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The top African Union-United Nations peacekeeping official in Sudan met with leading Government ministers this week to urge them to step up efforts for the safe release of abducted UN and other humanitarian workers in the strife-torn Darfur region, calling it a “hostage crisis.”

Iran has submitted an initial response on a draft agreement on fuel for its civilian nuclear research facility to the head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it was announced today.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today named a Special Representative on Food Security and Nutrition to stem and reverse the mounting number of children, women and men worldwide suffering from chronic hunger.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he will ask Member States to expedite measures to strengthen security to respond to the “dramatically escalated” threat against the United Nations, as witnessed by the deadly attack yesterday in Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed five UN staff and injured several others.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today proposed a budget of just over $5 billion to cover the work of the United Nations Secretariat for the next two years, telling a General Assembly committee that only a slight increase over the budget is needed despite increased demands for the UN’s services.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed cautious optimism over the progress of democracy in Guinea Bissau, where a series of political assassinations earlier this year threatened stability in the impoverished West African country.

At least five United Nations staff members were killed today in an attack on a guest house in Kabul that has drawn widespread condemnation from top officials, as well as a pledge that the world body will continue its vital work in the country.

More than nine million Mozambicans are expected to vote today in presidential and parliamentary polls after a campaign where the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has helped supply critical equipment, improve election officials’ skills, train journalists, raise public awareness and coordinate the work of international monitors.

Zimbabwe today withdrew its invitation for a visit by the United Nations independent expert on torture, who was already en route to the country, citing consultations between the Government of National Unity and the South African Development Community (SADC).

A new United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) scheme will help Tanzanian farmers expand their access to markets and ultimately bolster their food security.