Human Security Report - Human Security Brief 2007 - Human security is a relatively new concept, but one that is now widely used to describe the complex of interrelated threats associated with civil war, genocide, and the displacement of populations.The distinction between human security and the more traditional concept of national security is an important one. While national security focuses on the defense of the state from external attack, human security is about protecting individuals and communities from any form of political violence. Human security and national security should be - and often are - mutually reinforcing. But secure states do not automatically mean secure peoples. Protecting citizens from foreign attacks may be a necessary condition for the security of individuals, but it is not a sufficient one. Indeed, during the last 100 years far more people have been killed by their own governments than by foreign armies.
The Pearl-Qatar, A Riviera-style man-made island developed in an exclusive environment in Doha,Qatar and the Middle East's most glamorous address, covering 400 hectares of reclaimed land, is Qatar's first international real estate venture.. Callison provided the master planning and conceptual design services for the 988 acre island, which established the overall concept. The firm is currently providing design and construction services for the 21, 20-storey towers comprised of 3,116 fashionable apartments with sweeping sea views that overlook 410 imaginative town houses and 55,000 square metres of high-end retail with parking structures. These features are all contained in a Riviera-like boardwalk setting around a 400-boat slip marina - one of four planned for The Pearl-Qatar.
AP - UN: World economy to grow by 1.8 percent in 2008 Friday May 16, 3:23 am ET - By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press Writer UN: World economy on brink of severe downturn; will only grow by 1.8 percent this year UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The world economy is "teetering on the brink" of a severe downturn and is expected to grow only 1.8 percent in 2008, the United Nations said in its mid-year economic projections Thursday. That's down from a global growth rate of 3.8 percent in 2007, and the downturn is expected to continue with only a slightly higher growth of 2.1 percent in 2009, the U.N. report said. The mid-year update of the U.N. World Economic Situation and Prospects 2008 blamed the downturn on further deterioration in the U.S. housing and financial sectors in the first quarter, which is expected to "continue to be a major drag for the world economy extending into 2009."The U.N. economists said the deepening credit crisis in major market economies triggered by the U.S.-led slump in housing prices, the declining value of the U.S. dollar, persistent global imbalances and soaring oil and commodity prices pose considerable risks to economic growth in both developed and developing countries. "The baseline forecast projects a pace for world economic growth of 1.8 percent in 2008," the U.N. report said. However, it said the final figure will largely depend on developments in the United States.
National Geographic - UN Rates Best, Worst Countries. Find out which countries took top honors in the UN’s new list of the most desirable countries to live in, see how the U.S. fared, and learn which places need the most improvement.
The Carbon OlympicsKeeping track of the Olympic torch's carbon footprint—one leg at a time. By Chadwick Matlin - Posted Friday, April 11, 2008, at 6:36 PM ET The 2008 Olympic torch relay has not exactly inspired warm feelings of international cooperation, as in years past. Pro-Tibetan activists mounted protests in Paris and London, and even managed to force the extinguishing of the flame on a few occasions. But in the long run, the torch could generate more pollution than political dissent. Its journey across the world (and back again) is leaving a historic trail of CO2 emissions. Assuming the International Olympic Committee doesn't snuff out the relay in the face of mass protests—it says that won't happen—our calculations estimate that the entire trip will unfold over 50,000 miles in 20 countries. (Including a 31-city tour in mainland China, the entire thing will cover 85,000 miles.) As Wired reports, the flame gets its own private plane, so those 50,000 miles of travel demand 270,000 gallons of jet fuel. (The torch's plane needs 5.4 gallons of fuel for every mile flown.) With every gallon of fuel burned, 23.88 pounds of CO2 get pumped into the air, which means air travel alone will generously offer the environment 6,447,600 pounds of CO2. That's the equivalent weight of more than 1,000 Hummer H-2s.
Human Development Report 2007/2008 Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world Climate change is the defining human development challenge of the 21st Century. Failure to respond to that challenge will stall and then reverse international efforts to reduce poverty. The poorest countries and most vulnerable citizens will suffer the earliest and most damaging setbacks, even though they have contributed least to the problem. Looking to the future, no country—however wealthy or powerful—will be immune to the impact of global warming. The Human Development Report 2007/2008 shows that climate change is not just a future scenario. Increased exposure to droughts, floods and storms is already destroying opportunity and reinforcing inequality. Meanwhile, there is now overwhelming scientific evidence that the world is moving towards the point at which irreversible ecological catastrophe becomes unavoidable. Business-as-usual climate change points in a clear direction: unprecedented reversal in human development in our lifetime, and acute risks for our children and their grandchildren.
Tibet Online aims to counteract the disadvantages Tibetans face in their struggle against the vast resources of the Chinese government. We level the playing field by leveraging the Internet's ability to harness international grassroots support for Tibet's survival.
World Press Photo of the Year 2007 - British photographer Tim Hetherington wins premier award The international jury of the 51st annual World Press Photo Contest selected a color image of the UK photographer Tim Hetherington as World Press Photo of the Year 2007. The picture was taken 16 September 2007 and shows a US soldier resting at "Restrepo" bunker, named after a soldier from his platoon who was recently killed by insurgents. The 2nd Battalion Airborne of the 503rd US infantry is undergoing a deployment in the Korengal Valley in the Eastern province of Afghanistan. The valley is infamous as the site of downing of a US helicopter and has seen some of the most intense fighting in the country. Hetherington's photograph is part of a picture story that was also awarded 2nd Prize in General News Stories. He had traveled to Afghanistan on assignment for Vanity Fair.
Kremlin Rules - Putin’s Iron Grip on Russia Suffocates His Opponents By CLIFFORD J. LEVY Published: February 24, 2008 A new autocracy now governs Russia. Behind a facade of democracy lies a centralized authority that is not reluctant to swat down those who challenge the ruling party.
A Kingdom in the Mountains Shares Its Secrets By SUSAN EMERLING Published: February 24, 2008 Rounding up artifacts and traditions from the remote country of Bhutan for an exhibition took a years-long effort from a team of experts.
GoWealthy.com - Real Estate - Living in Dubai within an eco-friendly ambiance and experiencing the absolute luxury life style is no more a dream. Life in Dubai is no more arid but wonderful and fascinating with all its new magnificent residential structures. You can live your life in style within the verdant foliage, amazing parks and the landscaped lawns.
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Caterpillar expects boost in sales, revenues from emerging markets “They have a need to invest in infrastructure” Caterpillar Inc, which stands to benefit from 'infrastructure growth opportunities in the world's emerging market' as well as upgrade work in North America and Europe, expects to see sales and revenues approaching $60 billion by 2010, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Owens told analysts at a major trade show late today. The presentation marks the first time Caterpillar, which had 2007 revenues of $45 billion, has ever publicly projected annual sales of $60 billion
Russia's president-elect talks in depth with FT editor Lionel Barber about the social and economic course for Russia.
