Moscow, Russia | AFP | The United States and its allies “bombed” UN-backed peace talks aimed at ending the war in Syria when they ordered strikes on the country this month, Russia’s foreign minister said Friday. The US, France and Britain “on 14 April bombed not only made-up chemical sites …
Read More »Over five million children get polio vaccines in Niger: UN
Niamey, Niger | AFP | More than five million children were vaccinated against polio in Niger last month, the UN said Tuesday, adding that the number was higher than the target. The drive was broadened to include children in refugee camps whose parents had fled the Boko Haram insurgency in …
Read More »UN soldier held for suspected arms trafficking in C.Africa
Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP | The UN mission in the Central African Republic said Saturday it had launched a probe after the arrest of a peacekeeper suspected of trafficking arms in the perennially restive nation. “A MINUSCA blue helmet in civilian clothes was arrested in Bangui on Friday …
Read More »Russia says West only interested in overthrowing Assad
United Nations, United States | AFP | Russia on Friday accused the West of having the sole aim in Syria of overthrowing the government as it urged US, French and British leaders to refrain from military action. “We continue to observe dangerous military preparations for an illegal act of force …
Read More »Aid conference for DR Congo expected to draw $530 mn in pledges: UN
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | Donors gathered in Geneva Friday were expected to cough up pledges of $530 million (430 million euros) towards addressing a towering humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN said. The amount was less than a quarter of the some $2.2 billion the …
Read More »UN committee visits Entebbe Regional Service Centre
Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Staff at the Regional Service Center Entebbe (RSCE) have highlighted the importance of retaining the facility when the United Nations takes decisions on locations of such hubs in May 2018. The international and national staff made the remarks at the end of a visit by …
Read More »UN calls urgent Syria meeting after Trump threat
Washington, United States | AFP | The United Nations warned world powers against letting the crisis over an alleged chemical attack against civilians in Syria from “spiraling out of control” after US President Donald Trump said “missiles will be coming.” As tensions mounted over a face-off with Damascus-ally Russia, opponents …
Read More »Russia vetoes UN bid to set up Syria chemical weapons probe
United Nations, United States | AFP | Russia on Tuesday vetoed a US-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution that would have set up an investigation into chemical weapons use in Syria following an alleged toxic gas attack in rebel-held Douma. It was the 12th time that Russia has used its …
Read More »UN body names Messi responsible tourism ambassador
Madrid, Spain | AFP | The UN World Tourism Organization said Monday it has appointed FC Barcelona’s Argentine star Lionel Messi as an ambassador to promote responsible tourism. “During my travels I have had the opportunity to know other cultures and societies as well as other ways to see the …
Read More »France seeks urgent UN Security Council meet on Syria
United Nations, United States | AFP | Nine of the 15 United Nations Security Council members have demanded an urgent meeting Monday after an alleged chemical attack on Syria’s rebel-held town of Douma, diplomatic sources said. France initiated the move, and the request was also signed by Britain, the Ivory Coast, …
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