| |  | |  Libya in chaos The latest news reports from Libya indicate that the country is engulfed in civil war, with forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi doing battle against rebel fighters and troops who have defected to the opposition. Much of the eastern half of the country is already controlled by opponents of Gadhafi's rule. In a televised address, Gadhafi blamed the uprising on al-Qaida. According to journalist Robert Fisk of the Independent, the scene in Tripoli's airport is chaotic, as Libyans and foreign nationals try to escape the violence. In the past few years, Libya normalized relations with many western governments -- a move that western leaders may come to regret as the full scale of the violence perpetrated against the civilian population becomes known. BBC (2/24), The Guardian (London)/News blog (2/24), The Independent (London) (2/24), Google/The Associated Press (2/24)     
|  |  | I've also asked my administration to prepare the full range of options that we have to respond to this crisis. This includes those actions we may take and those we will coordinate with our allies and partners, or those that we'll carry out through multilateral institutions." U.S. President Barack Obama. Click here for the full story. |
|  | "While the international community tries to squeeze Gbagbo's illegitimate government into bankruptcy, civil servants and the army haven't defected from supporting Gbagbo; at least, for as long as their bank account is credited with their salary at the end of each month." UN Dispatch | |
- Linkin Park, Ban join forces on Haiti efforts
Rock band Linkin Park joined forces with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday for a Facebook town hall to promote reconstruction and recovery in Haiti. Linkin Park runs its own Music for Relief foundation, which has raised about $4 million in donations to aid in disaster recovery and green initiatives around the world. Variety (subscription required) (2/24) - Health MDGs efforts are limited by surgery access
A shortage of medical facilities, qualified professionals and proper medical supplies threatens to derail health-related Millennium Development Goals, medical specialists warn. Two billion people, mostly in the developing world, are unable to access lifesaving surgeries because of the shortfalls. IRINNews.org (2/24) - Myanmar reacts to polio outbreak
Authorities in Myanmar are stepping up polio vaccination campaigns after an infant contracted the disease, say officials from the World Health Organization. More than 10,000 children have been vaccinated and more campaigns are imminent. Myanmar was declared polio-free in 2000. Reuters (2/23) - Study focuses on pollutants, global warming
 A UN study is focusing on the reduction of two short-lived pollutants, black carbon and ground-level ozone, as a means of slashing global temperatures within the first half of this century in the absence of an international agreement on curbing emissions of carbon dioxide, the biggest contributor to global warming. Ground-level ozone decimates farm crops while black carbon, a component of soot, speeds the melting of snow. The Washington Post (2/23)  | - Technology could boost gender equality
The same communications technologies that have been integral to popular uprisings across the Middle East -- and global activism, in general -- could go a long way toward empowering women in traditionally male-dominated societies. These new channels of communication mean that it is easier for women to become aware of information long seen as taboo, especially regarding sexual health, science and issues pertaining to gender equality throughout the world. AlertNet/The Debating Chamber blog (2/23) - Technology is revolutionizing medical care
The medical and telecommunications communities have embraced the possibilities associated with mHealth and eHealth capabilities and are pushing to develop new processes to provide quality services. MHealth relies on mobile devices to increase access to information, while eHealth allows practitioners to use technology to provide and track services. Remote caregiving can overcome patients' limited mobility or address a lack of available medical centers in remote areas. eCommerce-Guide.com (2/17)  | - Some 30,000 migrants flee Libya, more to follow
 Tens of thousands of Egyptian and Tunisian migrants have already fled the fighting in Libya, and tens of thousands more are expected to follow, according to the International Organization for Migration. Thus far, along the Egyptian border, only Egyptians -- not Libyans -- have been let through, with many transporting all that they can, including refrigerators, washing machines and televisions. Google/Agence France-Presse (2/24), Al-Jazeera (2/23) - World condemns Libyan violence
The international community has been examining a broad range of options in response to the violent crackdown against protesters in Libya, according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who said Wednesday that those who have shed "the blood of innocents" must be punished for such "egregious violations" of human rights. U.S. President Barack Obama said his administration was preparing "the full range of options" to help mitigate the bloodshed, while the EU was calling for an independent UN investigation into the continuing atrocities. CNN (2/23), Google/The Canadian Press (2/23), The Washington Post (2/23) - Yemen forces are ordered to protect protesters
Yemeni authorities have ordered security forces to step up efforts to protect demonstrators and prevent clashes between pro- and anti-government groups after two students were shot and killed during a sit-in at Sanaa University. At least 12 protesters have died and dozens more have been injured in weeks of demonstrations seeking political reform and an end to the current government. The New York Times (free registration) (2/24) - Satellite said to reveal second Syrian nuclear site
Commercial satellite photos appear to show a second nuclear facility in Syria, lending credence to claims that the country was pursuing atomic weapons prior to the 2007 air strike by Israel. The new images could yield calls for inspections by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency, which the Syrian leadership has continued to rebuff, potentially leading to the country's censure. The Wall Street Journal (2/24)  | |  | | | | | | Regional Leader, East Asia | World Vision International | Bangkok, Thailand | | Researcher on Afghanistan | Human Rights Watch | N/A, Afghanistan | | Leo Nevas Human Rights Fellow | United Nations Foundations | New York City, NY | | Peacebuilding Program Director | Social Science Research Council | Brooklyn, NY | | Senior Development Associate, Girl Up | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Director, Global Vaccines Campaign | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Director, Nothing But Nets campaign | United Nations Foundations | Washington DC, DC | | Various Positions | International Labour Office | Geneva, Switzerland | | | |  | |  |
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