Ban urges Cypriot leaders to make extra push towards a settlement

The people of both communities in Cyprus want a solution now that will stop the division on the Mediterranean island, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, urging Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to reach a settlement to end the decades of separation.

Violent foes of Iraqi stability cannot reverse progress under way - UN envoy

While there are still forces in Iraq trying to disrupt reconstruction with deadly violence, they cannot reverse the progress already taking place, with national elections slated for 7 March, but greater international engagement is needed, the top United Nations envoy in the country said today.

No spike in infectious diseases reported in post-quake Haiti - UN health agency

More than one month on from the devastating earthquake in Haiti, no increase in infectious diseases has been reported, according to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).

Security Council hails progress towards resolving political crisis in Guinea

The Security Council today welcomed “recent positive developments” in Guinea, which has been gripped by unrest since Government forces opened fire on unarmed protesters last year, killing at least 150 people, and urged the transitional authorities in the West African country to prevent any further violence pending elections.

UN urges media in Liberia to highlight lack of punishment for sexual violence

The United Nations is urging media practitioners in Liberia to play a major role in creating public awareness about gender-based violence, one of the most frequently committed serious crimes in the country, as part of a wider UN push in West Africa to increase media spotlight on sexual violence.

Communications between ‘first responders’ in Haiti to be strengthened - UN agency

A United States software business is set to provide a reliable and secure communications system to emergency response teams assisting in the Haitian relief effort under an agreement with the United Nations, the UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU) announced today.

UN agency helps Somali refugees to transfer to Ethiopian camp

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has started relocating hundreds of people fleeing an upsurge in fighting and tightened access to humanitarian aid in southern and central Somalia to a camp in neighbouring Ethiopia.

To drive in Egypt, ‘Don’t look right or left’

 
CAIRO – I have finally solved a mystery that ranks with the greatest in Egypt: not, as you might think, how the Pyramids were built, but why is traffic in Cairo so crazy?

Haja Amina, my driving instructor, showed me the answer. After several years of taking taxis, subways and getting rides, I finally decided to enter the mayhem that passes for driving in Egypt. 

Swathed in black veil and robe, in her late fifties, and looking more ready for grocery shopping than driving, Amina pulled her dusty yellow Fiat over to the curb and frowned at me. I hopped in and we were off to a quiet residential area for my first lesson. I knew I was in the hands of a pro when she seamlessly merged into traffic and, horn blaring, crossed an intersection with complete disregard for cars screeching to a halt or swerving to avoid us.

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Ban calls for calm in Côte d’Ivoire after Government, electoral body dissolved

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the people of Côte d’Ivoire to avoid any action that could cause renewed violence in the divided West African country after the Government and independent electoral authority were dissolved ahead of repeatedly delayed elections.

Violent foes of Iraqi stability cannot reverse progress already under way - UN envoy

While there are still forces in Iraq trying to disrupt reconstruction with deadly violence, they cannot reverse the progress already taking place, with national elections slated for 7 March, but greater international engagement is needed, the top United Nations envoy in the country said today.