General News

The atomic bombs dropped by the United States in August 1945 on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing tens-of-thousands instantly, were a watershed event in human history.

One little-known fact is that 12 American Prisoners of War, were being held close to the centre of the blast in Hiroshima at the time.

A documentary about them and the extraordinary actions over the years that followed of one local humanitarian to honour their memory, was recently screened at UN Headquarters.

The UN will always honour the sacrifice of peacekeepers who put their lives on the line to protect civilians across the world.

That’s one of the tributes paid to blue helmets serving in the Central African Republic (CAR) with the UN Mission, MINUSCA, by UN chief António Guterres on Tuesday, who is on a visit to the country.

More details from Matt Wells.

Countries are being reminded of their obligation to provide healthcare for their citizens and to protect professionals who deliver these services, particularly during times of conflict.

That’s the message from the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kate Gilmore.

She was at UN Headquarters on Wednesday for a dialogue on how human rights, including the right to health, are reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ms Gilmore spoke to Paulina Greer prior to the event.

DURATION: 5’02”

After seeing negative news reports about UN peacekeepers, American filmmaker Melonie Kastman was inspired to share some positive stories surrounding the blue helmets.

She spent several months embedded with the Force Intervention Brigade at the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to document life in North Kivu province—one of the country’s most hostile and unstable areas.

What she saw there confirmed her belief that UN peacekeepers are unabashedly dedicated to the goal of achieving peace in communities affected by conflict.

A lesser-known casualty of the brutal fighting to liberate Mosul from Daesh, or ISIL extremists, has been livestock around the northern Iraqi city, said the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday.

FAO’s Emergency Response Coordinator in Iraq, Paul Schlunke, said most animals have not been vaccinated in three years, and FAO is concerned they could carry and spread infectious disease.

The area – liberated by Iraqi government and coalition forces in July - is home to more than 200,000 people whose livelihoods depend on herding cattle or other livestock.

More funding to “keep pace with intensifying needs” is urgently needed in Bangladesh to support thousands of refugees who continue to cross the border with Myanmar each day.

That’s the plea from UN relief chief Mark Lowcock, who joined other agency heads and government representatives at a special pledging conference for Rohingya refugees in Geneva on Monday.

A total of US$344 million was pledged, which falls short of the total required to assist around 1.2 million through to February next year.

Matt Wells reports.

Duration:  3'17"

The rise in terrorism is posing a challenge to global efforts to safeguard cultural heritage and identity.

That’s according to the Director of the New York liaison office of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Marie Paule Roudil was speaking following a meeting at UN Headquarters on Italy’s experience in protecting endangered cultural heritage.

British singer Ellie Goulding has opened up about her passion for combating climate change: from creating a sustainable bracelet brand to her selectivity when it comes to endorsements, the pop artist says there’s still time to take action.

Ms Goulding was at the United Nations in New York earlier this week where she took part in a dialogue on climate action.

She is this year’s recipient of the UN Foundation “New Voices” award, which recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations who work to advance UN causes.

A major alert has been issued for hundreds of thousands of Myanmar youngsters who’ve been forced to seek shelter in what’s been described as a “hell on earth” of makeshift camps in southern Bangladesh.

UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) raised the alarm in Geneva.

International support “a silver lining” in the wake of Somalia bombing

Somalis have taken to the streets of the capital, Mogadishu, to protest against violent extremism in the aftermath of a double car bombing which killed more than 300 people this past weekend.

The United Nations and its partners have been assisting the authorities in responding to the huge needs arising from the tragedy.

UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, Vincent Lelei, said the international community’s support to Somalia  represents a “silver lining” in the tragedy.