Millions could die as world unprepared for pandemics, says UN

By The Guardian

Zika virus

Panel convened to analyse deadly outbreaks says capacity to respond to communicable diseases remains ‘woefully insufficient’

Syria 'exterminating detainees' - UN report

The Syrian government has carried out a state policy of extermination against thousands of detainees, UN human rights investigators say.

They accuse President Bashar al-Assad's regime of crimes against humanity, in a report for the UN Human Rights Council.

Former UN chief John Ashe charged with taking $1.3m in bribes

By BBC News

US authorities have charged a former United Nations General Assembly president with taking bribes from a Chinese billionaire.

New York prosecutors said John Ashe "converted the UN into a platform for profit" as he helped real estate mogul Ng Lap Seng gain government contracts.

Did Putin upstage Obama at UN Syria summit?

Diplomatic protocol could not disguise the frosty, awkward relations between US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The chill was all too obvious at the United Nations in New York: in the steely look that Mr Obama gave Mr Putin at lunch - leaving the Russian leader until last to clink wine glasses - and in the perfunctory handshake before their talks, which Mr Putin called "surprisingly very frank". That is usually diplomat-speak for a heated argument.

UN paid millions to Russian aviation firm since learning of sex attack on girl

By The Guardian

Documents reveal United Nations unit uncovered possible ‘culture of sexual exploitation and abuse’ after 2010 attack by UTair crew member, but permitted company to continue receiving contracts worth millions.

Islamist fighters drawn from half the world's countries, says UN

By The Guardian

More than half the countries in the world are currently generating Islamist extremist fighters for groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State, the UN has said.