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Warning of poor weather conditions and fast-approaching winter, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today raised concerns about the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children on the move in Europe, where several countries are faced with overstretched national capacities and insufficient coordination.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, today warned that a new bill amending the law on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Kazakhstan, may compromise the independence of associations and also challenge their existence.

Cities have a key role to play in ending hunger and improving nutrition, the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today, welcoming a commitment by more than 100 cities from around the world to make food systems in urban areas more equitable and sustainable.

Warning of the huge, almost uncontrollable human disasters facing the world – with a staggering 100 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance – United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson has urged global solidarity to meet “the heavy but inspiring responsibility” today’s global challenges demand.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed today the signing of a ceasefire agreement in Myanmar as “a milestone” and expressed his hope that the new government formed after next month’s elections will keep moving forward along the present path of negotiations.

The Ebola virus can persist in the eye, semen, the placenta, breast milk and central nervous system of survivors of the disease for as long as 9 and a half months, according to a new study supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).<

The current refugee and migration crisis is a “defining moment” for Europe and the world, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared in Rome today, where in an address to Italian Government officials, he thanked Italy for its “compassionate and courageous response” while continuing his strong call on all countries to bear more of the responsibility.

In one round of voting the United Nations General Assembly today elected Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2016.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the recent killing of nine civilians and two police officers in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura, amid exchanges of heavy gunfire in several neighbourhoods of the city.

Marking the International Day of Rural Women, the United Nations today affirmed the role of women as significant and crucial for the progress of rural households, local and national economies.