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| SECRETARY-GENERAL UNVEILS SCULPTURE AT UN TO COMMEMORATE OLYMPIC TRUCE
October 20, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| SECRETARY-GENERAL UNVEILS SCULPTURE AT UN TO COMMEMORATE OLYMPIC TRUCE
New York, Oct 20 2009 7:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the importance of the global call for a halt to all fighting during the Olympics, as he unveiled a sculpture at United Nations Headquarters, ahead of the Winter Games to be held in Vancouver, Canada, next year. "These pauses in fighting save lives," he said at the unveiling. "They make it possible for humanitarian workers to reach people in need. And they open up diplomatic space to negotiate lasting solutions. A truce is a prelude to true peace." Mr. Ban said he hoped that when athletes meet in Vancouver in 2010, fighters will lay down their arms. "Then the Olympic Games will have one clear winner: our world as a whole." The sculpture dedicated to the Olympic Truce is a contemporary aboriginal art piece atop a plinth. The box featured is an abstract reference to a traditional West Coast First Nations treasure box, while a hand – extended in friendship – symbolizes peace. It will stay at the UN for a month before being moved to the Olympic village. In 1992, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) renewed the ancient Greek tradition of the ekecheiria, or 'Olympic Truce,' by calling on all nations to observe the Truce. The General Assembly has urged Member States to observe the Olympic Truce from the seventh day before the opening to the seventh day after the closing of each Olympic Games. Today's unveiling took place in conjunction with the Assembly's adoption yesterday of the Olympic Truce resolution for the 2010 Winter Games. The event included the send-off of the Olympic Torch in the spirit of peace and friendship amongst the international community. Guests were also invited to sign their names to a log, which will be incorporated in the Truce installations for permanent display at the Olympic site. The UN and the IOC have in recent years strengthened their cooperation and mutual support through joint efforts in fields such as poverty alleviation, human and economic development and humanitarian assistance. Mr. Ban addressed the IOC Congress during his visit to Copenhagen earlier this month.
Oct 20 2009 7:10PM
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| SECURITY COUNCIL URGES STATES TO HELP IRAN IN BRINGING TERROR BOMBERS TO JUSTICE
October 20, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| SECURITY COUNCIL URGES STATES TO HELP IRAN IN BRINGING TERROR BOMBERS TO JUSTICE
New York, Oct 20 2009 7:10PM
The Security Council today condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attacks in Iran which killed 57 people and injured 150 others on Sunday, and called on all States to "cooperate actively" with the Iranian authorities in bringing the perpetrators to justice."The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations," the 15-member body said in a statement read out to the press by Ambassador Le Luong Minh of Viet Nam, which holds the Council presidency this month. The statement followed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's strong condemnation, issued yesterday, of the attack on a meeting of the Revolutionary Guard in Pishin in Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan. "The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Iranian authorities in this regard," it said. "The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts." The Council expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and the Government of Iran.
Oct 20 2009 7:10PM
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| UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR CALLS FOR URGENT HELP FOR YEMENI CHILDREN
October 20, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR CALLS FOR URGENT HELP FOR YEMENI CHILDREN
New York, Oct 20 2009 5:10PM
United Nations Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51462.html">UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador Mahmoud Kabil issued an urgent call today for assistance for children caught up in the clashes between Government forces and rebels rocking northern Yemen."I saw children on the brink of death due to acute malnutrition and dehydration," said Mr. Kabil, an Egyptian actor, who has just wrapped up a three-day visit to Yemen, where he met with children affected by the fighting. He said the situation was the worst he has seen since becoming UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa in 2003, and "not when I was in Darfur five years back, or anywhere in this region." During his trip, Mr. Kabil visited Al Mazrak camp in Hajjah governorate, roughly 20 kilometres from the Sa'ada governorate, where the conflict is raging. People continue to stream into the area around the camp, which lacks basic infrastructure. Over 50,000 people have been uprooted since the fighting between the Government and Al Houthi rebels resumed in earnest in August, bringing the total number of people forced from their homes since the conflict first started in 2004 to 150,000. In addition to those who have escaped the clashes, thousands of people are still trapped in Sa'ada, with little humanitarian assistance. "I call on parties involved in the conflict to search their soul and conscience," the Goodwill Ambassador, who also met with Yemeni officials while in the country, said. "The death and suffering of these children is killing your future and that of your country." Last week, along with another fellow UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, the United States actress Mia Farrow, Mr. Kabil visited to Gaza to witness first-hand the hardships children still face nine months after the three-week war between Israel and Hamas. 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. The visit to Gaza was the second leg of a journey to the occupied Palestinian territory for Mr. Kabil, who 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 20 2009 5:10PM
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| PAKISTANI VETERAN OF SOMALI OPERATION TO BECOME NEW UN MILITARY HEAD IN LIBERIA
October 20, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| PAKISTANI VETERAN OF SOMALI OPERATION TO BECOME NEW UN MILITARY HEAD IN LIBERIA
New York, Oct 20 2009 5:10PM
A Pakistani general who is a veteran of the United Nations quick reaction force in Somalia is set to become the next military head of the UN Mission in Liberia (<"http://unmil.org/">UNMIL), a spokesperson said today.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Lieutenant General Sikander Afzal as UNMIL Force Commander in succession to Lieut.-Gen. A.T.M. Zahirul Alam of Bangladesh, whose duty ended yesterday, Marie Okabe added. In 1994 and 1995, Lieut.-Gen. Afzal commanded the quick reaction force of the UN Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II), which had been mandated to protect major ports, airports and infrastructure in the strife-torn country, provide humanitarian relief, help to reorganize the Somali police and judicial system, repatriate and resettle refugees and displaced people, and protect UN and other humanitarian personnel. Lieut.-Gen. Afzal, who was born in 1952, has had a distinguished military career since joining the Pakistani army in 1972, commanding armoured and infantry brigades, and serving as the director-general for strategic analysis in the country's Inter-Services Intelligence. Since 2006 he has been serving as corps commander with responsibility for more than 30,000 military personnel. In his new post he will head a force that numbered over 10,000 as of 31 August in a country where the UN Mission played a major role in restoring stability and a democratic government chosen in free elections after more than a decade of civil war. But in a report to the Security Council in August, Mr. Ban warned that the gains remain fragile, especially with regard to security, rule of law and job creation.
Oct 20 2009 5:10PM
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| CULTURAL DIVERSITY PROVIDES WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESS WORLD – UN REPORT
October 20, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| CULTURAL DIVERSITY PROVIDES WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESS WORLD – UN REPORT
New York, Oct 20 2009 5:10PM
Complying with cultural diversity, whether at the management, human resources or marketing level, can reap big dividends for businesses, according to a wide-ranging United Nations report on intercultural dialogue released today."The business world is beginning to understand and respond to the challenges of cultural diversity as a key factor of economic success," says the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46731&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO) World Report <i>Investing in Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue</i>. "In an increasingly global marketplace, the capacity to create a universe with which consumers can identify adds significantly to a product's value. Today, cultural diversity has a central role to play in the conception, brand image and marketing strategies of products that are successful in the global market," it adds. Multinational corporations are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of diversifying and customizing their products to penetrate new markets and meet the expectations of local consumers, according to the report, which covers a raft of issues ranging from migration, to languages, education, sustainable development, and democratic governance. "As a result, cultural diversity today figures as prominently on private-sector agendas as it does on those of political decision-makers at the national or international level," it says, citing major global brands, such as Nike and Coca-Cola, which spend millions of dollars advertising and promoting their products to align with the cultures, needs and aspirations of consumers. Cultural diversity, too often reduced to the protection of heritages in danger, is also the development of intercultural skills, the search for an antidote to expressions of cultural isolationism, the lever of the effective exercise of universally recognized human rights and a means to reduce imbalances in the world trade in creative products, it adds. On another plane, the report notes that media and cultural industries represent more than 7 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) – approximately $1.3 trillion, or twice the level of receipts from international tourism – but Africa's share in the global trade in creative products remains marginal at less than 1 per cent of worldwide exports despite its abundance of creative talent. To improve this situation, it is urgent to invest in cultural diversity and dialogue, it stresses. "Through this World Report, UNESCO wishes to build on the advances of recent years and in particular to emphasize that cultural diversity has as its corollary intercultural dialogue, which implies a need to move beyond a focus on differences that can only be a source of conflict, ignorance and misunderstanding," UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura says in a foreword. "Cultural diversity is related to the dynamic process whereby cultures change while remaining themselves, in a state of permanent openness to one another. At the individual level, this is reflected in multiple and changing cultural identities, which are not easily reducible to definite categories and which represent opportunities for dialogue based on sharing what we have in common beyond those differences."
Oct 20 2009 5:10PM
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| GREEN PROJECTS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND TUNISIA RECEIVE UN AID
October 20, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| GREEN PROJECTS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND TUNISIA RECEIVE UN AID
New York, Oct 20 2009 4:10PM
Boosting energy efficiency in South African industry in the face of economy-threatening energy shortages and promoting environmentally-friendly production in Tunisia are the focus of two new United Nations projects signed today. The Swiss Government will help fund the UN Industrial Development Organization (<"http://www.unido.org/index.php?id=7881&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=413&cHash=df12243a99">UNIDO) projects under the accord signed in Bern, the Swiss capital. "South Africa's energy intensive industry was developed based on abundant and cheap energy resources," UNIDO Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella said of the project that will help put in place energy management standards, ensure their adoption by industries at large and achieve a significant shift in energy practices by introducing a system optimization approach. "But in 2008, the country experienced an energy crisis with frequent blackouts. The energy shortages directly threaten the growth rate in the country and the region. Taking advantage of its experience UNIDO will contribute to a substantial improvement of energy efficiency in industry." The Swiss Government will contribute €2 million, while the South African Government will give another €5 million to the project, which will also lead to significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and, at the same time, increase the competitiveness of industries. A separate €1.5 million project, financed by Switzerland, will focus on promoting environmentally-friendly production in Tunisia. It will help increase the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises, and support the development of a regional network of such centres in the Middle East and North Africa. The project is aligned with a new programme that UNIDO is carrying out in cooperation with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and will contribute to UNIDO's Green Industry initiative, which aims to create national capacities in cleaner production, strengthen dialogue between industry and governments, and promote investments for development and transfer of cleaner technology. UNIDO is a specialized UN agency promoting industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.
Oct 20 2009 4:10PM
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| TOP UN OFFICIAL TO SURVEY FOOD AID OPERATION IN STORM-BATTERED PHILIPPINES
October 20, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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| TOP UN OFFICIAL TO SURVEY FOOD AID OPERATION IN STORM-BATTERED PHILIPPINES
New York, Oct 20 2009 3:10PM
The head of the United Nations World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/stories/flood-stricken-philippines-braces-new-typhoon">WFP) begins a three-day visit to the Philippines tomorrow to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods that have affected more than seven million people.The country was battered by tropical storm Ketsana (also known as Ondoy), which made landfall on 26 September, and then by typhoon Parma, which struck a week later. The storms led to more than 500 deaths and displaced scores of thousands of others, and caused crop damage estimated at over $160 million. WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran will travel with President Gloria Arroyo, and the agency's National Ambassador, KC Concepcion, to some of the worst-affected areas, according to a news release issued by the agency. They will see how food assistance is being provided to families whose homes have been destroyed, or made uninhabitable by the flooding. "WFP has a long history of providing food for the hungry in the Philippines, and when the floods hit people knew they could rely on our resources and expertise to get them food when they needed it," Ms. Sheeran said. As well as visiting the flood-affected areas, the Executive Director will meet senior Government officials, WFP staff, and representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups that have been involved in relief efforts. The UN has appealed for $74 million to help one million people affected by the storms in the Philippines for the next six months. It has so far received $20 million.
Oct 20 2009 3:10PM
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| UN PROMOTES MEDIA COOPERATION IN RUN-UP TO IRAQI ELECTIONS
October 20, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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| UN PROMOTES MEDIA COOPERATION IN RUN-UP TO IRAQI ELECTIONS
New York, Oct 20 2009 3:10PM
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (<"http://www.uniraq.org/">UNAMI) held a round-table meeting in Baghdad on Monday to discuss the role of the media in reporting the country's forthcoming parliamentary elections."The role of the media is key in ensuring the free and fair dimensions of elections," said the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, Ad Melkert, who attended the talks. "This meeting is an important step in finding the common ground on which to work." The meeting was also attended by the heads of the three main Iraqi institutions involved in ensuring responsible, fair and accurate reporting in elections: the Iraqi Media Network (IMN), the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) and the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC). Participants agreed to form a working group, which will be facilitated by the UN, to organize a national workshop on a code of conduct for the media during elections, and to follow up on strengthening common ground between the three institutions.
Oct 20 2009 3:10PM
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| CALLING FOR MORE FEMALE POLICE, UN OFFICER WELCOMES NEW PACT WITH INTERPOL
October 20, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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| CALLING FOR MORE FEMALE POLICE, UN OFFICER WELCOMES NEW PACT WITH INTERPOL
New York, Oct 20 2009 3:10PM
A senior United Nations official today welcomed a recent landmark agreement with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to strengthen police units in peacekeeping missions around the world, and called on Member States to contribute more women officers to those operations.The new agreement between the UN and INTERPOL aims to boost policing cooperation in restoring stability in post-conflict areas, UN Deputy Police Adviser Ann-Marie Orler told reporters in New York. The arrangement, agreed last week in Singapore, includes the exchange of information, cooperation in relation to interim law enforcement, security support to national police and training for the development of national police and other law enforcement agencies. "Our efforts to become more effective and highly professional through the development of strategic framework for international police peacekeeping depend on the commitment of Member States to provide well-qualified men and women who can contribute to fulfilling our core police functions and to train them in accordance to UN standards and values," said Ms. Orler. "We have a real chance of making real improvements and we are counting on Member States to support us in these efforts," she added. In August, the Police Division of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/">DPKO) launched a drive to recruit more police and more female police officers, targeting an increase in the number of women from 8 per cent today to 20 per cent in 2014, said Ms. Orler. "We encourage Member States to establish a policy that sets the percentage of their contribution of female police officers at a minimum of the same percentage of female officers they have in their national police," she said, noting that Liberia has already set the target. "The long-term goal is, of course, to have 50-50," stressed Ms. Orler. There are currently around 12,000 policemen and women, from over 100 countries, serving in 17 UN missions, compared to 2,400 a decade ago. The Security Council has authorized the deployment of a total of 15,000 UN police to peacekeeping operations.
Oct 20 2009 3:10PM
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| BAN TO DISCUSS CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS DURING TRIP TO SEATTLE
October 20, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| BAN TO DISCUSS CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS DURING TRIP TO SEATTLE
New York, Oct 20 2009 2:10PM
The subjects of climate change and the world's continuing efforts to achieve the social and economic targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be high on the agenda when Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travels to the United States city of Seattle next week.Mr. Ban is scheduled to arrive in Seattle on Sunday for a three-day visit in which he will meet with local leaders, civil society groups, the private sector and community representatives to discuss climate change and environmental and economic sustainability, his spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters today. The Secretary-General will also meet with Bill and Melinda Gates, whose philanthropic foundation bearing their names has worked with the UN on efforts to obtain the MDGs by the target date of 2015. Ms. Okabe said the focus of the meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Gates will be on advancing food security and global health, especially maternal, newborn and child health. While in Seattle Mr. Ban will also receive an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Washington and deliver a lecture on the world's common future in the face of climate change.
Oct 20 2009 2:10PM
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| BAN SEES EARLY SIGNS OF MOVEMENT ON RECOVERING MISSING KUWAITIS FROM IRAQ
October 20, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| BAN SEES EARLY SIGNS OF MOVEMENT ON RECOVERING MISSING KUWAITIS FROM IRAQ
New York, Oct 20 2009 2:10PM
There are indications of movement on the issue of recovering the remains of Kuwaitis and other nationals missing since the 1990 Gulf war, according to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who also warns that progress on this front remains fragile. Earlier this year, Mr. Ban proposed a "confidence- and cooperation-building period" between Iraq and Kuwait that would last until June 2010 to further encourage the parties to achieve progress and to strengthen their cooperation. In a<"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2009/539"> report to the Security Council that was released today, Mr. Ban welcomes the fact that the first six months of this period have brought about some "initial indications of movement" on the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals. "Progress remains fragile, however. The main task of discovering and identifying the victims and, finally, closing their files lies ahead," he writes, adding that this objective can be achieved only through increased cooperation between the two countries. "I call on Iraq and Kuwait to redouble their efforts in the coming months to achieve visible and significant progress in the search for missing persons and property, including archives. "This will not only help to resolve the long-standing humanitarian issue but also increase mutual trust and confidence, thus contributing to the resolution of other outstanding problems between the two countries," he adds. High-level Coordinator Gennady Tarasov, the UN focal point on the issue, visited Kuwait from 30 May to 3 June to discuss ways to ensure the success of the confidence-and cooperation-building period. While there he had the chance to meet with both Kuwaiti and Iraqi representatives, who stressed their intention to accelerate practical steps to achieve progress. Among the developments during the past nine months, the report notes that the remains of the missing United States serviceman, Captain Michael Scott Speicher, had been found in Iraq. Efforts since 2003 have resulted in the recovery and identification of 236 individuals and the return of some Kuwaiti property. The report adds that the Kuwaiti national archives have not been found and no credible information about their whereabouts has emerged.
Oct 20 2009 2:10PM
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| BELGIAN RIGHTS DEFENDER, PAKISTANI PHILANTHROPIST WIN UN PRIZE FOR NON-VIOLENCE
October 20, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| BELGIAN RIGHTS DEFENDER, PAKISTANI PHILANTHROPIST WIN UN PRIZE FOR NON-VIOLENCE
New York, Oct 20 2009 2:10PM
A Belgian human rights defender and a Pakistani philanthropist were today awarded a prestigious United Nations prize that draws its inspiration from the life of Mahatma Gandhi for their work in promoting tolerance and non-violence.François Houtart of Belgium and Abdul Sattar Edhi of Pakistan were awarded the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-Madanjeet Singh Prize on the unanimous recommendation of an international jury to <"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46735&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. They will share the $100,000 prizemoney and receive the award on 16 November, the International Day for Tolerance. Dedicated to advancing tolerance in the arts, education, culture, science and communications, the prize was created in 1995 on the 125th anniversary of the birth of the great Indian apostle of non-violence thanks to the generosity of Indian writer and diplomat Madanjeet Singh, who is also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. It is awarded every two years to individuals or institutions for outstanding contributions towards its goals. Previous laureates include Myanmar Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen. Mr. Houtart, an ardent promoter of North-South cooperation and founder of the Tri-Continental Centre (CETRI), a non-governmental organization (NGO) renowned for its work on development issues, was honoured for his life-long devotion to world peace, intercultural dialogue, human rights and promotion of tolerance. A life-long human rights defender, he has contributed significantly to advancing inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue. Mr. Edhi, one of the most active philanthropists in Pakistan through his Edhi Foundation, a non-profit social welfare programme with over 300 centres, received the accolade for life-long efforts to improve the conditions of the most disadvantaged groups in Pakistan and South Asia, and promote human dignity, human rights, mutual respect and tolerance. His foundation provides the needy with medical aid, family planning, emergency assistance and education, and sets up maternity homes, mental asylums, homes for the physically handicapped, blood banks and orphanages, among other services. Mr. Matsuura also decided to award two honorary mentions: to the Saint Petersburg Government Programme on Tolerance in Russia for its efforts to inculcate mutual respect and tolerance in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society, and eradicate all forms of discrimination; and to the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, United Kingdom, for commemorating millions of enslaved Africans and fighting against legacies of slavery such as racism, discrimination, inequalities, injustice and exploitation.
Oct 20 2009 2:10PM
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| SHELTER URGENTLY NEEDED FOR INDONESIAN QUAKE VICTIMS, UN AID AGENCIES SAY
October 20, 2009 at 1:10 pm
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| SHELTER URGENTLY NEEDED FOR INDONESIAN QUAKE VICTIMS, UN AID AGENCIES SAY
New York, Oct 20 2009 1:10PM
Finding shelter tops the list of priorities for emergency relief agencies scrambling to help hundreds of thousands of people in Indonesia devastated by last month's powerful earthquake off the coast of the island of Sumatra, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said today.The 7.9-magnitude Indian Ocean earthquake on 30 September – which killed at least 1,117 people – either severely or moderately damaged over 200,000 households in need of emergency shelter in seven of the 19 districts in West Sumatra, according to OCHA. Some 96 per cent of houses, or almost 85,000, have been damaged in the worst-hit district of Padang Pariaman, National Disaster Management Agency has told OCHA. In addition, only 20 per cent of Padang city's 778,000 residents remains connected to the water distribution network, according to relief agencies working in the area. The UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) plans to provide generators to ensure continuous running of the four pumping stations in the city, with other aid groups working to improve water and sanitation. The damage to infrastructure includes almost 3,000 classrooms in 204 schools, affecting the education of around 90,000 students from pre-school to upper secondary level, and a further 73 madrasahs have also been damaged, the Ministry of Religious Affairs told OCHA. The Government and aid agencies have constructed 248 temporary classroom structures in Padang city, and provided 283 tents and basic teaching materials for 87,000 children, as well as recreation equipment for over 5,000 children. A team of 17 structural engineers deployed by the UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP) and New Zealand Aid have assessed the structural damage to 120 public buildings to identify which need to be demolished or repaired. Their initial assessment found that 50 per cent are safe to occupy and 25 per cent are unfit.
Oct 20 2009 1:10PM
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| UN HELPS LAUNCH FOREST MONITORING SYSTEM TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE
October 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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| UN HELPS LAUNCH FOREST MONITORING SYSTEM TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE
New York, Oct 20 2009 12:10PM
A new and free way to monitor the size and health of forests through satellite data and help curb greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation has been launched by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (<"http://www.fao.org/">FAO) and its partners."Never before have data of this kind been provided directly to users in developing countries," said FAO Director General Jacques Diouf. "Monitoring will be cheaper, more accurate and transparent for countries that want to participate in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation." The new system delivers data for 13,000 locations and provides tools for their interpretation. Nearly 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions – more than all the world's cars, trucks, ships and planes combined – result from deforestation and degradation of forests, and plans to slash these emissions are expected to be a component of the new climate change agreement that is set to be reached by nations in December in Copenhagen, Denmark. Last month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a cash injection to jump-start progress on the UN Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (<"http://www.undp.org/mdtf/un-redd/overview.shtml">UN-REDD) initiative aimed at combating climate change through creating incentives to reverse the trend of deforestation. "Sustainable forest management can create jobs and protect the livelihoods of indigenous people and local communities," he added, addressing the high-level gathering with 70 governments represented, including 14 heads of State and senior ministers, on the fringes of the General Assembly's annual General Debate. UN-REDD – launched last September by Mr. Ban in collaboration with the FAO, the UN Environment Programme (<"http://www.unep.org/">UNEP) and the UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP) – compensates developing countries for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. But many issues must be solved before UN-REDD can work, FAO stressed. One such challenge is the need for measurement, reporting and verification systems of carbon to ensure that carbon accounting and payments are carried out transparently. "National monitoring systems must be enhanced, not just looking at carbon dynamics but also measuring multiple benefits of UN-REDD and drivers of deforestation," said Peter Holmgren, FAO's climate change focal point.
Oct 20 2009 12:10PM
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| UN AGENCY CALLS FOR HARNESSING OF UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF REMITTANCES
October 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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| UN AGENCY CALLS FOR HARNESSING OF UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF REMITTANCES
New York, Oct 20 2009 12:10PM
A new United Nations report calls for the lifting of restrictions and costly fees imposed on the $40 billion that migrant workers send home to Africa each year, the world body's agency tasked with eradicating rural poverty said today.
"Supporting this people-to-people money flow to rural areas of Africa is especially vital now because of the recession," said International Fund for Agricultural Development (<"http://www.ifad.org/">IFAD) Assistant President, Kevin Cleaver.
"The power of remittances can be catalyzed by easing restrictions and making it less costly for African families to collect this money," added Mr. Cleaver ahead of the two-day Global Forum on Remittances 2009 in Tunis, Tunisia, organized by IFAD and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Global remittances top $300 billion per year, outstripping foreign direct investment (FDI) and development assistance combined, but high fees and logistical difficulties are hampering the power of remittances to lift people out of poverty, according to IFAD's report, entitled <i>Sending Money Home to Africa</i>.
The report, which will be presented at the 22-23 October Tunis gathering, noted that although transfer costs have declined significantly in Latin America and in Asia, sending money home to Africa is still expensive, with fees within the continent reaching 25 per cent of the sum.
In addition, some 30 to 40 per cent of all remittances to Africa head to rural areas where many recipients have to travel great distances to collect their cash as the number of collection points across the entire continent is the same as for Mexico, which has a tenth of the population.
The report finds that simply by expanding the kinds of institutions able to conduct remittance services to include microfinance institutions and post offices, the number of payment points would more than double.
World leaders attending the G8 group of industrialized countries summit in July also recognized the development impact of remittance flows and set a goal of reducing the cost of remittances by 50 per cent over the next five years, by promoting a competitive environment and removing barriers.
Oct 20 2009 12:10PM
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| Entertainment news: The search for Amelia Earhart endures
October 20, 2009 at 11:53 am
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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  | | | | |  | |  | Search for Earhart endures
Where are you, Amelia Earhart, America's most famous missing person? Everywhere, as it turns out. And, starting Friday, she's on thousands of movie screens in the biopic Amelia, starring two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank. Read more | |  | Too 'Wild' for kids?
Though rated PG, the movie plays like a grown-up flick in parts. The threat of violence to the child hero, Max, is palpable. Read more |  | | | | Scandalous read Brangelina and their brood? Jen and her men? Fuggedaboutit. Try Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Now there was a triangle. Read the review |  | | | |  | | |  | 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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| Daily Travel News: Some hotels serve up free phone calls
October 20, 2009 at 11:31 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  | | | | | | |   | | | |  | JetBlue makes latest move as low-cost carriers battle on Boston-BWI route
Read more |  | | | |  Storm chasing
10 great places to experience wild weather |  |  Celebrity travel tips
Giuliana and Bill Rancic share their favorite destinations | | |  | | | | Advertisement <  
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| UN WILL DO UTMOST TO ENSURE CREDIBLE AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF – BAN
October 20, 2009 at 11:10 am
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| UN WILL DO UTMOST TO ENSURE CREDIBLE AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF – BAN
New York, Oct 20 2009 11:10AM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today pledged the full support of the United Nations to ensure that Afghanistan's presidential election run-off is as credible as possible and welcomed President Hamid Karzai's acceptance of a second round of voting. "The United Nations will do its utmost for the conduct of the second round of elections scheduled for 7 November 2009 in a free, fair, transparent and secure environment," Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4172">told reporters in New York. The run-off, between Mr. Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, was announced today, after the UN-backed panel investigating claims of fraud submitted its findings to the country's top electoral authority. Yesterday the Electoral Complaints Commission, which was tasked with auditing suspicious ballot boxes and other complaints related to the 20 August elections, submitted its findings to the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which organized the polls. Based on its findings, the ECC ordered the IEC to invalidate 210 polling stations around the country where the panel found clear and convincing evidence of fraud. Mr. Ban welcomed the statement made today by Mr. Karzai, who "has made it clear that the constitutional process must be fully respected… "I commend President Karzai for the leadership he has displayed and for his commitment to ensuring full respect for Afghanistan's Constitution and its democratic processes," he stated. The Secretary-General also commended Mr. Abdullah for his "dignified approach to the campaign as well as to the difficult post-election period." Speaking in Kabul today, Mr. Ban's Special Representative for Afghanistan Kai Eide paid tribute to the Afghan institutions involved in the electoral process, noting that they have played a key role during the past couple of months. "In a country in conflict and a country which is a young democracy it is of particular importance that institutions that underpin that democracy work and work solidly," he said. "I look forward to a dignified campaign over the next two weeks between the two candidates and a fair end result to this long election process," added Mr. Eide.
Oct 20 2009 11:10AM
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| ALMOST 30,000 ANGOLANS EXPELLED FROM DR CONGO NEED HELP – UN REFUGEE AGENCY
October 20, 2009 at 10:10 am
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| ALMOST 30,000 ANGOLANS EXPELLED FROM DR CONGO NEED HELP – UN REFUGEE AGENCY
New York, Oct 20 2009 10:10AM
Nearly 30,000 Angolans recently expelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who are now seeking refuge in overcrowded camps in northern Angola, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.According to an inter-agency assessment over the weekend, in which the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR) took part, the Angolans are sheltering in three congested reception centres in Cuimba and Mama Rosa, near Angola's border with the DRC. Shelter, food, medicine and sanitation facilitation are among the most pressing needs, according to UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic. "The supply of clean water is insufficient," he <"http://www.unhcr.org/4add97c39.html">said. "Some of the expelled drink from the nearby contaminated rivers." Diarrhoea and vomiting have been reported among those living in camps, where many are sleeping in the open air. "Of particular concern is the fact that there are significant numbers of Angolan refugees among the forcibly returned," Mr. Mahecic said. Some of those kicked out of the DRC said they had been rounded up and taken to the border in spite of carrying documents certifying their refugee status, while others reported they were forced back to Angola before they could take their identification documents or belongings. Most of the deported Angolans had been living in the Bas Congo province in southern DRC, and the forced returns are in response to the waves of expulsions of large numbers of Congolese from Angola since December 2008, UNHCR said. The agency said today that it welcomes the DRC-Angola agreement to end cross-border expulsions. "However, Angolan authorities told the inter-agency mission that they expected further, large-scale returns of Angolans who feel they can no longer remain in the DRC," Mr. Mahecic noted, adding that at the Angolan Government's request, UNHCR plans to help those expelled. Last week, UN humanitarian officials voiced their concerns over the health and living conditions of the Angolans living in the DRC, noting that the concentration of between 20,000 and 40,000 people in such a small area poses health and sanitation problems.
Angola expelled about 2,000 people to the DRC in the first half of the year but the process has accelerated since then, with about 17,000 further expulsions in the past three months, and authorities in the DRC responding with their own expulsions.
Oct 20 2009 10:10AM
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| HUMANITARIAN ACCESS KEY CHALLENGE FOR UN AGENCIES ASSISTING DISPLACED PAKISTANIS
October 20, 2009 at 10:10 am
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| HUMANITARIAN ACCESS KEY CHALLENGE FOR UN AGENCIES ASSISTING DISPLACED PAKISTANIS
New York, Oct 20 2009 10:10AM
As civilians continue to flee South Waziristan amid Pakistani military operations against insurgents, the United Nations refugee agency is stressing the need to ensure that assistance can reach the displaced."Humanitarian access to people in need remains the key challenge for humanitarian agencies in this operation given the volatile security environment in the displacement areas," Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR), <"http://www.unhcr.org/4add97c09.html">told reporters in Geneva. UNHCR is supporting the registration of new arrivals in the districts of Dera Ismail Khan and Tank in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), where some 32,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been registered by local authorities since 13 October. They join more than 80,000 people who had fled South Waziristan since May this year, bringing the total number of registered displaced to more than 112,000 people. UNHCR, working through local partners, has been distributing relief items such as kitchen sets, blankets, sleeping mats and jerry cans to registered IDPs. Mr. Mahecic said that so far, the IDPs have been accommodated by the host families. "Generally, this has been the trend in the north-west part of Pakistan," he noted. When more than 2 million Pakistanis were displaced by the conflict between Government forces and militants in NWFP earlier this year, the majority of them were accommodated by host families. About half of those IDPs have since returned to their homes. The Government has informed UNHCR that it is considering the establishment of camps and the agency stands ready to assist in providing all-weather tents and site preparation if required. Mr. Mahecic said that in addition to the aid given to individual families, assistance will need to be extended to hospitals, schools and other public facilities that may come under strain with large influxes of people. Meanwhile, some 3,600 people recently displaced by the conflict in Bajaur agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) continue to seek shelter in Lower Dir. Efforts are underway to pitch tents in the Wali Kandow camp in the same district, while the rest of the people are to be sheltered at the Khungi Shah camp, recently vacated by displaced people who have returned to their homes. The newly displaced join more than 58,000 Bajauris residing in various camps in NWFP after fleeing several waves of conflict since August 2008.
Oct 20 2009 10:10AM
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| Today's News from TheEagle.com
October 20, 2009 at 10:08 am
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| Do you see what I see? Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Twenty-month-old Avery Brown, with her mother, Andrea, points out a dog she spotted though a plastic bubble-window at a playground in Thomas Park in College Station on Monday afternoon. Conditions are expected to remain pleasant Tuesday, with a high ... | | Event honors great service Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce recognized volunteers at its annual banquet Monday.A former CIA counterintelligence officer delivered the keynote speech about serving the country to more than 400 community members.The chamber recognized ... | | Tickets available for Rice presentation at A&M Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:34 AM PDT Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice will speak at Texas A&M University Nov. 9 in conjunction with the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.George Bush, 41st U.S. president, will host Rice, 66th secretary of ... | | Rice player's family sues V-Bar Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT The family of a former Rice University basketball player who was stabbed to death last year at Northgate has filed a suit against the owners of a bar he attended the night of his death, claiming its owners were partially responsible for the incident. ... | | Tickets available for Rice presentation at A&M Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:34 AM PDT Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice will speak at Texas A&M University Nov. 9 in conjunction with the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.George Bush, 41st U.S. president, will host Rice, 66th secretary of ... | | CS approves firm to handle waste program Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT A new entity will soon manage Bryan and College Station's solid waste operations. The College Station City Council on Monday approved hiring Nichols, Jackson, Dillard, Hager & Smith for $60,000 to create the corporation. The Bryan City Council on ... | | Old Reliance/MLK bridge to close evenings Posted: 19 Oct 2009 02:14 AM PDT A southbound lane of Texas 6 at the Old Reliance Road/Martin Luther King Jr. Street bridge will be closed nightly beginning Monday while workers remove paint with asbestos from the bridge, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.TxDOT's c ... | | Man accused of burglarizing Bryan businesses Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:24 AM PDT Police said they arrested a 36-year-old man after catching him breaking into Bryan businesses.James Aron Black of Bryan was arrested Saturday on two charges of burglary of a building.Police said they responded to a burglary alarm at Brazos Valley Chi ... | | Flu patients denied visitors Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT WASHINGTON -- Visiting a loved one in the hospital? Better check on new flu limits first. Hospitals around the country are turning away visiting children and tightening restrictions on adults, too, in hopes of limiting spread of swine flu in the hall ... | | Economists: Jobs may never return Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT WASHINGTON -- Even with an economic revival, many U.S. jobs lost during the recession may be gone forever and a weak employment market could linger for years.That could add up to a "new normal" of higher joblessness and lower standards of living for ... | | Associate of balloon boy's father questioned Posted: 20 Oct 2009 01:29 AM PDT FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- An investigation into possible criminal charges for a Colorado couple who told authorities their son floated off in a balloon shaped like a flying saucer has spread to those who worked with them.Robert Thomas told sheriff's inv ... | | Police release messages between McNair, Kazemi Posted: 20 Oct 2009 01:28 AM PDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Text messages between a woman and former NFL quarterback Steve McNair made in the hours before police say she shot him to death and turned the gun on herself support authorities' contention that she was spiraling out of control.Na ... | | Pot advocates: Looser guidelines leave questions Posted: 20 Oct 2009 01:31 AM PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A new Obama administration policy loosening guidelines on federal prosecution of medical marijuana on Monday signaled to users that they had less to fear from federal agents but still left their suppliers to contend with a tangled me ... | | Lots more planets found outside solar system Posted: 19 Oct 2009 04:20 AM PDT WASHINGTON -- Astronomers have found 32 new planets outside our solar system, adding evidence to the theory that the universe has many places where life could develop.Scientists using European Southern Observatory telescopes didn't find any planets q ... | | Gusting winds, rain expected in Texas on Tuesday Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:43 PM PDT Gusting winds and scattered showers were forecast across Texas on Tuesday.In northern Texas, skies were expected to be partly sunny with highs in the upper 70s, lows in the 60s and wind gusts as high as 30 mph, according to the National Weather Servi ... | | Cleveland museum's Earhart 'hair' just thread Posted: 20 Oct 2009 01:27 AM PDT CLEVELAND -- A Cleveland museum has learned that what it thought was a lock of hair from Amelia Earhart is just thread.A group looking for DNA evidence of the pioneer aviator on a Pacific island recently asked the International Women's Air and Space ... | | Texas Lottery unveils $2 veterans scratch-offs Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:44 PM PDT AUSTIN, Texas -- Two days before Veterans Day, the Texas Lottery will start selling $2 scratch-off tickets for veterans.The state on Nov. 9 will roll out Veterans Cash scratch-offs, becoming the first such ticket dedicated to a cause other than publi ... | | Target joins in price war on hardbacks Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT NEW YORK -- Target is throwing itself into a heated price war on books expected to be top sellers.The retailer says it will offer some of this season's most anticipated book titles at $8.99, in line with recent moves by Walmart.com and Amazon.com.Tar ... | | Rising gasoline hurting consumers Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Despite persistently low demand, prices for gasoline have spiked over the past week along with crude oil, threatening one of the very few points of relief for the recession-striken U.S. consumer: Cheap gas.That may be frustrating for consumers with f ... | | Faster Prostate Cancer Detection Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:11 PM PDT (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A team of Northwestern University researchers has detected previously undetectable levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients who have undergone a radical prostatectomy. Thanks to the power of the nanopa ... | | Reduce Brain Damage During Stroke Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:12 PM PDT (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new Ohio State study finds that increased oxygen may help stroke victims lessen their brain tissue damage. Previous studies have concluded that adding oxygen causes more damage to the brain, but these studies did not account ... | | Help light the way for our children Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:05 PM PDT Safe Harbour is a gem of a program in the Brazos Valley and this week there is an opportunity to support it and have fun at the same time.There is no question that adults suffer in a divorce, particularly those that are acrimonious and spiteful. But ... | | Picking a fight: Obama vs Fox News Posted: 19 Oct 2009 02:31 AM PDT NEW YORK -- President Barack Obama's communications director says it was Fox News Channel, not the White House, that picked a fight.Yet it was Anita Dunn's words during a CNN interview last week, saying Fox is like "a wing of the Republican Party," t ... | | D'oh! Bash marks 'The Simpsons' 20th Posted: 19 Oct 2009 02:30 AM PDT SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Forget red.The arrivals-line carpet leading into Barker Hangar was yellow -- appropriate, given the night's honorees: Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Maggie Simpson, all on hand to celebrate 20 years of "The Simpsons." Their seri ... | | 'Hills' star Stephanie Pratt arrested for DUI Posted: 19 Oct 2009 02:29 AM PDT LOS ANGELES -- Authorities say reality television star Stephanie Pratt has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.Los Angeles police say the 23-year-old Pratt was arrested early Sunday outside a party in Hollywood. Pratt is featured on the MTV ... |  |
| INCREASING ATTACKS ON AID WORKERS HAMPERING RELIEF EFFORTS IN DR CONGO, SAYS UN
October 20, 2009 at 9:10 am
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| INCREASING ATTACKS ON AID WORKERS HAMPERING RELIEF EFFORTS IN DR CONGO, SAYS UN
New York, Oct 20 2009 9:10AM
A sharp rise in attacks on humanitarian workers in the eastern North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has impeded efforts to provide life-saving assistance to hundreds of thousands of people in need. Since the beginning of 2009, a total of 108 attacks against humanitarian workers – including murders, abductions and theft of vehicles and other assets – were recorded in the province, compared to 105 during the whole of 2008. The attacks have increased in recent weeks, with seven incidents reported during last week alone in the territories of Lubero, Masisi, Rutshuru, and Walikale. North Kivu hosts an estimated 980,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) – more than any other province in the strife-torn nation. UN agencies and over 70 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are operating in the province to deliver much-needed assistance.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA), aid workers in the area currently able to reach at least 70 per cent of those in need. "By decreasing our access to the areas concerned, those responsible are contributing to the suffering of millions of vulnerable people," <"http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/JBRN-7WZD3K?OpenDocument">said John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. "Unfortunately, they are almost never brought to justice," he added. Of the 105 attacks against humanitarian actors reported during 2008, less than ten have been formally investigated by the police, and even fewer have led to judicial action. Dieudonné Bamouni, deputy head of OCHA in the DRC, urged the authorities of North Kivu to launch thorough investigations into each and every incident, stressing that "the current impunity must end." Numerous waves of fighting over the years have produced around 2.2 million IDPs in DRC. An estimated 1.7 million people remain displaced in the provinces of North and South Kivu, with more than 400,000 persons having fled their homes since January.
Oct 20 2009 9:10AM
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| Daily Briefing: Car seats can be dangerous outside the car
October 20, 2009 at 7:15 am
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| Sports Briefing: Phillies take 3-1 lead on Dodgers
October 20, 2009 at 6:04 am
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| 10/20 Phoenix Local News
October 20, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| MIGIRO ADDRESSES PILOT COUNTRIES OF 'ONE UN' REFORM PROGRAMME
October 19, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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| MIGIRO ADDRESSES PILOT COUNTRIES OF 'ONE UN' REFORM PROGRAMME
New York, Oct 19 2009 6:10PM
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today opened a gathering in the Rwandan capital that brings together the eight pilot countries taking part in the United Nations initiative that seeks to better coordinate development activities at the country level and avoid duplication.Albania, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uruguay and Viet Nam volunteered in 2006 to participate in the "One UN" programme, which aims to speed up development operations to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs), eight targets for tackling poverty, hunger and other social ills by 2015. The creation of these pilot projects was suggested in Delivering as One, a report by the UN High-Level Panel on System-wide Coherence that was released November 2006. That report recommended, among other things, that the UN "deliver as one at the country level, with one leader, one programme, one budget, where appropriate, one office" with the aim of avoiding fragmentation and duplication of efforts. The evaluations at the conference will help to adjust the programme in the eight countries, Ms. Migiro will tell participants, and provide a firm basis for comparing experiences and determining what has worked and what has failed in making the work of the UN system more coherent and effective. While in Kigali, Ms. Migiro will also hold bilateral meetings with senior Rwandan Government officials, and have an informal exchange with women parliamentarians. Rwanda is the only country in the world where women are a majority in Parliament. The Deputy Secretary-General is expected to highlight the role played by the nation's women, especially decision-makers in leadership roles, in helping to build a thriving democracy. Tomorrow Ms. Migiro will be in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, to deliver the keynote address at the 2nd Metropolis Women International Network Forum. She will also hold bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan and other senior Government officials during her visit.
Oct 19 2009 6:10PM
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| UN CHIEF PRAISES WAR VETERANS FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PEACE
October 19, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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| UN CHIEF PRAISES WAR VETERANS FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PEACE
New York, Oct 19 2009 6:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today applauded members of the World Veterans Federation for their vital work in promoting disarmament, human rights and the peaceful settlement of international disputes."Yours is a unique grouping," Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4170">told the Federation's 26th annual gathering in Copenhagen, Denmark. "You bring together former belligerents, the enemies of yesterday, to reconcile and to become friends today, and to work for a peaceful tomorrow." Mr. Ban noted that few "speak with more authority on this than those, like you, who know the face of war," underscoring the need for societies to strengthen efforts ensuring the integration of former soldiers into society and to remember those who have been lost. He said that the best way to commemorate the dead, and all those who have been lost in war, is to commit to the cause of peace and to saving future generations from the scourge of conflict.
Oct 19 2009 6:10PM
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| EMPLOYERS LET TEMPORARY WORKERS GO FIRST DURING ECONOMIC CRISIS – UN REPORT
October 19, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| EMPLOYERS LET TEMPORARY WORKERS GO FIRST DURING ECONOMIC CRISIS – UN REPORT
New York, Oct 19 2009 5:10PM
Workers who found jobs through temporary employment agencies were among the first to find themselves out of work as a result of the global financial and economic crises, according to a new United Nations report released today.The International Labour Organization (<"http://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm">ILO) report noted that the largest number of temporary job losses was recorded in the manufacturing sector of developed countries, especially in the car industry. Spotlighting Germany, where between 100,000 and 150,000 temporary workers are estimated to have lost their jobs in the four to six months after October 2008, the report points to similar trends in Japan, the United States, Spain and France. "Many of the largest private employment agencies are saying that it will be 2010 at least before they see any upturn in business," said John Myers, an industry specialist from the ILO and author of the report. "This would generally happen after overtime hours and the length of the working week begin to rise among the core workforce of user enterprises, and companies' slack capacity begins to fall," said Mr. Myers. "When firms consider turning to agencies to meet their needs, this will be one of the first signs that the economic crisis is beginning to end." The ILO report also underscored the importance of balancing the corporate need for flexibility in the workforce with employee calls for job security, a safe working environment, decent conditions and social security – a role fulfilled by temporary employment agencies. These type of agencies act as the middle-man in modern labour markets, allowing businesses greater flexibility to increase or cut their workforce, while ensuring workers receive sufficient security in terms of job opportunities and employment standards, including pay, working time and training. At the same time, the report stressed that ratification of ILO Convention No. 181 on private employment agencies can help to promote decent work and ensure better functioning labour markets. "Countries that have not yet ratified Convention No. 181 are encouraged to do so, as its implementation can be an engine for job creation, structural growth, improved efficiency of national labour markets, better matching of supply and demand for workers, higher labour participation rates and increased diversity," the report said. "It also sets a clear framework for regulation, licensing and self-regulation, thereby encouraging reliability; ensuring effective protection of workers against unfair practices; discouraging human trafficking; and promoting cooperation between public and private employment services," it said. The report is slated to come under discussion at a two-day gathering which kicks off tomorrow at ILO Headquarters in Geneva, titled "Workshop to promote ratification of the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181)."
Oct 19 2009 5:10PM
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| LANDMARK PACT INDICATES GLOBAL SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, SAYS UN EXPERT
October 19, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| LANDMARK PACT INDICATES GLOBAL SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, SAYS UN EXPERT
New York, Oct 19 2009 5:10PM
The international community showed its support for the world's nearly 400 million indigenous people by adopting the landmark 2007 declaration outlining their rights, a United Nations independent human rights said today.The adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People came after more than two decades of debate. "The adoption of the Declaration signals the strong commitment of the international community to remedy the historical and ongoing denial of the rights of indigenous peoples," James Anaya, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedom of indigenous people, told reporters in New York. The text is based on the principles of equality, self-determination and respect for diversity, which form the "basic tenets of the modern human rights system," he said. A non-binding text, the Declaration sets out the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples, as well as their rights to culture, identity, language, employment, health, education and other issues. The Declaration emphasizes the rights of indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their development in keeping with their own needs and aspirations. It also prohibits discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them, and their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own visions of economic and social development. In his briefing to the General Assembly today, Mr. Anaya, an unpaid independent expert who reports to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, said that he described the scope of his mandate and the activities he has undertaken since assuming his position last May. His work, he said, falls within four interrelated areas: promoting good practices; thematic studies; country reports; and responding to cases of alleged gross violations. In the past year, the expert has wrapped up reports on Brazil and Nepal after visiting the countries, as well as a follow-up trip to Chile. He has also conducted missions to assess indigenous persons' conditions in Australia, Botswana, Russia and Colombia.
Oct 19 2009 5:10PM
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| UN INVESTIGATES AS MORE EXPLOSIONS REPORTED IN SOUTHERN LEBANON
October 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| UN INVESTIGATES AS MORE EXPLOSIONS REPORTED IN SOUTHERN LEBANON
New York, Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/">UNIFIL) has launched an investigation into explosions that occurred during the weekend in the southern part of the country, the second incident of its kind in less than a week.No injuries have been reported, according to UN spokesperson Michele Montas. "Preliminary indications are that these explosions were caused by explosive charges contained in unattended underground sensors which were placed in this area by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), apparently during the 2006 war," she told reporters in New York. Ms. Montas said the Interim Force immediately launched an investigation to ascertain all the facts and circumstances relating to the presence of these devices and to establish how the explosions were triggered. UNIFIL investigators are working in close coordination and cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces. They are also in the process of looking into a reported explosion that occurred on 12 October in the southern town of Tayr Felsay.
Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
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| BAN WELCOMES RELEASE OF AID WORKERS HELD CAPTIVE IN DARFUR FOR MONTHS
October 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| BAN WELCOMES RELEASE OF AID WORKERS HELD CAPTIVE IN DARFUR FOR MONTHS
New York, Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today joined other United Nations officials in welcoming the release of two female aid workers who were abducted in the war-torn western Sudanese region of Darfur over three months ago.The Irish and Ugandan staffers, Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, were kidnapped by a group of armed men on 2 July while working for the international non-governmental organization (NGO) GOAL in the state of North Darfur. In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4171">statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban commended "the thousands of humanitarian personnel working in Sudan for their critical efforts." Underscoring the importance of the work of humanitarian aid workers, he stressed that the primary responsibility for the safety and security of all relief and peacekeeping personnel working in Sudan lies with the Government in Khartoum. At the end of August two civilian staff members from the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission, known as UNAMID, were also abducted from their home in the West Darfur town of Zalingei and have yet to be released. Since the conflict in Darfur began in 2003, pitting rebels against Government forces and allied Janjaweed militia, some 300,000 people are estimated to have been killed through direct combat or as a result of disease, malnutrition or reduced life expectancy, and more than 2.7 million others have been forced to flee their homes.
Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
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| UN GOODWILL AMBASSADOR MIA FARROW VISITS BOMB-BLASTED CHILDREN IN GAZA, ISRAEL
October 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| UN GOODWILL AMBASSADOR MIA FARROW VISITS BOMB-BLASTED CHILDREN IN GAZA, ISRAEL
New York, Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
United Nations (<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51455.html">UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow ended a six-day mission to the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel over the weekend, in which she focused on the suffering of children traumatized by conflict."The children talked to me about the violence, their fear and their dream for peace," the United States actress said on a visit to the Israeli town of Sderot, just a few kilometres from Gaza's northern border, where she met with school children and a group of parents whose children had been killed or injured by Palestinian rocket-fire in recent years. She also met with parents and children living in a nearby kibbutz, and with the Israel National Committee for UNICEF, one of 36 such non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide that advocate for children and raise funds to support UNICEF's work Last week, Ms. Farrow spent two days in Gaza where she witnessed first-hand the hardships children still face nine months after the three-week war between Israel and Hamas. "The children appear traumatized," she said then. "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. "Children here are deeply traumatised and terrified of what will happen next," she said. "Homes, hospitals, schools and whole communities have been devastated. This is unacceptable and defies the principles of human rights, in particular the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and common decency." After visiting Sderot, Ms. Farrow went to Ramallah, in the West Bank, where she was briefed on conditions faced by children who had been detained by the Israeli military and subsequently sentenced to prison. She travelled to a nearby village to meet with a former child detainee, and also talked with former child detainees processed through the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs. She was briefed on the closure regime enforced across the West Bank, including some 600 physical obstacles to movement such as checkpoints and roadblocks, as well as the 710-kilometre barrier that Israel is building largely on Palestinian land. "Daily life is agonisingly difficult for Palestinians, with barriers and checkpoints separating them from their families, farmlands, schools, hospitals and places of work," she said. Officials she conferred with during her trip included Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Israeli Social Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog.
Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
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| VAST BROADBAND INTERNET DEFICIT IN LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES THREATENS TRADE
October 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| VAST BROADBAND INTERNET DEFICIT IN LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES THREATENS TRADE
New York, Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
A person in a developed country is now 200 times more likely to be a broadband Internet user than someone living in a least developed country, putting the latter at a major competitive disadvantage in business and trade, according to a new United Nations report.The report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (<"http://www.unctad.org/Templates/StartPage.asp?intItemID=2068">UNCTAD) shows that some parts of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector are weathering the global economic downturn relatively well while others have suffered. For many smaller enterprises in low-income countries, the mobile phone has overtaken computers as the most important ICT tool. Mobile telephone penetration is growing the fastest in Africa and in some other developing countries. But the widening "broadband gap" between rich and poor has worrisome implications for economic progress in the developing world, as broadband Internet access is increasingly vital for effective business competition and trade, UNCTAD reports.
Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
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| ICC OPENS CONFIRMATION HEARING ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES AGAINST DARFURIAN REBEL
October 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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| ICC OPENS CONFIRMATION HEARING ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES AGAINST DARFURIAN REBEL
New York, Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
The International Criminal Court (<"http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC">ICC) today began a hearing into whether to confirm war crimes charges against a rebel leader accused of having directed the deadly September 2007 attack against peacekeepers in the war-ravaged Sudanese region of Darfur.Bahr Idriss Abu Garda is charged with three war crimes – murder, attacks against a peacekeeping mission and pillaging – allegedly committed when 1,000 rebels attacked the Haskanita camp in South Darfur state on 29 September 2007. Twelve peacekeepers serving with the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), a predecessor to the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission, known as <"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unamid/">UNAMID, were killed and eight others wounded in the attack. Mr. Abu Garda, who commands a splinter group of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), appeared before The Hague-based ICC today. If the charges are confirmed at this hearing, he will then face trial. Mr. Abu Garda is the first person to appear before the court voluntarily in response to a summons, with the court's judges deeming an arrest unnecessary since they believed he would appear of his own accord. "The presence of Abu Garda at the confirmation of charges hearing shows his willingness to cooperate with the court," said ICC Registrar Silvana Arbia. The rebel leader, 46, is also the first to appear in relation to the investigation into the situation in Darfur, which was referred to The Hague-based Court by the Security Council in 2005. "The peacekeepers were deployed to serve and protect civilians in Haskanita. Instead, they were murdered," ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said last week. "The attack had consequences for the delivery of humanitarian aid as well as safety and security in the region. This cannot go unpunished," he stressed. At today's hearing, the Prosecutor was tasked with supporting each charge against Mr. Abu Garda. The pre-trial chamber will have 60 days from the end of the confirmation hearing to render its decision to confirm the charges, either in whole or in part; decline to confirm them; ask for further evidence; or amend the charges. If the charges are confirmed, the case would then be transferred to a trial chamber, which will conduct the trial phase of the proceedings. Mr. Abu Garda first appeared before the ICC in May, when he was informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed and of his rights. In March, an arrest warrant was issued for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the first sitting head of State to be indicted by the Court, for alleged war crimes committed in Darfur. An estimated 300,000 people have died and another 3 million have been displaced in Darfur, where rebels have been fighting Government forces and allied Arab militiamen, known as the Janjaweed, since 2003.
Oct 19 2009 4:10PM
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| GUINEA: UN ADVANCES PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL PROBE INTO DEADLY CRACKDOWN
October 19, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| GUINEA: UN ADVANCES PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL PROBE INTO DEADLY CRACKDOWN
New York, Oct 19 2009 2:10PM
Plans moved ahead today for an international commission of inquiry into last month's violent crackdown on unarmed demonstrators in Guinea, in which at least 150 people were killed and many others raped, as a senior United Nations political official continued his talks in the region.Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios left the Guinean capital, Conakry, for Ouagadougou in nearby Burkina Faso for talks with President Blaise Compaoré in his capacity as the mediator mandated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to look into the issue. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced last week that he would set up the commission to investigate the crackdown by security forces on 28 September in Conakry "with a view to determining the accountability of those involved," sending Mr. Menkerios to prepare the ground. Mr. Ban said he "remains deeply concerned by the tense situation in Guinea" and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has called the crackdown a "blood bath." In Conakry yesterday, Mr. Menkerios met with Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the head of the National Council for Democracy and Development (NCDD), and also with the Prime Minister and the entire Cabinet. He consulted with representatives of political parties, civil society organizations and trade unions as well. There was broad support for the commission among Guinean stakeholders, and Captain Camara, who seized power in a coup d'état in December after the death of then president Lansana Conté, invited it to begin work as soon as possible to help establish the truth about what took place on 28 September, a UN spokesperson said in New York. Before that, Mr. Menkerios was in Abuja, Nigeria, where he met with a range of regional leaders, including ECOWAS Commission President Mohamed ibn Chambas, African Union (AU) Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra, and AU Chairman Jean Ping. The AU and ECOWAS Summit have welcomed Mr. Ban's decision to set up the commission and pledged their full support.
Oct 19 2009 2:10PM
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| CHADIAN-SUDANESE TENSIONS HALTING REGIONAL PEACE EFFORTS, SAYS BAN
October 19, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| CHADIAN-SUDANESE TENSIONS HALTING REGIONAL PEACE EFFORTS, SAYS BAN
New York, Oct 19 2009 2:10PM
Continuing tensions between Chad and Sudan have stalled regional peace efforts, prolonging the humanitarian crisis in both nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a new <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2009/535">report made public today."The perpetuation of the hostility between Chad and the Sudan continues to frustrate solutions to the conflicts in Darfur and eastern Chad, exacerbating the plight of civilians in both regions," Mr. Ban wrote, calling for a reinvigoration of "meaningful peace efforts." Agreements between Chad and Sudan reached in Doha in May and in Dakar last March have yet to be realized, he said. But the Secretary-General underscored that the "long-term peace and stability of the region depends primarily on resolving the internal conflicts prevailing in both the Sudan and Chad." In this regard, he called the establishment of an independent electoral body to oversee elections by the Chadian Government and the opposition encouraging, but said that governance reforms and a comprehensive national reconciliation process are also essential. The latest report on the work of the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minurcat/">MINURCAT) noted that the mission is making "steady albeit limited progress" towards fulfilling its mandate. MINURCAT is gradually being able to provide area-wide security, thanks to the construction of forward operating bases and the continuing deployment of blue helmets, Mr. Ban said. "These efforts, complemented by well synchronized peace consolidation programmes of the humanitarian and development community, could contribute to the voluntary return of the refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their places of origin," he wrote. However, meeting MINURCAT's withdrawal benchmarks – including the sustainable return of refugees – will require the Chadian Government's sustained engagement. In particular, the report said, authorities will need to step up national capacity to protect civilians and resolve the causes of armed conflict in eastern Chad and in the sub-region, including fighting between rebels and Government forces in Chad and the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan. During the reporting period, covering the period since the end of July, the proliferation of arms, tribal disputes and border tensions continued to affect eastern Chad. "While MINURCAT and relevant partners take measures to improve the situation at the local level, it is essential that the Government of Chad redouble its efforts to address sources of insecurity, including the root causes of inter-ethnic strife and the proliferation of weapons," Mr. Ban said. Meanwhile, in the Central African Republic (CAR), he reported that the Government has increased efforts to restore its authority in the country's northeast and foster inter-community dialogue. Inter-ethnic tensions and weak State institutions, however, are still areas of concern, the report to the Security Council stressed. In September 2007, the Council approved the establishment of a UN-mandated, multidimensional presence, including European Union military forces, in Chad and CAR to help protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid to thousands of people uprooted due to insecurity in the two countries and neighbouring Sudan. On 15 March, UN peacekeepers took over the military and security responsibilities of EU forces.
Oct 19 2009 2:10PM
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| TOP UN HUMANITARIAN OFFICIAL TO ATTEND AFRICAN REFUGEE SUMMIT IN UGANDA
October 19, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| TOP UN HUMANITARIAN OFFICIAL TO ATTEND AFRICAN REFUGEE SUMMIT IN UGANDA
New York, Oct 19 2009 2:10PM
The top United Nations humanitarian official is leaving for Uganda today on a five-day visit during which he will attend an African Union (AU) summit on refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) and tour areas of the country where nearly 2 million people have been driven from their homes by decades of fighting with rebels.One of the top international organization officials participating in the summit, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes is expected to take part in a panel discussion on "Natural Disasters, Climate Change and Food Security," led by the Republic of Congo's President Denis Sassou-Nguesso. He is scheduled to hold a joint press conference with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and Independent UN Expert on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Walter Kälin. Mr. Holmes will also visit northern Uganda, where the humanitarian community has been working with the Government to ensure that the nearly 2 million people displaced by more than 20 years of conflict with the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) can find a lasting solution, either by returning to their original homes, moving to other parts of the country, or integrating with the local communities where they now live. In Karamoja, the international community is working to strengthen food and livelihood security in the country's most under-developed and politically marginalized region, a semi-arid area where the realities of climate change are daily brought home by the increasing frequency of devastating droughts. Mr. Holmes will visit the Acholi and Karamoja regions to see the situation first-hand. He is expected to meet with local officials, UN and non-governmental organization (NGO) workers and the affected communities themselves.
Oct 19 2009 2:10PM
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| UN CHIEF DEPLORES DEADLY TERRORIST ATTACK IN IRAN
October 19, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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| UN CHIEF DEPLORES DEADLY TERRORIST ATTACK IN IRAN
New York, Oct 19 2009 2:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned yesterday's deadly terrorist attacks in Iran which killed dozens of people and injured many more.According to media reports, at least 42 people died in the suicide bombing in the Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran, which borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The attacker detonated the bomb at a meeting of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards and local tribesmen in the south-eastern region of the country. In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4169">statement attributable to his spokesperson, Mr. Ban today extended his condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government, wishing a full recovery to those wounded in the attack.
Oct 19 2009 2:10PM
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| Today's Tech News: In search of that word on the tip of your tongue
October 19, 2009 at 1:38 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  | | | | | | | | | | In search of that word on the tip of your tongue | | By Dan Vergano, USA TODAY
On the tip of your tongue, that word you can't dig out. Why not? The tip of your tongue may be the wrong place to look, psychologists suggest. They find that deaf, sign-language speakers may hold the keys to finding where those words are hiding. Read more | | |
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| | | |  | | | | | Advertisement <  | Twitter launches Japanese mobile site
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| 10/20 KPHO.com - Video
October 20, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| | Please add updates@feedmyinbox.com to your address book to make sure you receive these messages in the future. | |
| Flagstaff Wildfire Burns More Than 100 Acres
October 19, 2009 at 10:44 pm
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| | The Potato Fire was reported at about 3 a.m. Monday |
| Nude Photos Case Lands In Court
October 19, 2009 at 8:55 pm
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| | All sides appear in court after accusations fly over what the police may have done in their investigation |
| Escapee Jumped Over 2 Razor Wire Fences
October 19, 2009 at 8:45 pm
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| | A sex offender escaped Saturday night from the state mental hospital in Phoenix |
| Phoenix Offers To Settle Airport Death Case
October 19, 2009 at 3:25 pm
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| | Phoenix proposes a $250,000 settlement to the family of a New York City woman who accidentally strangled herself while in police custody |
| Brenda Warner Talks Amazing Moms
October 19, 2009 at 11:42 am
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| | Kurt Warner's wife Brenda Warner chats with the CBS 5 Morning News team. |
| Friend: 3rd Sweat Lodge Victim 'Very Passionate'
October 19, 2009 at 11:32 am
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| | Lizbeth Neuman, who was in critical condition after the disastrous sweat lodge ceremony that left James Shore and Kirby Brown dead, has died of multiple organ failure. |
| Police Hunt For DPS Officer's Assailant
October 19, 2009 at 11:31 am
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| | Police are searching for the man who ran across several lanes of Interstate 17 with one wrist handcuffed. |
| Man Escapes From Arizona State Hospital
October 19, 2009 at 11:30 am
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| | Law-enforcement agencies and the Department of Health Services are searching for Jorge Murillo, who disappeared from the mental hospital late Saturday night. |
| 10/20 NBA.com: Lakers News
October 20, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| LAKERS ANNOUNCE RENEWED SPONSORSHIP WITH ANTHEM BLUE CROSS
October 19, 2009 at 3:32 pm
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| | The 2009 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers announced today that Anthem Blue Cross has renewed their sponsorship for the 2009-10 season. The sponsorship will continue to focus on educating the community about the importance of physical fitness and health | 
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| 10/20 NBA.com - Dunk of the Night
October 20, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| Dunk of the Night
October 19, 2009 at 6:07 pm
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| | Mike Bibby throws the ball towards the basket, Josh Smith skies and throws it down for two against Washington. |
| Dunk of the Night
October 18, 2009 at 12:02 pm
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| | The Spanish speaking announcer's call makes this Iguodala dunk that much better. | | | 
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| 10/20 NBA.com - Assist of the Night
October 20, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| Assist of the Night
October 19, 2009 at 6:08 pm
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| | Matt Barnes throws a nice pass to Vince Carter, who finishes with authority against Chicago. |
| Assist of the Night
October 18, 2009 at 12:01 pm
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| | Andre Iguodala throws a pass through the defenders legs to find Marreese Speights for the dunk. | | | 
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| 10/20 Arizona Cardinals : News
October 20, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| A Sign Of Things To Come?
October 19, 2009 at 2:34 am
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| | Cardinals don't want to get overconfident after romp in Seattle |
| Defense Locks Down
October 19, 2009 at 1:09 am
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| | Notebook: Seahawks held to 128 yards; Rackers' pooch kick swings game | | | 
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| 10/20 azcentral.com | asu sports
October 20, 2009 at 12:00 am
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| Huskies lamenting mistakes vs. ASU
October 19, 2009 at 7:53 pm
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| | ASU's stunning final play left Washington coach Steve Sarkisian spending most of Monday explaining what went wrong. |
| Sullivan has had Stanford game 'circled'
October 19, 2009 at 7:15 pm
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| | ASU quarterback Danny Sullivan says he expects up to 200 family and friends from his hometown of Los Gatos at Saturday's game at Stanford. |
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