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| UN Wire |
| February 3, 2010 |
U.S. Marine Col. George "Slam" Amland. Read the full story.
We are going to gain control. We are going to alter the ecosystem considerably."
Excerpts from UN Dispatch
Afghan women -- specifically Herati women in this case -- aren't committing suicide to protest foreign occupation, they're killing themselves to escape domestic violence, sexual abuse and forced marriages, all long-standing problems in Afghan society that pre-date the 2001 U.S.-led invasion. UN Dispatch (1/21)
United Nations Radio
UN humanitarian chief says shelter is priority in Haiti UN Radio (12/14)
ICC could bring genocide charges against Bashir
The International Criminal Court overruled an appeal alleging there was insufficient evidence to charge Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on genocide charges, potentially paving the way for a trial to investigate his conduct in Darfur. A genocide charge would be the first brought by the international court against a sitting head of state, as Slobodan Milosevic -- who died in custody -- stepped down before he faced genocide charges. The Guardian (London) (2/3)
New UN food coupons as good as money in Haiti
With hunger still a mounting problem for many in Haiti, the UN has introduced a new food-distribution program to replace the haphazard and Darwinian giveaways that have until now marked aid efforts. A coupon redeemable for 55 pounds of rice has become more valuable than money -- the effective currency of a country whose capital and government were destroyed in the earthquake. By emphasizing women as the recipients and installing the coupons in 16 stable locations, food distribution has improved, though disorientation remains a significant obstacle to providing aid. NYTimes.com (2/2)
Ban to issue report on Israeli conduct in Gaza War
Despite the fact UN findings disputed Israel's official claims regarding its conduct during the 2008 war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will submit a conciliatory rejoinder to Israel -- reflecting a larger compromise between Israel and the UN. Israel agreed to compensate the UN for UN buildings destroyed during Operation Cast Lead to satisfy some of the claims against Israel spelled out by a special investigation chartered by South African jurist Richard Goldstone, who found Israel and Hamas had committed crimes against humanity. Ha'aretz (Tel Aviv, Israel) (2/3)
Polio survivors face new threats
Post-polio syndrome continues to haunt hundreds of thousands of aging polio survivors, adversely affecting their quality of life. The absence of polio in the U.S. for several decades has created a dearth of medical professionals with experience treating the deteriorating nerves and muscles associated with the condition. NYTimes.com (2/2)
North Korean currency reforms provoking panic, food crisis
The decision by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to revalue the nation's currency and close emergent private markets has had a dramatic impact on the price and availability of food throughout the nation, where the price of rice has risen by tenfold in the past month. Humanitarian-aid workers have been thwarted by the ban on foreign currency and erratic exchange rates. Los Angeles Times (2/3)
Still no clear path to international climate treaty
Dozens of countries have publicly pledged their support for the Copenhagen climate accord and submitted their planned actions to reduce carbon-gas emissions, but a binding international agreement remains far off. The U.S. has yet to pass any climate legislation, and many governments are unhappy with the United Nations-led negotiation process for a global treaty. TIME (subscription required) (2/2)
Chernobyl site remains toxic
Efforts to clean up and ensure the safety of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor have been stymied by corruption, political turmoil and numerous delays in the Ukraine. G-7 countries launched a project 13 years ago to seal the reactor in a permanent, sealed case that was supposed to be completed within eight years. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (2/2)
Scientists scramble to save homeless spray toad
Efforts to save the Tanzanian spray toad exemplify the challenges of balancing development and conservation, and the complexities associated with saving individual species. Scientists still hope to return the last known surviving spray toads to their natural habitat around a waterfall on the Kihansi River, where authorities have dammed the river for a source of electricity. NYTimes.com (2/1)
Transparency at the center of climate science controversy
Hacked e-mails from the University of East Anglia's climate research unit raise concerns about the transparency of work performed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, specifically with regard to a persuasive 1998 assessment on global warming known as the "hockey stick" graph. The emails reveal one researcher had completed a study revealing a contrary trend in which 20th century temperatures were matched by global temperatures in the 11th century -- data the group excluded for an IPCC report that relied on the hockey stick graph instead. The Guardian (London) (2/2)
Other News
Israeli officer charges civilian protection rules abandoned in Gaza operation
A senior Israeli military official says the army altered its traditional rules on protecting civilian lives to minimize Israeli military casualties during its operation in the Gaza Strip last year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure to set up an inquiry into the military's conduct. The Independent (London) (2/3)
Other News
U.S. developing tools for cyberwarfare
American authorities are looking to develop cyber-based offensive and defensive capabilities in use of the Internet as a combat arena increases. Developers are looking at ways to protect U.S. systems, infiltrate adversaries' systems undetected and methods to destroy computer networks. TIME (subscription required) (2/2)
Guinea gets new civilian prime minister
The reins of political power have shifted peacefully in Guinea to a new civilian prime minister just months after authorities unleashed the army for a deadly assault on protesters. Jean-Marie Dore will be looking to form a new government and prepare the country for elections. NYTimes.com (2/2)
Marines, Afghan troops plot major attack against Taliban
U.S. and Afghan forces are preparing for a massive assault on a Taliban stronghold in Marja, Afghanistan, the last community under direct Taliban control in a lawless region once dominated by the insurgency. New U.S. Marines in Afghanistan as part of the troop buildup authorized by U.S. President Barack Obama will lead Afghan forces in a mission designed to test the effectiveness of troop training in Afghanistan as well as to deal a blow to the operations capability of the Taliban. Los Angeles Times (2/3)
Other News
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