Law Enforcement

Ban welcomes approval of new chief for UN’s in-house watchdog

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the General Assembly’s approval of Carman Lapointe-Young of Canada as the new head of the United Nations internal watchdog office.

Legendary Actor Dick Van Dyke Named Tiger Ambassador by World Wildlife Fund

Actor Dick Van Dyke has been named an official Year of the Tiger Ambassador by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and will help the organization promote tiger conservation. With as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild, Van Dyke will help WWF raise awareness and funds for tiger conservation with the goal of doubling wild tiger populations by 2022.

Unpublished Franz Kafka story found

A handwritten story by Franz Kafka that was never published has been found in a secret archive of the author's private papers.

Obama makes peace with Bill Clinton to improve his approval ratings

In order to improve his approval ratings, which have been going downwards ahead of the crucial mid-term elections, US President Barack Obama, has turned for help to one of his harshest Democratic critics, Bill Clinton.

Love falls on Mandela on his birthday

The world is celebrating Nelson Mandela's birthday.

US claims Amiri was willing defector, offered $5 million

Iran and the United States appear locked in a propaganda war as both countries present conflicting accounts of how and why Shahram Amiri went missing before surfacing in the USA demanding to be flown home.

Mose Allison: The Piano Man Returns

Mose Allison is an American music icon — truly one of this country's artistic treasures. Back in the 1950s, Allison created a style all his own by coupling his talents as a pianist and lyricist and applying them to the elements of jazz and blues. His piano playing featured hints of both bebop and boogie woogie. Then, over the music, he added his one-of-a-kind, half-spoken, half-sung vocals, and a new, hip noise was born. It was music that was bluesy with a cool, laid-back swing, coming from a polite Southern gentleman who had a sharp, biting wit.

Figure skating star Yuna Kim named newest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

After having won the 2010 Olympic gold medal in figure skating, superstar Yuna Kim is adding another honour to her collection, signing on to become the newest Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Ms. Kim of the Republic of Korea said she has long been a supporter of the agency, and was motivated to step up her participation with UNICEF after Haiti was devastated by a massive earthquake earlier this year.

Decrees of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints

Today, during a private audience with Archbishop Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Pope authorised the congregation to promulgate the following decrees:

Face of Defense: Chef Feeds New Horizons Troops

Normally, a hot meal for servicemembers working in austere conditions means warming up a field rations package that includes a dinner, dessert and a snack.