The race to choose the next United Nations Secretary-General enters a critical phase today, as the Security Council holds its first informal straw poll to assess support for the candidates seeking to lead the world body. The closed-door vote will provide the first indication of which of the seven candidates are gaining support and who may face challenges in securing the backing needed to become the next UN chief. The current Secretary-General, António Guterres, will complete his second and final five-year term on 31 December.  Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports from New York.

The race to choose the next United Nations Secretary-General enters a critical phase today, as the Security Council holds its first informal straw poll to assess support for the candidates seeking to lead the world body. The closed-door vote will provide the first indication of which of the seven candidates are gaining support and who may face challenges in securing the backing needed to become the next UN chief. The current Secretary-General, Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, will complete his second and final five-year term on 31 December. &nbsp;Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports from New York.

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UN Security Council begins first straw poll to assess next Secretary-General candidates

Liberia is taking steps to make its electoral system more inclusive, with a focus on ensuring that women and persons with disabilities can participate fully in the democratic process. The National Elections Commission has trained 79 officials on gender equality and disability inclusion, as part of efforts to implement its Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy, with support from UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme.  To discuss these efforts and the drive towards more accessible and representative elections in Liberia, we're joined by Dr Abul Hasnat Monjurul Kabir, UN Women Country Representative in Liberia.

Liberia is taking steps to make its electoral system more inclusive, with a focus on ensuring that women and persons with disabilities can participate fully in the democratic process. The National Elections Commission has trained 79 officials on gender equality and disability inclusion, as part of efforts to implement its Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy, with support from UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme. &nbsp;To discuss these efforts and the drive towards more accessible and representative elections in Liberia, we're joined by Dr Abul Hasnat Monjurul Kabir, UN Women Country Representative in Liberia.

Liberia boosts inclusive elections with gender and disability training for electoral officials

The United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, says conditions in Gaza have improved, but warned that progress remains far too slow. Alakbarov was briefing the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday after visiting Gaza to assess the humanitarian situation and progress towards early recovery. Thuto Ngobeni reports.

The United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, says conditions in Gaza have improved, but warned that progress remains far too slow. Alakbarov was briefing the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday after visiting Gaza to assess the humanitarian situation and progress towards early recovery. Thuto Ngobeni reports.

UN warns Gaza conditions improving too slowly despite increased humanitarian access

The persistent financial challenges facing the Pan-African Parliament, the legislative arm of the African Union, have come under the spotlight at the institution's First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature in South Africa. The PAP Permanent Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs presented the institution's budget and highlighted key financial and operational issues. The approved budget for the 2026 financial year is about 10.5 million U.S. dollars, amid continued calls to restore funding levels to those seen before 2019. Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports.

The persistent financial challenges facing the Pan-African Parliament, the legislative arm of the African Union, have come under the spotlight at the institution's First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature in South Africa. The PAP Permanent Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs presented the institution's budget and highlighted key financial and operational issues. The approved budget for the 2026 financial year is about 10.5 million U.S. dollars, amid continued calls to restore funding levels to those seen before 2019. Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports.

UN Security Council begins first straw poll to assess next Secretary-General candidates

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