News

20.2.2013
International arbitration

China rejects Philippine UN mediation bid

China said Wednesday it has rejected the Philippines’ attempt to seek international arbitration over conflicting claims to territory in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

19.2.2013
C34

UN must prepare for future potential missions

While focused on current peacekeeping operations around the world, the United Nations must also prepare for potential future peacekeeping roles ranging from Mali to Syria to the Horn of Africa, the heads of the UN peacekeeping and field support departments today told a special review committee.

19.2.2013
PAGE

New UN partnership will help 30 countries transition to green economies

United Nations agencies will support 30 countries over the next seven years to build green economy strategies that will generate jobs, promote clean technologies and reduce environmental risk, through a new partnership launched today.

19.2.2013
Freedom of assembly

OHCHR concerned over Egypt’s draft law on demonstrations

The United Nations human rights office today voiced concerns about the draft law on demonstrations approved by the Egyptian Cabinet last week, in particular regarding the type and scope of limitations imposed on the freedom of assembly.

19.2.2013
Report

Drones killed more Afghan civilians in 2012

The number of U.S. drone strikes in Afghanistan jumped 72 percent in 2012, killing at least 16 civilians in a sharp increase from the previous year, the U.N. said Tuesday in a sign of the changing mission as international forces prepare to withdraw combat forces in less than two years.

19.2.2013
OCHA

Liberia and UN appeal for nearly $37 million for vital assistance to half a million people

The United Nations and the Liberian Government today appealed for $36.7 million to meet the pressing humanitarian needs of more than half a million people who are at risk for hunger and illness, including some 117,000 children.

19.2.2013
WHO/UNEP Report

Hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to cancers

Chemicals in household and industrial products that disrupt the human hormone system are linked to high global rates of breast, ovarian, prostate, testicular and thyroid cancers, warns a report released today by the UN Environment Programme and the World Health Organization.

18.2.2013
Minorities

UN Condemns Attack against Shias in Pakistan

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon condemned the attack on a Shia community market in Quetta, capital of the south-western province of Balushistan, in Pakistan.

18.2.2013
UNEP

Save Arctic resources as ice melts

The Arctic needs to be better protected from a rush for natural resources as melting ice makes mineral and energy exploration easier, the United Nations' Environment Programme (UNEP)

18.2.2013
Time to act

ICC should launch Syria war crimes probe: del Ponte

The International Criminal Court should be called in to probe war crimes in Syria, former UN prosecutor Carla del Ponte said Monday.