The battle over, it’s now time to start rebuilding Iraq’s second city, parts of which were literally flattened during the offensive against holed up jihadists of the Islamic State group. But before this can happen, the chaotic mess caused by the conflict that devastated Mosul must be cleared away. Standing outside his damaged house in … Read more
Chatting excitedly as they try on their Chinese imperial-themed wedding outfits, Ren Weilian and Zhu Tiantian are as nervous as any couple as they prepare to exchange vows in their lesbian marriage. China does not recognise same-sex unions but that’s not stopping couples like Ren and Zhu from tying the knot in informal ceremonies as … Read more
UN chief Antonio Guterres has named a German with extensive experience at the world organization, Achim Steiner, as the new administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Steiner, who previously served at the UN Environment Programme and headed the UN office in Kenya, was selected to succeed Helen Clark, a former New Zealand prime minister, … Read more
The UN warned Tuesday the plight of millions of Syrian refugees was becoming “desperate,” with aid funds running low as donors and humanitarian groups met in Brussels to discuss the next steps. The EU and the UN are co-chairing a two-day conference to follow up on a London meeting last year which raised $11 billion … Read more
Nigeria’s government has ordered the head of the country’s football association to back current CAF president Issa Hayatou of Cameroon in his re-election bid, a senior official said Monday. The decree from on high came despite Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick having publicly come out in support of Hayatou’s main challenger, Ahmad Ahmad. … Read more
Nigeria’s government has ordered the head of the country’s football association to back current CAF president Issa Hayatou of Cameroon in his re-election bid, a senior official said Monday. The decree from on high came despite Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick having publicly come out in support of Hayatou’s main challenger, Ahmad Ahmad. … Read more
The countries of the United Nations approved a remarkable commitment to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015 to be achieved by 2030. On the one-year anniversary, it’s too early to start measuring their progress, but not too early to assess whether they are ready to make progress. We have found that governments urgently … Read more