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- UN urges Thai restraint over Myanmar refugees
The UN refugee agency has asked Thailand to reconsider its request that 166 Myanmar nationals, most of whom are women and children, return to the country ruled by military fiat. In making its case, the UNHCR cited the principle of not returning refugees to dangerous situations. AlertNet (12/28)       - Palestinians set to table UN resolution on Israeli settlements
Palestinians could introduce to the UN Security Council as early as February a draft resolution that condemns the continued construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. "We urge the Americans not to stand in our way," said Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, reflecting Arab disillusionment with peace talks mediated by the United States. Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (12/27) - Haitian leader says reconstruction is flagging
The international community, by channeling aid money into Haiti through outside nongovernmental organizations, is not permitting Haitians to play a big enough role in the reconstruction of their own country, according to Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive. Consequently, he said, only some 20% of all aid pledged for rebuilding has been received. BBC (12/27) - Microfinance brings limited change for Afghan women
Efforts to help Afghan women create income generating businesses through microfinance loans are facing challenges related to social restrictions on women and religious objections to interest. Microfinance institutions have awarded $831 million in loans in the past seven years, 60% of them to women. AlertNet/Reuters (12/28) - Japan postpones carbon trading
Japanese politicians have officially postponed plans to launch a carbon emissions trading scheme in 2011, in apparent response to warnings from the private sector that the plan would cost jobs. The decision dashes hope within the European Union that other industrialized countries would set up emissions trading programs. Japan does still plan to institute a new tax on carbon emissions in 2011 and expand renewable energy efforts. AlertNet/Reuters (12/28) - Researchers see glass, dust as key climate indicators
Scientists are examining how glass and other brittle objects shatter in a bid to improve weather and climate change forecasting, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Dust particles -- which follow a similar fragmentation process as glass -- change the amount of sunlight absorbed by the atmosphere and help in cloud formation, temporarily changing weather patterns. AlertNet/Reuters (12/28) - Khodorkovsky conviction spurs protests
Protesters outside a packed courtroom in Moscow shouted "freedom" and "Russia without Putin" as a judge convicted imprisoned tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky of new charges in a trial that is seen widely as compromised by politics. The United States called the verdict a "selective application" of justice. The Guardian (London) (12/27) , BBC (12/27) - West African presidents to warn Gbagbo
The presidents of Benin, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde are scheduled to travel to Cote d'Ivoire today to deliver a message to incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to step aside or face removal by force. Cote d'Ivoire has been in the midst of political crisis since results from the country's Nov. 29 election showed Gbagbo lost to challenger Alassane Ouattara. Gbagbo has refused to accept the results. AlertNet/Reuters (12/28)
- What do you think was the UN's biggest accomplishment in 2010?
 | Climate-change agreements in Cancun | | Helping to nearly eliminate polio in Africa | | Providing disaster relief in Haiti and Pakistan | | Assisting in free and democratic elections | | Nuclear non-proliferation review conference | | Something else |
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