North Korea's foreign minister tells the United Nations ongoing sanctions were deepening its mistrust in the United States and there was no way the country would give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally under such circumstances.

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu on Friday called on the parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint over the situation in Syria.

U.S. President says the United Nations has 'tremendous potential' during a meeting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the White House.

The UN says thousands of people are fleeing Gambia and crossing into neighbouring Senegal.

The UN is warning that the sabotage of water supplies near the Syrian capital amounts to a war crime. The main water source for Damascus has been cut off as fighting rages on in Wadi Barada.

The UN Security Council has officially welcomed a Russian-Turkish brokered ceasefire in Syria. It's hoped it will help pave the way for peace talks which are due to be held in Kazakhstan in January.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will not abide by the UN Security Council resolution demanding an end to illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

The UN Security Council demands that Israel halt settlements, in a resolution adopted after the United States refrained from vetoing the contentious measure.