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- Ban honors UN personnel killed in line of duty
In a New York ceremony, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to 29 staff and peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving the world body in 2012. "My fervent wish is that an event like this would never be necessary. ... Yet we know that United Nations peacekeepers and all personnel are increasingly exposed to high risk environments," he said. The dead were from 16 nations and served in 11 locations around the world. Hindustan Times (India)/Press Trust of India (11/15)      - Biogas from human waste? Kenyans are wary
In Nairobi, Kenya, the Umande Trust organization, with funding from the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, has developed a biogas toilet system that uses human waste to produce home cooking fuel. Results have been mixed. Residents like the safe and clean communal toilets, but hygiene concerns and unreliable gas pressure have limited the use of the gas in cooking. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (11/16) - Conflict leaves many Afghans psychologically traumatized
The relentless Afghan war is leaving deep psychological wounds on an entire generation, according to psychologists and medical professionals. Even so, many Afghans don't understand the concept of mental illness and often believe that individuals are under the influence of evil spirits. Among the most vulnerable are children, who have known nothing but fighting and exploding bombs throughout their lives. AlertNet/Reuters (11/16) - Report: Colombia's displaced female population is subject to abuse
Many of the more than 2 million girls and women displaced by violence and civil conflict in Colombia have become victims of rape and abuse, according to Human Rights Watch. Although Colombia has strong laws against such crimes, female victims often lack medical help and the attackers rarely face justice. The Miami Herald (free registration) (11/14) - U.S. considers moving climate talks away from UN
The U.S. may try to shift substantive negotiations to reduce greenhouse gases from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to the Major Economies Forum, an organization of the largest carbon producers. UN officials, however, resist the idea. "The one and only place where formal negotiations and, above all, decisions take place and where treaties are negotiated is the UNFCCC," said Christiana Figueres, UN climate chief. The Guardian (London)/EurActiv (11/16) - Obama to address human rights during Myanmar visit
U.S. President Barack Obama will urge Myanmar's leaders to end ethnic violence and protect human rights during his upcoming visit there. The Myanmar government needs to continue its steps in restoring peace, allowing humanitarian access and bringing perpetrators of ethnic violence to justice, according to White House national security adviser Tom Donilon. Of special concern are Muslim communities in Rakhine State, along Myanmar's western border, Donilon noted. AlertNet/Reuters (11/15) - Israel mobilizes, launches airstrikes throughout Gaza
In response to a wave of more than 350 rocket attacks by Hamas militants, Israel has called up army reserves and launched airstrikes against targets throughout Gaza. Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi called the Israeli actions "unacceptable aggression," while the U.S. has urged that Egypt, Turkey and European nations to demand that Hamas stop its rocket attacks. BBC (11/16)
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