| |
- UN says Haiti violence orchestrated by "spoilers"
The head of the UN mission in Haiti on Tuesday characterized recent attacks against UN peacekeepers as episodes planned to stoke public fear over the cholera outbreak and scuttle elections scheduled for later this month. One protester was killed, and at least seven peacekeepers were injured, in riots in two Haitian cities Monday. Reuters (11/16)       - UN measure is stripped of reference to anti-gay violence
A human rights committee of the United Nations on Tuesday removed references to sexual orientation from a measure condemning extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions based on discrimination. Arab and African countries had sought to dilute the language of the recurring resolution, which in 2008 specifically referred to sexuality. AlertNet.org/Reuters (11/17) - UN report warns of North Korea hunger needs
Poor weather has adversely affected North Korea's rice and maize harvests, leaving millions of people facing severe food insecurity for the upcoming winter, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme warn in a joint report. About 20% of the population is characterized as especially vulnerable, including pregnant women, children and the elderly. The Guardian (London) (11/17) - Cholera spreads from Haiti into Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is tightening its borders after health authorities detected the country's first case of cholera linked to the current epidemic in neighboring Haiti. A professor said the source of the outbreak is unlikely to be traced and could have arisen from bacteria on the island that laid dormant, for years, from Southeast Asia. BBC (11/16) , The Independent (London) (11/17) - Indian scientists issue climate-change warning
India faces drastic changes in rain cycles by 2030 due to climate change that will seriously affect the country's agricultural sector and freshwater supplies, Indian scientists warn in a report. The findings from the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment predict the change will come as a result of a 3.8 degree Fahrenheit temperature increase -- a level earlier studies projected would be reached in 2050. Los Angeles Times/The Associated Press (11/17) - Index ranks countries' greenhouse-gas emissions
The United Arab Emirates, Australia and the U.S. are the world's largest greenhouse-gas emitters, while African countries contribute the least to global totals, according to an index compiled by Maplecroft. The rankings, released just ahead of the Cancun climate summit, are intended to provide investors with insight into countries that would be most vulnerable if climate talks were to produce penalties for carbon emissions. AlertNet.org/Reuters (11/17) - Fomenting change in Myanmar from the inside
Opposition leaders in Myanmar intend to participate in the government's new parliament at the same time they have pledged to join pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi in her efforts to upend the country's ruling military junta. Observers say the stance could fracture the country's opposition. The Wall Street Journal (11/16) - UN envoy calls on U.S. to launch torture probe
U.S. authorities should open an investigation into the use of torture under President George W. Bush and prosecute any officials found to be involved in the practice, says Juan Ernesto Mendez, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture. Mendez plans to visit Iraq and Guantanamo Bay to investigate allegations of torture by U.S. forces. AlertNet.org/Reuters (11/16)
- What do you think should be the top priority of UN Women?
 | Advancing reproductive health | | Education for young girls | | Ensuring that women are represented in government and decision-making | | Empowering women to lead economically, through agriculture and small business |
- Seattle students join Girl Up initiative
Female students in Seattle-area middle schools have joined the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up program to help advance health and education for young girls in the developing world. Participants learn about the challenges their counterparts in places such as Malawi, Guatemala and Liberia face and are encouraged to get involved. One Seattle student started a youth group to raise funds for girls' education in Rwanda. The Seattle Times/The Business of Giving blog (11/12) |
 | 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: - Tuesday, November 16, 2010
- Monday, November 15, 2010
- Friday, November 12, 2010
- Thursday, November 11, 2010
- Wednesday, November 10, 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