ADDIS ABABA http://www.anaheimducksteamstore.com/adidas-kevin-bieksa-jersey , Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has called for solidarity to remain on course until the epidemic is defeated from every country and throughout the next phase of recovery.
Speaking to reporters at a press briefing here on Saturday, the UN chief commended collaborative efforts made to fight against Ebola, which has affected countries in West African sub-region.
Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone are the three hardest-hit countries by Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.
African Union (AU) member states have contributed resources, expertise, and supplies with the deployment of hundreds of workers to the most-affected countries.
"This mobilization is an inspiring example of national, regional, and international collaboration, and it is paying off. As I saw during my visit to the Ebola-affected countries, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone http://www.anaheimducksteamstore.com/adidas-josh-manson-jersey , and Mali, the epidemic is far from over. But, we are beginning to turn the tide," he said.
"We must continue to demonstrate the same solidarity until Ebola is gone from every country and throughout the next phase of recovery," underlined the UN chief.
Collaboration on peace and security is one of the most important elements of the UN-AU partnership, he said, adding http://www.anaheimducksteamstore.com/adidas-john-gibson-jersey , UN joint efforts with regional partners have made some progress in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic (CAR), Mali, Somalia, and South Sudan.
He underlined the need to continue on the path and even more work together towards ensuring peace and stability on the continent.
"Terrorism, cross-border crime and other transnational threats continue to challenge us," he noted.
"Regional and international efforts must focus on protecting communities in northern Nigeria and across borders; more than one million internally displaced people and refugees must be able to return home. We must stop the advance of this terrorist group," he said.
He also reiterated his call for immediate and unconditional release of those who have been abducted, particularly the girls from Chibo.
Ban said he strongly supports and welcomes the decision by the AU to establish a multinational joint task force known as MNJTF to address Boko Haram.
The secretary-general underlined the need to have regional and international coordination and cooperation to address challenges posed by terrorism across the world.
"I am asking that those terrorists should be addressed by regional and international coordination and cooperation. At the same time, the military means may not be the only solution; there should be a very careful analysis of the root causes why this kind of terrorist and extremism, violent extremism is spreading,- is another very important aspect," he said.
The Peace and Security Council of AU on Thursday decided to authorize the deployment of the MNJTF http://www.anaheimducksteamstore.com/adidas-jaycob-megna-jersey , for an initial period of twelve months renewable and for a strength that could go up to 7, 500 military and other personnel.
Recalling that several African countries will hold elections this year, the secretary-general said the UN would work together with the AU to support member states to organize peaceful and credible polls.
NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks witnessed broad gains Thursday, with the Nasdaq Composite Index logging its highest level since March 2000, as investors cheered a ceasefire agreement on the Ukraine conflict.
Shares of Apple, the top heavy weight in the tech-heavy index, rose for the fourth straight session Thursday, lifting the Nasdaq to close at its session high, also a new record since March 2000. The tech giant's shares increased nearly 15 percent from the start of the year.
Russia President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he and leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine had agreed on the withdrawal of heavy weapons from Ukraine's frontlines and a ceasefire to begin from Feb. 15.
Boosted by the ceasefire, investors brushed aside tensions around Greek debt negotiations. Eurozone finance ministers' negotiations over Greek debt failed to yield an agreement Wednesday http://www.anaheimducksteamstore.com/adidas-jacob-larsson-jersey , with the talks scheduled to resume on Feb. 23.
On the economic front, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims in the week ending Feb. 7 was 304, 000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous week's revised level, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday. The data rose more than expected but the underlying trend was consistent with a strengthening labor market.
The advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for January showed a decrease of 0.8 percent from the previous month, exceeding market expectations of a 0.5-percent decline http://www.anaheimducksteamstore.com/adidas-hampus-lindholm-jersey , announced the Commerce Department Thursday.
"Retail sales outside of autos and gas had a strong 2014, but have weakened over the past two months. The slowdown in spending disrupts the narrative that lower gas prices will automatically lead to increased consumer purchases on other goods," said Jay Morelock, an economist at FTN Financial, in a note.
In corporate news, Cisco shares soared 9.39 percent to 29.46 dollars apiece after reporting a much stronger than excepted quarterly results. The network equipment maker said its second quarter net income for the period ending Jan. 24 increased 67.7 percent from a year ago to 2.4 billion dollars.