Latest from Edith M. Lederer
UN signs deal to help move 1 million barrels of oil off tanker stranded near Yemen
The United Nations announced Thursday it signed an agreement to purchase a very large vessel that can transfer more than 1 million barrels of crude now stranded in a rusting tanker off the coast of war-torn Yemen.
UN rejects Russian bid to probe unfounded claims about U.S., Ukraine, bioweapons
The UN Security Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected Russia's attempt to establish a commission to investigate its unfounded claims that Ukraine and the United States are carrying out "military biological" activities that violate the convention prohibiting the use of biological weapons.
Russia vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding halt of invasion in Ukraine
Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Friday demanding that Moscow immediately stop its attack on Ukraine and withdraw all troops, a defeat the United States and its supporters knew was inevitable but said would highlight Russia's global isolation.
United Nations urges all countries to observe truce ahead of Beijing Games
The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday urged all nations to observe a truce during the Beijing Winter Olympics starting in February, saying a halt to conflicts during one of the world's premiere sporting events can be "a tool to promote peace, dialogue and reconciliation."
Syria believes it's on the way to military victory
Syria's top diplomat told the world's nations Saturday that his country's belief in military victory is greater now, because the army "is making great strides in its war against terrorism" with support from Russia, Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah fighters.
First Nations chief from B.C. calls for urgent effort to save indigenous languages
A First Nations chief from British Columbia is calling for urgent efforts to revive indigenous languages, saying their extinction is going unnoticed while the world focuses on the preservation of cultural heritage sites.
Russia outlines plan for steering Syria out of conflict
Russia has circulated a document on ending the nearly five-year-old Syrian conflict that calls for drafting a new constitution in up to 18 months that would be put to a popular referendum and be followed by an early presidential election.
Refugees can compete at Rio Olympics, says International Olympic Committee
Highly qualified athletes who are refugees will be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games for the first time, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach announced Monday.
Ebola new case numbers still alarming despite trend, WHO says
At least 50 Ebola hotspots remain in the three hardest-hit West African countries but new cases are declining and the deadly disease will be defeated, the U.N.'s Ebola chief said Thursday.