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The United Nations human rights chief today condemned the crackdown on journalists in Ethiopia and the increasing restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression in the Horn of Africa nation.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to exercise prudence and avoid unilateral steps that would diminish the prospects of resuming negotiations after the latest downturn in the Middle East peace process.

United Nations peacekeepers in South Sudan reported today that opposition forces are occupying Lich University, located in the central part of the country, and that said harassment and detention of UN staff was preventing the Mission from carrying out its activities.

With rival Christian and Muslim militias stoking inter-communal violence and spreading fear throughout the Central African Republic (CAR), a senior United Nations relief official today urged the international community to uphold its pledges – and responsibility – to provide the security and resources to ease the crisis and prevent the country from splitting along religious lines.

Recent fighting in parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile states has displaced or affected an estimated 16,500 people, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which today detailed the aid response being offered to them through the UN and its partners.

United Nations officials today congratulated the people and Government of Iraq for turning out in significant numbers in Wednesday's elections, and commended the electoral authorities and security personnel for their efforts.

Free media, traditional and new, are indispensable for development, democracy and good governance, United Nations officials said today, spotlighting Press Freedom Day – observed annually on 3 May – to urge Governments, societies and individuals to actively defend this fundamental right as a critical factor in achieving internationally agreed development goals.

The birthplace of jasmine tea and a nearly 3,000 year old irrigation system are among the traditional farming sites designated “globally important” land use systems or landscapes by the United Nations food and agricultural agency, it was announced today.

As Member States continue work on a new post-2015 development agenda, United Nations officials today stressed the need for a robust yet flexible accountability framework to assess progress and achieve results, as well as ensure that all actors honour their commitments.

Significant gains in the fight against the cholera epidemic in Haiti have been recorded as the dry season ends and the United Nations continues to support the Government's comprehensive strategy of monitoring, rapid response and planning for long-term solutions, a top UN official in the impoverished country says.