U2 singer and philanthropist Bono said the world needs Ireland to tell its stories as he gave his backing to our bid to join the United Nations Security Council.

Ireland’s bid to win a fourth term as a member of the United Nations’ security council intensified yesterday when Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney officially launched Ireland’s campaign in New York.

United Nations Security Council powers have unanimously approved a resolution endorsing a peace process for Syria including a ceasefire and talks between the Damascus government and the opposition – but with no mention of the most contentious issue: the future role of Syrian president Bashar Assad.

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously backed a call to redouble action against the so-called Islamic State group following the Paris terror attacks.