Exposé Haunts Banking Giant That Helped Hide African Billions

(GIN) – In an unusual collaborative effort, a team of journalists from 45 countries has produced a blistering exposé of a billionaires’ bank in Switzerland which was helping to place huge sums of its clients’ money beyond the reach of tax obligations and court settlements.

A Seven-Year, One-Term for U.N. Chief?

A group of former world political leaders – who call themselves The Elders – has proposed the next U.N. Secretary-General be appointed for a single, non-renewable term of seven years, in order to strengthen his or her independence and avoid the perception of being guided by electoral concerns.

Outrage Widens in Nigeria over Postponement of Elections

In a mounting chorus of voices, Nigerians from north to south, from the diaspora and at home, both Christian and Muslim flooded Facebook, blogs and Twitter, while filling street rallies over the weekend demanding that the people be allowed to vote after the national electoral commission called off the nation’s presidential poll for reasons of national security.

As Ebola Outbreak Slows, World Health Body Shifts Focus

For the first time since the end of June 2014, there have been fewer than 100 new cases of Ebola reported in a week in the three most affected countries.

Mobilising Health Professionals to End FGM

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) continues to engage health personnel in helping terminate the practice of altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

U.S. Cuts Off Economic Lifeline to Somalia

A California bank is shutting down a money transfer operation that brought desperately needed funds from the Somali Diaspora to their relations in the Horn of Africa.

European Policies on Migrants Under Fire

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants has criticised European policies towards migrants and asylum seekers, saying “the status quo isn’t sustainable.”

U.N. Anti-Drug Body Enlists Japan in Combatting Nigerian Terror

(GIN) – The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Government of Japan will take on crime prevention and criminal justice reform in Nigeria in two new projects announced this week in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

2015 Human Development Report to Focus on Employment

Against the backdrop of an estimated 75 million young people unemployed worldwide, this year’s Human Development Report (HDR) will focus on the theme: ‘Rethinking Work for Human Development’.

Death Toll Rises as Nigerians Prepare to Vote

As if things could hardly be worse, a bomb was detonated this week within a hair of striking President Goodluck Jonathan who had just appeared at a campaign rally in northern Nigeria.

U.N. Body Demands Debt-Cancellation for Ebola-Impacted Countries

The U.N. Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is calling on multilateral institutions and governments to cancel the debts of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, to give them “breathing space” to address the region’s economic challenges.

Peaceful Protestors Jailed in Shadow of Africa Cup

As Equatorial Guinea, host of the closely watched Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament, tries to keep all eyes on the ball, security forces have been rounding up protestors distributing leaflets against the high-priced sporting event.

Conservation of Nature Lags Far Behind

A new study has found that world’s governments are failing to provide adequate coverage for nature. In 2010, the world’s governments committed to conserving 17% of land and 10% of sea by 2020, particularly those places of particular importance for nature. With five years to go to achieve this target, new research by 40 authors from 26 institutions led by BirdLife International, shows that the current Protected Areas system is still failing to cover all key sites, species and ecosystems.

Flashflood Forecast System Launched in Bangladesh

A flash flood forecast system launched in Dhaka last week is expected to help about three million farmers in Bangladesh.

Humanitarian System Suffers Serious Gaps on Migrants in Crisis

Speaking at a panel discussion on migrants in crisis situations, Ambassador Michele Sison, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, emphasised the increasing need to assist migrants affected by dire humanitarian and life-threatening situations.

Culture Key Pillar for Peace-Oriented Civilization

The power of intercultural dialogue in a diverse world was discussed from many angles at an event launching the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.

Ebola Both a Health & Development Crisis

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says Ebola must be confronted both as a health crisis and a development crisis.

U.N. Forum Praises LGBT Rights Advances in Developing Nations

Speakers at a briefing on the treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Nazi Germany praised the advances made by developing nations in protecting gay rights.

Human Rights Aren’t Wrong in Tough Times

In its annual report released Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said governments make a big mistake when they ignore human rights to counter serious security challenges.

Regions Refocus 2015 Urges For Structural Shifts to Achieve Sustainable Development

The new initiative Regions Refocus 2015, housed at the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, draws attention to the systemic and structural shifts required to achieve sustainable development.

Global Tourism on the Rise

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) says 2014 was a highly successful year for global tourism. The number of international tourists (overnight visitors) reached 1,138 million in 2014, 51 million more than in 2013. With an increase of 4.7 percent, this is the fifth consecutive year of above average growth since the 2009 economic crisis.