UN News Centre - Top Stories http://www.un.org/news A world of news from the world organization. en-us Copyright 2009, UN News Centre UN News Centre http://www.un.org/News/dh/latest/media/nslogo.gif http://www.un.org/news 140 Latest from the UN News Service Poor weather drives tea prices to record high in 2009 - UN http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33323&Cr=fao&Cr1= Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST Tea prices reached a record high in 2009, but should ease next year as weather improves in the main tea-producing regions in Asia and Africa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today. United action on global scale needed to clinch new climate pact, says Ban http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33311&Cr=copenhagen&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST Acknowledging that the climate change deal reached over the weekend in Copenhagen was not ideal for all nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today exhorted world leaders to act in concert to ensure that a legally binding treaty is reached next year. Darfur peace process has reached ‘critical’ juncture, Ban says http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33319&Cr=darfur&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The peace process in the war-wracked Darfur region of Sudan has reached a "critical point," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on both the Government and rebel groups to accelerate efforts to reach a compromise. Ugandan rebels murder, rape, mutilate, displace thousands in DR Congo, Sudan - UN http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33310&Cr=LRA&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST In a 10-month rampage of killings, rape and mutilation in neighbouring countries that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, the rebel Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), has killed some 1,300 civilians, abducted 1,400 more, including hundreds of children and women, and displaced nearly 300,000 others, the United Nations reported today. Violent clashes between police, Maoists spark UN concern in Nepal http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33308&Cr=nepal&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The United Nations human rights office has called for restraint in the wake of clashes between police and protestors on the first day of nationwide strike called by Maoists. UN hails first female winner of national youth music contest in Liberia http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33317&Cr=liberia&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST United Nations officials in Liberia have congratulated 19-year-old Vivian Akoto on becoming the first female to win A Star is Born, a youth competition which since 2006 has used music as an instrument for social change, national unity, and an agent to promote peace and development in the West African country. UN probing allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation in Côte d’Ivoire http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33313&Cr=ivoire&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has announced that it is taking all possible measures to investigate allegations that have emerged of sexual abuse and exploitation among its military personnel, some dating back to 2006 and potentially involving minors. UN refugee agency deplores forced return of Uighur asylum-seekers from Cambodia http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33309&Cr=unhcr&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The United Nations refugee agency has voiced deep distress at the forcible return of 20 ethnic Uighurs from China who had filed claims for asylum in Cambodia but whose cases had not yet been heard, saying it was part of a disturbing increase worldwide in such cases. UNDP chief pays tribute to outgoing head of campaign on anti-poverty goals http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33316&Cr=mdgs&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The head of the United Nations Development Campaign (UNDP) today hailed the efforts of the outgoing head of the world body’s campaign to promote the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as he announces he is leaving his position to assume the top post at the non-governmental organization (NGO) Amnesty International. Security Council urges security sector reform ahead of Central African polls http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33314&Cr=central+african&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The Security Council today called on the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) to ensure a speedy and inclusive political dialogue and swift security sector reform as the conflict-plagued country prepares for elections in 2010, urging the world community to provide necessary support. Security Council extends development fund for Iraq for another year http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33315&Cr=iraq&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The Security Council today renewed for another year a development fund set up immediately after the United States-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 to meet the country’s humanitarian needs, economic reconstruction and infrastructure repairs. Secretary-General calls for greater international cooperation and solidarity http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33321&Cr=financial+crisis&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for greater collective action as he marked International Solidarity Day during a year when the global financial and economic crisis may have pushed as many as 100 million people into poverty, and as the world faces challenges stemming from climate change to food insecurity.