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The United Nations issued an urgent appeal to the world today to make up a huge shortfall in funding for the humanitarian crisis spawned by Syria’s civil war, specifically warning that hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in Lebanon could face reductions in vital food aid.

While primary school enrolment rates have risen dramatically over the past 15 years, the actual levels of learning remain low in many countries, the United Nations educational agency today reported, urging a shift from universal access to primary education to access to education ‘plus learning.’

A United Nations team probing the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria has found “clear and convincing evidence” that Sarin gas was used in an incident that occurred on 21 August in the Ghouta area on the outskirts of Damascus in which hundreds of people were reportedly killed.

• Chemical Weapons Report

The United Nations food agency has issued a new warning saying bird flu viruses continue to pose a serious threat to human and animal health, adding they will pose a greater risk during the upcoming flu season.

The vast majority of Syrians are killed in unlawful attacks using conventional weapons such as guns and mortars, with children making up a large proportion of the casualties, the United Nations-appointed human rights probe today reported, calling for a halt to weapons being supplied to Government and the rebels.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the international community to continue efforts that will preserve the world’s ozone layer and protect the environment.

General Assembly President Vuk Jeremic today called on Member States to chart a course towards a more secure and sustainable future, as he brought to a close a year-long session marked by what he termed “notable achievements” by the international community as well as its “glaring failure” to halt the tragedy in Syria.

Two years after the fall of the authoritarian regime, Libya faces a number of challenges in ensuring that its democratic transition proceeds peacefully, a United Nations envoy told the Security Council today, noting that recent months have been marked by pronounced political disagreements, a disruption of the country’s oil exports, and security problems.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Monique Barbut of France as the head of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The international community and Somalia begin a new partnership today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said urging parties to align their political and financial support begin a ‘New Deal’ to drive the country’s economic and political recovery.