Syrian rebels, government battle as 21 UN peacekeepers held

Negotiations are ongoing for the release of 21 Filipino peacekeepers for the United Nations who are being held by Syrian rebels in Syria's Golan Heights amid fighting with government troops. A rebel spokesman said the unarmed peacekeepers will be released after government forces withdraw from a village along the Israeli border. USA Today/The Associated Press (3/7), CBS News/The Associated Press (3/7)     

• UN cracks down on North Korea, issues sanctions 
• People need a voice in development goals 
• Rwanda visit shows Nothing But Nets' success 
• Food, oil and climate make a catastrophic mix 
• U.S. lawmakers seek clarity on mHealth rules 
• Tech failures spur call for Kenyan manual vote tally 
• UNA-USA executive director brings message of the UN to Hawaii 
• Career Center 

• UN cracks down on North Korea, issues sanctions
  The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted today to issue new sanctions against North Korea in retribution for that country's third nuclear test. North Korea faces restrictions on financial instruments and shipments of certain cargo. The resolution "sent an unequivocal message to [North Korea] that the international community will not tolerate its pursuit of nuclear weapons," says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Reuters (3/7)     

• Other News

• Over 80 dead in latest DR Congo violence
  Canada.com/The Associated Press (3/6)     

• UN allows Somalia to buy light weapons, extends peacekeeper mission
  The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (3/6)     

• People need a voice in development goals
  Development goals must include the voice of the people, writes Mandeep Tiwana, and improved standards of living must not come at the expense of civil and political liberty. "It is time to put people at the centre of development and ditch the business as usual approach if we are to address impending and interlinked economic, social, political, environmental and humanitarian crises," Tiwana writes. The Guardian (London)/Poverty Matters blog (3/6)     

• Other News

• Health care becomes another casualty in Syrian civil war
  BBC (3/7)     

• Late start hampers Nigeria's ability to meet MDGs by 2015
  Nigerian Tribune (3/7)     

• Rwanda visit shows Nothing But Nets' success
  More African children are growing up malaria-free thanks to the United Nations Foundation Nothing But Nets campaign, writes Chris Helfrich, the program's director, who recently visited the Gihembe Refugee Camp in Rwanda. "These 1.1 million life-saving nets that we've sent to help refugees since 2008 are reaching families in the camps. And they're using them," he writes. "Now, we have parents whose children are growing up malaria-free!" Impatient Optimists blog (3/4)     

• Food, oil and climate make a catastrophic mix
  A global perfect storm of rising oil prices, food shortages and climate change is brewing, writes Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed. The food riots that sparked the Arab Spring are an example of what's ahead, Ahmed argues, and action is needed to prevent the possible collapse of civilization. The Guardian (London)/Environment Blog (3/6)     

• Could legalized rhino trade actually help?
  Legalizing the trade of rhino horns could prevent the animal's extinction, according to some scientists, but lifting the ban is controversial. The answer likely needs more research before it can be answered, says wildlife economist Brendan Moyle. "You cannot fight the black-market trade in wildlife unless you understand how the underground economy operates," he says. "And no black market was ever eradicated by complete prohibition." The Toronto Star (3/6), The Economist (tiered subscription model)/Babbage blog (3/5)     

• Other News

• Poland's request on carbon credits rebuffed by EU court
  Bloomberg (3/7)     

• Oil development estranges Ecuadorian community
  The Guardian (London) (3/5)     

• U.S. lawmakers seek clarity on mHealth rules
  Some Republican members of the U.S. House members have asked Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg to provide clarity on the agency's proposal to regulate certain mobile health applications. The legislators expressed concern that manufacturers of mHealth apps, smartphones and tablets could be subjected to the 2.3% tax under the U.S. federal health care law if the FDA decides to regulate them as medical devices. DOTMed.com (3/6)     

• Tech failures spur call for Kenyan manual vote tally
  Technology glitches have slowed the counting of votes from Kenya's presidential election. Kalonzo Musyoka, the running mate of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is calling for counting to be halted and restarted using "primary documents." Voting disputes set off violent riots in the 2007 elections. Reuters (3/7), Reuters (3/6)     

• Other News

• Borneo fighting continues as Malaysia rejects UN plea
  The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (3/7)     

• Nuclear threats from North Korea continue
  The Huffington Post/The Associated Press (3/7)     

• Official: French troops won't leave Mali until security restored
  Reuters (3/7)     

• UNA-USA executive director brings message of the UN to Hawaii
  United Nations Association of the USA Executive Director Patrick Madden was in Hawaii's capital Wednesday speaking to leading thinkers in foreign policy and Hawaii elected officials about the UN and its vital work around the world. Madden spoke at the East-West Center at noon on human security and sustainable development. Later, he spoke at the State Capitol on pressing issues facing the UN and how citizens of the state of Hawaii can engage with the UN's work. Read more.     

Position Title Company Name Location Officer, Online Communications, Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves United Nations Foundation Washington, DC Innovation Associate, NYC United Nations Foundation New York, NY Program Manager, Post-2015 Development Agenda, NYC United Nations Foundation New York, NY Senior Project Manager, Transportation The World Economic Forum New York, NY Director of Development Invisible Children San Diego , CA

Click here to view more job listings.

• United Nations
• Secretary-General
• UN News Centre
• Key UN Bodies, Agencies, Funds and Programs
• UN Foundation
• UN Dispatch
• The Interdependent

UN Radio News Service

Despite political progress, humanitarian crisis continues in Yemen UN Radio

Subscriber Tools

Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy

• Grab our News Widget