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

Special International News Update: 2/27/2010

Vanderbilt Model UN Weekly Briefing

For 2/23/2010-2/27/2010

Written on 02/27/2010 at 8:00 am

Next General Body Meeting: Tuesday, March 16^th, Furman 114 at 7:00pm

Guest Speaker: Professor Dr. Joan Forry discussing international ethics

Annual Spring Gala Philanthropy Event: Tuesday, April 6^th, 7-9pm in the SLC

All proceeds to benefit Charity: Water

If you are interested in joining Vanderbilt Model UN, please email Allison.w.heiser@vanderbilt.edu to be added to our listserve!

· Chile: An 8.8-magnitude hit central Chile, killing at least 78 people

o This is the largest earthquake to hit Chile in 50 years

o President Bachelet has declared a “state of catastrophe”

o Due to the earthquake, tsunami effects have been observed, with above-average wave height

· Cote D’Ivoire: Opposition group to join new unity government

o President Gbagbo has appointed a new electoral commission after he abolished the body, accusing it of fraud, which led to deadly protests

o The new electoral commission will be headed by a member of the opposition (Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast)

o No date has been set for elections

o Elections have been delayed six times since 2002 sparked by civil war in the country

· Colombia: Colombia’s Constitutional Court rejected a bid by President Alvaro Uribe to seek a third term

o The decision cannot be appealed

o The decision is seen by many as a sign of institutional stability and democratic progress in Colombia

o Uribe was re-elected for a second term after he won a constitutional change

· North Korea: South Africa has reported seizing banned North Korea weapons on a ship sailing from North Korea to the Republic of Congo

o South Africa has reported the seizure to the United Nations Security Council

o The report states that the weapons include spare parts for T-55 tanks that were hidden amongst sacks of rice

· Climate Change: An independent board of scientists will be appointed to review the workings of the Intergovernmental Planet on Climate Change, a United Nations Environment Program body.

o The scientists will specifically looking at a 2007 report which claims that Himalayan glaciers would vanish by 2035

o One area to be examined is whether the panel should incorporate so-called literature, or nonpeer-reviewed science in its reports

News Update 2/16/2010-2/23/2010

Vanderbilt Model UN Weekly Briefing

For 2/16/2010-2/23/2010

Written on 02/23/2010 at 11:00 am

Next General Body Meeting: Tuesday, March 2^nd, 2010, Furman 114 at 7:00pm

• Sudan: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will sign a ceasefire with rebel group the “Justice and Equality Movement” (Jem)
• Accord will allow Jem to become a political party
• Accord outlines sharing power “at all levels,” meaning rebels will be offered seats in the Khartoum government
• There is still an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant out for Bashir’s arrest for war crimes in Darfur
• There are no indications of peace talks with other main rebel group, Sudan Liberation Movement
• China: China has tightened internet controls
• Anyone who wants to set up a website must meet certain government regulations and produce identification documents
• The government has arrested thousands of people in the last year due to use of pornography online
• Africa (Uganda): Anti-gay protests have arisen throughout Africa in response to an anti-gay bill in Uganda calling for the death penalty for homosexuals
• For the past few weeks, police in Malawi have been openly pursuing gay activists and anyone suspected of being homosexual
• President Obama condemned the anti-gay bill, that was followed by anti-gay rallies throughout Africa
• Iran: Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran’s Vice-President and head of the nuclear program, has said Iran will build two new uranium enrichment plants within the next year
• Will be built in mountains “to protect them from attack”
• Iran has denied the enrichment of uranium for weapons
• According to a UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, Iran’s level of cooperation is decreasing with the agency
• Haiti: Haitian officials barred six children bound for adoption in the U.S. from boarding a flight to the U.S. amid fears of child trafficking
• Children had been adopted prior to the Jan. 12 earthquake
• Children range from ages 1-5 and are currently living in a “tent city”
• Whaling: The International Whaling Commission suggested that the commission condone commercial whaling for the first time in 30 years, in exchange for reducing the number of whales killed each year
• Aims to break a deadlock between countries that favor and oppose whaling
• Japan, Norway, and Iceland are the three nations that currently hunt whales

Week of Feb 8-Feb 15

Vanderbilt Model UN Weekly Briefing

For 02/08/2010-02/15/2010

Written on 02/15/2010 at 7:30 pm

· Saudi Arabia: Country voices its doubts over effectiveness of new sanctions on Iran

o Prince Saud al-Faial says the situation requires a more immediate solution

o On Tuesday, Turkey’s foreign minister will arrive in Iran to mediate

o Saudi Prince says they will work in long term, but not in the short term

o Clinton is hoping to convince Saudi Arabia to encourage China to take a tougher stand against Iraq

o China is against imposing more sanctions as well, as it may result in major revenue losses from investments in Iran

· Greece: Finance Minister asks for details regarding bailout plan

o Greece seeking bailout from eurozone nations as it tries to reduce its public deficit (12.7%, which is four times higher than eurozone rules allow)

o Pledged to cut it to 8.7% this year through major cuts in public spending

o EU has given Greece until end of February to give details on how currency swaps affected Greek government’s financial accounts since 2001

o EU statistics agency revealed that Greece falsified data last year to hide extent of debt

· Guinea: Guinea Unveils Interim Government

o Transitional government will steer country from military to civilian rule

o Interim government pledges to hold election in 6 months, which will produce first democratically-elected administration since coup in December, 2008

o Government contains mix of both civilian and military leaders

· Libya: Libya Stops Issuing Visas to Several European Countries

o This is an apparent act of retaliation for alleged Swiss measures against Gaddafi family

o Barred people from “Schengen Zone,” which is over 25 European countries

o Rift began with the arrest of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s son and daughter-in-law in Switzerland in June 2008

· Kenya: Kenya Urges Kofi Annan Intervention

o President Raila Odinga will ask Annan to intervene in bitter power struggle

o Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki are fighting over who is in charge of cabinet affairs

o Result of struggle has been relative anarchy, as the people no longer know who is in charge

Update: 2/2/10-2/8/10

Vanderbilt Model UN Weekly Briefing

For 02/02/2010-02/08/2010

Written on 02/08/2010 at 7:30 pm

• Iran: Iran’s President Moves Ahead on Uranium Processing
• Scientists will begi enriching uranium in order to power a medical reactor
• Just days ago, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad proclaimed that Iran might accept a Western exchange of its uranium for medial-reactor fuel that cannot be recognized
• Even if Iran successfully produces the enriched uranium, it would have to manifacture it into specialized fuel rods for the reactor (which would take years)
• The West is now considering placing even stronger options on Iran
• Sri Lanka: Defeated Candidate in the Previous Election Arrested
• Gen. Fonseka had contested the results and threatened to challenge them
• The charges against him relate to the “violation” of rules preventing the discussion of political matters while being a member of the military
• The General has also been accused of divulging sensitive information to the public and of plotting both a coup and an assassination of the president
• Europe: France and Russia in warship deal
• France has agreed to sell Russia an advanced warship, and is considering sending three others as well
• Deal would increase Russia’s capacity to launch amphibious (suited for both land and water) offensives
• Ex-Soviet states are alarmed, as this is the first deal of this sort between Russia and a Nato member
• Ukraine: Pro-Moscow Yanukovych likely to win Ukranian Election
• Yanukovych obtained a 3.2% lead over rival, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko
• Results represent a comeback from Yanukovych’s defeat by the 2004 “Orange Revolution”
• This represents the pro-Western Orange Revolution’s failure to deliver on their promises
• Sudan: ICC Rejects Charges against Darfur Rebel
• First Darfur war crimes suspect to face international judges has had the charges against him dropped
• Bahar Idriss Abu Garda was accused of planning the killing of 12 AU peacekeepers
• He has always denied being a part of the attacks on the peacekeepers
• Australia: Australia Tightens Migrant Rules
• The country will begin to focus immigration policy on skills
• They will abolish the current list of 106 skills in demand and review a points test used to assess migrants
• New policy will focus on health workers, as well as workers in engineering and mining

News Update 1/27/2010-2/2/2010

· Haiti: US Missionaries Attempted to Take Children out of Country

o Haiti’s Prime Minister criticized missionaries for attempting to take 33 children

o Some of the children have parents, which they are attempting to locate

o A Haitian judge will decide whether the 5 men and 5 women missionaries were acting in good faith or if they were child traffickers

· Somalia: Somali Islamists Join Al-Qaeda

o Rebel group al-Shabab has confirmed this partnership for the first time

o Group said it is trying to unite all Islamist forces to create a Muslim state under hard-line interpretation of Sharia law

o Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991

· Sri Lanka: Group of Senior Military Officers Dismissed

o Defense officials claim that they were being a threat to national security

o National Security Director says they were involved in “party politics” (during the recent election) and they were dismissed to maintain impartiality of the armed forces

o A military source says they were let go to prevent a coup by General Fonseka’s (the unsuccessful candidate) supporters inside the military

· Sri Lanka: Country Prepares to Choose its Next President

o Election is the first since the Tamil Tigers were defeated (after 25 years of war)

o President Mahinda Rajapaksa faces tough reelection against his former army chief, Gen. Sarath Fonseka

· Iraq: Female Suicide Bomber Kills Dozens

o Female set off explosive vest among Shia pilgrims who were marking Arbaeen (end of 40 days of mourning death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson)

o This pilgrimage has been target of similar attacks blamed on Sunni extremists

o There are currently heightened tensions between the religions factions due to the parliamentary elections scheduled for March

· China: China Accuses US of Arrogance over Taiwan Deal

o China accused US of double standards in pursuing arms sales to Taiwan

o China also threatened retaliation for US actions

o US says it will go ahead with the sale anyway

o The US is Taiwan’s biggest ally and is obliged by the Taiwan Relations Act to help in the island’s defense

News for 1/20 to 1/26

• Iraq: Former Iraqi Official Hanged after Halabja Ruling/3 Suicide Bomb Attacks in Baghdad
• Known as “Chemical Ali,” was sentenced to death for genocide and crimes against humanity
• Calls for his sentencing resulted from numerous different occasions, such as the military campaign against ethnic Kurds in 1988, crushing the Shia revolt in 1991, and the killing of Shia Muslims in Sadr City in 1999
• Shortly before the announcement of his hanging, 3 suicide bombers struck central Baghdad (a connection between the two has not yet been established)
• Northern Ireland: Brown and Cowen Meet for Emergency Justice Talks
• There is currently a growing fear of a collapse in the political institutions at Stormont
• NI’s two biggest political parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein have been arguing over the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont
• In general, the government in this area is extremely fragile at this time
• Somalia: EU Agrees to Train Somali Troops
• Eu will send a team to help train 2,000 Somali troops who are battling Islamist militants
• EU wants to contribute to the training of Somali security forces in order to enhance stability and hopefully put an end to the offshore piracy
• Thus far, the fighting in Somalia has claimed nearly 20,000 lives
• Sri Lanka: Country Prepares to Choose its Next President
• Election is the first since the Tamil Tigers were defeated (after 25 years of war)
• President Mahinda Rajapaksa faces tough reelection against his former army chief, Gen. sarath Fonseka
• Afghanistan: NATO forces to launch Helman Operation
• Goal is to assert the control of the Afghan government in parts of Helmand under the Taliban
• Helmand is a significantly populous region, with about 250,000 people
• Haiti: Devastated Country to ask for $3 Billion at Donors Conference
• The international conference meeting on Monday will be held in Montreal
• Haiti’s tourism minister estimates that they would use $2 billion to build housing for the 200,000 left homeless, and the rest would be used to rebuilt government ministries and national infrastructure

Google and China

Google and China

Article Excerpt from BBC News:

China has denied any state involvement in alleged cyber attacks on Google and accused the US of double standards.

A Chinese industry ministry spokesman told the state-run Xinhua news agency that claims that Beijing was behind recent cyber attacks were "groundless".

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this week asked China to investigate claims by Google that it had been targeted by China-based hackers.

The US search giant has threatened to withdraw from China.

"The accusation that the Chinese government participated in [any] cyber attack, either in an explicit or inexplicit way, is groundless. We [are] firmly opposed to that," the unnamed spokesman of China's ministry of industry and information technology told Xinhua.

1/14/2010-1/19/2010

• Haiti: Avalanche of international aid flowing into Haiti
• Still no final death count
• Bill Clinton flew in on 1/18/10
• Getting it to those who need it to most is challenging
• Still a lot of violence, but also a lot of patience
• More than 2,000 U.S. marines set to arrive
• Afghanistan: Taliban attack in heart of Kabul
• Two men detonated suicide bombs while other militants “fought to the death”  right near heart of Afghan government
• Attack demonstrates the Taliban’s new trend of bringing the fight to cities, rather  than to rural areas
• FIRST time they’ve mounted an attack of this nature so successfully
• Iraq: seeks U.S. Blackwater lawsuit signatures
• Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says they want compensation for a number of cases, including the 2007 killing of 17 Iraqis in Baghdad’s Nisoor Square
• Lawyers of the accused say they were acting in self-defense
• Ukraine: Orange leader Viktor Yushchenko eliminated from the country’s presidential election
• International monitors say the election has, thus far, been clean
• Canada: Toronto truck bomb plotter imprisoned
• Zakaria Amara, 24, co-led the Islamist militant group dubbed the Toronto 18
• Plan was to set off three truck bombs in eastern Canada
• France: Warning against Internet Explorer
• Certa, a government agency that oversees cyber threats, released the warning on ALL versions
• Calls for web users to find an alternative for security reasons
• These calls have been echoed by Germany
• Counterargument (primarily from Microsoft) maintains that other browsers probably have equal risks

January 13th News Update

Vanderbilt Model UN Weekly Briefing

For 1/5/2010-1/13/2010

Written at on 1/13/2010 at 11:00am

• Haiti: Thousands are feared dead in a 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Haiti, reported as the worst quake in two centuries.
• Haiti’s envoy to the U.S. talked of a “catastrophe of major proportions.”
• The Red Cross says up to 3 million people have been affected.
• The U.S., France, China, United Kingdom, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have sent search and rescue teams to find any survivors in the rubble as well as aid.
• Over 100 United Nations workers are reported as missing, including the head of the U.N. Mission in Haiti, Hedi Annabi.
• China: Google may end operations in China after hackers in the nation have targeted the e-mail accounts of Chinese human rights activists
• Yemen: The attack on a US jetliner on Christmas Day by a Nigerian man is the first attack in North America by Al-Qaeda originating from the Arab nation.
• The attack signifies the new structure of Al-Qaeda and its ability to plan and carry out attacks despite American operations to dismantle the terror organization.
• Afghanistan: A United Nations report by the U.N. Mission in Afghanistan reported today that the number of Afghan civilians killed in violence in 2009 was higher than in any year since the Taliban were ousted in 2001.
• 1/3 of the deaths were the result of suicide attacks, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies.
• American and NATO combat deaths jumped from 295 last year to 520 in 2009.
• Guinea: Guinea's junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who was wounded by an aide last month, was moved to Burkina Faso to recover after surgery in Morocco for a bullet wound.
• A leaked U.N. report states that the leader should be tried with crimes against humanity for killing opposition protesters and mass rape and sexual abuse by the militia government.
• Camara has been in charge of the military government since President Lansana Conte died in December 2008.
• Iran: The government is continuing its effort to discredit opposition.
• Opposition leader Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri died 19 December.
• At least 8 were confirmed dead following anti-government protests in Tehran, 300 reported arrested.
• Tens of thousands of Iranians have protested in favor of their government in the past weeks, in response to the opposition demonstrations.
• The rallies were reportedly organized by the government, according to BBC News.
• Somalia: The Piracy Reporting Center of the International Maritime Bureau reported Somali pirates carried out a record number of attacks and hijackings in 2009.
• These record numbers occurred despite the deployment of international warships and a U.N. Security Council resolution.

Week of November 24th News

Vanderbilt Model UN Weekly Briefing

For 11/24/09-12/1/09

Written at on 11/30/09 at 1:53pm

• HIV/AIDS: The WHO and UNAids reports that the HIV death toll has been cut over 10% in the last five years due to greater access to anti-retroviral drugs
• Iran: The government is expanding its effort to discredit opposition.
• The government has put 6,000 Basij militia in elementary schools across Iran to promote the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.
• Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni, has been using the phrase “soft war,” the idea that Western cultural subversion is the reason for domestic ills and must be combated with a vigorous response.
• Iran: Five British citizens have been detained by the Iranian navy while sailing a yacht from Bahrain to Dubai.
• Somalia: Pirates off the coast of Somalia captured a large tanker carrying oil from Saudi Arabia to the U.S. on Sunday, November 29^th.
• There are 28 crew members on board.
• Pirates are currently holding 11 vessels and 264 crew members in Somalia.
• United Arab Emirates: One of Dubai’s largest investment companies, Dubai World, has asked for a six-month delay on repaying its debts.
• This has raised fears among investors about the financial well-being of Dubai ventures.
• European and Middle Eastern shares have been hit.
• Philippines: The government has declared a state of emergency in two southern provinces after the death toll doubled on Tuesday after election violence intensified.
• Group of 50 lawyers, journalists, and relatives of local politicians who were abducted after Monday elections.
• Violence blamed on clan warfare with political motivations ahead of the 2010 provincial and national elections.
• Key suspect Andal Ampatuan Jnr, has surrendered to the authorities and President Gloria Arroyo has vowed to bring the killers to justice.
• Switzerland: The Swiss have approved by referendum a measure to ban the building of minarets within the country with 58% in support and 22 of 26 cantons.
• Seen as a reaction to perceived poor assimilation of the Swiss Muslim community or fears of possible poor assimilation.
• The government urged its citizens to vote against the ban, but now is put in the awkward position of explaining the vote to the Muslim world.
• There is fear that trade and banking relationships could be adversely affected.