Halle Berry lends star power to fight hunger in Nicaragua
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry lent her star power to combat rural hunger during a trip to Nicaragua for the UN World Food Program, officials here said.
Iraqi jihadists order genital mutilation of all women
Jihadists in Iraq have ordered that all women between the ages of 11 and 46 must undergo female genital mutilation, which could affect up to four million women and girls in the war-ravaged country, a UN official said
Gunmen kill 15 civilians travelling in central Afghanistan
Suspected Taliban gunmen stopped two vehicles in central Afghanistan and shot dead 15 passengers at the side of the road, officials said Friday, in the latest attack to highlight the growing civilian toll from violence.
More than 2.2 billion people 'poor or near-poor': UN report
More than 2.2 billion people are "poor or near-poor", with financial crises, natural disasters, soaring food prices and violent conflicts threatening to exacerbate the problem, a United Nations report said.
Gaza rocket halts Israel flights as foes resist truce efforts
Airlines blocked flights to Israel Wednesday after a Gaza rocket struck near airport runways, as the UN chief urged an end to a conflict that has killed 639 Palestinians and 31 Israelis.
Colombia posts lowest murder rate in 10 years: officials
Homicides in Colombia fell to their lowest rate in a decade, plummeting more than nine percent in 2013 compared to the previous year, officials said.
Battle for Libya airport leaves at least 47 dead
Islamist-led militiamen have stepped up their assault on Libya's main airport, controlled by rival fighters, which the health ministry said Monday had left at least 47 dead in a week.
Obama calls for immediate truce as Gaza toll soars
US President Barack Obama called for an "immediate ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas, after the bloodiest day of fighting in Gaza raised the number of Palestinians killed to 476.
Iran nuclear deadline extended by four months
Iran and world powers gave themselves four more months to negotiate a historic nuclear deal after failing to close major gaps in marathon talks in Vienna.
MH17 crash: tragedy of Malaysian family
A family of 6 Malaysians coming from Kazakhstan died in the MH17 flight crush.
World to celebrate 1st Mandela Day since icon's death
People around the world will celebrate "Mandela Day" Friday for the first time since the iconic South African leader's death by doing good deeds on what would have been his 96th birthday.
Kazakhstan waiting for an answer from the UN to join peacekeeping missions
Back in March 2014 Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry announced it was ready to send 20 Kazakhstan’s military observers to join UN peacekeeping missions.
Almost 7 million need aid in Sudan: UN
Worsening conflict in Darfur and an influx of people fleeing war in South Sudan helped push to almost seven million the number needing aid in Sudan, the UN said.
Kerry hunkering down for Iran nuclear talks
US Secretary of State John Kerry was to meet again Monday with his Iranian counterpart seeking to narrow serious gaps blocking a historic nuclear deal with a deadline just days away.
North Korea fires 100 artillery shells into sea
North Korea fired 100 artillery shells into the sea Monday in a live-fire drill near the eastern maritime border with South Korea that followed a recent series of missile tests.
Jolie to visit Nauru to check refugee facilities
Hollywood star and UN refugee envoy Angelina Jolie has accepted an invitation to visit the small island of Nauru where Australia sends asylum-seekers for processing and resettlement, the government said.
UN has 'moral responsibility' to tackle Haiti cholera: Ban
The United Nations has a "moral responsibility" to help impoverished Haiti end a devastating cholera outbreak some blame on peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says.
De Mistura to succeed Brahimi as Syria peace mediator
Italian-Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura will be the new UN mediator for Syria, taking on the Herculean task of finding a political solution to the devastating civil war, diplomats say.
Kazakhstan and Fiji to sign visa-free regime
Kazakhstan has agreed to sign a agreement with the Republic of Fiji.
India nurses in Iraq conflict 'to be freed'
A group of 46 Indian nurses trapped in Iraq are to be freed, one of them told AFP Friday, in a rare piece of positive news in a crisis threatening "Syria-like chaos".