Following years of inter-communal violence and fighting, there are many now across the Central African Republic (CAR) who "want to pursue peace and justice.” That's according to Professor Sarah Knuckey, Director of the Human Rights Clinic at New York's Columbia University. She recently visited CAR for two weeks, together with a team made up of [...]

Brazil needs to encourage a national discussion about how to get out of its "political and economic" crisis following an Olympics that have become known as the "games of exclusion". That's the passionate view of Tom dos Santos, who was representing his country as one of the winners at the recent Many Languages, One World [...]

Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Dianne Penn and Matthew Wells. In today's programme: Concern over the dramatic rise in casualties in eastern Ukraine; and, the UN's top official in Somalia outlines support for the elections slated for this year.

People travelling to the Rio Olympics are being advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date. WHO reports that Brazil has made strides in tackling diseases such as measles, but the influx of thousands of international athletes and sports fans could potentially put gains at risk. [...]

The number of casualties in the conflict in eastern Ukraine has reached its highest level in a year, the UN human rights office has reported. It found that 12 people were killed and 57 injured in June: the highest figure since August 2015. The crisis in eastern Ukraine has entered its third year, pitting Government [...]

The first female Force Commander in UN history is stepping down after what she called a "fantastic two years". Major-General Kristin Lund headed the UN force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the first woman ever to command a UN peacekeeping operation. Her last day in charge was 29 July. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to her service [...]

Over half the children born each year are "not being put to the breast soon enough." That's according to Tamara Kummer, from the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, speaking at the beginning of World Breastfeeding Week 2016. UNICEF has released a report showing that it is crucial for newborns to be given access to their mother's [...]

Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Dianne Penn and Matthew Wells. In today’s programme: a call for greater protection for children caught in armed conflict and why breast milk makes all the difference during the first hour of life.

Elections this year in Somalia represent "a very unique moment" in the country's political history, according to the senior UN official there. Michael Keating said the vote, which should take place before the end of the month, will foster a greater sense of "local ownership" as well as more participation by women. Somalia last held [...]

Creating partnerships with all levels of government in South Sudan is the best way to "foster peace" and deliver life-saving aid during the on-going crisis. That's the view of UN humanitarian chief, Stephen O'Brien, speaking in the middle of his mission this week to the world's youngest country. A political, humanitarian and health crisis has [...]