International News Update - April 19, 2010

Iceland- Europe’s airline standstill continues following Iceland eruption, threatens economy.

· Most European airports are set to open Tuesday, but a strict no-fly zone will remain in place for much of northern Europe and Iceland.

· Officials claim the costs of the shut down has surpassed one-billion dollars.

· Critics claim the EU ban was led without coordination, but a NATO F-16 suffered serious engine failure when flying thru.

· International Air Transport Association (IATA) has squared off against the EU’s lack of compromise, citing it as without coordination or advising.

· Britain has sent Royal Navy ships to shuttle those trapped in Spain.

Pakistan- Peshawar district suicide bombing kills 23, injures more.

· A suicide bomb detonated during a protest against increased inflation, killing 23 including one of the highest ranking police officials.

· This is the second attack in the district in the past week and one of many in recent weeks.

· The Taliban are likely to have supported this, as they retaliate against increased Pakistani resistance against the terrorist group.

China- Earthquake in traditionally Tibetan region presents shaky political ground.

• Quake this weekend killed at least 1100, with the death toll steadily rising, most of those deaths ethnic Tibetans.
• Han PM and President both cancelled diplomatic trips in light of quake, visiting the region and consoling survivors.
• Though Han government claimed relief distribution was unaffected by ethnicity, Tibetans on the ground noted non-cooperation from police and local officials in rescue efforts.
• Many deaths resulted from serious ineffective architecture, particularly schools.
• Now efforts turn from rescue to refugee relief, who remain without water, electricity and shelter and fear aftershocks.

Australia- Chinese captain arrested after grounding oil tanker on Great Barrier Reef

• Australian officials arrest the captain of the Chinese coal ship Shen Neng 1
• The ship, traveling 9 miles out of approved sailing zone, grounded on the already threatened Great Barrier Reef
• A 3 km hole was found after the fact, as well as small oil deposits washing ashore in local wildlife dominated nesting islands.
• Now paint from the ships exterior, found on the reef, is being tested for heavy materials, to protect against further possible contamination.

Other Headlines:

• Cuban cigar champion dies at 93, losing face of Cuban cigar industry and pseudo-diplomat.
• Iraqi elections recount threatens to overturn results as electronic results are being contested in favor of manual recount.

International News Update - April 12, 2010

Greece- Euro surges in light of Eurozone emergency support for Greece

• The euro surged against the dollar and pound after dipping low over the past weeks.
• This in light of an increased EU commitment of $30 billion in emergency support funding, which would only be used if Greece were to formally request it.
• Greece’s government, currently unpopular from increased taxes and slashed spending, insists it will not need to request the funds despite continued struggle
• Fitch, a leading credit rating company, reduced Greece to a lowest possible position, threatening outside investors’ abilities to invest within the country.

Thailand- Following violent riots, PM still holds on to position in face of Red Shirts

• PM Abhisit Vejjajiva refuses to leave his post despite continued protests from the populist Red Shirt movement.
• Unexpected violent riots erupted last week, killing 21 and spiking tension in Bangkok.
• Talk of a coup continues, (has occurred 18 times in the past 80 years) though the military publicly supports Vejjajiva.
• Analysts agree Vejjajiva will likely fall soon, regardless of a coup or not, as popular support plummets and protests continue.

Sudan- First multiparty election in years commence, but outcome foretold

• Multiparty elections began today in Sudan and will continue for the next two days to allow isolated citizens place a vote.
• In the lead up, many opposition candidates dropped out after President Bashir ignored accusations of fraud.
• Most citizens of urban areas pledged support for the incumbent, despite control of media and recent charges of crimes against humanity by the ICC.

Poland- President dies in airplane crash, raising political uncertainity domestically and internationally.

• President Lech Kaczynski and all 88 passengers on board were killed when the plane attempted to land in fog and crashed a half mile beyond the runway.
• Victims included the deputy foreign minister, a dozen Parliament members, the chiefs of the navy and army and the president of the national bank.
• Leader of the lower house now must organize hurried elections for the president and all other diplomats lost.
• The plane was headed for a memorial at Katyn Woods, the site of a WWII massacre of Polish officers by Russian troops.
• The crash threatens perpetually strained ties between Russia and Poland, though Medvedev and Putin both released statements of condolence.

International News Update - April 26, 2010

Poland- Twin brother of slain former president to run in his place

• Jaroslow Kacyznski will run in the June 20 election to replace his brother and former president, Lech Kacyznksi.
• He will face off against Bronislow Komorowski, former PM and current temporary head of state.
• Experts expect Kacyznski to gain a large sympathy vote, but having lost his former position as PM in a 2007 election, questions remain.

Sudan- Despite war crimes charges, al-Bashir gets elected amidst fraud claims.

• Despite charges by the ICC of crimes against humanity, Omar al-Bashir won the first multiparty election in over 20 years.
• All main opposition leaders dropped out well before the final vote, citing serious fraud, claims that have been confirmed by outside observers.
• In the semi-autonomous south, Salva Kiir, a former rebel leader,w on 98% of the vote.
• Plans for a referendum considering the secession of the mainly Christian south from the Arab north are still planned, with al-Bashir supporting the outcome regardless.

United States- Oil rigger explosion threatens environmental crisis, workers still missing.

• A BP oil rigger exploded last week and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, causing a massive oil leak.
• Eleven workers are still missing and presumed dead, with over 100 other workers rescued last week.
• Submersive vehicles are attempting a complicated mission to contain the oil spill, but if this fails, a reservoir well may be instated.
• If uncontained, the spill threatens to damage surrounding beaches and wildlife.

Thailand- Red shirts increase protests while government refuses talks

• Red-shirt protestors created roadblocks throughout the country, halting traffic and police movement into cities of protest.
• The government refuses to restart talks with the yellow-shirts, refusing to negotiate through intimidation tactics.
• Violence has been rising in recent weeks, as militant red-shirts have attacked yellow-shirt high profile members, including a recent attack on a former PM.
• Despite this, red shirts remain adamant that they will continue peaceful protests until the current President calls for new elections.
  
  

International News Update - April 6, 2010

• Mexico (Fox News): Deadly Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Shakes U.S, Mexico
• The Sunday afternoon earthquake centered south of the U.S. border near Mexicali, and was followed by 20 aftershocks
• The quake caused 2 deaths, over 100 injuries, some building collapse and extensive blackouts in the Mexican region
• In Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego minor power outages and shattered windows attested to the effects of the quake
• DR Congo (BBC): DR Congo Attack Kills Two UN Workers
• On Sunday, armed rebels attacked the town of Mbandaka and overran the airport killing peacekeepers and several African civilians; the Congolese army has yet to recapture the airport
• The rebels consist of two rival ethnic groups fighting for fishing rights in the area, who have also been battling with the Congolese army for months
• The mandate of the UN’s biggest peacekeeping operation, located in DR Congo, is due to expire in May but this fighting may postpone the withdrawal
• Iran (Middle East News & World Report): Major retaliation for those responsible of the Iranian terrorist act
• Ahamdinejad promises retaliation for those involved in attacks against the Iranian people on Sunday, when over 39 people were killed in a suicide bombing
• The White House condemned the terrorist act, and rejected Iranian claims that the U.S. was behind the attack.
• Afghanistan (CNN): NATO admits killing Afghan civilians in February raid
• NATO acknowledged its troops killed five Afghans in a botched nighttime raid on February 12^th
• “International forces were responsible for the deaths of three women who were in the same compound where two men were killed by the joint Afghan-international patrol searching for a Taliban insurgent," NATO stated
• Such incidents are straining the relationship between Afghanistan and the Western nations comprising the International Security Assistance Force
• China (South China Morning Post): 115 rescued alive in mine 'miracle'
• Over 115 miners were pulled out alive on Monday after being trapped for over a week in the flooded Wangjialing coal mine in Shanxi province
• Some ate sawdust and strapped themselves to the shafts’ walls with their belts to avoid drowning while they slept
• Nearly 3,000 rescuers have been helping to pump water from the mine, and by Sunday water levels in the pit had dropped 30 feet
• Pakistan (W. Post): U.S. Consulate attacked in Pakistan, Taliban claims responsibility
• Disguised attackers assaulted the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar (North-West Frontier Province) on Monday, killing three Pakistanis and injuring a dozen
• This violence followed the attacks of a suicide bomber, only hours earlier, on a political party that strongly opposes the radical Islamist Taliban movement
• Pakistani Taliban, suffering recently from missile strikes from remotely piloted U.S. drones and by Pakistani military offensives, asserted responsibility for the consulate attack.

International News Update - March 21, 2010

China- Google stops censoring, risking conflict with government

• The move allows Chinese citizens to access uncensored search from Hong Kong based server.
• Conflict began when Google was victim of cyber-attack from within China
• Chinese officials counter with claims Google has links to US government.
• Google still remains #2 search engine behind domestic Baidu

Sudan- President threatens to kick out international monitors in upcoming election

• Recent suggestion by monitoring group to delay elections
• Carter Center, only legitimate monitoring group, said infrastructure is not adequately prepared for elections in one month.
• President al-Bashir intends to “cut off their fingers and crush them under our shoes” if monitoring groups attempt to interfere.

France- Sarkozy reshuffles cabinet after mid-term hit on party

• President Nikolas Sarkozy replaced his Labour Minister and Budget Ministers
• Decision following mid-term landslide wins in all but one region for Socialist opposition party.
• Serious implications for Sarkozy’s center-right UMP party and his presidential run in 2012.
• Regional president elections limited to certain voters, often making it a protest vote against incumbent.

United States- Hard tone continutes towards Israel, but crisis averted

• Sec. of State Hilary Clinton spoke at pro-Israel lobbying group, AIPAC.
• Made strong statements against Israel’s decision to move forward on housing projects in contested Jerusalem.
• Still maintained strong anti-Iranian tone, but strictness is unprecedented in recent years.
• Israel PM Netanyahu refuses to halt construction, though willing to negotiate “trust building measures” to return to diplomatic discussions.

United States- Health care reform bill passes, establishing universal health care

• Congress successfully passes a health care reform bill spearheaded by President Obama.
• The bill requires all citizens to have health care or pay a fine.
• If one cannot afford insurance, Medicare and other government subsidies will be established to provide insurance.
• Conservatives overwhelmingly rejected the bill, but a filibuster-proof majority in the House allowed for its passage. Some opponents describe the move as new socialism.

International News Update - March 14, 2010

Somalia

• UN report finds 50% of food donations are diverted to pirates, Islamist extremists, and corrupt contractors.
• The World Food Program is primarily responsible for such programs, and following this report, decided to not renew three contracts.
• A committee for follow-up investigation and recommendations has been established.
• Note the US continues to pledge money to the young government in their attempts to undermine the Islamist sect holding Mogadishu.

Israel

• Decision to begin building project in disputed land of 1,600 apartment homes.
• Backlash from Americans, notably Sec. of State Clinton and David Axlerod, who cite this move as intentionally undermining recent peace-making moves.
• Seemingly intended to undermine concurrent visit by Vice President Biden to Israel, threatening already fragile peace.
• Technically such a move would be a violation of international law, as the international community views the territory as occupied.

Iraq

• Nouri Maliki strengthens lead in polls over former PM Iyad Allawi
• Violence did not stifle voting rates, which reached 65%
• Claims of corruption continue as votes file in, and a successful vote is crucial for US withdrawal in August.

Thailand

• 100,000 red shirt protesters in Bangkok to demand a reelection of the new PM Vejjajiva.
• Most are supporters of PM Thaksin, ousted via military coup in 2006.
• Protests based on a strong connection between Vejjajiva’s success and military/elite support.
• Gave 24 hour ultimatum before protests, and likely riots, resume.

United States/Ireland

• American Colleen LaRose arrested for conspiring to murder Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks, who depicted the prophet Mohammed’s head on a dog’s body.
• Used aliases Jihad Jane and Fatima LaRose thru networking websites to find a way to serve as a martyr.
• Reflects continued terrorist tactic to recruit members unlike the typical terrorist profile.

International News Update, March 2nd, 2010

Vanderbilt Model UN Weekly Briefing

For 02/22/10-03/01/2010

Written on 03/01/2010 at 7:05 pm

· Chile: Troops Deployed to Assist Earthquake Victims

o Chile hit by 8.8-magnitude earthquake

o At least 723 people confirmed dead

o Thus far, some 160 people have been arrested for looting

o The EU has pledged 3m euros, Japan has pledged $3m, and China has pledged $1m

· Spain: Spain asks Venezuela to Explain Alleged Rebel Link

o Spain is investigating claims that Venezuela assisted two rebel groups that plotted to kill Colombia’s President Alvaro Uribe

o An investigation launched in 2008 turned up evidence that the Venezuelan governmental co-operation in the illicit collaboration between Farc and Eta

o These are some of several allegations linking the Farc and President Chavez

· Iran: Reformist Newspapers Banned in Iran

o Etemaad, the country’s biggest-circulation reformist newspaper, was accused of violating media laws

o Another reformist newspaper that was shut down was run by the son of one of Iran’s opposition leaders

o The deputy culture minister of media affairs said the incident was done with a certain degree of leniency, as their licenses were still not revoked

· Nigeria: Police Officers Held over Alleged Extra-Judicial Killing of Members of the Boko Haram Sect in 2009

o Boko Haram attacked a police station in Maiduguri, which led to days of clashes and hundreds of deaths

o An al-Jazeera broadcast that showed footage of the killings was supposedly what led to the arrests

o The footage shows police officials telling the Boko Haram to lie face down and then shooting them at close range

· Somalia: Islamist militants in Somalia are stopping convoys of food reaching more than 360,000 displaced people, according to the United Nation's World Food Program

o The insurgent group, al-Shabaab, says that the UN Program is ruining local farming by forcing Somalis to rely on imports

o The people in Afgoye, where the Program targets, have not received a food distribution from the UN since November 2009

o Somalia has been in conflict since 1991 when its central government collapsed, so much of southern Somalia is controlled exclusively by al-Shabaab