New Study Focuses on ‘Staggering Inequality’ of Incomes

Income inequality, one of the issues that so troubled the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is again front and center in today’s news.

Children’s Protection in Nigeria “Urgent” Says U.N. Official

The protection of children in Nigeria’s northeast relies on urgent action, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict concluded during a weeklong assessment in the war-torn country.

UNHCR Study on Plight of Syrian Refugees in Jordan

A new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) study “Living in the Shadows” released last week reveals the increasingly desperate conditions of Syrian refugees living in urban and rural areas across Jordan.

Partnerships Essential for SDGs, says UNIDO Director General

The Director General of the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) sees a critical role for partnerships in the successful implementation of the U.N.’s proposed 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Finns’ Conception of World Poverty is Gloomier than Reality

A survey commissioned by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveals the Finns’ conception of world poverty is much gloomier than reality.

U.N. Forecasts Moderate Growth for Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to register a moderate increase in growth in 2015, according to the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

U.N. Demands More Commitment to Humanitarian Aid

Addressing the Council on Foreign Relations early this week, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, delivered the Distinguished Sorensen Lecture on the U.N.’s role in global humanitarian crises.

Development Bank Joins Funders for African “Smart Cities”

(GIN) – Financing is being arranged for a multi-million dollar ‘smart city’ in Diamniado, Senegal, by the African Development Bank. Similar investments are taking place in the Ivory Coast and other West African states.

U.N. Chief Hails India for Solar & Wind Power Initiative

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to increase the share of solar and wind power in India’s energy mix, and for his vision in accelerating the development of solar energy when he was chief minister of Gujarat.

Boko Haram Commits “Deadliest Massacre Yet” in Baga

(GIN) – The northern Nigerian town of Baga was devastated over the weekend by a surprise raid conducted by Boko Haram insurgents apparently aimed at a major military base constructed there.

More Women in Management Positions Over Last 20 Years

A global report on “Women in Business and Management,” released Monday by the International Labour Organization (ILO), shows that the number of women in senior and middle management positions has increased over the past 20 years. In 80 of the 108 countries for which ILO data is available, the proportion of women managers has increased during this period.

Heir Apparent of Hashemite Monarchy Pleads Caution

Prince Adel El-Hashemite, who claims to be the heir apparent to the British-sponsored Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq from 1921 to 1958, has criticized French president Francois Hollande for referring to a wave of killings in Paris as the work of (Islamic) “fanatics” and “extremists”.

U.N. Chief Delivers Condolences After Charlie Hebdo Attack

On Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his condolences to the French people concerning the massacre of 12 people by two gunmen at the Parisian office of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Poverty & Homelessness Most Serious Issues Globally

A recently conducted poll released January 8th by GlobeScan and Oxfam International shows a dramatic increase in the concerns of German and Spanish citizens about the seriousness of poverty and homelessness in their countries.

2014 “Arms Control Person of the Year”

Alexander Kmentt, Austria's Director for Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament received the highest number of votes in an online poll to determine the "2014 Arms Control Person of the Year."

Syrians Overtake Afghans as Largest Refugees Under UNHCR Mandate

For the first time, Syrians have become the largest refugee population under the mandate of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) , overtaking Afghans, who had held that position for more than three decades.

Security Council Urged to Keep Commitments to Women’s Participation in Peace & Security

A leading non-governmental organisation (NGO), advocating the participation of women in efforts to maintain international peace, has urged the U.N. Security Council to do more to live up to its commitments to its longstanding agenda on women, peace and security (WPS).

Gambian Coup Plotters Under Arrest

(GIN) – A bid to oust Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh was quickly routed with the arrests of a handful of insurgents in The Gambia and the U.S.

South Africa Cracks Down on Zimbabweans Without Papers

(GIN) – Solidarity between South Africa and Zimbabwe seems frayed, if not torn, as deportations are threatened for thousands of Zimbabwean nationals eking out a living in the more prosperous country to the south.

Cuts Pushed by Funder Triggered Ebola Crisis, Says Report

(GIN) – Spending cuts, pushed by an international lender, “weakened health care systems in the West African region”, leaving the countries “under-funded, insufficiently staffed and poorly prepared.”

Tunisia’s “People Power” Rejects Islamist Party in Upset Vote

(GIN) – Tunisians, the first people to launch an “Arab Spring” revolution that ousted a despot, returned to power a member of the ousted regime. They cast ballots on Sunday in the nation’s first free presidential poll – and the outcome surprised many.