Topic: United Nations

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Test your Gangnam style?

Pop music sensation Psy has taught his signature horsey dance to everyone from the UN’s Ban Ki-moon to Britney Spears. But how much do you know about the artist?
Briefing
Chemical weapons 101: Six facts about sarin and Syria’s stockpile

President Obama said Assad's use of chemical weapons would be a 'red line' for US. Did he use sarin or any other chemical weapon against his own people?
‘Long Shot’: 8 observations shared in Mike Piazza’s autobiography

Check out some of Piazza's thoughts on baseball from his autobiography 'Long Shot.'
CSMonitor editors share their favorite people to follow on Twitter

Twitter turned 7 this week. In celebration of the social network's birthday, The Christian Science Monitor compiled a list of favorite Twitter accounts. Each is informative and useful in its own way. Find out what each section recommends for you.
Five ways Americans can save water through food choices

As eaters and consumers, Americans can profoundly reduce water waste and water consumption through the food choices they make. Here are five ways American food consumers can help save water.

All Content

West Bank tensions flare after Palestinian detainee's death

Israel has called for a stop to anti-Israeli protests in the West Bank. Palestinians are angered by the death of a detainee who Israeli officials say died of a heart attack in an Israeli prison Saturday. Palestinian officials have called for an investigation into the death.
North Korea warns US commander in South Korea, threatens 'miserable destruction'

On Saturday, a top North Korean military official warned that if the US and South Korea continued with routine joint drills, which North Korea views as hostile, South Korea would face 'miserable destruction.'
Africa Monitor Is a new peace process starting in eastern Congo?

Eleven heads of state will soon gather to sign an agreement meant to help end the latest wave of violence in the eastern Congo. But will it have the teeth to change the situation on the ground?
Briefing: How violent is South Africa?

The prosecution say Oscar Pistorius murdered his girlfriend. He says he shot her in mistaken self-defense, taking her for a burglar. Whatever the truth, the case has put a spotlight on crime in South Africa.
Painting asteroids could nudge them away from Earth

To protect Earth from space rock threat, a scientist recommended spray painting an asteroid to alter the amount of sunlight reflected by it, thereby changing its trajectory.
Iran maneuvers for upper hand ahead of nuclear talks

Expectations for a breakthrough at the talks are low. The P5+1 appears to be offering little new and an IAEA report shows Iran has made steady nuclear progress since talks stalled last spring.
Slight warming could mean big permafrost thaw, say scientists

A study of Siberian caves suggests that a rise of only 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit could melt vast areas of permafrost, which would in turn accelerate warming.
So many nyets: Why the chasm between US, Russia is so hard to bridge

Many in the West see a perplexing obstructionism in Russia's stands on everything from Syria to adoption. But Russia is working from a fundamentally different understanding of the post-cold war world.
Will rising tensions in Asia push Japan toward a full-fledged military?

Prime Minister Abe is proposing small steps, such as renaming the Self-Defense Forces, with an eye toward moving away from the legal restrictions that have governed Japan's military since World War II.
Dozens killed in Damascus car bombing

The headquarters of Syria's ruling party was reportedly targeted in what the government once again described as a terrorist attack.
Curbing child abuse in Mexico

Child rights advocates are pressing Mexico to reform arcane laws and a dysfunctional system of child protection. And at least one program is offering hope for a model of care.
Opinion: How President Obama can forge a nuclear deal with Iran

Ahead of crucial 'P5+1' talks on Iran's nuclear program in Kazakhstan Feb. 26, President Obama needs to show willingness to meet Iranian concessions with some of his own. But Congress is in no mood to ease sanctions. Obama, however, can go around Congress.
Latin America Monitor Guatemala gets a bump in its police force

Guatemala has one of the world's highest murder rates, and one way President Molina has tried to address this is by adding 2,000 more police since January 2012.
Opinion: US leadership needed to prevent nuclear testing by North Korea

North Korea’s nuclear weapons test explosion underscores the need for stronger US leadership to prevent the testing, spread, and use of the world’s most dangerous weapons. US ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty would set a clear international standard.
Africa Monitor Expat kidnapping in Nigeria fuels questions about rising militant presence

The group that claimed responsibility for the attack may have links to Boko Haram, a militant group known for its terror campaigns in the region.
UN forum offers new details on depth of Syria disaster

The State Department announced Tuesday that Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Europe and the Middle East next week, with the Syrian crisis figuring high on his agenda.
The Monitor's View: Wanted: global rules on cyberwarfare

A report on cyberattacks and computer hacking originating with China's military highlights the need for international norms in cyberwarfare. Other new types of weapons led to new rules of war. Why not in cyberspace, too?
N. Korea threatens 'final destruction' for South at UN

The comments drew quick criticism from other nations, including South Korea, France, Germany and Britain, whose ambassador Joanne Adamson said such language was 'completely inappropriate' and the discussion with North Korea was heading in the wrong direction.
Terrorism & Security Has the door shut on a diplomatic solution to Syria's conflict?

Despite European and US resistance to arming the Syrian rebels, the conflict is becoming more militarized. Yesterday regime troops launched a missile at a rebel position.
Change Agent Cut food waste to help feed the world, experts say

Around the world 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted every year. A more efficient food supply is a key to feeding an expected world population of 9 billion by 2050.
Energy Voices Misunderstanding coal in Europe

Every ton of emissions from American coal burned in Europe means that a ton won’t be burned in a country like China – or even the United States – where emissions are uncapped, Holland writes.
Why Republican delay isn't likely to stop Chuck Hagel confirmation (+video)

Republican senators blocked a vote on the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense secretary. But they acknowledged that the situation could be different in a few days.
Carnival Triumph passengers have fewer rights than air travelers (+video)

As the Carnival Triumph inches toward port, attention is turning to what rights its passengers have. But the cruise industry receives less oversight than the airline industry.
Opinion: View from Iran: World needs rules on cyberattacks (+video)

The US believes that cyberattacks from another country can constitute an 'act of war.' This begs the question of whether the US can unilaterally engage in an unprovoked act against Iran that, according to its own standards, is unacceptable. The world needs global rules on cyberattacks, regardless of where we live and how we think, say Iran's UN diplomats.
Opinion: North Korea, China do their usual dance

North Korea and China have done it again – call it the Pyongyang-Beijing two-step. Though Beijing registered 'firm opposition' to North Korea's nuclear weapons test, it is unlikely to exercise its unique leverage on North Korea to encourage change.