Region

“World Unity Day”, 29 November 2010, was celebrated in Kathamandu’s Kevre District, in Panauti, where the call went out to the city’s population drawing attention to the need for unity wherever in the world. The slogan: “We wish Peace Force and Joy to all on this day calling for unity among people.” Flags, banners, and lots of school age children made the event very lively.

The renown and revered botanist Leonardo L. Co, 56, was killed by gunfire 15 November, 2010, in a geothermal reservation in Leyte in Upper Mahiao, Barangay. Lim-ao, Kananga town, Leyte. He was doing research work for the Energy Development Corporation and was with four other team members. Three of them were killed and two survived.

*It could be said that by respecting human diversity we stand together, united in our understanding that the differences in our landscape of formation is what makes life dynamic and interesting. Wouldn’t it be boring to think alike, to want to eat the same foods, go to the same places, to express ideas in the same way?*

In a group studying the present moment, made up with O. Cevey, J.J. Coscarelli, D. Ergas, J.G. Feres, P. Figueroa, T. Hirsch, M. Icarte, A. Koryzma, F. Palumbo, V. Piccininni and J. Vergara an attempt has been made to understand the current state of our American continent, without attempting to arrive at a conclusive view. We thought it interesting to publish it anyway.

The United States is facing a diplomatic crisis as the whistleblowing website WikiLeaks has begun releasing today over 250,000 secret diplomatic cables. The cables have already proved embarrassing to numerous world leaders. The cables show the Saudi king Abdullah has repeatedly urged the United States of America to attack Iran.

Thousands of delegates, scientists and activists are gathering today in Cancun, Mexico, for the start of a two-week United Nations Climate Change Conference. A new scientific report being issued on the occasion reveals that up to a billion people from different nations could lose their homes in the next 90 years due to climate change.

In Haiti, Sunday’s presidential election was marred by widespread reports of voting fraud and chaos. Twelve of Haiti’s 19 presidential candidates have called for peaceful protests against what they described as *”massive fraud.”* The candidates accused Haitian President Rene Preval of trying to steal the election and install his chosen candidate, Jude Celestin.

The whistle-blower website WikiLeaks was reportedly hours away from releasing millions of confidential US diplomatic cables on Sunday as governments braced for the potential fallout.

Top US officials have raced to contain the damage in recent days by warning foreign ministries in more than a dozen countries, including key allies Australia, Britain, Canada, Israel and Turkey.

The initiative that demanded the “deportation of foreign criminals” was approved in a national popular referendum this Sunday, 28th of November, with 52.9% of the votes (participation in the referendum was 53.05%). According to the new constitutional article, foreigners who are “criminals” have to be deported and are banned from entering Switzerland for 5 – 15 years.

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) begins today a new stage with Guyana as temporary president, making firm steps towards regional integration.

The report, presented by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa during the inauguration of the fourth Summit held in Georgetown, marked the favorable course of discussions.