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The Syrian conflict has become "increasingly militarized" as killings and torture by regime security forces and anti-government fighters raged this spring, a United Nations panel reported Thursday.

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U.N. leader condemns Syrian bomb blastupdated: Wed May 09 2012 22:02:00

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned a bomb blast Wednesday near a convoy of U.N. observers that was entering the southern Syrian city of Daraa.

Can U.N. monitors help forge peace in Syria? updated: Sat May 05 2012 23:09:00

In the latest diplomatic attempt to stop the relentless killing in Syria, a group of U.N. monitors are on the ground to observe a "cease-fire" that appears to be violated daily.

U.N. response in Syria mockedupdated: Sat May 05 2012 23:09:00

Some are mocking the U.N's response in Syria, sarcastically asking if U.N. members are traveling to Syria by horse.

Syrian forces attack towns, killing 37, opposition activists sayupdated: Fri May 04 2012 14:51:00

Syrian government snipers and other forces stalked opponents in homes and neighborhoods Friday in a campaign of gunfire, shelling and arrests amid mass protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, an opposition group said.

U.N. notes cease-fire violations from both sides in Syriaupdated: Tue May 01 2012 17:54:00

Both the Syrian government and opposition forces are violating a cease-fire, and the regime continues to deploy heavy weapons in cities, the chief U.N. peacekeeper said Tuesday.

Activists: U.N. monitors helping, but violence and worries persistupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 22:57:00

The growing presence of U.N. monitors already has helped the situation in Syria, opposition activists said, though it hasn't completely stopped the bloodshed that has been a fact of life in the Middle Eastern nation for more than 13 months.

ADVISORY CNN Wire Outlook updated: Sat Apr 28 2012 23:49:00

Supervising News Editor Faith Karimi -- 404-827-1401

Weapons-smuggling, infiltrators bedevil Assad regimeupdated: Sat Apr 28 2012 15:19:00

The embattled Syrian regime said it faced challenges from land and sea on Saturday as security forces beat back infiltrators, Lebanese soldiers seized smuggled arms and more clashes flared -- another series of blows to a teetering U.N.-backed peace plan.

Opposition: Syrian regime intensifies attacks in cities visited by monitorsupdated: Wed Apr 25 2012 18:59:00

A small group of observers resumed the United Nations' mission to monitor a truce in Syria that was tenuous from the start and showed signs Wednesday of unraveling as opposition activists again reported widespread violence.

U.N. authorizes 300 unarmed Syria monitors updated: Sat Apr 21 2012 18:23:00

The U.N. Security Council on Saturday voted unanimously to authorize up to 300 unarmed military monitors to try and bring about compliance with a cease-fire imposed last week in violence-wracked Syria.

Shots fired as U.N. observers visit Syria, activists sayupdated: Wed Apr 18 2012 19:31:00

Security forces fired at demonstrators in a Syrian city Wednesday while United Nations observers were visiting, activists said.

U.N. wives plea to Syria's first ladyupdated: Wed Apr 18 2012 18:59:00

Wives of U.N. diplomats tell Syria's first lady to "stop being a bystander." CNN's Hala Gorani reports.

Wives of U.N. diplomats tell Syria's first lady to 'stop being a bystander'updated: Wed Apr 18 2012 18:59:00

The wives of the British and German ambassadors to the United Nations have taken on Syria's first lady in an online video, calling on Asma al-Assad to "stop your husband" and "stop being a bystander."

Syria's al-Assad gaining strength under U.N. moves, experts sayupdated: Wed Apr 18 2012 07:32:00

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is strengthening his grip on the country during the relative decrease in violence brought on by U.N. demands, according to several experts.

U.N. monitors arrive in Syria as killings continueupdated: Sun Apr 15 2012 18:17:00

The first members of a U.N. monitoring team have arrived in Syria, a U.N. spokesman said early Monday, four days after a so-called cease-fire that is showing serious signs of collapse.

UN: North Korea actions 'deplorable'updated: Fri Apr 13 2012 18:57:00

The United Nations has condemned North Korea's attempt to launch a long-range missile.

American held captive for 9 months turned over to U.S. Embassy in Iraqupdated: Sun Mar 18 2012 08:53:00

An American said to have been held captive for months was turned over Saturday to the U.S. Embassy, a United Nations spokeswoman said.

Banned coca leaves show up at U.N.updated: Tue Mar 13 2012 10:35:00

Bolivian President Evo Morales brings banned coca leaves to a U.N. meeting on narcotics. CNN's Michael Holmes reports.

Syria draws U.N. ire as it heads toward 'war' updated: Mon Feb 13 2012 22:45:00

As diplomats at the United Nations slammed Syria, violence continued to rage on the ground and residents wondered out loud what the implications of total war might be.

Russia and China: Sabotaging U.N. with vetoesupdated: Wed Feb 08 2012 09:23:00

When the Arab League asked for U.N. Security Council endorsement of its call for a new government in Syria and sought the imposition of sanctions to pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Russians went toe-to-toe with the United States, publicly and behind closed doors.

Conflict-related civilian deaths rise in Afghanistanupdated: Sat Feb 04 2012 16:10:00

A United Nations report blaming a record loss of Afghan civilian lives last year on insurgents and the Taliban was dismissed as "untrue" by a Taliban spokesman Saturday.

Shootout at South Sudan peace meeting kills dozens updated: Sat Feb 04 2012 08:50:00

At least 37 people were killed during a shootout at a meeting to resolve cattle disputes in South Sudan, officials said Saturday, the latest in a spate of violence in the world's newest nation.

Ongoing violence in South Sudanupdated: Sat Feb 04 2012 08:50:00

Trouble continues in the fledgling nation of South Sudan. CNN's Jim Clancy reports.

U.N.: Aid workers kidnapped in Yemen releasedupdated: Thu Feb 02 2012 18:00:00

Seven aid workers who were kidnapped in Yemen have been released, the United Nations said in a statement Thursday.

Protesters pelt U.N. chief's vehicle with shoes in Gazaupdated: Thu Feb 02 2012 09:26:00

The convoy of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was pelted with shoes by Palestinians in Gaza Thursday, according to witnesses and a U.N. official.

U.N. may be last chance for peace in Syriaupdated: Wed Feb 01 2012 13:54:00

The U.N Security Council is considering the most important resolution yet on the brutal rule of terror that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has unleashed on his people. The resolution, proposed by Morocco and supporting the Arab League's plan, calls for al-Assad to leave power as the first step of a transition toward democracy.

U.N. chief, Libyan PM meet at summit, discuss detainee treatmentupdated: Sun Jan 29 2012 11:17:00

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday met with Libya's prime minister during the African Union summit, and expressed "support for the interim government's work," according to a U.N. statement.

U.N. official abducted in Yemen released unharmed, officials sayupdated: Fri Jan 27 2012 12:49:00

A Norwegian U.N. official snatched from the streets of Yemen's capital city of Sanaa by armed tribesmen nearly two weeks ago was released unharmed, officials said Friday.

Cocaine sent to U.N. headquartersupdated: Fri Jan 27 2012 05:20:00

More than 35 pounds of cocaine was discovered in at least one bag that turned up at the United Nations headquarters in New York, police said Thursday.

U.N. rep returns to Somalia after 17 yearsupdated: Tue Jan 24 2012 10:38:00

A top U.N. representative for Somalia will be based in that country -- for the first time in 17 years.

UN condemns air raid on Sudanese refugeesupdated: Tue Jan 24 2012 09:39:00

The United Nations refugee agency Tuesday condemned air raids on Sudanese refugees in South Sudan that injured at least one boy and left 14 missing.

U.N. refugee chief: 'Stand by South Sudan'updated: Mon Jan 09 2012 06:13:00

South Sudan is facing a "huge humanitarian crisis" that requires support from the international community, the United Nations' refugee chief said Sunday.

South Sudan aid effort under way, U.N. saysupdated: Sat Jan 07 2012 06:11:00

A huge aid effort is under way in a remote area of South Sudan to help an estimated 60,000 people who fled their homes to escape roaming fighters, the United Nations said.

U.N. deploys peacekeepers to protect South Sudan town facing attackupdated: Sat Dec 31 2011 01:15:00

The United Nations is deploying peacekeeping troops to the remote town of Pibor in South Sudan, saying it faces an imminent attack by thousands of fighters engaged in ethnic clashes in the war-torn region.

Storm leaves huge humanitarian needs in Philippines, U.N. saysupdated: Thu Dec 22 2011 06:45:00

The devastation in the southern Philippines left by Tropical Storm Washi has created "huge" humanitarian needs in the area, the United Nations said Wednesday, estimating that nearly a half-million people are in need of assistance.

U.S. supports U.N. plan to relocate group on terror listupdated: Mon Dec 19 2011 21:16:00

The Obama administration "welcomes" a United Nations-led effort in Iraq to relocate a group on the State Department terrorism list, before an end-of-the-year deadline that could see heavy violence and a large humanitarian disaster unfold, senior administration officials said Monday.

Russia offers new U.N. resolution on Syriaupdated: Thu Dec 15 2011 17:05:00

Russia's new draft for a Security Council resolution on the Syrian crisis is "insufficient" but could be improved, Germany's U.N. ambassador said Thursday.

UN: 5,000-plus Syrian civilians killedupdated: Tue Dec 13 2011 14:35:00

The UN says a government crackdown has lead to 5,000 Syrian civilian deaths.

As Tensions Simmer, Sudan and South Sudan Spar at U.N.updated: Thu Dec 08 2011 18:54:00

Ambassadors from Sudan and its newly independent neighbor, South Sudan, sparred at the U.N. Security Council Thursday as tensions rise between the two countries.

Climate change a 'hot button issue'updated: Mon Dec 05 2011 05:28:00

Todd Stern talks to CNN's Robyn Curnow about the politicalization of climate change in the U.S.

U.N. rights council condemns Syrian abusesupdated: Fri Dec 02 2011 14:43:00

The U.N. Human Rights Council decried a wide range of human rights violations in Syria on Friday and called for U.N. bodies to consider a recent report detailing the abuses and take" appropriate action."

Rival brigades pose most pressing Libyan problem, U.N. envoy says updated: Tue Nov 29 2011 07:13:00

Rival revolutionary brigades remain almost entirely responsible for security in Libya, posing that country's most pressing challenge, according to the top United Nations envoy in Libya and a new U.N. report.

UN report: Syrian forces commit 'gross violations' of human rightsupdated: Tue Nov 29 2011 07:12:00

Syrian security forces have committed "gross violations of human rights" since anti-government protests began in March, a United Nations report released Monday said.

Sri Lankan president receives response to scathing U.N. reportupdated: Mon Nov 21 2011 07:15:00

Sri Lanka's response to a scathing United Nations report alleging war crimes and human rights violations has reached the president's desk.

Haiti cholera victims demand U.N. compensation updated: Tue Nov 08 2011 18:46:00

More than 5,000 Haitian cholera victims have filed a petition with the United Nations, demanding millions of dollars in compensation for their suffering in an epidemic widely blamed on Nepalese peacekeepers, the victims' lawyers said Tuesday.

U.N. peacekeeper killed in Darfur attackupdated: Mon Nov 07 2011 10:31:00

A U.N. peacekeeper died in an attack launched by "unidentified armed persons" in the south Darfur region of Sudan, the global body said Monday.

Israel freezes UNESCO funds; Palestinians study vote for cluesupdated: Fri Nov 04 2011 08:19:00

The top Palestinian envoy to the United Nations said Thursday that he is carefully "studying" the patterns of the vote that admitted his territory to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Diplomats: France, Britain to abstain from Palestinian-UN voteupdated: Fri Nov 04 2011 07:12:00

France and Britain plan to abstain from a Security Council vote on the Palestinians' bid for statehood, two U.N. diplomats said Thursday.

Israel freezes UNESCO funds updated: Thu Nov 03 2011 13:08:00

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his country Thursday to freeze payments to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization after that agency admitted the Palestinians as full members.

U.N. officials visiting Libyaupdated: Wed Nov 02 2011 09:27:00

The United Nations secretary-general and the president of the U.N. General Assembly arrived in Tripoli Wednesday, for a meeting with the country's new leaders, a U.N. statement said.

Palestinians bid for statehood at U.N.updated: Tue Nov 01 2011 11:42:00

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas formally requests official recognition of a Palestinian state at the U.N.

7 billion reasons to empower womenupdated: Mon Oct 31 2011 09:25:00

The world's population has more than tripled since I was born in 1938. On Monday, our world's population is expected to hit the milestone of 7 billion people -- up from 2.5 billion in 1950 -- with almost all of the growth expected to happen in the cities of less developed countries. This means that the problems the world faced when I was a child are even more urgent now for my grandchildren.

Global maps show human impact on Earth updated: Fri Oct 28 2011 11:10:00

On the last day of October 2011, the U.N. says the world population will hit seven billion people -- an increase of one billion since 1999.

U.N.: World can 'thrive' as population reaches 7 billionupdated: Thu Oct 27 2011 04:44:00

As the global population hits 7 billion in the coming days, nations can take steps to tackle critical challenges and prepare for the arrival of billions more people this century, the United Nations said Wednesday.

World population to reach 7 billionupdated: Thu Oct 27 2011 04:44:00

Jeffrey Sachs, Earth Institute director at Columbia University, explains the challenges of the growing global population.

CNNMoney: After Gadhafi, N.J. may be Libyans' welcome homeupdated: Fri Oct 21 2011 17:07:00

When Libya first bought a 25-room, 1906 mansion in suburban New Jersey, the community was in an uproar.

U.N. chief travels to North Korea on humanitarian missionupdated: Mon Oct 17 2011 14:43:00

A U.N. official has arrived in North Korea to get a firsthand look at the humanitarian situation in the country, the United Nations said in a statement Monday.

U.N. peacekeepers killed in Darfurupdated: Tue Oct 11 2011 13:10:00

Three United Nations peacekeepers were killed in an ambush in a camp for displaced people in Sudan's Darfur region, the global body said Tuesday.

Abbas stumps for Palestinian statehood in El Salvadorupdated: Mon Oct 10 2011 08:31:00

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is on a three-country tour in Latin America in a bid to build support for U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state, met with the president of El Salvador on Sunday.

U.N. panel's report on Palestinian statehood bid due in 2 weeksupdated: Fri Sep 30 2011 15:09:00

A U.N. committee will issue a report on its analysis of the historic Palestinian bid for statehood in two weeks, the Security Council president said Friday.

NATO says U.N. tally of Afghan violence uses different metricsupdated: Thu Sep 29 2011 13:29:00

NATO says a new report by the United Nations that points to a spike in violence in Afghanistan differs from the alliance's tally because "security incidents" were defined differently.

Palestinian statehood goes to U.N. admissions panelupdated: Thu Sep 29 2011 09:31:00

The United Nations Security Council agreed Wednesday to send the Palestinian application for statehood to its admissions committee for review.

How will the U.N. respond to Syria?updated: Thu Sep 29 2011 06:25:00

The U.N. Security Council struggles to agree on a resolution critical of Syria. CNN's Richard Roth reports.

U.N., NATO at odds over Afghanistan securityupdated: Wed Sep 28 2011 12:48:00

NATO's International Security Assistance Force took issue Wednesday with a new United Nations report that says violence in Afghanistan has jumped in the past year.

Diplomatic disconnect at U.N. leads to security face-off, sources say updated: Tue Sep 27 2011 21:07:00

There's a buzz at the United Nations as the high-level General Assembly session concludes, but the chatter is not about the Palestinian request for statehood or the Iranian president's latest conspiracy theories.

Behind Palestinian U.N. effortupdated: Mon Sep 26 2011 17:40:00

CNN's Fionnuala Sweeney talks about the strategy behind the effort to get the U.N. to recognize a Palestinian state.

U.N. Security Council to send Palestinian state bid to admissions committeeupdated: Mon Sep 26 2011 17:40:00

The U.N. Security Council met Monday to consider the Palestinians' bid for full membership in the world body and decided to meet again Wednesday morning, when they will send the matter to the admissions committee, said Security Council President Nawaf Salam of Lebanon.

What does Palestinian statehood bid mean?updated: Mon Sep 26 2011 06:44:00

Last week Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas officially submitted the statehood request asking that the United Nations recognize "Palestine" as an independent state.

Showdown at U.N. for statehoodupdated: Mon Sep 26 2011 06:44:00

The U.S. is on a collision course with Palestinian leaders over statehood. CNN's Jonathan Mann reports.

Cheers as Abbas takes stage at U.N.updated: Sun Sep 25 2011 13:36:00

CNN's Fionnuala Sweeney reports on Palestinian reaction to Mahmoud Abbas' remarks to the U.N. on Palestinian statehood.

Why the U.N. cannot create Palestineupdated: Sun Sep 25 2011 10:13:00

The U.N. speeches of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are behind us. There are doubts that Abbas will even be able to secure the necessary nine of 15 votes in the U.N. Security Council to support a resolution on statehood, regardless of the expected U.S. veto.

Session at U.N. reflects changes of Arab Springupdated: Sun Sep 25 2011 04:12:00

New Libyan leaders pledge change, Palestinian leaders hope for statehood, and the Horn of Africa will receive more aid. CNN's Elise Labott reports.

Post-revolution delegates from Egypt and Libya address U.N. updated: Sun Sep 25 2011 04:12:00

A pair of north African delegates addressed the U.N. General Assembly for the first time Saturday, each representing a new government formed after revolution and civil war ousted their respective long-time leaders.

Post-revolution delegates from Egypt and Libya address U.N.updated: Sat Sep 24 2011 22:16:00

A pair of north African delegates addressed the U.N. General Assembly for the first time Saturday, each representing a new government formed after revolution and civil war ousted their respective long-time leaders.

Will the U.N. recognize Palestine?updated: Fri Sep 23 2011 16:39:00

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov talks about efforts by the Palestinians to be recognized by the U.N.

Many facets to Abbas' U.N. move, analysts sayupdated: Fri Sep 23 2011 13:54:00

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' ambitious push to gain full U.N. membership may seem unrealistic, but analysts say he is making hard-nosed calculations rooted in domestic politics.

Palestinians push ahead with U.N. bidupdated: Fri Sep 23 2011 13:54:00

Palestinians may ask the United Nations General Assembly to vote on its status.

U.N. delegates walk out on Ahmadinejadupdated: Fri Sep 23 2011 05:48:00

Several U.N. delegates walked out when Iran's president spoke about 9/11, the holocaust and military occupation.

PLO rep wants U.N. recognition, peaceupdated: Thu Sep 22 2011 15:52:00

Palestinian leaders say they will be eager to move on a peace deal once the U.N. officially recognizes them as a state.

Iranian president slams U.S. at General Assemblyupdated: Thu Sep 22 2011 15:52:00

In a meandering address that assigned American blame to issues ranging from the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the global financial crisis, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad blasted U.S. foreign policy Thursday in a speech that prompted several delegates to walk out.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes at the U.N.updated: Thu Sep 22 2011 07:13:00

CNN is given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the State Department operations at the United Nations.

Abbas pushes for U.N. recognition of Palestinian stateupdated: Thu Sep 22 2011 05:57:00

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will submit a letter to the United Nations Security Council Friday requesting formal U.N. recognition of Palestinian statehood, according to a top Palestinian official.

U.N.'s most memorable momentsupdated: Thu Sep 22 2011 05:57:00

CNN's Suzanne Malveaux looks back at the most memorable moments on the U.N. General Assembly stage.

Palestinian leader: Why our occupation must end nowupdated: Wed Sep 21 2011 05:55:00

I have lived my entire adult life under Israeli military occupation. I snatch an approximation of freedom only when I travel and even then I know I am not truly free because my homeland remains controlled by a foreign power.

Palestinian bid at U.N. distracts from the real crisisupdated: Wed Sep 21 2011 05:54:00

Rarely has so much time, energy and attention been devoted to an issue less consequential than this month's Palestinian bid for statehood at the U.N.?an episode characterized by hyperbole and muddled thinking on the part of just about everyone.

Explain it to me: Palestinian statehoodupdated: Wed Sep 21 2011 05:54:00

CNN's Tim Lister breaks down the Palestinian vote for statehood and what it could mean for the U.S.

How to achieve U.N. membershipupdated: Tue Sep 20 2011 22:07:00

The Palestinians want U.N. statehood. How do they get it? CNN's Richard Roth reports.

Palestinians vow push for state but hint compromise is possibleupdated: Tue Sep 20 2011 20:52:00

The Palestinian Authority's foreign minister said Thursday Palestinians will seek full United Nations membership next week in the Security Council setting a stage for a showdown with the United States which has threatened a veto.

Palestinian statehood: Bethlehem's viewupdated: Tue Sep 20 2011 20:52:00

Residents of Bethlehem weigh in on a bid to have the U.N. recognize a Palestinian state. CNN's Kevin Flower reports.

United Nations General Assembly: A viewer's guideupdated: Tue Sep 20 2011 02:33:00

World leaders converge on the United Nations in New York this week for the 66th annual session of the General Assembly. Of 193 member nations, South Sudan being newly inducted this past July, 121 heads of state and government are expected to attend the six-day event.

U.N. adopts political declaration on noncommunicable diseasesupdated: Mon Sep 19 2011 15:41:00

World leaders kicked off a historic two-day meeting at the United Nations on Monday by unanimously adopting a "political declaration" meant to stem the rising tide of noncommunicable diseases, now the world's leading killer.

U.N. unlikely to sway poorer nations on obesity, diabetesupdated: Mon Sep 19 2011 14:59:00

The worldwide burgeoning of obesity and diabetes, including in developing nations, is causing increasing alarm. This week, the United Nations is bringing attention to these and other noncommunicable diseases at the General Assembly meeting in New York on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases.

Israel warns against unilateral Palestinian moveupdated: Fri Sep 16 2011 05:51:00

The unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state would have "dire consequences," Israel's foreign minister warned Wednesday, a day after Palestinians said they would take the proposal to the United Nations.

U.N. House bomb blast victims memorializedupdated: Thu Sep 15 2011 18:37:00

The 25 victims of the August 26 terrorist bombing of the United Nations House in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, were honored in a memorial ceremony on Thursday.

Deadly reminders of the siege on Misrataupdated: Thu Sep 15 2011 05:50:00

CNN's Phil Black looks at a collection of weapons used by Gadhafi forces against residents of Misrata, Libya.

U.N. resolution would aid in post-Gadhafi planning, loosen sanctionsupdated: Thu Sep 15 2011 05:50:00

The Security Council is on the verge of authorizing the U.N. to set up operations in Libya to assist the National Transitional Council in post-Gadhafi planning. It is also likely to loosen sanctions that were imposed on that country in the spring, according to a resolution obtained by CNN.

U.S.: Top two Mideast officials headed back to regionupdated: Tue Sep 13 2011 13:06:00

The top two American officials dealing with Middle East peace talks are headed back to the region, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as the Palestinians announced they are taking their bid for statehood to the United Nations.

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