban are weathering U.S. attacks
The escalation in U.S. military operations against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan is having little effect, officials say, making peace talks unlikely before a tapering off in U.S. troop increases slated for next summer. "The insurgency seems to be maintaining its resilience," a senior Defense Department official said. The Washington Post (10/27) - Gorbachev criticizes Putin's leadership
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has hobbled the country's democracy by repressing the activities of political opposition, former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev says. The former leader says Putin is promoting his own political party and authoritarianism at the expense of the development of Russian civil society. The New York Times (free registration) (10/26)
- This week, the United Nations celebrates its 65th birthday. What has been the UN's greatest accomplishment?
 | Negotiating more than 172 peace settlements, preventing war | | Helping more than 30 million refugees fleeing war, persecution or famine | | Helping eliminate smallpox and enriching the lives of the world's children through immunization programs | | Promoting international cooperation on monetary issues and encouraging stable exchange rates among nations | | Something else |
 | - 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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