UN Sanctions against Eritrea

In a 13-0-1 vote the UN Security Council opted for sanctions aganinst Eritrea until such time that the country "ceases arming, training, and equipping armed groups and their members including al-Shabab." Regime leaders and collaborating businesses are now also subject to travel bans, and a freeze of assets is reportedly underway for both individuals, as well as companies.

Source: eTurboNews; find article here>>.

United Nations: use of military force against pirates reauthorized

Days after pirates shot at an Oceania Cruises ship, the United Nations renewed the authorization for countries to use military force against pirates operating in waters off Somalia. The 15-nation council unanimously voted to extend the right of countries’ military forces to seize and dispose of “boats, vessels, arms and other related equipment used or suspected of being used for piracy, which has recently reached a peak off the coast of the Horn of Africa country.” for one year.

Source: Travel Weekly; find article here>>.

Galapagos Islands tourism to end?

The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) has said it concurs with the findings of the United Nations stating that the Galapagos Islands is being threatened by tourism, invasive species and migration. These factors, the IGTOA said, “are causing unprecedented pressure on the islands and that urgent action is needed."
This development comes after UN's World Heritage Committee last week added the Galapagos Islands to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger. Inscribed in 1978, the Galapagos is the first site to have been placed on the World Heritage List.
According to the IGTOA, the number of days spent by passengers of cruise ships has increased by 150 percent over the past 15 years.

Source: eTurboNews; read full article here.