With the role of security contractors set to increase in Iraq, UN experts want the Iraqi government to settle their legal status once and for all. Contractor numbers are expected to grow once American troops leave the country at the end of the year. Faiza Patel, head of the UN working…

Palestine today gained membership in UNESCO, a move that will likely bolster the Palestinian Authority’s bid for full membership in the United Nations but also put an end to American funding of the organization.  Current American law calls for the defunding of any UN entity that grants Palestinians membership.  Members…

The United Nations Security Council today agreed to lift its mandate authorizing military action in Libya, ending the UN-backed NATO mission to the country on October 31 2011. The decision comes after Libya’s rebel forces declared liberation late last week and are currently in the process of forming a transitional…

The new government of Libya might ask the UN Security Council to put an end to NATO’s enforcement of a no fly zone as early as next week, says Libyan ambassador to the United Nations Ibrahim Dabbashi. Dabbashi told the UN Security Council today that while the National Transitional Council…

A day after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned officials in Islamabad about supporting terrorist networks, the General Assembly voted to elect Pakistan as a new member of the United Nations Security Council.  Guatemala, Morocco and Togo will also join the UN’s prestigious security body as new non-permanent members in January…

Muammar Gaddafi’s death is a historic moment for Libya, marking “the end of the beginning” of the country’s transition and a chance for all parties in the conflict to lay down their weapons says UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. “Now is the time for all Libyans to come together. Libyans…

A UN expert says he’s had “productive conversations” with American officials about the detention of Bradley Manning, but would not say if the conditions of that detention violated international standards. UN Special rapporteur on torture Juan Mendez says he will be releasing a report on Manning’s detention in the coming weeks….

Tracy McGrady might not make the US Olympic basketball squad next summer in London, but that isn’t stopping him from leading the Dream Team. The Darfur Dream Team, a group of NBA players headed by the former Houston Rocket, is partnering with humanitarian organizations like the Enough Project to create…

The House Foreign Affairs Committee today voted for a bill to overhaul  American funding to the United Nations and to open the door to cuts of up to 50 % in US dues to the world body. The vote broke along party lines, with 23 Republicans in favor and 15…

Over 80 percent of American voters want their government to continue being actively engaged in affairs at the United Nations, says a new poll conducted for the UN Foundation, a group dedicated to promoting the UN’s role and activities. The public opinion study, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart…