UN's new global development goals: a 'to-do list' for the world

The World Leaders adopted at ongoing UN summit in United State an ambitious set of new global goals to end extreme poverty by 2030, promote health and education, and combat climate change.

Here are the 17 goals described as a "to-do list" for the world by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:


1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

UN’s Ban Ki-Moon, Spain’s PM To Attend AU Summit

United Nations' Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to be the special guest at the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The assembly is to hold in Malabo, Equitorial Guinea from June 20 to 27 June.

A statement issued by the office of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Dlamini Zuma on Friday in Addis Ababa, added that Spain’s Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy-Brey, is also attending.

It said that already the AU Commission Chairperson had arrived in Malabo on Thursday, ahead of the summit. The Summit is being hosted by the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, under the theme “Agriculture and Food Security”.

The statement noted that the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government would be preceded by a session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee.

UPDATES: Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki urges troops to fight back Islamist militants as 500,000 people fled Mosul

Islamist insurgents Attack Iraq's Tikrit after 500,000 are forced to flee Mosul

Islamist insurgents have overrun parts of the Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, after taking control of Iraq's biggest city Mosul.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has urged troops to fight back against the militants as up to 500,000 people fled Mosul after the al-Qa'ida splinter group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) overran the city.

Security sources said some parts of Tikrit, which is located 150 km (95 miles) north of Baghdad, is now under the control of militants and dozens of the insurgents have reportedly been clashing with security forces near the headquarters of the government in the city centre.

Scandal: ​UN-marked strike helicopter ‘used by Kiev against militias

The UN has voiced concerns over the apparent use of UN-marked helicopters by Kiev troops in their military operation against Donetsk regional militia.

A video of a white-painted Mil Mi-24 strike helicopter with UN logo has emerged. When inquired about the United Nations’ stance on the use of peacekeeper-marked military hardware in non-peacekeeper operations, the office for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson said such use would violate UN rules.

Encourage ‘legitimate’ redistribution of wealth - Pope Francis tells Ban Ki-Moon

Pope Francis has called on the UN to do more to help the poor and encourage the "legitimate redistribution" of wealth.

"In the case of global political and economic organization, much more needs to be achieved, since an important part of humanity does not share in the benefits of progress and is in fact relegated to the status of second-class citizens," Francis told Ban Ki-Moon on Friday.