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- Britain backs Brazil's Council bid
Britain, as part of a larger campaign to improve trade and diplomatic ties in Latin America, will support Brazil in its efforts to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. "It is entirely fitting that a region that provided nearly half of the founding members of the United Nations is represented fully," Foreign Secretary William Hague said. Telegraph (London) (11/9) , Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (11/9)       - International efforts fail to thwart Somali pirates
Pirates operating off the coast of Somalia are earning hundreds of millions from their activities and easily outpacing international naval efforts halt hijackings, Lynn Pascoe, United Nations secretary-general for political affairs, warned the Security Council on Tuesday. Pirates have successfully kidnapped more than 100 new crew members in the past month and currently have 20 ships in their possession. Google/Agence France-Presse (11/9) - How mHealth is making health wireless
The three-day mHealth Summit concludes today in Washington, D.C. UN Foundation CEO Kathy Calvin described the growing movement as "a simple but groundbreaking idea that global wireless networks and mobile devices -- whether they be cell phones, smartphones, mobile-enhanced diagnostic devices -- can be powerful vehicles for delivering innovative medical and health and services to the farthest reaches of the globe." Click here to follow the mHealth Summit on Twitter. AllAfrica Global Media (11/10) - Gates lauds mHealth as technology of the future
Advances in mobile technology applications provide the world with inexpensive means to improve public health services, Microsoft founder Bill Gates said Tuesday. Gates, who now heads up the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, said mHealth capabilities can overcome deficiencies in infrastructure, medical personnel and physical facilities to provide care for rural or impoverished populations. Google/Agence France-Presse (11/9) - Haiti scrambles as cholera cases reach capital
Health authorities have confirmed nearly 100 cases of cholera in the slums of Port-au-Prince, raising fears that Haiti may be on the verge of a massive health disaster. About 600 people in Haiti's rural central areas have already died during the three-week-old outbreak. Authorities fear flooding from a recent hurricane, lingering damage from the Jan. 12 earthquake and overcrowded conditions in survivor camps will help the rapid spread of the disease. The New York Times (free registration) (11/9) , AlertNet.org/Reuters (11/9) , Los Angeles Times (11/10) - China to lead in energy use, development
Continued economic growth in China over the next 25 years will result in spikes in pollution and the costs of oil, yet also will foster development of renewable energy sources, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday. China, already the world's largest energy consumer, is expected to see a 75% rise in its energy demands by 2035. The New York Times (free registration) (11/9) - Bush waterboarding claims are negated by Britain
The United Kingdom on Tuesday dismissed as without merit claims by former U.S. President George W. Bush that the waterboarding of al-Qaida suspects had thwarted attacks in Britain and saved lives. The practice, lauded by Bush in his memoir, has been characterized as torture by Britain. The Guardian (London) (11/9) 
- Turner: "We can't afford war"
United Nations Foundation founder Ted Turner wants to see an end to warfare globally and U.S. stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Advances in technology that have increased connectivity around the world make it more difficult for countries to wage ugly military campaigns. Negotiation and an expanded conflict-resolution role for the UN will help make war obsolete in the future, Turner says. RTT News (11/9) - Violence scuttles UN talks on Western Sahara
Clashes in Western Sahara between Moroccan forces and an indigenous guerrilla group continued for a second day Tuesday in the worst fighting since Morocco occupied Western Sahara more than three decades ago. The clashes, which came as Moroccan authorities and representatives of the Polisario Front were scheduled to meet at the United Nations to work toward a negotiated solution, effectively derailed the talks -- though both sides agreed to continue meeting efforts and confidence-building measures. The Christian Science Monitor (11/9) , Reuters (11/10) - Obama, Netanyahu spar over housing plans
U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traded verbal barbs over Israel's construction plans in east Jerusalem on Tuesday, increasing doubts that a new round of peace talks with Palestinians is imminent. Direct negotiations stalled last month when a partial Israeli construction freeze expired, prompting acrimonious statements from both sides' leadership. The New York Times (free registration) (11/9) - Canada considers recalibration of diplomatic focus
Canadian authorities are considering a plan to close one-fifth of the country's diplomatic missions in Africa -- including embassies in Cameroon, Zambia and Tunisia -- in favor of opening additional embassies or trade offices in Asia and Latin America. The proposed changes come at a time when Canada's relations with the continent are strained over African countries' unwillingness to back Ottawa's recent failed bid for a United Nations Security Council seat. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (11/10)
- As budget deficits have some politicians and citizens demanding reduced U.S. government spending, what do you see as the best argument for continued support of the UN?
 | For every $1 we invest in the UN, we receive $1.50 back through purchase of American jobs, goods and services | | Investing in global development is essential to U.S. national security interests | | Disease knows no borders, so investments in global health help protect people in America and other countries | | Investing in the UN spreads the burden of collective security |
- The Rockefeller Foundation gives $1M for mHealth
The mHealth Alliance (mHA) announced today a million-dollar grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to leverage mobile technologies to improve health in low and middle income countries. The announcement renews support from a mHealth Alliance Founding Partner, and follows on the heels of $2 million in new funding that the mHealth Alliance announced earlier this week. UN Foundation (11/10) |
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