| |
- Chad seeks to calm NGOs on security
Aid workers in the eastern Chad fear an upsurge in kidnappings and attacks after the scheduled withdrawal next month of UN peacekeepers. Troops from Chad, which recently established a joint border force with Sudan, will be responsible for security in the region, where aid workers have been serving some 500,000 displaced people. AlertNet.org (11/1)        - China launches census
Chinese authorities have begun conducting the country's once-a-decade population census and are offering families relief from family-size penalties in exchange for a true count. Many families who have violated China's one-child policy shield their children from the government or live without official recognition to avoid paying government charges for having extra children. Similar relaxations will be extended to those who own up to unauthorized migrant status. The New York Times (free registration) (11/1) , The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (11/2) - Malaria is likely the cause of Amazon Indian deaths
Malaria is suspected in the recent deaths of dozens of Yanomami Indians living in the Amazon rain forest. Venezuelan health workers were continuing to carry out tests to isolate the source of the epidemic among the Yanomami, who, with a population of 30,000, are one of the Amazon's largest isolated indigenous groups. Google/The Canadian Press (10/31) - UNEP highlights climate-friendly solutions
The United Nations Environment Programme has launched a "30 ways in 30 days" initiative to highlight successful climate solutions ahead of the Cancun summit. One of the highlighted projects looks at solar loans for families in India, a joint project of the UN Foundation, Shell Foundation and Indian banking groups, to help impoverished families access a renewable energy source. UN News Centre (11/1) - Southeast Asia is making inroads in smog battle
Much of Southeast Asia again is being smothered by a haze, fueled largely by fires used to clear forests in Indonesia, that has plagued the region since the mid-1990s. Yet a two-year moratorium on commercial deforestation in Indonesia, coupled with closer government cooperation, are reducing its potency. The Economist (10/28) - Racism directed most at world's migrants
Throughout the world -- including Europe and the United States -- migrants are bearing the brunt of the "most insidious" forms of xenophobia and racial discrimination, Githu Muigai, special investigator for the UN Human Rights Council, said Monday. "Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers ... are entitled to have all their human rights protected by the state where they live," he said. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (11/1) - Khadr's Guantanamo trial ends with plea deal
A military commission at Guantanamo Bay sentenced Omar Khadr, a former child soldier charged in the murder of American soldiers in Afghanistan, to 40 years for war crimes. Under a plea deal, Khadr is expected to be transferred to a Canadian prison after one year where his defense team will examine parole application options. The New York Times (free registration) (11/1) - U.S. sanctions pressure Sudan on vote, Darfur
The United States on Monday renewed long-standing sanctions against Sudan and its leaders, yet held out prospects the measures could be rescinded if the government goes ahead with a referendum on north-south independence, and increases security and access to humanitarian aid in Darfur. The sanctions limit trade and investment in the country, and block the assets of certain officials. Reuters (11/2) - Pakistan looks to China as U.S. relations falter
Pakistani officials are looking to enhance their country's relationship with China at a time when relations with the U.S. are strained. Pakistan faces a deficit of trust in the U.S. as Washington continues drone attacks and pursues large nuclear deals with India, while Washington has expressed frustration with Pakistan's unwillingness to do more to counter militant activity on its territory. China has agreed to bankroll two nuclear reactors in Pakistan and help improve infrastructure in what observers see as a natural extension of Beijing's rivalry with India. TIME (11/1) - U.K., France prep joint nuclear testing plan
British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy began meetings today on a joint defense package that will include joint testing of nuclear warheads. Under the plan, Britain will establish a center for nuclear testing technology and France will provide a center for testing. BBC (11/2) - Côte d'Ivoire awaits election results
The United Nations' top official in the Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, is urging the country's incumbent president and presidential candidates to respect the outcome of Sunday's vote. More than 80% of voters cast their ballots in the election. The election commission is expected to publish results Wednesday. AlertNet.org/Reuters (11/1)
- What is mobile technology's most important role in disasters?
 | Help prepare and warn people of an imminent disaster | | Help reconnect dispersed people affected by the disaster | | Allow quick and effective medical and rescue responses | | Allow swift exchange of news and developments | | All of the above |
- UNF's Timothy E. Wirth remembers Ted Sorensen
"I am saddened by the loss of Ted Sorensen, who helped to change and expand the views of America's engagement with the world and the United Nations. He will long be remembered for his poignant words and ability to inspire the country to help create a better world." Visit the UN Foundation website for the full statement by Timothy E. Wirth on the passing of Ted Sorensen. - 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. |
 | Key Sites
| | |
This SmartBrief was created for eleccion@yahoogroups.com
| | | About UN WIRE | | UN Wire is a free service sponsored by the United Nations Foundation which is dedicated to supporting the United Nations' efforts to address the most pressing humanitarian, socioeconomic and environmental challenges facing the world today. | | | | | | | | Recent UN Wire Issues: - Monday, November 01, 2010
- Friday, October 29, 2010
- Thursday, October 28, 2010
- Wednesday, October 27, 2010
- Tuesday, October 26, 2010
| | | Lead Editor: Adam Mazmanian
Contributing Editor: Juliette Terzieff
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | | | | | | © 1999-2010 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment