U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called Thursday for stepped-up efforts to fight global climate change, directly linking the phenomenon to drought in the Horn of Africa and severe flooding in Australia. Speaking at the University of Sydney in Australia, Mr. Ban criticized skeptics who challenge the science behind global warming and said “climate change is […]
UN Chief Calls Climate Change “Real,” Demands Action
Posted September 8th, 2011 at 12:50 am (UTC-5)
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Uruguay Apologizes to Haiti for Alleged Sexual Assault
Posted September 7th, 2011 at 7:30 pm (UTC-5)
Uruguay’s president has apologized to Haiti for the alleged sexual assault of a young man by Uruguayan peacekeepers. In a letter sent late Tuesday, President Jose Mujica said his country would investigate the incident thoroughly, and impose the maximum penalties against anyone found responsible. He said Uruguayans were humiliated by the “criminal and embarrassing” behavior […]
Envoy: Iran Using Foreign Unrest To Advance Nuclear Ambitions
Posted September 7th, 2011 at 3:25 pm (UTC-5)
A French envoy says Iran may be using political turmoil in countries such as Libya and Syria as a cover for its nuclear ambitions. French U.N. diplomat Martin Briens says the “eyes of the international community” are diverted elsewhere and Tehran may believe that it can profit from the situation. He commented during Wednesday’s Security […]
UN Burma Report Sees Opportunities, Calls For Action
Posted September 7th, 2011 at 12:30 am (UTC-5)
The U.N. secretary general says this year’s change of government in Burma has created opportunities for a more inclusive national discourse in the country, but adds that it is too early to say whether real change is occurring. In a report to the United Nations General Assembly this week, Ban Ki-moon says last November’s elections, […]
Serbs Oppose 27-Year Sentence For Ex-General
Posted September 6th, 2011 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
Government officials in Serbia have sharply criticized the United Nations war-crimes tribunal for sentencing a former Yugoslav army chief to 27 years in prison, a punishment they said was too harsh. The U.N. court in The Hague handed down the sentence Tuesday against Momcilo Perisic, who was convicted of murder, war crimes and crimes against […]
UN War Crimes Court Convicts Ex-Serbian Army General
Posted September 6th, 2011 at 6:56 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations’ war crimes tribunal has sentenced the former chief of staff of the Serbian army to 27 years in prison on charges relating to the war between Bosnia and Croatia after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The tribunal at The Hague convicted ex-General Momcilo Perisic on charges of crimes against humanity, due […]
Hatian President Calls for Investigation of U.N. Troop Allegations
Posted September 5th, 2011 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
Haiti’s President Michel Martelly has “vigorously condemned” an apparent sexual assault of a young man by United Nations troops. The Uruguay government has dismissed a naval officer and recalled five of its soldiers after a video taken on a cell phone showed several Uruguayans taking part in what appeared to be an attack on an […]
Ban ‘Sincerely Hopes’ Israel, Turkey Improve Relations
Posted September 3rd, 2011 at 1:50 am (UTC-5)
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he sincerely hopes Israel and Turkey will improve their relationship, following Ankara’s decision to expel Israel’s ambassador and suspend all military agreements. Mr. Ban told reporters Saturday that both countries are very important to the region, and to the Middle East peace process. Turkey’s downgraded diplomatic ties with Israel […]
UN Names New Peacekeeping Chief
Posted September 2nd, 2011 at 7:40 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations has named a new chief of its peacekeeping operations. Veteran French diplomat Herve Ladsous was appointed Friday to take on the high-profile job. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said in a statement the former ambassador brings”acute political judgement” and “a profound understanding” of the challenges facing the U.N. Ladsous will be in charge […]
Turkey Expels Israeli Ambassador Over UN Report
Posted September 2nd, 2011 at 6:50 pm (UTC-5)
Turkey has expelled Israel’s ambassador to Ankara and suspended all military agreements after a United Nations report on last year’s Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound Turkish ship failed to elicit an Israeli apology. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday his government is reducing its diplomatic presence in Israel to the level of second secretary. […]
