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| IN WAKE OF PACIFIC TSUNAMI, UN OFFICIAL URGES COUNTRIES TO BUILD BETTER TO REDUCE FUTURE RISKS
October 15, 2009 at 8:10 pm
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| IN WAKE OF PACIFIC TSUNAMI, UN OFFICIAL URGES COUNTRIES TO BUILD BETTER TO REDUCE FUTURE RISKS
New York, Oct 15 2009 8:10PM
A United Nations official just returned from visiting tsunami-battered islands in the Pacific Ocean today urged officials in the region to make sure they reduce their exposure to future disasters when they rebuild vital infrastructure.Jordan Ryan, Assistant Administrator of the UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP), told a <"http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs//2009/091015_Ryan.doc.htm">press conference at UN Headquarters in New York that disaster preparedness also meant rebuilding in ways that reduce the potential impact of future catastrophes. At least 150 people were killed and more than 3,000 others left homeless in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga by the 30 September tsunami, which followed an undersea earthquake. Widespread damage was caused to hospitals, schools, roads, sea walls and power and water supplies. Mr. Ryan, who is also UNDP's Director of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, noted that during his recent visit to the region he saw a newly built school that was unaffected by the tsunami while total devastation could be seen around it. He said the school may have been constructed in a way that it could better withstand the kind of damage caused by a tsunami, and he said the reconstruction of infrastructure should reflect this. Mr. Ryan also stressed that location is highly significant in rebuilding after any major disaster. If some structures in Samoa had been built even 50 or 100 metres uphill from their locations, dozens of people might not have died. He noted that in Samoa alone, preliminary assessments indicated that damage exceeded $150 million, and that substantive funding will be necessary to revitalize key economic sectors, such as tourism, agriculture and fisheries.
Oct 15 2009 8:10PM
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| KOSOVO: UN MISSION SAYS ITS ROLE HINDERED BY SIDES' DIFFERING VIEWS
October 15, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| KOSOVO: UN MISSION SAYS ITS ROLE HINDERED BY SIDES' DIFFERING VIEWS
New York, Oct 15 2009 7:10PM
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia last year, is "inextricably caught" between the differing perceptions of the opposing sides, which hinder its efforts to bring the majority Albanians and minority Serbian and other ethnic groups closer together, the top UN official there said today."Actions by Pristina and Belgrade [the capitals of Kosovo and Serbia] continue to be aimed at bolstering their respective legal positions before the court," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative Lamberto Zannier <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/sc9768.doc.htm">told the Security Council, referring to an upcoming advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (<"http://www.icj-cij.org/">ICJ) on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence. "As a consequence our role, although aimed at promoting pragmatic solutions to existing problems, has not been an easy one to play," he said in presenting Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's latest report on the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (<"http://www.unmikonline.org/">UNMIK). While Serbia expects a robust UNMIK role, Kosovo authorities believe its job is done, he added. UNMIK, deployed in Kosovo in 1999 after North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces drove out Yugoslav troops amid bloody ethnic fighting between Serbs and Albanians, gave up its role administrative role following the declaration of independence, which Serbia rejects. In June, Kosovo's authorities announced that municipal elections will beheld on 15 November, but there has been little, if any, support for these in the three northern Serb municipalities, which consider UNMIK and the NATO-led Kosovo Force, or KFOR, as the only current legitimate presence. But Mr. Zannier noted that a number of Kosovo Serb community leaders south of the Ibar River have openly called for participation in the poll. "Putting status considerations aside, I believe that greater participation in Kosovo's local structures could benefit all of Kosovo's communities and foster development of multi-ethnic local institutions, leading to stronger protection of minority rights and encouraging returns [of displaced people]," he said, calling for "pragmatism and compromise" to set up fully-functioning courts and customs points in northern Kosovo. "Although conditions remained generally stable during this period [reporting from 1 June to 15 September] the situation in northern Kosovo remains an issue of concern, with the potential to destabilize other parts of Kosovo if not kept in check," he added.
Oct 15 2009 7:10PM
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| BAN DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS WITH HEAD OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
October 15, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| BAN DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS WITH HEAD OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
New York, Oct 15 2009 7:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed global development and human rights in a meeting today at United Nations Headquarters with the head of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Amnesty International. One of the themes of the meeting with Irene Khan was Amnesty's 'Demand Dignity' campaign, which highlights the importance of fighting poverty using human rights perspectives. Ms. Khan has called poverty "the world's worst human rights crisis," and in the run-up to the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, Amnesty is urging world leaders and policy-makers to shift the debate on poverty from economics to addressing the human rights problems that impoverish and keep people poor. Mr. Ban stressed that the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) – the eight global targets to reduce hunger, poverty and a host of others social ills by 2015 – represent not only a significant political commitment for development, but also stand as important milestones for often neglected human rights. Human rights values and principles permeate, underpin and are supported by all eight Goals, he said.
Oct 15 2009 7:10PM
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| NEW UNESCO CHIEF PLEDGES TO PROMOTE 'KNOWLEDGE, TOLERANCE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY'
October 15, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| NEW UNESCO CHIEF PLEDGES TO PROMOTE 'KNOWLEDGE, TOLERANCE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY'
New York, Oct 15 2009 7:10PM
The new head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Agency (<"http://www.unesco.org/en/general-conference-35session/single-view-news/news/irina_bokova_elected_director_general_of_unesco/back/19129/">UNESCO) pledged today to work closely with Member States to promote societies "based on knowledge, tolerance and equal opportunity for all" after she was formally approved as Director-General.The 193-member General Conference of UNESCO, meeting in Paris, elected Irina Bokova as head of the agency, nearly a month after she was chosen in the fifth round of voting by the Executive Board. A former foreign minister of Bulgaria, Ms. Bokova will start work in her new role on 15 November, succeeding Koïchiro Matsuura, who is ending his second term as Director-General and is not eligible for another stint. "I shall be guided in my work by my concept of a new humanism for the 21st century," Ms. Bokova said today after she was elected. "It is my dream to nurture relations of perfect synergy between the Director-General and Member States, so as to move together towards the creation of societies that are more just and prosperous, based on knowledge, tolerance and equal opportunity for all, thanks to education, science, culture and access to information."
Oct 15 2009 7:10PM
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| UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF ENDS VISIT TO INDONESIA AS DEATH TOLL FROM QUAKE TOPS 1,100
October 15, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF ENDS VISIT TO INDONESIA AS DEATH TOLL FROM QUAKE TOPS 1,100
New York, Oct 15 2009 7:10PM
The official death toll from last month's earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra has climbed to 1,117, including those still missing, the United Nations humanitarian arm reported today as its chief wrapped up a two-day mission to the site of the destruction.Under-Secretary-General for the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) John Holmes met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, donors and the head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as well as humanitarian agencies before leaving area. The 7.9-magnitude Indian Ocean earthquake on 30 September left 198,200 households in need of emergency shelter, according to initial assessments by OCHA. In the coming weeks, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) plan to reach around 62,000 of those households with distributions of emergency shelters, and at least 16,000 tents and tarpaulins have been distributed to date. Further shelter will depend upon additional funding. Last week the humanitarian community, in close consultation with the Government, launched a $38 million humanitarian response plan, identifying acute needs to be addressed within 90 days and identifying 74 projects. OCHA said that Padang City, Pariaman and Agam, the three most affected areas, have been struck by extensive damage to water and sanitation infrastructure, leaving more than 50,000 people requiring assistance. In addition around 190,000 people are suffering from serious shortages of staple foods, such as rice. WFP is providing fortified biscuits to children under five years old and to pregnant and lactating women and has started a school feeding programme. Almost 1,000 schools have been damaged and an estimated 90,000 students are reported to be in urgent need of teaching materials. The UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) has distributed 228 school tents, 80 school-in-a-box kits and 80 recreational kits. The BNPB has requested a shift in emergency relief aid to the neighbouring disaster-affected area of Jambi province, which was hit by another earthquake on 5 October. Around 500 houses, 11 schools and 2 health facilities in Kerinci district were damaged by that tremor, and over 100 houses and 123 schools in Merangin district were also damaged.
Oct 15 2009 7:10PM
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| Breaking News: Boy believed to be in runaway balloon found safe
October 15, 2009 at 6:30 pm
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| To view this email as a web page, go here.
| | ***USATODAY.com Breaking News*** | FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Sheriff's department says missing 6-year-old boy feared lost in balloon found safe at home. For full story, click here. |
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| BREAKING NEWS ALERT
October 15, 2009 at 6:14 pm
|
| | 6-YEAR-OLD BOY FEARED TRAPPED IN RUNAWAY BALLOON FOUND SAFE AT HOME Read More:
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| ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS CONTINUE TO COMMIT SERIOUS RIGHTS VIOLATIONS – UN OFFICIAL
October 15, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS CONTINUE TO COMMIT SERIOUS RIGHTS VIOLATIONS – UN OFFICIAL
New York, Oct 15 2009 5:10PM
Strong evidence indicates that all parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in different ways and with different effects, have committed and continue to commit serious violations of international human rights, a top United Nations official said today.UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay <"http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/6781752DD0ED2F1DC12576500047E3D3?opendocument">told a special session of the Human Rights Council on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory that the situation in East Jerusalem and Gaza were matters of concern, with numerous clashes in and around the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in recent weeks. The stringent restrictions imposed by Israel on Palestinians wishing to enter the mosque must be lifted for Palestinians to exercise their right to worship, she said, adding that home demolitions in East Jerusalem continued in violation of international humanitarian law and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Turning to Gaza, Ms. Pillay reiterated her support for the UN fact-finding mission into the fighting at the start of the year. That probe, led by Justice Richard Goldstone, found evidence that both sides committed serious war crimes and possible crimes against humanity and called for urgent action to counter impunity, with all parties carrying out impartial, independent, prompt, and effective investigations into reported violations. Ms. Pillay said she was dismayed by Israel's continued blockade of Gaza that severely undermined the Palestinians' rights and welfare, with living conditions deteriorating ever further due to restrictions on the import of goods and services, including basic food, fuel and essential building materials for reconstruction of homes and infrastructure destroyed during the Israeli attacks nine months ago. The 47-member Council earlier this month deferred action until March on a draft resolution endorsing the Goldstone report and condemning organized discrimination and human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory and East Jerusalem, but it brought forward the debate after a request from Palestine, co-sponsored by 18 countries. The reactions from victims, concerned people and organizations to the postponement are compelling evidence that addressing impunity for human rights violations is essential to preventing further violence and shoring up the peace process, Ms Pillay said. Israeli representative Aharon Leshno-Yaar called the Goldstone report biased and flawed in accusing Israel of war crimes for fighting Hamas, dubbing them war criminals who had openly called for Israel's destruction and had fired thousands of rockets against it. Relevant Israeli authorities were investigating mistakes that had been made but regrettably, the report saw no problems with Hamas' actions in using mosques, homes and hospitals for military purposes, he said, adding that the proposed resolution would be a reward for terror and send a clear message to terrorists everywhere. Palestinian representative Ibrahim Khraishi said Israel had had imposed a blockade on East Jerusalem, preventing inhabitants from going to their houses and places of worship, arrested and killed scores of people, and continued to Judaize the holy city, altering its cultural identity. It continued to destroy homes and public property, to build the wall, and to hinder movement of the Palestinian people, he added. The Gaza Strip is still under an unjust blockade in violation of international law, with its residents subject to numerous human rights violations, including the right to life, he declared, adding that Israel as an occupying power constitutes a threat to international peace and security. Dozens of members are scheduled to participate in the debate, which continues tomorrow.
Oct 15 2009 5:10PM
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| IRAN: BAN TROUBLED BY REPORTS OF VIOLENT EXTINCTION OF ELECTION PROTESTS IN LATEST REPORT
October 15, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| IRAN: BAN TROUBLED BY REPORTS OF VIOLENT EXTINCTION OF ELECTION PROTESTS IN LATEST REPORT
New York, Oct 15 2009 5:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply troubled" by reports of excessive force, arbitrary arrests and possible torture in the suppression of protests over the disputed Iranian presidential elections, in a <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=a/64/357">report to the General Assembly on the country's human rights situation that was released today.Mr. Ban urged the Government and the opposition to peacefully resolve their differences through dialogue and legal means, while describing the public debate during the election campaign, the high level of participation of the electorate in the 12 June polls and the peaceful post-election demonstrations as positive signs of the vitality of civil and political life. "The handling by authorities of the protests that followed has raised concerns about respect for freedom of expression, assembly and association, the use of force in policing demonstrations and the treatment of and due process afforded to detainees," Mr. Ban wrote in the report. Mr. Ban said that following the announcement of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory, tens of thousands of supporters of the other candidates took to the streets over several days to protest the result, with national television reporting the death of seven people after violence erupted. "There is no accurate measure of the number of casualties during the protests, but numerous media reports have cited at least 20 people killed and many more injured during the demonstrations," stressed Mr. Ban. He noted that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay led a chorus of UN rights experts voicing concern over the use of excessive police force, arbitrary arrests and killings, in particular reported acts of violence by members of the Basij militia. As the protests grew, authorities restricted the media by blocking websites, banning them from unauthorized demonstrations and implementing new restrictions requiring journalists to obtain permission before leaving the office to cover any story. Iranian authorities also sought to block the use of social networking and other websites that had been used to broadcast information and visual images of the protests internationally. Mr. Ban highlighted the death of Neda Agha Soltan, a young woman who was shot in the chest during a demonstration in Tehran. The incident received widespread international attention as a result of its wide circulation via the Internet. Among the other human rights issues covered in the report, the Secretary-General spotlighted the execution of juveniles as a specific area for concern. "The imposition of the death penalty on individuals who commit crimes while under the age of 18 is a breach of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Islamic Republic of Iran is a party." Iranian authorities executed eight teenagers in 2008, and by the end of September three juveniles had been put to death in 2009, according to Amnesty International. The human rights group also said that from 1990 to 2009 Iran had executed 41 juveniles, accounting for more than half of the reported executions of children worldwide. On 11 October, Behnoud Shojaie was executed for the murder of another boy in a street fight when both were 17 years old, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx">OHCHR).
Oct 15 2009 5:10PM
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| CYPRIOT LEADERS PLANT OLIVE TREES FOR PEACE AND PLEDGE TO CONTINUE UN-BACKED TALKS
October 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| CYPRIOT LEADERS PLANT OLIVE TREES FOR PEACE AND PLEDGE TO CONTINUE UN-BACKED TALKS
New York, Oct 15 2009 4:10PM
The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders planted olive trees today in a gesture of peace, pledging to continue participating in United Nations-backed talks to unify the Mediterranean island.The two trees were planted at a ceremony by Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat at the entrance of the site where they are holding their discussions in Cyprus' capital, Nicosia. They also received a petition from civil society representatives from both communities in support of the negotiations. Last May, Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat committed themselves to working towards "a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions." That partnership would comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which would be of equal status. The leaders expressed their dedication to enhancing their efforts towards peace but maintaining channels of communication and promoting reconciliation between the communities, as well as building mutual trust at today's ceremony, after which they resumed their talks. Following those discussions, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative Tayé-Brook Zerihoun told reporters that the leaders plan to meet next week to continue their talks on governance, external relations and property rights. The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (<"http://www.unficyp.org/">UNFICYP) has been in place on the island since 1964, following the outbreak of inter-communal violence.
Oct 15 2009 4:10PM
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| BAN PLEDGES TO STRENGTHEN UN CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
October 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| BAN PLEDGES TO STRENGTHEN UN CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
New York, Oct 15 2009 4:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today pledged that the United Nations will do all it can to deepen a culture of accountability and transparency, highlighting the progress made so far and stressing that the process of reform continues. "The United Nations is at the centre of the international response to global crises facing the world today. Renewed multilateralism means that more and more people are turning to us for action," Mr. Ban said in remarks on the 15th anniversary of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). "To keep pace with these growing demands, we need to continually strengthen and improve our own operations. That means greater transparency, increased efficiency and more accountability," he <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4162">stated, adding that OIOS is vital to this effort. Mr. Ban noted that in any complex organization with such a broad agenda that affects so many lives, strong leadership and dedicated management are critical. "So, too, is a professional oversight body, working as an agent of change and contributing to the common goal of delivering solid results for the people we serve." OIOS was established in July 1994 by the General Assembly as an operationally independent entity to assist the Secretary-General in oversight responsibilities with respect to the resources and staff of the Secretariat through monitoring, internal audit, inspection, evaluation and investigation. The Office, headed by Inga-Britt Ahlenius, has the authority to initiate, carry out and report on any action it considers necessary to fulfil its responsibilities regarding its oversight functions. Each year it issues more than 200 reports, and more than 1,500 recommendations to improve internal controls and correct underlying obstacles to organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Mr. Ban highlighted progress on a number of fronts, including the establishment of an Ethics Office that provides protection for whistleblowers and the tightening of rules on procurement and on financial disclosure by senior officials.
In addition, the Secretary-General has established compacts with each of his senior managers, with performance published on the Intranet. "Results matter. Performance must be measurable," he said, referring to the compacts, which cover many aspects of performance such as the implementation of oversight recommendations. "These are just some of the steps we have taken in recent years. But the journey continues. While we have made progress in several key areas, the process of renewal and reform goes on – precisely as it should," said Mr. Ban. He pledged to continue to extend his full support to OIOS and to the two other members of the UN oversight family, the Board of Auditors and the Joint Inspection Unit. "Let us together pledge to do our utmost to use our resources responsibly; to improve our performance at all levels, at all locations; and, in the broadest sense, to deepen a culture of accountability, transparency and meaningful results."
Oct 15 2009 4:10PM
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| UN GOODWILL AMBASSADORS VISIT TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN IN GAZA
October 15, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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| UN GOODWILL AMBASSADORS VISIT TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN IN GAZA
New York, Oct 15 2009 3:10PM
United States actress Mia Farrow and Egyptian actor Mahmoud Kabil, both UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51423.html">UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassadors, today ended a two-day visit to Gaza where they witnessed first-hand the hardships children still face nine months after the three-week war between Israel and Hamas. "The children appear traumatized," Ms. Farrow said. "The teachers say that when they hear a loud noise they look to the sky and cry out and weep. They don't know what the future holds. They deserve better." The fighting killed more than 1,400 people, including at least 350 children, and injured over 5,000 people, among them 1,600 children. Ms. Farrow entered from Israel through the Erez crossing point while Mr. Kabil crossed over from Egypt at Rafah to meet up in Gaza, which has been under virtual blockade for 28 months. They heard testimony from children who are now forced to work in tunnels to support their struggling families. The tunnels are used to smuggle in goods that are otherwise unavailable in Gaza. Unemployment rates are above 40 per cent and eight out of 10 families in Gaza rely on some form of food assistance. Ms. Farrow's visit is part of a week-long trip to the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, where she is meeting with officials, civil society organizations and children affected by conflict. She will go to Sderot in southern Israel which has been the target of rocket attacks from Gaza. For Mr. Kabil, this is the second leg of a journey to the occupied Palestinian territory. He was in the West Bank during the month of Ramadan to show support for Palestinian children and families during the holy month. "I am happy to finally be able to visit the children of Gaza and express my solidarity with their families for the suffering they are enduring on a daily basis," he said. "The blockade and the recent fighting have left an indelible impact on children. Palestinian children have the same rights as all children everywhere and these rights need to be upheld."
Oct 15 2009 3:10PM
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| BREAKING NEWS ALERT
October 15, 2009 at 2:51 pm
|
| | OFFICIALS RACE TO RESCUE BOY WHO SNUCK INTO FLYING BALLOON, FLOATED AWAY NEAR DENVER Read More:
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| NEXT FIVE NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS OF SECURITY COUNCIL CHOSEN
October 15, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| NEXT FIVE NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS OF SECURITY COUNCIL CHOSEN
New York, Oct 15 2009 2:10PM
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria will serve two-year terms on the Security Council starting next January after they won elections to the 15-member body today.The five countries were chosen after running uncontested races for the non-permanent seats, and they were duly elected by the General Assembly during a secret ballot at United Nations Headquarters in New York this morning. To be elected to the Security Council, candidate countries need a two-thirds majority of ballots of Member States that are present and voting. The seats are allocated on the basis of geographical groupings. Nigeria, which received 186 votes today for one of two African seats available, has served three times previously on the Council, in 1966-67, 1978-79 and 1994-95. Gabon, which picked up 184 votes, served in 1978-79 and in 1998-99. Lebanon, which was chosen after receiving 180 votes, is returning to the Council after a break of more than half a century. Its only other stint was in 1953-54. Bosnia and Herzegovina, which won the seat allocated for Eastern European States after receiving 183 votes, has never served before on the Council. Brazil was chosen for the Latin American and Caribbean category after being awarded 182 votes. It has served on the Council on nine other occasions: 1946-47, 1951-52, 1954-55, 1963-64, 1967-68, 1988-89, 1993-94, 1998-99 and 2004-05. The five countries will join Austria, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and Uganda, whose terms on the Council end on 31 December 2010. The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Oct 15 2009 2:10PM
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| PROBLEMS WITH JUDICIARY HAMPERING FIGHT AGAINST IMPUNITY IN GUATEMALA – UN REPORT
October 15, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| PROBLEMS WITH JUDICIARY HAMPERING FIGHT AGAINST IMPUNITY IN GUATEMALA – UN REPORT
New York, Oct 15 2009 2:10PM
Weaknesses within Guatemala's judicial system continue to hamper the fight against impunity, according to a new United Nations report which points to a lack of independence among some judges as one of the key problems."Some judges appear to be subject to external influence to the detriment of justice," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote in his <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=a/64/370">report on the activities of the independent body set up with UN help to investigate the activities of illegal armed groups in Guatemala. The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, known by its Spanish acronym CICIG, seeks to bolster the rule of law and is permitted by its mandate to conduct independent investigations and help authorities bring representative cases to trial in national courts. Mr. Ban noted that the Commission has made significant progress in key areas, including criminal prosecutions and investigations, as well as in obtaining the approval of important legal reforms. "Most importantly, the Commission contributed to raising awareness among the Guatemalan population of the need to end impunity," he stated. However, efforts to combat impunity have been made more difficult by problems within the judicial system, he added. By way of example, he highlighted an incident in June in which a judge ordered the release of four suspected members of the "Zetas," the armed branch of a Mexican cartel, on low bail and dismissed 10 of 12 charges filed against them. In another case, a judge had turned down, without proper justification, the Commission's request to enter the case against former President Alfonso Portillo as complementary prosecutor, a decision that was overturned. "To date, the Commission has requested the removal of immunities of one judge so that she may be tried as a private citizen for obstruction of justice and other crimes," said Mr. Ban. Earlier this month the Secretary-General and an independent UN human rights expert voiced concern over the manner of the recent election of judges to the country's Supreme Court, saying the process was rushed and lacked transparency and objectivity. In his report, Mr. Ban said the Commission has insisted on the urgent need to create specialized courts located in the capital, Guatemala City, to hear "high-impact" cases, as such courts "help provide greater security for judges and ensure impartial decisions. "The need for such courts has been made evident in several cases that were transferred repeatedly between regional courts and the capital due to the refusal of regional courts to hear the cases," he stated. "Security and intimidation of judges plays a factor in such circumstances, as criminal networks are better able to exploit weaknesses in the judicial system outside Guatemala City." The Secretary-General noted that challenges remain for the implementation of the specialized courts, and also cited the urgent need to create maximum security judicial and penitentiary facilities. Over the next year, the Commission will be focusing on cases related to clandestine security apparatuses, aiming – in coordination with national law enforcement authorities – to demonstrate that these groups "can be successfully dismantled." CICIG was established under an agreement signed between Guatemala and the UN in December 2006, and is headed by Carlos Castresana of Spain.
Oct 15 2009 2:10PM
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| RURAL WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD DEPRIVED OF THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS, SAY UN CHIEF
October 15, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| RURAL WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD DEPRIVED OF THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS, SAY UN CHIEF
New York, Oct 15 2009 2:10PM
Women living in rural areas in many parts of the world face severe deprivations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4161">message on the <"http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/idrw/">International Day of Rural Women calling for greater support of their rights.Noting that the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (<"http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/">CEDAW) – the only international human rights treaty that specifically addresses rural women – falls this year, Mr. Ban said that women frequently do not benefit from its provisions. "They are among those hit hardest by the inadequate rate of progress in improving maternal health," said Mr. Ban. "They have limited access to life-saving resources such as drinking water, electricity and roads," he said, stressing that too "many rural women and girls are not in school, and they lack equitable access to decision-making processes, meaning that their voices are not heard." Mr. Ban said that the Convention calls on all States parties to ensure that women fully participate in rural development; have access to health care, social security programmes, training, education, credit and loans; and benefit equally from infrastructure investments such as sanitation, water, transport and communications. "Let us commit to increasing investments in the resources, infrastructure and services which would ease rural women's workloads and release their time and energy for engagement in the labour market and public life," he said. "On this International Day, let us pledge to do our utmost to put the rights, needs and aspirations of rural women much higher on the global agenda."
Oct 15 2009 2:10PM
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| BREAKING NEWS ALERT
October 15, 2009 at 1:36 pm
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| | HOUSE VOTES TO ALLOW GUANTANAMO PRISONERS INTO UNITED STATES FOR TRIAL Read More:
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| Today's Tech News: Female pilots lost in space race
October 15, 2009 at 1:13 pm
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| To view the latest USA TODAY Tech headlines on your mobile device, click here.
If you have trouble reading this e-mail newsletter click here.
To make changes to your e-mail subscriptions, click here  | | |  |  |  | | | | Lost in space race: Female pilots | | By Dan Vergano, USA TODAY
Women had the "right stuff," too, back in the '60s. But the data on their performance tests were buried, and it was two decades before there was an American female astronaut. Read more | | |
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| LEBANON: UN ENVOY UPBEAT ON CHANCES OF FORMING UNITY GOVERNMENT
October 15, 2009 at 1:10 pm
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| LEBANON: UN ENVOY UPBEAT ON CHANCES OF FORMING UNITY GOVERNMENT
New York, Oct 15 2009 1:10PM
The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon said today that the country had entered "a crucial week" for efforts to end the deadlock over the formation of a national unity government, four months after general elections took place.Michael Williams said the "decisive steps to forming a cabinet" could take place in the next week following a meeting with General Michel Aoun, who heads the Reform and Change bloc in the Lebanese Parliament and is a former prime minister. "We believe a positive spirit is prevailing, after earlier delays that we were concerned about, but I am confident that progress can be made in the coming days," Mr. Williams said in a statement issued by his office in Beirut. The Special Coordinator said that during his meeting with Gen. Aoun he voiced support for "the open dialogue that all sides have adopted in Lebanon" and commended the lawmaker for "the spirit in which he has conducted this dialogue with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri."
Oct 15 2009 1:10PM
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| HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT CALLS JOINT UN-CONGOLESE ARMY ACTION 'CATASTROPHIC'
October 15, 2009 at 1:10 pm
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| HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT CALLS JOINT UN-CONGOLESE ARMY ACTION 'CATASTROPHIC'
New York, Oct 15 2009 1:10PM
Government troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have killed, raped or mutilated scores of civilians this year in the context of "catastrophic" joint military operations with United Nations peacekeepers to weed out mainly Rwandan Hutu rebels, a UN human rights expert said today."Congolese soldiers shot and beat to death at least 50 Rwandan Hutu refugees, and burnt their camp to the ground in an attack in April 2009," UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions Philip Alston said in a press statement at the end of an 11-day investigation in which he travelled widely in the vast country. "Some 40 women were abducted from the camp. A small group of 10 who escaped described being gang-raped, and had severe injuries – some had chunks of their breasts hacked off," he added of the atrocities in the Shalio area of North Kivu province in the east, where a joint DRC-UN military operation has been launched against Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) rebels. "An immediate, independent, and thorough investigation into these killings is essential," Mr. Alston said, citing emerging reports of other very recent killings by the DRC's army. "Alarm bells are ringing loudly in the DRC," he warned of the general situation throughout the country, calling on the Government and the international community to take immediate preventative measures to avert further predictable bloodshed. The joint operation in Kivu has been so poorly carried out that the FDLR has easily re-entered villages abandoned by the Congolese and UN forces to commit brutal retaliation massacres of civilians, Mr. Alston said. "From a human rights perspective, the operation has been catastrophic. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, hundreds of villages burnt to the ground, and at least 1,000 civilians have been killed. Women and girls have literally been raped to death in the most gruesome attacks imaginable." The nearly 19,000-strong uniformed force of the UN mission in DRC, known as MONUC and set up in 2000 to help restore peace after years of multiple civil wars, announced in May that it was supporting the army in efforts to flush out the rebels. The mission's public information director Kevin Kennedy, replying yesterday to charges by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of <"http://monuc.unmissions.org/">MONUC silence on human rights abuses, said the mission brings the information to the attention of the military authorities, and recommends disciplinary steps such as demotion as well as judicial measures. Some 50 MONUC operating bases have been put in place in the most sensitive zones to protect the civilian population, he added. Mr. Alston, an independent expert who reports to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, also investigated killings in Orientale province in the far north, bordering Sudan and Uganda, where Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have infiltrated. He called the situation "a powder keg," with neither the Government nor the international community paying sufficient attention to it. "The Government claims to have pushed the Lord's Resistance Army out of the Congo and is ready to declare victory. But the sad reality is that the LRA is still very much in business in Orientale. Killings and kidnappings continue apace," he said. The LRA essentially consists of children abducted by Joseph Kony, a man wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes. "Far from being finished off, the LRA has turned itself into a regional problem that now requires a regional solution, but none is apparently contemplated," the Special Rapporteur warned. He voiced particular concern that the Government has recently dispatched troops to the area "who are best known for raping and killing civilians and looting in other parts of the country." Since September 2008, over 1,200 civilians have been brutally killed by the LRA, with many killings predictable revenge massacres after Government and UN military operations. Both the Government and UN failed in their responsibility to prioritize civilian protection in their planning, he concluded. Some of the most vicious LRA killings occurred after an operation conducted in cooperation with Uganda and the South Sudan People's Liberation Army, with United States logistical support, he added. Turning to the western regions, Mr. Alston warned that with the approach of elections next year, Kinshasa, the capital, and Bas Congo province are ripe for a repetition of the political killings of hundreds of civilians committed by security forces from 2006-2008. "The highly repressive State apparatus in these areas was brought home to me dramatically when I was prevented from meeting with witnesses and victims by officials and armed police in Bas Congo," he said. Across the country, impunity for killings is so pervasive that even Bosco Ntaganda, wanted by the ICC for using child soldiers, holds a senior command position in current military operations. "Men dressed anonymously in off-the-rack green military uniforms, lacking any identifying insignia, use brutality and the power of their position to prevail over the law in the Congo," he added. "The Government doesn't even know how many soldiers it has. Even a change as simple as requiring soldiers to wear uniforms that identify their name and unit would go a long way to combating impunity." Oct 15 2009 1:10PM
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| Entertainment news: 'Monty Python' turns 40; 'Dracula' sequel is frighteningly good
October 15, 2009 at 12:28 pm
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| To view the latest USA TODAY Entertainment headlines on your mobile device, click here. If you have trouble reading this e-mail newsletter click here. To make changes to your e-mail subscriptions, click here  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | Lifeline Live Rush Limbaugh is dropped from NFL bid amid controversy. Also, Justin Timberlake scores an ace in golf. Read more |  | | | |  | | | | Advertisement <  | | Sponsored Links To forward this e-mail to a friend, please click here. You are currently subscribed to this newsletter with the address: phoenixnews09@gmail.com.
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| UNESCO HONOURS FIVE EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN SCIENTISTS
October 15, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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| UNESCO HONOURS FIVE EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN SCIENTISTS
New York, Oct 15 2009 12:10PM
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and cosmetics giant L'Oréal today announced the names of five exceptional women scientists, selected by a panel headed by a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, who will receive major awards. The five women were chosen to receive the 2010 L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards in the Life Sciences out of nearly 1,000 nominated scientists by a jury – headed by the 1999 recipient of the Nobel Prize in medicine, Günter Blobel – of 18 eminent members of the scientific community. The awards ceremony will take place next March at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, with each of the five laureates receiving a $100,000 prize for their contributions to advancing science. Rashika El Ridi of Cairo University in Egypt was selected for her work towards developing a vaccine against the tropical disease schistosomiasis/bilharzia, while Lourdes J. Cruz of the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines Diliman is being honoured for the discovery of marine snail toxins that can assist in the study of brain function. For her part, Elaine Fuchs of the Rockefeller University in the United States was recognized for her contributions to knowledge of skin biology and skin stem cells. Anne Dejean-Assémat of the Pasteur Institute in France was chosen for her contributions to understanding of leukaemia and liver cancers and Alejandra Bravo of the Institute of Molecular Microbiology of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma in Mexico was honoured for her work on a bacterial toxin which acts as a power insecticide. L'Oréal and UNESCO, who joined forces 12 years ago to support the cause of women in science, stressed the world's need for science more than ever in the face of the current economic crisis. The winners of the L'Oréal-UNESCO awards "are among the world's best scientific talents and well serve as role models for the future of science," said Professor Blobel, adding that two 2008 laureates were awarded Nobel Prizes this year.
Oct 15 2009 12:10PM
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| Daily Travel News: No recovery for airlines in 2010
October 15, 2009 at 11:41 am
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| To view the latest USA TODAY Travel headlines on your mobile device, click here. If you have trouble reading this e-mail newsletter click here. To make changes to your e-mail subscriptions, click here  | | | | | | |   | | | |  | Southwest adds 104 flights to spring schedule, ups ante on BWI-Boston route
Read more |  | | | |  Cruise deals
More than a dozen lines roll out sales |  |  Smarter Travel
How much should you tip when traveling abroad? | | |  | | | | Advertisement <  
 Top 10 Travel Deals | Powered by ShermansTravel.com | | | | | Sponsored Links To forward this e-mail to a friend, please click here. You are currently subscribed to this newsletter with the address: phoenixnews09@gmail.com.
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| Books news: Sequel to original 'Dracula' is well worth a 112-year wait
October 15, 2009 at 11:13 am
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| WASHING HANDS WITH SOAP CAN PREVENT DISEASE AND SAVE LIVES, STRESS UN EXPERTS
October 15, 2009 at 11:10 am
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| WASHING HANDS WITH SOAP CAN PREVENT DISEASE AND SAVE LIVES, STRESS UN EXPERTS
New York, Oct 15 2009 11:10AM
The simple act of washing hands with soap can drastically reduce deaths from preventable diseases, which are killing thousands of people everyday, a group of United Nations human rights experts stressed as they marked Global Handwashing Day."While access to water and sanitation are critical to the protection of human health, we must remember that these are only effective when combined with good hygiene," emphasized Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque, the UN Independent Expert on human rights, water and sanitation. She noted that washing hands with soap "at critical moments, especially after defecating, before handling food, and after coughing and sneezing," is crucial for the prevention of disease, adding that promoting this life-saving activity is part of a State's human rights obligations. Anand Grover, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, emphasized that children face the greatest risks from bad hygiene, which can lead to potentially fatal diseases. Good hand washing practices are said to be the single most effective way to avoid contracting diseases, such as acute respiratory illnesses and diarrhoea-related diseases like cholera and dysentery, he noted in a news release. These diseases cause 3.5 million deaths among children under five each year and they are preventable. In addition, hand washing with soap will be a crucial way to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. "Large sums of money are being spent as we speak on awareness-raising to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus – with similar prioritization, handwashing could reduce the spread of not only H1N1 virus, but many other equally dangerous communicable diseases. In fact, handwashing with soap could halve the number of children dying each year from diarrhoea," said Mr. Grover. "The school environment is a crucial place for hygiene promotion, since children will often take these lessons home, and it will influence other family members," according to Mr. Vernor Muñoz, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education, highlighted the fact that schools are crucial place for promoting good hygiene, since children can take these lessons home and influence family members. "We have observed various projects which are based on this premise and are very successful. However, it is crucial that the school environment also provides adequate sanitation facilities," he said. The three experts stressed that promoting handwashing with soap must be a priority at the national level, and that States are obliged to ensure that public places, including public hospitals, schools and prisons, have appropriate facilities for good hygiene.
"Hygiene is a central part of the human rights obligations related to water, sanitation and health, and we call upon all States to comply with these obligations," they stated. The worldwide observance of <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51420.html">Global Handwashing Day began in 2008 – which was also the UN International Year of Sanitation – and was spearheaded by the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF). The Day is an initiative of the Public Private Partnership for Handwashing which brings together multilateral organizations, local community groups and the private sector.
Oct 15 2009 11:10AM
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| UN-BACKED MEETING CALLS FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY POLICIES FOR DISABLED IN ASIA-PACIFIC
October 15, 2009 at 11:10 am
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| UN-BACKED MEETING CALLS FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY POLICIES FOR DISABLED IN ASIA-PACIFIC
New York, Oct 15 2009 11:10AM
A United Nations-backed gathering in the Republic of Korea wrapped up today calling for improved access to Internet and mobile phone technologies, among others, for some 400 million persons with disabilities living in the Asia-Pacific region.The three-day workshop, jointly organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (<"http://www.unescap.org/">ESCAP), recommended new guidelines to improve access to information and communication technology (ICT) for persons with disabilities in the region. "ICTs, when used effectively, have the potential to empower people with disabilities to lead active, independent and productive lives," <"http://www.unescap.org/unis/press/2009/oct/g66.asp">said Hyeun-Suk Rhee, Director of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for ICT for Development (APCICT). Bringing together policy-makers from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam, the workshop provided training in enhancing ICT accessibility for persons with disabilities.
It underscored the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which stipulates the right of persons with disabilities to access ICT, and examined issues connected to education, employment, procurement, increasing affordability and availability of ICT products and services, and awareness-raising and advocacy. Government representatives were joined at the "Second Regional Workshop on the Enhancement of ICT Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities" in the port city of Incheon by experts from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Australia, European Union (EU), Italy, the Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and United States.
Oct 15 2009 11:10AM
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| SHRINKING LAKE CHAD COULD TRIGGER HUMANITARIAN DISASTER, UN AGENCY WARNS
October 15, 2009 at 10:10 am
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| SHRINKING LAKE CHAD COULD TRIGGER HUMANITARIAN DISASTER, UN AGENCY WARNS
New York, Oct 15 2009 10:10AM
Lake Chad, once one of the world's largest water bodies, could disappear in 20 years due to climate change and population pressures, resulting in a humanitarian disaster in central Africa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today.The lake – surrounded by Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria – has shrunk by 90 per cent, going from 25,000 square kilometers in 1963 to less than 1,500 square kilometers in 2001. The 30 million people living in the Lake Chad region are being forced into competing over water, and the drying up of the lake could lead to migration and conflicts, FAO cautioned. Fish production has recorded a 60 per cent decline, while pasturelands have been degraded, resulting in a shortage of animal feed, livestock and biodiversity. "The humanitarian disaster that could follow the ecological catastrophe needs urgent interventions," said Parvis Koohafkan, Director of FAO's Land and Water Division. "The tragic disappearance of Lake Chad has to be stopped and the livelihoods of millions of people living in this vast area should be safeguarded." The agency collaborates with the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), founded in 1964 which brings together countries in the region regularly to discuss regulation and control of water use. A radical change in water management techniques is needed to stem the diminishing flow of water into Lake Chad, according to the body. Together with the LCBC, FAO will hold a special event – "Saving Lake Chad: A System Under Threat" – in Rome tomorrow during World Food Day in a bid to raise awareness about the disastrous situation in the lake.
Oct 15 2009 10:10AM
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| PROSECUTOR OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT LOOKING INTO RECENT EVENTS IN GUINEA
October 15, 2009 at 10:10 am
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| PROSECUTOR OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT LOOKING INTO RECENT EVENTS IN GUINEA
New York, Oct 15 2009 10:10AM
The International Criminal Court (<"http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC?lan=en-GB">ICC) confirmed today that its prosecutor is looking into last month's events in Guinea, where at least 150 people were killed when security forces opened fire on an opposition rally."A preliminary examination of the situation has been immediately initiated in order to determine whether crimes falling under the Court's jurisdiction have been perpetrated," according to a <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/15635D10-F118-4398-8A8D-E15E56465FA7.htm">news release issued by the Court, which is an independent, permanent body that investigates and prosecutes people accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Court said that the Prosecutor's Office has taken note of "serious allegations" surrounding the events of 28 September in the capital, Conakry. "From the information we have received, from the pictures I have seen, women were abused or otherwise brutalized on the pitch of Conraky's stadium, apparently by men in uniform" said Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. "This is appalling, unacceptable. It must never happen again. Those responsible must be held accountable," she added. Top UN officials have condemned the violent suppression of the 28 September demonstration which High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has characterized as a "blood bath." Guinea has been a State Party to the Rome Statute, which set up the ICC, since July 2003. "As such the ICC has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide possibly committed in the territory of Guinea or by nationals of Guinea, including killings of civilians and sexual violence," the Court stated. Other situations under preliminary examination by the ICC Prosecutor include Afghanistan, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Georgia, Kenya, and Palestine. Currently, four situations – the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and the Darfur region of Sudan – are under investigation by the Prosecutor.
Oct 15 2009 10:10AM
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| Today's News from TheEagle.com
October 15, 2009 at 10:07 am
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| Enthusiasts flock to Ford GT rally Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT There was speed to burn at the Texas World Speedway on Wednesday, but the drivers going 150 mph didn't dare race each other.The Ford GT Rally drew about 70 car owners from the United States and Canada to the track south of College Station. It was a c ... | | Obama, Bush to celebrate volunteerism Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Hank Roraback remembers watching video footage of President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, doing volunteer work during and after his presidency.It made an impact on Roraback, and he said he is sure that it affected others, too. "You would se ... | | Survey: Aggie values are key for next university president Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Aggie values and spirit are the chief qualities that about 11,400 respondents to a non-scientific survey are looking for in the next Texas A&M University president. The least important of 13 traits were a degree from Texas A&M and a reputatio ... | | Get away this weekend, here in BV Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Looking for something to do this weekend?Explosions, food, music, aircraft and dogs are all on the schedule around the Brazos Valley.The Coulter Air Classic, Wiener Fest, Texas Mushroom Festival, Rock the Republic and Texas A&M's Chemistry Open H ... | | Bryan woman arrested after helping boyfriend hide from police Posted: 14 Oct 2009 04:28 AM PDT An 18-year-old woman faces a felony charge after police said she helped her boyfriend -- who had a warrant on a Harris County robbery charge -- hide from authorities in College Station, police said.Bryan resident Kelsey Leanne Ball was arrested Tuesd ... | | Ex-officer takes on MADD role Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT A retired Bryan police lieutenant and father will serve as an advocate in the community against drunken driving. Ben Smith, who served as a police officer for 28 years, began as the victim services advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving's Bryan o ... | | Lynntech is not moving to new site until 2010 Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT The Science Park at Research Valley was scheduled to be open for business last month, but the 180,000-square-foot building will remain vacant through the end of the year.Lynntech officials in March finalized the purchase for the Science Park facility ... | | Bryan man faces felony DWI charge, police say Posted: 14 Oct 2009 04:22 AM PDT A 50-year-old Bryan man was arrested on a felony driving while intoxicated charge after police said he crossed into oncoming traffic.Curtis Buddy Garrett was taken into custody Tuesday on the charge of third or more DWI and driving while license inva ... | | A&M to co-host conference in China Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Texas A&M will co-host a conference in Beijing that will bring together government, business and academic leaders from China and the United States, officials said Tuesday. Economic and trade relations, along with security, energy and climate chal ... | | Jim Beard services planned for today Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Funeral services for Jim Beard, a local business leader, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Methodist Church in Bryan. Beard died at his Bryan home Saturday at the age of 101. He was the oldest living former University of Texas football and ... | | Woman makes bail in prostitution case Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT A 40-year-old College Station woman was released from jail Wednesday after police arrested her on a prostitution charge. College Station police said a resident had alerted them to a Web site that the woman was using to advertise prostitution. An unde ... | | Bryan recognized by child advocacy group Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT The city of Bryan has been commended by a child-advocacy organization for its leadership in several areas pertaining to children and families.The nonpartisan Austin-based Texans Care for Children recognized the city for its initiative to promote fath ... | | Public health care option is still viable Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT WASHINGTON -- Fears about high costs of the health care overhaul and mistrust of insurers are rekindling interest in letting the government sell health insurance as part of the plan.The leading congressional proposal as of Wednesday -- a Senate Finan ... | | Woman tried to steal clothes, worker says Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT A 19-year-old Bryan woman was released from the Brazos County Jail Wednesday after being accused of trying to steal more than $800 worth of clothing from Macy's. College Station police said an employee of the store in the Post Oak Mall reported the t ... | | Perry defends inmate's execution Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT AUSTIN -- A man put to death in 2004 for killing his three children was "a monster," and suggestions that he might have been innocent are anti-death penalty propaganda, Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday.Cameron Todd Willingham's convictions were upheld ... | | Bomb plot suspect's brother held Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT DALLAS -- The teenage brother of a Jordanian man accused of trying to bomb a Dallas skyscraper is being held as a material witness in the case, officials said Wednesday.Husein Smadi, 18, was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service aft ... | | Afghan vote woes persist Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT KABUL -- Afghan officials would face a daunting task in organizing a runoff presidential election before the arrival of winter -- including hiring unbiased staff and securing polling stations in areas under threat of Taliban attack.The problems are u ... | | Sources: Al-Qaida leader contacted suspect Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT NEW YORK -- The airport shuttle driver accused of plotting a bombing in New York had contacts with al-Qaida that went nearly all the way to the top, to an Osama bin Laden confidant believed to be the terrorist group's leader in Afghanistan, U.S. inte ... | | Too Many Mastectomies? Posted: 14 Oct 2009 07:07 PM PDT (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Surgeons are concerned about the rise in use of mastectomies in the United States. Researchers say surgeon recommendations; patients' own decisions and past failures of breast-conserving surgery all influence the high mastectom ... | | Sandwich creation uses fans' favorites Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:40 PM PDT The College Station Potbelly Sandwich Works has developed a new sandwich because the combination is a fan favorite. The CLUBBY includes oven-roasted turkey, hickory-smoked ham, bacon, provolone cheese, ranch dressing, lettuce and tomato. ... | | Businesses sought for youth career fair Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:38 PM PDT The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce is seeking businesses to participate in a career fair. The Youth to Career Fair encourages local eighth-graders, including private-school students and home-schooled children, to look at various career ... | | Chamber to host networking event Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:37 PM PDT The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business After Hours on Oct. 15. The free program will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Brazos County Expo Complex, 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan. Food, drinks and networking will be offer ... | | 3 B-CS businesses hold ribbon cuttings Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:35 PM PDT Three businesses are officially celebrating openings this week. Texas Enterprise Bank, at 1920 W. Villa Maria Road in Bryan, will hold a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. Friday.Citizens Bank, at 3111 University Drive E. in College Station, celebrated its ... | | Messina Hof plans Premiere Weekend Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Messina Hof Winery and Resort is kicking off its Wine Premiere Weekend with a "Thanksgiving Bounty" cooking party. The five-course dinner at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 will include the winery's new fall vintages and a strolling food and wine party. At 6:30 p ... | | New Bryan-College Station business permits Posted: 14 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT New development projects submitted to College Station as of Oct. 12.* First Victoria: 1298 Arrington Road; a site plan for a general commercial on 1.52 acres. Also, a non-residential architectural standards review for a bank.* College Station Northga ... |  |
| Daily Briefing: Female pilots lost in space race
October 15, 2009 at 6:28 am
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| Torre dodges big question about possibly facing Yankees
October 15, 2009 at 6:03 am
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| 10/15 NBA.com: Lakers News
October 15, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| Lakers Giving Tree
October 14, 2009 at 7:20 pm
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| | The Lakers kicked off the 2009-10 community season by planting and treating trees. | | |  |
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| 10/15 Phoenix Arizona East Valley Living Blog
October 15, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| Apache Junction mayor returns from job-recruitment trip
October 14, 2009 at 1:47 pm
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| Apache Junction mayor returns from job-recruitment trip to L.A. GPEC delegation met with top executives from software and solar energy firms The Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Apache Junction Mayor John Insalaco and leadership from Avondale returned from a job-recruitment trip to California, having met with companies interested in expanding into the Valley. Source : Greater Phoenix Economic Council The delegation met with executives from two software companies and a solar energy firm. One of the software companies is looking to expand testing in the U.S. and is considering one of two states for their project. "They're looking at Greater Phoenix because of the talent base," said Brad Smidt, vice president of business development at GPEC. "They're attracted to this area because of the close proximity to California where their U.S. anchor company is located, and because of the lower cost of operating." The solar company, too, is interested in expanding into the Phoenix area, particularly because of the Renewable Energy Tax Incentive program passed this summer. The company is looking to expand its manufacturing operation and may be eligible for the tax credit, Smidt said. The delegation traveled to California as part of a joint economic partnership with Tucson, Yuma and Flagstaff. The group, which included Avondale Director of Parks, Recreation and Libraries Dan Davis, made the trip to call on opportunities that will advance the Arizona Sun Corridor. This megapolitan stretch uniting Phoenix and Tucson will be one of 10 U.S. markets expected to see most of the nation's growth in the next 35 years. Insalaco is the eighth mayor to take part in this effort since March. Insalaco said the meetings with the companies went well and he was glad to represent Greater Phoenix during the Sept. 29 trip. He also said he gained valuable insight into his own city. "We still have a ways to go to be truly competitive in terms of facility and building availability," he said. "But having seen the L.A. market and the visual upkeep, or lack thereof, I feel very good about the level of services we are sustaining here in Apache Junction." ### About the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) A true public/private partnership, GPEC is the regional economic development organization for Greater Phoenix. Working with its 18 member communities, Maricopa County and more than 140 private investors, GPEC attracts quality businesses to this dynamic region. By creating a high-performance economy through capital investments and jobs, Greater Phoenix companies enjoy a business climate where they can compete and thrive in today’s global economy. Since 1989, GPEC has worked to achieve an economically sound and sustainable region. For more information, visit www.gpec.org. Technorati Tags: Arizona, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, Technology  | | |  |
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| 10/15 Phoenix Local News
October 15, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| FIVE COUNTRIES SET TO RUN UNOPPOSED FOR NON-PERMANENT SECURITY COUNCIL SEATS
October 14, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| FIVE COUNTRIES SET TO RUN UNOPPOSED FOR NON-PERMANENT SECURITY COUNCIL SEATS
New York, Oct 14 2009 7:10PM
The General Assembly is expected to elect Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Liberia and Nigeria as non-permanent members of the Security Council for two-year terms starting on 1 January next year.The five countries are set to run unopposed in their respective regions when voting takes place tomorrow at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This would mark the first time since 2004 that there has been a Security Council election with no contested seats. Gabon and Nigeria have been endorsed as candidates by the African group and, if chosen, would succeed Burkina Faso and Libya. Brazil is set to replace Costa Rica in the Latin American and Caribbean category. In Eastern Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only declared candidate for the seat currently held by Croatia, while Lebanon won regional endorsement from the Asian group to succeed Viet Nam. Council elections are conducted by secret ballot in the General Assembly, and winning candidates requires a two-thirds majority of ballots of members present and voting. Formal balloting takes place even when there is only one declared candidate per available seat. The five countries chosen tomorrow will join Austria, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and Uganda, whose terms on the 15-member body end on 31 December 2010. The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Oct 14 2009 7:10PM
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| POST OFFICES IN WEST AFRICA OFFER ELECTRONIC MONEY TRANSFER SERVICES UNDER UN SCHEME
October 14, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| POST OFFICES IN WEST AFRICA OFFER ELECTRONIC MONEY TRANSFER SERVICES UNDER UN SCHEME
New York, Oct 14 2009 7:10PM
Some 300 post offices in six West African countries have begun offering electronic money transfers as part of a United Nations-backed initiative to use technology to help ensure that rural populations and migrant workers have access to better services.The first phase of the joint project involving the Universal Postal Union (<"http://www.upu.int/">UPU), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (<"http://www.ifad.org/">IFAD) and Groupe La Poste is focused on post offices in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal, the UPU announced today. The 300 post offices are now connected to the UPU's worldwide electronic payment network, an application that allows the post offices to process the sending and receiving of customers' money. The electronic payment network relies on the Postal Payment Services Agreement, an international pact that sets the rules of exchanges among member countries.
Oct 14 2009 7:10PM
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| SPORTS CAN HELP REHABILITATE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING – UN OFFICIAL
October 14, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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| SPORTS CAN HELP REHABILITATE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING – UN OFFICIAL
New York, Oct 14 2009 6:10PM
Sports can play a significant role in helping victims of human trafficking overcome their trauma, a senior United Nations official said today."Physical activity and play, if taught and conducted properly, can serve as a very valuable method for rehabilitation and social reintegration into society," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried Lemke said in Abuja, Nigeria, where he is attending the 3rd African Union (AU) sports ministers conference. "Sports can also help traumatized children to forget the misery they went through as victims of ruthless traffickers," Mr. Lemke said on a visit with UN Office on Drugs and Crime (<"http://www.unodc.org/">UNODC) representative Dagmar Thomas to the housing and shelter facilities of Nigeria's National Agency for the Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Mr. Lemke welcomed the joint efforts of NAPTIP and the international community to combat human trafficking in Nigeria. He also underlined the dangers of exploitation of young athletes in regions throughout the world and expressed support for "the valuable work" of governments and organizations that combat such exploitation, citing the Association Culture Foot Solidaire that aims to protect young footballers from trafficking and exploitation.
Oct 14 2009 6:10PM
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| BAN URGES OPINION-MAKERS TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT GREEN TECHNOLOGIES
October 14, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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| BAN URGES OPINION-MAKERS TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT GREEN TECHNOLOGIES
New York, Oct 14 2009 6:10PM
Green technologies generate not only environmental advances but also promote economic growth, Secretary Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on opinion-makers attending a forum in Seoul to encourage businesses and governments to make climate-friendly investments.In a message to the World Knowledge Forum, delivered by the President of the United Nations Foundation Timothy Wirth, Mr. Ban called on governments "to show the flexibility and leadership" that will seal a "fair, ambitious and binding" global climate agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December. "Investing in green technologies yields not only environmental gains but also large-scale economic growth," he said. Established in October 2000, the forum gathers more than 100 business executives and policy-makers from around the world to grapple with the major challenges facing humankind. "The world is over-armed; the nuclear threat persists," said Mr. Ban, "but now is also a moment of opportunity, as momentum builds toward next year's nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference." Urging participants to play their part in efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs), a set of targets for solving social and economic problems, Mr. Ban said the World Knowledge Forum could serve as a catalyst in the struggle to eradicate poverty. "The global economic downturn threatens to push an additional 100 million people below the poverty line. Governments everywhere are facing increasing budgetary pressures but this is no time to renege on past pledges of aid and investment." The focus of this year's forum is Asia, which "has a great stake in international efforts to combat climate change, reduce nuclear arsenals and overcome poverty," said Mr. Ban.
Oct 14 2009 6:10PM
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| PLIGHT OF CONFLICT-DISPLACED CHILDREN DESERVES GREATER ATTENTION, SAYS TOP UN OFFICIAL
October 14, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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| PLIGHT OF CONFLICT-DISPLACED CHILDREN DESERVES GREATER ATTENTION, SAYS TOP UN OFFICIAL
New York, Oct 14 2009 6:10PM
A top United Nations official today urged that greater attention be given to the plight of internally displaced children, among the most vulnerable groups affected by armed conflict."This is becoming an increasing issue around the world," Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, told reporters ahead of the presentation of her annual report to the General Assembly. She noted that annexed to her report is the "rights and guarantees" which should be accorded to children who are among internally displaced persons (IDPs), including the right to education, the liberty of movement, the right to protection against sexual and gender-based violence and the right to basic services. Ms. Coomaraswamy also announced that she is sending Major-General Patrick Cammaert as her representative to Sri Lanka as soon as possible, and that the issue of IDP children "will be among the issues he will raise." Last month the Special Representative voiced her concern to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council about the fate of internally displaced children who still remain in camps in the north of Sri Lanka following the end of the Government's military operation against Tamil rebels. "We acknowledge the recent releases of some IDPs from the camps and hope that the others will also be allowed to leave if they wish to do so," she told the Council. In her briefing to reporters, Ms. Coomaraswamy also welcomed the increased commitment of the international community to combat sexual violence in wartime through the adoption of Security Council resolutions 1882 in August and 1888 in September. She also highlighted a number of other issues contained in her report, including sexual violence against boys, juvenile justice protections – to ensure that children are not prosecuted for war crimes – and the successes with some countries in ending the practice of using child soldiers. In addition, she urged all countries to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child related to the recruitment and use of children, and announced the launch of a ratification campaign which will begin in 2010 towards this goal.
Oct 14 2009 6:10PM
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| BAN WARNS OF LONG JOURNEY IN BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM
October 14, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| BAN WARNS OF LONG JOURNEY IN BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM
New York, Oct 14 2009 5:10PM
The United Nations task force charged with coordinating the world body's counter-terrorism efforts met in Vienna today, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warning: "We are far from reaching safer shores."The Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), set up in 2006, brings together two dozen UN entities, working under mandates from the Assembly, the Security Council and various specialized agencies, funds and programmes. "Countless innocent civilians and the United Nations itself have suffered heinous terrorist acts," Mr. Ban said a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4157">message delivered by CTITF head Jean-Paul Laborde. "Our efforts to address this problem comprehensively are crucial to global security." He noted that some are the entities in CTITF are focused directly on terrorism, while others bring expertise on non-proliferation, disarmament, education, cultural and inter-religious dialogue, human rights, peacekeeping, health and other issues. "This range of experience allows the United Nations to address terrorism as part of our broader mission to promote development, human rights and peace. It also promotes synergies and information-sharing, and allows each entity to maximize its comparative advantage," Mr. Ban said, envisaging an enhanced role for the task force in ensuring overall coordination and interacting with Member States and other stakeholders. "The United Nations has brought the world a long way in advancing multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, but we are far from reaching safer shores. I am counting on the task force, with support from across the United Nations system, to advance our journey towards peace and security for all." Today's meeting follows a two-day workshop of national counter-terrorism officials, the first ever such meeting on the working level, to devise ways to implement the UN's global counter-terrorism strategy, looking at actual practical aspects and identifying real needs and key gaps.
Oct 14 2009 5:10PM
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| MEMBER STATES ELECT 31 COUNTRIES TO JOIN UNESCO'S GOVERNING BODY
October 14, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| MEMBER STATES ELECT 31 COUNTRIES TO JOIN UNESCO'S GOVERNING BODY
New York, Oct 14 2009 5:10PM
Member States of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29008&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO) today elected 31 countries to join the governing body of the Paris-based agency for the next four years.The countries chosen join 27 others on the 58-member Executive Board of UNESCO, which meets twice a year to examine the implementation of the programme of work adopted by the agency's General Conference. The candidate countries – which will serve through 2011 – were divided into five electoral groups based on geographical representation. The new members are Monaco, Denmark, Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Haiti, Peru, Venezuela, China, Viet Nam, Japan, India, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Kenya, Ghana, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, Algeria, Egypt and Syria.
Oct 14 2009 5:10PM
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| Breaking News: Dow closes over 10,000
October 14, 2009 at 4:16 pm
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| To view this email as a web page, go here.
| | ***USATODAY.com Breaking News*** | NEW YORK (AP) - The Dow Jones industrial average has closed above 10,000 for the first time in a year. Upbeat earnings reports from Intel Corp. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. gave the Dow its final push past the milestone. The Dow closed at 10,015.86, up 144.80, or 1.5%. |
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| UN POLITICAL CHIEF BEGINS WEEK-LONG VISIT TO SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICA
October 14, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| UN POLITICAL CHIEF BEGINS WEEK-LONG VISIT TO SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICA
New York, Oct 14 2009 4:10PM
The United Nations political chief departs today for a week-long trip to Africa's south and east to strengthen the world body's partnerships with key Member States and regional organizations on such issues as conflict prevention, peacemaking and post-conflict peacebuilding.Under-Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe will visit South Africa, Angola, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya during the trip, in which he will meet with key Government officials as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The situations in Somalia, Burundi, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the areas affected by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Madagascar are all expected to be on the agenda, while Mr. Pascoe is also slated to visit the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) in Bujumbura and the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) in Nairobi.
Oct 14 2009 4:10PM
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| UN WAR CRIMES TRIAL OF KARADŽIć TO START LATER THIS MONTH AFTER APPEAL REJECTION
October 14, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| UN WAR CRIMES TRIAL OF KARADŽIć TO START LATER THIS MONTH AFTER APPEAL REJECTION
New York, Oct 14 2009 4:10PM
The genocide trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić before the United Nations war crimes tribunal for the 1990s Balkan conflicts will start on 26 October at the latest after the rejection of his appeal that he enjoys immunity through an earlier deal with United States officials.Mr. Karadžić was appealing the rejection in July by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (<"http://www.icty.org/sid/10248">ICTY) of his claim to immunity from prosecution due to an agreement he says he struck in 1996 with US officials led by Richard Holbrooke. He claimed he had been assured immunity from any subsequent war crimes prosecution if he gave up politics and withdrew from public life. Mr. Holbrooke has denied making such an agreement, and the ICTY ruled in July that Mr. Karadžić could not show that any such agreement was arranged under the authority of the UN Security Council, which set up the tribunal to handle the cases of the worst atrocities in the wars. "Even if the alleged agreement were proved, it would not limit the jurisdiction of the tribunal, it would not otherwise be binding on the tribunal and it would not trigger the doctrine of abuse of process," the ICTY's appeals chamber said on Monday. But it added that Mr. Karadžić may present during the course of his trial evidence supporting the allegations, which could be considered for the purpose of sentencing. After more than a decade as a fugitive, Mr. Karadžić – who served as the president of Republika Srpska and commander of Bosnian Serb forces during part of the 1990s – was arrested a year ago and transferred to The Hague to stand trial on charges of genocide, complicity in genocide, extermination, murder, wilful killing, persecutions, deportations, inhumane acts and other crimes.
Oct 14 2009 4:10PM
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| BREAKING NEWS ALERT
October 14, 2009 at 4:03 pm
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| | DOW CLOSES OVER 10,000 FOR FIRST TIME IN A YEAR Read More:
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| FOOD AID NEEDED IN NEPAL FOR THOUSANDS HIT BY FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES, UN REPORTS
October 14, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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| FOOD AID NEEDED IN NEPAL FOR THOUSANDS HIT BY FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES, UN REPORTS
New York, Oct 14 2009 3:10PM
Flooding and landslides triggered by torrential rainfall in the middle and far western regions of Nepal this month have killed 58 people, displaced an estimated 2,600 families and affected over 18,000 more, the United Nations reported today."Those affected are in need of food aid," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said. "Access to clean drinking water has also become a problem because of the contamination of water sources. In some areas, it is estimated that between 15 and 40 per cent of the rice crop has been destroyed and a considerable number of livestock lost." According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (<"http://www.fao.org/">FAO), immediate seed support to farmers is needed to prevent a food crisis next year. FAO has deployed an agriculture assessment team to Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchapur. The latest floods have exacerbated the effects of previous flooding in August and September, and many bridges and roads have been partially or completely destroyed. The UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) is assisting 10,000 families with water treatment tablets for 10 days and providing washing materials for 5,000 families. It is also making available 6,000 health and hygiene kits as required.
Oct 14 2009 3:10PM
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| HONDURAN PRESIDENT'S OUSTER IS 'COUP D'ÉTAT,' UN SECRETARIAT REAFFIRMS
October 14, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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| HONDURAN PRESIDENT'S OUSTER IS 'COUP D'ÉTAT,' UN SECRETARIAT REAFFIRMS
New York, Oct 14 2009 3:10PM
A recent Honduran media report implying that the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (DPA) does not consider the ouster of President José Manuel Zelaya as a coup d'état is inaccurate, the world body said today.In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4159">statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that the UN position on the legality of Mr. Zelaya's removal was clearly articulated by General Assembly Resolution 63/301 adopted on 1 July, which "condemns the coup d'état in the Republic of Honduras that has interrupted the democratic and constitutional order and the legitimate exercise of power in Honduras." The statement calls the report "highly misleading," noting that it appears to refer to an analysis submitted by a consultant as representing DPA's views. "The Department of Political Affairs routinely receives reports and analyses of this type from consultants, academics and other experts," it added. "But its views are strictly in line with that outlined in the General Assembly Resolution. "The Secretary-General urges the parties in Honduras to avoid distractions at this critical moment in the negotiations and remain focused on arriving at a consensual agreement to end the crisis in Honduras through dialogue. He continues to strongly support [the Organization of American States] OAS-led efforts to assist the parties in reaching a solution," it concluded.
Oct 14 2009 3:10PM
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| FORMER RWANDAN INTELLIGENCE CHIEF PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN UN WAR CRIMES COURT
October 14, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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| FORMER RWANDAN INTELLIGENCE CHIEF PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN UN WAR CRIMES COURT
New York, Oct 14 2009 3:10PM
A former Rwandan intelligence chief who was caught recently after being on the run for nine years entered a plea of not guilty today as he made his first appearance in front of the United Nations tribunal which indicted him for his role in the country's 1994 genocide.The start date of the trial of Idelphonse Nizeyimana, a former second in command for intelligence and military operations at an officers' school, will be announced later by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (<"http://www.ictr.org/">ICTR), which is based in Arusha, Tanzania. Mr. Nizeyimana faces five counts of genocide or complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity for his actions during the genocide, when an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and Hutu moderates were killed by Hutu militants, mainly by machete, during a period of less than 100 days. His alleged crimes include ordering the execution of former Rwandan Queen Rosalie Gicanda, a symbolic figure for all Tutsis. Mr. Nizeyimana, through the chain of command, is alleged to have exercised authority over soldiers and personnel and was perceived as a member of the elite inner circle (Akazu) of the late President Juvenal Habyarimana. He was arrested in Kampala, Uganda, on 5 October and was transferred to the UN Detention Facility in Arusha the following day.
Oct 14 2009 3:10PM
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