Europe

Italian coastguard vessels arrive at Lampedusa Island after rescuing people on the Mediterranean. (January 2012)
UNHCR/F. Noy

Mediterranean the deadliest sea for refugees and migrants, says UN agency

31 January 2012
The Mediterranean Sea has become the deadliest stretch of water in the world for migrants and refugees, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported today.
Jelena Rašic.

UN Yugoslav tribunal accepts plea agreement in contempt trial

31 January 2012
The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today accepted the plea agreement filed in the contempt of court trial of Jelena Rašic, who was accused of procuring false statements from witnesses in exchange for money.
Rashida Manjoo, Special Rapporteur on violence against women.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Italy must urgently act to end violence against women, UN rights expert says

27 January 2012
Italy must do more to protect women from violence and urgently address the underlying structural causes of gender inequality and discrimination, an independent United Nations human rights expert warned after visiting the country.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) joins hands with Greek and Turkish Cypriot Leaders Demetris Christofias (left) and Dervis Eroglu.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Cyprus: Ban calls for decisive steps towards final settlement after intensive talks

25 January 2012
The latest round of United Nations-facilitated talks between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities aimed at the reunification of Cyprus have ended in New York after “robust and intensive” discussions, Secretary-Ban Ki-moon said today, calling for a decisive move to reach a final agreement.
Italian water polo team.
Giorgio Scala

World champion water polo team joins UN conservation effort

24 January 2012
The world champion Italian national water polo team has become the latest advocate recruited by the United Nations in its effort to raise international awareness about water conservation, the world body has announced.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) greets his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, at Greentree Estate in Manhasset, New York.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Ban spends second day at UN-backed Cyprus reunification talks

24 January 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is meeting again today in New York with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in their latest round of talks aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus.
Radovan Stankovic, a former member of Serb paramilitary forces.

UN tribunal welcomes arrest of former member of Serb paramilitary forces

23 January 2012
The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s welcomed the arrest of Radovan Stankovic, a former member of a Serb paramilitary unit who faces multiple charges for crimes against humanity.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (back to camera) greets Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders Demetris Christofias (centre) and Dervis Eroglu (right) at Greentree Estate in Manhasset, New York.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN-facilitated talks between Cypriot leaders begin in New York

23 January 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met today with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities as they began two days of United Nations-facilitated talks on reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation.
Venice and its Lagoon.
UNESCO

UNESCO urges maritime restrictions for World Heritage Sites in Italy

23 January 2012
The United Nations agency tasked with safeguarding the world’s cultural heritage called on Italy today to restrict maritime access to its most culturally and ecologically sensitive areas, including the lagoon city of Venice.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias (left) and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu (right).
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Ban looks forward to ‘concrete’ progress at upcoming meeting of Cypriot leaders

20 January 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is looking forward to “concrete progress” when the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders meet in New York next week to discuss reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation, his spokesperson said today.