The "influx of violent extremists" increases the overall challenges facing prison administrations around the world, according to a representative from the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Threats posed by radicalization have been on the rise and countries are increasing their counter-terrorism efforts. The UNODC's justice section, recently released a handbook on the management [...]

What could become a "lost generation" of Syrian refugee children in Turkey is missing out on school despite major increases in enrollment since last summer, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Nearly half a million are attending schools in Turkey, which represents a 50 per cent increase since June, said UNICEF's Najwa Mekki. But [...]

International efforts to halt the fighting in Syria stepped up a gear on Thursday with the news that top UN negotiator Staffan de Mistura has been invited to participate in upcoming talks sponsored by Russia, Iran and Turkey. It seems almost certain that Mr de Mistura will take part in discussions in Kazakhstan, next week [...]

  Nigeria bombing of IDP camp "catastrophic" The accidental bombing of a camp for internally displaced people, or IDPs, in northern Nigeria has been described as "catastrophic" by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) chief, Filipo Grandi. More than 50 people were killed in the attack, including six aid workers, according to initial reports from the [...]

President Xi Jinping of China visited the UN in Geneva on Wednesday where he said that his country is committed to "win-win development" whose gains can be shared by all. In his speech, the Chinese premier also reaffirmed the superpower's commitment to peace, saying that "no conflict is too big to settle". Mr Xi also [...]

Years of war and destruction "won't prevent Aleppo from rising" once again, according to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, speaking from the rubble of the eastern part of the ancient city. Ali Al-Za'atari said that it "pains the heart" to witness the destruction first hand, but Aleppo's citizens have a resilience and "love for [...]

A suicide bombing on Wednesday which targeted government troops in Mali, killing dozens, should be seen as a "direct attack on the peace process" there. That's according to the UN Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping, HervĂŠ Ladsous, addressing the Security Council on Wednesday, warning that the country stood at a "crossroads." A UN-brokered peace deal was signed [...]

  UN supports regional efforts to end Gambia crisis Regional efforts aimed at ending the crisis in the Gambia have the support of the United Nations, the Deputy Spokesperson for the organization has said. Farhan Haq made the remarks during the daily press briefing at UN headquarters in New York. Wednesday marks the end of [...]

The year 2017 will see a "modest" recovery in the global economic growth, according to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The 2017 World Economic Situation and Prospects report highlights the solutions to "prolonged" economic slowdown caused by weak investment and slower growth in global trade. The report mentions that although some [...]

Appeal to Iran over death row prisoner The proposed execution of a prisoner sentenced to death in Iran when he was a minor must not be allowed to go ahead, the UN said on Tuesday. The appeal by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR, comes amid reports that Sajad Sanjari is [...]