With Brooms and Spatulas, a President for Life is Ousted

(GIN) – In a burst of pent-up anger, a youth-led movement overpowered the unpopular regime of Blaise Compaore of the West African nation of Burkina Faso, dashing hopes by the “President for Life” to extend his 27 year rule by another term and forcing his resignation.

Women Peace Builders Needed as Conflict Evolves

Addressing the Security Council Tuesday, several speakers emphasized that women’s involvement in peace building and conflict prevention is as important as ever as the nature of conflict evolves.

Lebanon at Breaking Point Over Refugees

“Lebanon is a beacon of tolerance and co-existence in the region” for sheltering Syrian refugees, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement on Tuesday.

No Ebola Czar, Says Columbia Professor

(GIN) – With media stoking fears of a spreading Ebola crisis, medical professionals and other experts have been taking pains to keep cool heads above the super-heated news frenzy.

Tunisians Hand Islamists a Major Defeat in Historic Vote

(GIN) – North African Tunisians whose rebellion sparked the so-called Arab Spring in 2011, turned out in force to elect a secular party - Nidaa Tounes – over the incumbent Islamist Ennahda party in preliminary results released on Sunday.

North Korea Warned of Possible Referral to ICC

A recommendation to take North Korea to the International Criminal Court (ICC), based on the findings of a recent inquiry, is a rare opportunity for the international community to act, says the head of a Human Rights Commission.

Addressing Inequality Key to Tackling Poverty in Least Developed Countries

Economic growth combined with equity is key to helping Least Developed Countries (LDCs) address poverty, Gyan Chandra Acharya, United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries (LDC), Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) told reporters last week.

UNICEF Claims Success in Battle Against Polio

The U.N. children’s agency UNICEF said the annual number of polio cases has fallen from 350,000 in 1988, to 416 in 2013, and 243 so far this year – “an extraordinary drop of more than 99 percent.”

U.N. Chief Condemns Expulsion of Human Rights Director from DRC

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the decision of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to expel the Director of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), Scott Campbell from the country.

Lack of Resources Hindering U.N. Efforts to Investigate Torture in Detention

The United Nations is unable to effectively assess the state of violations in detention centres around the world due to a lack of resources, said Malcolm Evans, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT).

Ebola Drugs Safety Tests Raise Ethical Issues

(GIN) – Can you test a promising new Ebola drug by giving it to one sample infected group and giving a deactivated placebo to another?

Ebola Epidemic Deeply Distressing for Children, Warns UNICEF

Ebola will undoubtedly leave a deeply distressed generation of children, said Sarah Crowe, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) Crisis Communications Chief.

Women’s Leadership Central to Poverty Eradication

The twenty-first century will be the century for ending inequality, patriarchy and discrimination against women once and for all, Lakshmi Puri, UN Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women said Thursday.

Venezuela’s Security Council Election Inspires Controversy

Venezuela’s election to the U.N. Security Council is inspiring controversy even before it votes on a single resolution.

Boycott USA, Implores Chomsky

Professor Noam Chomsky, a renowned political activist and one of the strongest critics of U.S. foreign policy, called on the boycott movement to penalize the United States for the suppression of Palestinians.

U.N. Staff Union Expresses Concern Over Ebola Response

As thousands of U.N. staff volunteer to work in Ebola-stricken countries in Africa, the Staff Union has called for safety measures to protect personnel on the ground.

With Ebola Crisis Looming, Where is the Surgeon General?

(GIN) – Almost forgotten in the panic sparked by a new Ebola infection – this time of the Dallas nurse apparently suited up properly to care for the Liberian patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, in isolation - some media houses are asking the question: “Where is the nation’s Surgeon General?”

Kenyan President Fronts ICC While Witnesses Remain Intimidated

Although Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta is the first Head of State to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Kenyan civil society groups believe the case will collapse without cooperation from the government in Nairobi.

Inequality in High-Income Countries Increasing, Says World Bank

Inequality in high-income countries is at highest levels since World War Two, says a new World Bank report.

Kenyan President Steps Down to Face Charges of Crimes Against Humanity

(GIN) – After failing to win further delays in a hearing of serious charges against him, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced he would temporarily step down as president of Kenya and face the court.

Protests Planned at World Bank Development Meeting

(GIN) – Farmers, indigenous peoples and other social justice groups will be taking to the streets this week in 10 cities, calling for an end to ruinous business-driven development plans for poor countries around the world.