Topic: United Nations

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North Korea pops off another projectile into the Pacific

It's not clear if North Korea fired a short-range missile or an artillery round. The isolated regime also launched three missiles on Saturday, causing no damage.
North Korea fires three short-range missiles. Why? (+video)

The firing of three short-range missiles Saturday by North Korea could be to improve their accuracy. Or it could be atmospherics as a period of tentative diplomacy begins.
Opposition groups protest proposed law regulating NGOs in Egypt

Egypt's opposition parties and human rights groups say a proposed bill requiring NGOs to be vetted and receive special permissions by the government would restrict their work.
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?
No more drug war in Latin America? Report explores new ways to fight drugs

A new OAS report looks at alternatives to prohibiting the drug trade, including legal market regulation, reform of the UN drug convention, and smarter policing.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator: we're being asked to make all the sacrifices

Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and a contender in the June presidential election, sat down with the Monitor to share his views about an 'unbalanced' nuclear offer made by world powers.
Africa Monitor President at home, on trial abroad: How Kenya's new leader is coping

Kenya's new president and deputy say they are cooperating with the International Criminal Court's investigation against them, but the ICC prosecutor says that's simply not true.
Benghazi emails: What do they reveal?

One email confirmed officials removed information about CIA warnings regarding an al Qaeda threat before the attacks in Benghazi, Libya in September 2012 from talking points the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations presented to the public. The administration released the emails in an effort to seem more transparent.
White House reaction to IRS scandal: Too little, too late?

President Barack Obama forced out the acting IRS commissioner on Wednesday in response to allegations the agency had inappropriately targeted conservative groups. Critics have said the IRS scandal is just one of a series of incidents where the Obama administration has avoided taking responsibility.
Iran nuclear talks in Istanbul show progress remains elusive

Talks in Istanbul today over Iran's nuclear program and sanctions that have crippled its economy yielded little in the way of progress.
A mysterious disappearance sends shudders through Timbuktu

Reporter John Thorne met Ali Ould Mohamed Ould Kalbali weeks before he disappeared, allegedly at the hands of Malian soldiers. Are ethnic reprisals underway?
As cyclone bears down on Myanmar, thousands of Muslims refuse to relocate

The Myanmar government had planned to move some 38,000 internally displaced people, most of them Rohingya Muslims, who have complained of severe abuse at the hands of the Burmese Army.
Brazil's gun control debate: Opponents try to shoot holes in disarmament law

The number of homicides in South America’s largest nation fell in 2004 for the first time in 12 years thanks in part to a disarmament law. But a new push by some legislators could loosen gun restrictions.
Israel, US try full-court press to stop Russian weapons sale to Syria

The US and Israel argue the introduction of Russia's S-300 antiaircraft missile system could be a 'game changer' for the regime.
Focus Excitement fades to despair in rebel-held Syria as war grinds on

Early rebel optimism in Syria has given way to a grim realization that victory may still be years away. For the past two months, civilians have been fleeing Syria at a rate of 8,000 per day.
Terrorism & Security Syrian rebel's video surfaces amid intensified pressure for action on Syria

The gruesome video shocked the international community. With concerns about arming the rebels, attention is turning to greater humanitarian aid as a way to help in the increasingly violent war.
Robert Gates: Obama made right decisions night of Benghazi attack

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says those urging a military response the night of the Benghazi attack have 'a cartoonish impression of military capabilities.' Republicans in Congress want to grill former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of a special inquiry.
Has Benghazi become the Obama administration’s Watergate? (+video)

New reports show that the State Department 'extensively edited' talking points about the terrorist attack on the US diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya. Most Americans disapprove of the way President Obama has handled it, presenting the administration with a major political problem.
US unveils Arctic strategy, but is it keeping pace with other countries?

The National Strategy for the Arctic Region focuses on security, environment, and international cooperation. But with retreating sea ice creating opportunity as well as potential conflict, the US is seen as lagging.
Kenyan official seeks ally in UN to drop criminal charges against new president

Kenya's UN ambassador says the crimes against humanity indictments of the country's president and his deputy are flawed. Can his move influence the International Criminal Court?
Global News Blog US balks as Russia prepares to deliver missiles to Syria (+video)

Israel says Russia is preparing to deliver anti-aircraft missiles and launchers to the Assad regime, which the US warns will further destabilize a troubled region.
Africa Monitor Why is Africa's healthcare so far behind the rest of the world?

As a continent, Africa won't achieve most of its health-related Millennium Development Goals. Cash and access continue to be major impediments to healthcare in the region.
Decoder Wire Benghazi whistleblower: Has diplomat Gregory Hicks suffered for speaking out? (+video)

Gregory Hicks told a House panel that superiors opposed his meeting with House investigators and his questioning of claims that the Benghazi attacks were 'spontaneous.' He was reassigned to a desk job.
Terrorism & Security US and Russia team up to make fresh diplomatic push on Syria

US Secretary of State Kerry and Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov say they hope to convene an international conference on Syria later in May. The US has also stepped up humanitarian aid.
Donors pledge cash to Somalia to rein in terrorist threat

At a conference in London, international donors said they'd give $350 million to Somalia's new government. Most of the money would go toward beefing up the feeble security sector.