General News

One hundred million tons of so-called eWaste is damaging the natural environment in West Africa….that’s according to a report published by the UN’s environment agency, UNEP.

A wide range of equipment, from fridges to computers and televisions, is being dumped…it’s then scavenged by people looking for valuable parts they can sell on.

Most of it originates from the region, but significant amounts of broken or obsolete equipment is imported from developed countries.

Eight people, including an oyster fisherman from Japan, two American school girls, and a married activist couple murdered in Brazil, have been recognized by the United Nations for their efforts to protect the world’s forests.

They were named as Forest Heroes at a ceremony in New York on Thursday marking the end of the International Year of Forests. Dianne Penn reports.

Duration: 2'19"

The Syrian people are facing tremendous suffering as violence continues in their country while the international community is still unable to agree on how to respond to the crisis.

That’s what United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has told reporters after briefing the Security Council on his recent trip to the Middle East.

The Secretary-General has been urging Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to take what he calls “bold and decisive steps” to end the crisis.

Somalia remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to work as a reporter.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 37 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in Somali since 1992.

The latest victim was Hassan Osman Abdi, the Director of Radio Shebelle who was gunned down outside his home in Mogadishu on 28 January.

His murder has been condemned by the UN cultural agency, UNESCO and the top United Nations envoy in Somalia.

Up to 3.3 million people could need food aid in South Sudan according to the UN’s World Food Programme.

Poor rainfall and displacements caused by conflict have contributed to what’s been described as a crisis.

South Sudan is also expecting an influx of up to half a million people from its northern neighbour, Sudan.

Patrick Maigua asked Chris Nikoi, WFP's country director in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, why there is a shortage of food.

Duration: 2’36”

In Syria, the assault on the city of Homs is continuing.

In response, the United Nations human rights chief is calling on the international community to intervene to stop the bloodshed.

Navi Pillay says it’s urgent, as she put it, “to cut through the politics and take effective action to protect the Syrian population.”

Last Saturday, a Security Council resolution condemning the violence in Syria and calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down was vetoed by Russia and China.

Authorities in Brazil have come up with a plan to lift 60 million Brazilians out of extreme poverty in two years time.

Under the plan, known as “Brazil without Extreme Poverty”, the Latin American country hopes to beat the deadline set by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000 to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015.

Luis Henrique Paiva, Secretary for National Income and Citizenship discussed the plan with Monica Grayley.

Duration: 3’16”

American troops have joined the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to help the new African nation stand on its own feet.

The United States government has deployed five military personnel with expertise gained in the United States Marines, Air Force, Navy and Army to work with UNMISS.

The first three of the troops arrived on 14 January.

Charles Appel reports.

Duration: 2'25"

An agreement between members of the UN Security Council to end the on-going crisis in Syria could have been struck if western powers had shown more patience….that’s according to the Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin.

Both Russia and China vetoed a key Security Council Resolution which was aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Syria.

The UN estimates the 11 months of fighting there has cost over 5000 lives.

Daniel Dickinson has more details.

Duration 2’08”

Promoting full employment, identifying solutions to global economic, social and health problems, and encouraging respect for human rights.

These are just some of the topics under the broad mandate of ECOSOC: the UN Economic and Social Council.

The council is meeting this week in New York.

Jocelyne Sambira interviewed Hanif Navid, Director with the Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination, about its priorities for 2012.

Duration: 3'06"