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| Picture Credit: WebWombat |
For the first time, the WTO and UNEP have engaged in a joint effort. They have produced a report that summarizes the human impact on climate change and possible responses to it. The report seeks to function as bridge-builder for the upcoming Copenhagen meeting in December. The two organizations aim to find viable solutions to end climate change
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| Picture Credit: Judy Lightstone |
The Secretary General's Special Advisor on Gender Issues, Rachel Mayanja, has presented a consolidated response paper to UN delegates, which aims to build a women's super-agency. Even though the detailed staffing and cost projections are not defined as yet, this move brings the UN one step closer to establishing a new "gender architecture." The General Assembly will vote the in fall on a resolution for creating this new agency, similar to existing ones for refugees (UNHCR) and children (UNICEF).
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| Picture Credit: ABC.net |
Approximately one billion people suffer from hunger. High food prices make food unaffordable to millions of families. Orthodox analysts argue that the crisis is due to restrictions on genetically modified organisms and barriers to the spread of commercial agriculture. The author clearly disagrees and advocates instead for small scale, natural farming.
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Picture Credit:U.S. Department of Defense
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General David McKiernan was suddenly fired earlier in May over his failure to stop the escalating violence in Afghanistan. General Stanley McChrystal, a former US Special Forces commander, officially took charge of the nearly 90,000 US and NATO-led troops fighting the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. General McChrystal, also known as "the Pope," is notorious for promoting torture techniques in counterterrorism. He has brought together military and intelligence operations to produce controversial battlefield results. The decision of the Obama administration to appoint McChrystal reflects a commitment to large scale, long term "special operations" involving further global military escalation.
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| Picture Credit: The Guardian |
Tropical and sub-tropical diseases are spreading globally. Climate change has shaped new environmental conditions, in which mosquitoes and vermin move to temperate zones. The author shows how the global increase of temperatures allows a dramatic acceleration of disease transmission and incubation. Developing countries are facing the biggest threats, as their public health systems and hygiene conditions are weak and vulnerable.
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The latest report of the US Department of Energy has revealed the future of oil as it becomes increasingly scarce and costly. China is predicted to take over the US as the number one energy consumer by 2014. While Washington has tense relations with Iran, Sudan and other oil producers, Beijing is building closer ties with many of these countries. Competition and strife between the great powers will be accompanied by significant economic and environmental backlash.
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| Picture Credit: AFP |
The Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan has presented a report to the US Congress showing that "the environment in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to be a place for waste, fraud and abuse." Although costing tens of billions of dollars, 240,000 private sector employees are under minimum government supervision. The US government keeps no central records of dealings with the private firms. Private company KBR provides housing, laundry, meals and mailing service to the military but is under the supervision of only 13 government employees.
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Barack Obama promised a major shift in U.S. foreign policy. However, after five months in office, Obama's policies seem to reflect considerable continuity with earlier administrations. He has raised U.S. military spending and has added more than 20,000 troops in Afghanistan. It is clear that U.S. foreign policies are largely formed by long-standing economic and political interests and not so much by the electoral process.
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| Picture Credit: Unitend Nations |
The United Nations Summit on the world economic crisis demonstrated the problematic distribution of power within the UN. Rich countries have blocked serious reforms, especially in the financial sector. The conference addressed key issues such as the international reserve system and policy space for developing countries. It also agreed to a follow-up process. However, the summit underachieved by failing to adopt a clear aid program and significant governance changes within the Bretton Woods Institutions.
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| Picture Credit: AmiercanChronicles |
A severe draught has struck all six regions of Somaliland. The authorities there fear that forty per cent of the population will be affected and suffer from food and water shortages. Somaliland may still face difficulties getting humanitarian aid, since the self-declared state has not yet been recognized by the international community.
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| Picture Credit: Getty Images |
In a dramatic move, Kyrgyzstan renewed its military partnership with the US by signing a new air base deal for Manas international airport, Washington's only East Asian base. The Kyrgyz government earlier had ordered closure of the US air base by mid-August. Russia had reportedly tried to use the issue as a bargaining chip in its relations with the US. Now, with renewal of the contract, the US will continue to use the transit center at Manas for building up its forces in Afghanistan. Washington will pay $60m annually, which is more than triple the earlier payment.
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| Picture Credit: www.daylife.com |
The US looks at Iran as a country of religious radicalism and terrorist activities in the Middle East. This article points out how the US was responsible for putting an end to democratic government in Iran and how even today principles of democracy are deeply rooted in the country. Thousands of Iranians, with courage and tenacity, have denounced the recent dubious elections.
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| Picture Credit: MPR Photo |
The ILO has launched a Global Job Pact. It encourages employers and workers to seek joint solutions to problems posed by the global financial crisis. In order for the Job Pact to succeed, employers, workers and governments must collectively take responsibility for its implementation.
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| Picture Credit: UsaToday |
Greenland has formed a government of its own and it now claims autonomy from Denmark. Both parties affirm that the relation between them is friendly. With climate change, the ice cap covering Greenland is melting and might reveal hidden natural resources benefiting this new state.
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Picture Credit: International Institute for Justice
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Spain's National Court has become a de facto international court, pursuing serious violations of international law since 1985. Under the principles of "universal jurisdiction," the court, in 2005, decided that human rights violations could be tried without limitation in Spain. The court, which won praise for its pursuit of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, has recently met opposition, especially in its investigations dealing with Israel, China and the United States. Under increasing international pressure, the Spanish government has decided to "clip the court's wings," Justice Baltasar Garzon and his colleagues continue the fight for universal jurisdiction.
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| Picture Credit: EPA |
Russia has halted its negotiations to join the WTO and now seeks to gain joint membership together with Kazakhstan and Belarus. Moscow is giving a high priority to this new approach which aims to "strengthen regional integration" in central Asia, as well as to reinforce Russia's hand in a multipolar world.
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