New York Vows to Stop Terrorist Attacks on City

When New York city launched a new counter terrorism unit, immediately following the terrorist attacks in Paris, Mayor Bill de Blasio was emphatic in his reaction: “We can say more certainly than ever before that no city in America is better prepared to defend against terrorism.”

UN Staff Union Warns Pay Cuts Will Largely Undermine Women

The UN’s 60,000-strong international staff union is challenging some of the proposed cuts both on salaries and allowances which will “damage living standards, working conditions and family lives” of some 32,000 staffers “working in the world’s most dangerous locations.”

UN Frontline Staff Consider Their Options as Pay Cuts Loom

When the world’s most powerful ambassadors gathered in New York last week to celebrate the United Nations’ 70th anniversary, it would have been undiplomatic to mention the looming crisis facing the UN’s proudest achievement - its humanitarian aid programmes.

Haider Rizvi: a Rebel Who Battled Many Causes

Haider Rizvi, who spent nearly 20 years as a reporter for IPS covering the United Nations, died October 29 in Lahore, Pakistan, his home country.

Indonesia and US Sign 12 Investment Deals

Following a state visit to the US, Indonesian President Joko Widodo finalized 12 investment deals estimated at over 20 billion dollars.

South African Students Win Fight Against Rising School Fees

(GIN) – In an official response from President Jacob Zuma to massive student protests, the proposed 10% hike in school fees has been cancelled for 2016.

Opinion: Africa’s Agricultural Potential Begins on the Ground

My friend Kofi Boa is a Ghanaian agronomist who is probably the biggest advocate for conservation farming in Africa. For decades, Kofi has taught farmers how to increase their yields using no-till, cover crops and other techniques.

Over 100 Cities Pledge to Fight Hunger & Reduce Food Waste

Over 100 cities around the world have come together in Milan to sign the Urban Food Policy Pact, promising to develop equitable and sustainable food systems.

Opinion: 1325 a Groundbreaking Initiative for Women, Peace & Security

2015 is a year of UN anniversaries as the calendar tells us. Of course the big one is the United Nations’ own seventieth birthday. I find two other anniversaries very significant in their relevance to humanity’s quest for peace and development in general and for goals and objectives of the UN’s work in particular.

Africa Week Focuses on Challenges Facing the Continent

The United Nations will be commemorating Africa Week (October 12-16), beginning Monday when strategic international partners will gather in New York to support an ambitious plan aimed at a brighter future for the African continent.

Africa’s Progress in Key Areas Either Stalled or Reversed

(GIN) – The cheap gas boom has not been the best of news for African countries where oil and other raw materials have been the basis of their export economies since colonial times.

War Crimes Charges for Demolishing Ancient Malian Shrines

(GIN) – The International Criminal Court will hear charges of war crimes against Ahmad al Faqi Al Mahdi for the deliberate destruction of religious or historical monuments in Timbuktu, Mali. It is the first prosecution of this type by the court which is based in The Hague. Legal proceedings against the suspected Islamist will begin in January.

U.N. Rejects Bribery as “Business-as-Usual” in World Body

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was shocked and deeply troubled to learn of the allegations against Ambassador John Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda, a former President of the General Assembly.

UK Detains 5 in Pursuit of Nigerian Oil Ministry Laundered Funds

(GIN) – Nearly half a dozen suspects, including the former Minister of Petroleum Resources of Nigeria, were swept up by UK authorities in a crackdown on corruption coordinated with Nigerian President Muhammed Buhari.

Social Media Giant Unveils Internet Plan for Rural Africa

(GIN) – A new satellite could soon be bringing remote parts of Africa onto the internet, according to Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg.

G77 Ministers Call for UN Agency for South-South Cooperation

The 134-member Group of 77, the largest single coalition of developing countries at the United Nations, has reaffirmed the overarching objective of eradicating poverty, “which remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.”

Religious Leaders, Legislators in Nuclear Abolition Call

Leaders of major religious faiths and interfaith networks, joined forces with parliamentarians and mayors, to call on world leaders to “commit to nuclear abolition and to replace nuclear deterrence with shared security approaches to conflicts.”

Press Freedom in Europe in Peril, Says CPJ

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in a new study released here, says press freedom in Europe is in peril and the European Union has a moral imperative to defend this right and hold its member states accountable.

Five Environmental Leaders Receive Champions of Earth Award

Five “inspirational environmental leaders” have received the UN’s highest environmental accolade, the “Champions of the Earth Award”, at a ceremony Sunday marking the close of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) summit.

A $25 Billion Pledge to End Preventable Deaths by 2030

As the summit meeting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came to a close, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced over $25 billion in initial commitments, spanning five years, to help end preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents, and ensure their health and well-being.

“Protecting Cultural Heritage – an Imperative for Humanity”

Jordan and Italy are leading efforts to protect cultural heritage worldwide – and specifically in war-ravaged Middle East.