More than 300 attacks against humanitarians occurred in the Central African Republic this year, with five aid workers losing their lives in the line of duty. That information comes from the UN humanitarian affairs office in the country which reports that there has been a resurgence in attacks in the final months of 2016. Isabelle [...]

  End of "discriminatory" US counterterrorism measure welcomed A decision by the United States to dismantle a controversial counterterrorism measure has been welcomed by two UN human rights experts. The UN Special Rapporteurs on, respectively, racism and xenophobia, Mutuma Ruteere and freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, described it as "discriminatory and ineffective." The [...]

In this week's special programme during the holiday season: the International Monetary Fund or IMF, looks at what a drought, earthquake or pandemic can do to economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Natural disasters hold back a country's ability to produce, leading to an economic slowdown according to two top economists from the IMF. Sub Saharan Africa [...]

The recently-elected Somali lawmakers are being urged by the UN chief to "move swiftly" to complete the electoral process. About 283 Members of Parliament, or MPs, took an oath of office on Tuesday while interim speakers were appointed for both houses of the federal parliament. The electoral process in the troubled Horn of Africa country, [...]

For this end-of-year special programme, we're bringing you a thought-provoking discussion between two senior UN officials involved in October's milestone UN Habitat III Conference, on the future of world cities. Koko Warner of the UN Climate Change Secretariat tells us that cities are "the stage upon which human beings will shape" the battle to stop [...]

Inauguration of new parliament "milestone" in Somalia history The inauguration of a new federal parliament is a "milestone" in the history of Somalia, the UN Assistance Mission in the country, UNSOM, has reported, citing a former Speaker of the House. About 283 new lawmakers took an oath of office by placing their right hands on [...]

Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations, with Jocelyne Sambira and Dianne Penn. In today's programme: The outgoing UN deputy chief urges world leaders to stamp out xenophobia… And, an expert explains how poverty and lack of education push people into forced labour and slavery. Duration: 10:00

Syrian refugees in Lebanon are at their most vulnerable and need the most assistance during the winter months, according to a representative from the UN's Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the region. Many of them have settled in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, where the heavy rain and cold temperatures during winter, makes it difficult just to stay [...]

Lack of education and poverty pushes people into forced labour and slavery according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Almost 21 million people are victims of forced labour, the UN agency says. They are either trafficked or are forced to take jobs in order to repay their debts. Priyanka Shankar spoke to ILO's Houtan Homayounpour [...]

  UN welcomes US move to equally protect atheists and non-believers A move by the United States to recognise the rights of atheists and non-believers to not profess or practise any religion has been hailed by a UN rights expert. US President Barack Obama signed the amendments to the International Religious Freedom Act last week. [...]