IDPs collect rations at food distribution center, Goma

UN ramping up aid to feed 100,000 displaced in eastern DR Congo
18 November – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is increasing its food distributions in the war-ravaged east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in a bid to reach almost 100,000 people uprooted by the conflict. FULL STORY>>

Tomas Ojea Quintana, Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Myanmar: UN rights experts demand new fair trials for jailed political prisoners
18 November – Five independent United Nations experts on human rights today demanded that authorities in Myanmar hold fair and open re-trials for dozens of prisoners of conscience sentenced to lengthy prison terms and immediately release their jailed defence counsels. FULL STORY>>

Ashraf Qazi

Top UN envoy in Sudan welcomes approval of independent election body
18 November – The top United Nations envoy to Sudan today welcomed the approval by the vast African nation’s National Assembly of the independent and impartial body responsible for organizing and conducting elections. FULL STORY>>

Better sanitation is a matter of basic human dignity, UN expert says
18 November – Boosting the standard of sanitation in poor countries worldwide is a matter of basic human dignity, and yet 40 per cent of the global population still does not have access to toilets, a United Nations rights expert said today, calling for donor investment to be stepped up to save lives and reduce the spread of diseases. FULL STORY>>

British police attempt to smash South-East Asian sex trafficking ring – UN report
18 November – Police raids on several hundred buildings in the United Kingdom have recovered dozens of sex trafficking victims, mostly from East and South-East Asia, and led to legal charges against dozens of suspects, according to a United Nations report released today. FULL STORY>>

PEACE AND SECURITY

DR Congo: UN attack helicopters ready to respond after rebel ceasefire violation - 17 November

Thousands of Liberian ex-combatants to take part in UN-backed rehabilitation scheme - 17 November

Top UN envoy appeals for solidarity among Somali leaders - 17 November

‘Critical’ period ahead as Iraq gears up for upcoming polls, says UN envoy - 14 November

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Trade, Investment, Technology

With seeds, water and ‘plastic’ UN helps Haiti offset hurricanes, food prices - 17 November

International Monetary Fund approves $7.6 billion package for Pakistan - 17 November

Ban welcomes global leaders' call for joint action on financial crisis - 16 November

General Assembly President unveils details of panel probing global financial system - 14 November

HUMANITARIAN AID, REFUGEES

Gaza crossing reopens today to allow partial resumption in aid – UN agency - 17 November

Senior UN relief official appointed to new post on disaster risk reduction - 17 November

Serious displacement crisis continues in Colombia, UN official warns - 14 November

Somalia: UN agency ships food aid under naval protection amid bleak forecasts - 14 November

ENVIRONMENT, SHELTER

Experts gather at UN-backed forum to reduce effects of landslide disasters - 18 November

UN to honour leaders in addressing environmental emergencies - 17 November

Qatar and UN pave way for paper-free global conferences - 17 November

Greenhouse gases from industrialized countries rise after 1990s drop, UN reports - 17 November

HUMAN RIGHTS

Ban meets with UN human rights officials at start of two-day trip to Switzerland - 17 November

Iraq: UN official welcomes creation of human rights commission - 17 November

UN experts voice significant concern over legal rights of Italy’s migrant detainees - 14 November

Top UN human rights official urges halt to Afghan executions - 11 November

UN AFFAIRS, SECRETARY-GENERAL

Ban appoints American to head UN disarmament research agency - 14 November

Secretary-General applauds tsunami early warning system in Indonesia - 11 November

Ban to focus on plight of world’s poorest at Washington summit on financial crisis - 11 November

Amid global crises, UN needs partners like Rotary International more than ever – Ban - 10 November

WOMEN, CHILDREN, POPULATION

Actress takes starring role in UN campaign to eliminate violence against women - 17 November

Actor and advocate Charlize Theron named UN Messenger of Peace - 14 November

Urban African population set to rise sharply in next two decades – UN report - 12 November

Culturally sensitive approaches critical to women’s development – UN report - 12 November

LAW, CRIME PREVENTION

New glossary in Sierra Leone’s major languages issued by UN-backed tribunal - 7 November

Five judges elected to serve on UN International Court of Justice - 6 November

Amendment to electoral law bodes well for Iraq’s minorities, says UN - 4 November

International Criminal Court at ‘critical’ stage, its President tells Assembly - 30 October

HEALTH, POVERTY, FOOD SECURITY

UN agencies inducted into Polio Hall of Fame - 17 November

Stealing a march on winter, UN pre-positions food aid for hungry Afghans - 17 November

UN-backed scheme seeks to insure poor farmers against extreme weather - 17 November

Ban urges swift action to prevent financial crisis from spinning into 'human’ one - 14 November

CULTURE AND EDUCATION

Education vital in efforts to defeat intolerance, Secretary-General says - 16 November

Religion can never justify terrorism or killing of innocents, General Assembly declares - 13 November

Cameroon’s First Lady to become Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO - 13 November

Binding UN-backed treaty against doping in sport signed by 100 countries - 12 November