LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Thank you very much for your analysis on the U.S., Security Council and invasion of Syria.

Middle East Claims 40 percent of Journalists Killed in 2013

The strife-torn Middle East has accounted for around 40 percent of all journalists killed last year, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Oil Buyers Flee Nigeria Leaving Toxic Spill

Angola’s crude oil is proving sweet to U.S. buyers who are snapping it up as fast as they are dropping purchases from Nigeria, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Greenpeace Takes Aim at South Africa’s Power Utility

Environmental activists at Greenpeace Africa have launched a global campaign to block efforts by Eskom, South Africa’s public power utility, to release more polluting coal dust in the air. The dust has been linked to an uptick in premature deaths now estimated at 2,700 every year.

U.N. to Commemorate 15th Anniversary of Culture of Peace

The President of the General Assembly John Ashe will convene a one-day high-level forum (HLF) on Culture of Peace marking the 15th anniversary of the consensus adoption of the “Declaration and Programme of Action on Culture of Peace.”

Medical Centre to be Named for Physician Who Treated Ebola Victims

The family of Sheik Humarr Khan has set up a foundation in his name to help pay for the education of future medical workers and provide support to the families of doctors and nurses who lose their lives in the field, The Lancet, a medical magazine reported in a recent issue.

Islamists Gain Ground in Nigeria’s Embattled Northeast

Following fierce fighting with government forces, the insurgent Boko Haram captured new ground in Borno state – sending thousands of civilians into exile, along with soldiers, residents said.

Ebola Outbreak Puts Food Harvests at Risk, Warns FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that disruptions in food trade and marketing in the three West African countries most affected by Ebola have made food increasingly expensive and hard to come by, while labour shortages are putting the upcoming harvest season at serious risk.

Water Needs to be a Dedicated Sustainable Development Goal

Addressing delegates at the 24th World Water Week in Stockholm, the Executive Director of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) Torgny Holmgren said water should be a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) in the UN’s post-205 development agenda.

U.N. Chief Applauds AoC For Building Bridges to Peace

Speaking at the Sixth Global Forum of the U.N. Alliance of Civilization (AoC) in Bali, Indonesia last week, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon applauded the AoC for expanding its valuable work addressing the sources of conflict and planting new seeds of peace.

EBOLA COULD SINK AFRICA’S RISING DREAMS

An airlift of emergency supplies needed for those treating Liberians with the virus Ebola was launched last weekend by the U.N. children’s fund, Unicef.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONFAB IN SOUTH AFRICA

Some 400 delegates from 36 African countries are expected to fill the halls at the 18th annual Highway Africa conference for media activism which takes place Sept. 7-8 at Rhodes University, Grahamstown.

UN AoC Focuses on Youth & Peace Building

Speaking to 75 youths representing 75 countries, U.N. Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson offered a sweeping assessment of the United Nations’ place in the world and outlined his hopes for the future.

UNICEF Offers Psychosocial Support to Traumatised Children in Gaza

Children in Gaza are in desperate need of psychosocial support to cope with the violence and destruction they have witnessed, both on a physical and emotional level, a U.N. official saidThursday.

U.N. Commemorates World Humanitarian Day Paying Tribute to Aid Workers

The United Nations Tuesday commemorated World Humanitarian Day paying tribute to aid workers who risk their lives to bring relief to those in need.

UNFPA Supports Abducted Nigerian Girls’ Transition to Normal Life

When Boko Haram abducted more than 200 girls from their schools in Chibok, Nigeria last April, an international outcry was heard across the world under the slogan #bringbackourgirls.

OPINION: Violations of International Law Degenerate U.N.

The United Nations was founded “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights. To meet that objective, the Preamble of the UN Charter provides "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained”.

Malala, U.N. Chief Push for Action on MDGs

Malala Yousafzai and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon spoke with 500 young people at a U.N. event Monday, marking 500 days until the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

U.N. Underlines Key Role for Youth and Sports on Development

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Nanjing, China, last week for the opening ceremony of the Second Youth Olympic Games.

International Youth Day Focuses on Mental Health

They survived mental illnesses and escaped suicides. They found new reasons to live, new hope and they grew stronger.

Political Tensions Threaten Iraq’s Already Dwindling Security

Threatened with slaughter if they descend what is now known as the “Mountain of Death” and at risk of dying of dehydration if they stay, tens of thousands of Yezidis have been driven to peril by the Islamic State (also known as ISIL).