http://www.un.org/news A world of news from the world organization. en-us Copyright 2009, UN News Centre http://www.un.org/News/dh/latest/media/nslogo.gif http://www.un.org/news 140 Latest from the UN News Service http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33319&Cr=darfur&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The peace process in the war-wracked Darfur region of Sudan has reached a "critical point," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on both the Government and rebel groups to accelerate efforts to reach a compromise. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33310&Cr=LRA&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST In a 10-month rampage of killings, rape and mutilation in neighbouring countries that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, the rebel Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), has killed some 1,300 civilians, abducted 1,400 more, including hundreds of children and women, and displaced nearly 300,000 others, the United Nations reported today. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33317&Cr=liberia&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST United Nations officials in Liberia have congratulated 19-year-old Vivian Akoto on becoming the first female to win A Star is Born, a youth competition which since 2006 has used music as an instrument for social change, national unity, and an agent to promote peace and development in the West African country. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33313&Cr=ivoire&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) has announced that it is taking all possible measures to investigate allegations that have emerged of sexual abuse and exploitation among its military personnel, some dating back to 2006 and potentially involving minors. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33314&Cr=central+african&Cr1= Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The Security Council today called on the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) to ensure a speedy and inclusive political dialogue and swift security sector reform as the conflict-plagued country prepares for elections in 2010, urging the world community to provide necessary support. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33307&Cr=Chad&Cr1= Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST United Nations peacekeepers have helped secure an area of south-eastern Chad where a UN civilian logistics convoy came under attack from unidentified armed men earlier this morning. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33306&Cr=Conakry&Cr1= Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The Government of Guinea must "break definitively with the violence" that marked its crackdown on unarmed protesters in late September, when at least 150 civilians were killed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33293&Cr=western+sahara&Cr1= Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST UN chief relieved at activist's return to Western Sahara Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his great relief that an independence activist from Western Sahara has returned home, ending an impasse that led to her hunger strike lasting more than one month. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33287&Cr=burundi&Cr1= Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST The Security Council today extended for another year the United Nations political mission in Burundi, calling for full support for next year's elections in the war-scarred African country while voicing concern at continuing human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, restrictions on civil liberties and political violence. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33289&Cr=liberia&Cr1= Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST A United Nations human rights expert voiced concern today over the decision of a court to order Liberia to pay debts of about $20 million to two so-called "vulture funds" - private investment firms that buy the debts of struggling countries or companies at below face value and then aggressively pursue repayment of the entire sum.