United Nations: The UN will now recognise all same-sex marriages of its staffers across the world as it puts in place a new policy aimed at ensuring "greater equality" with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling for rejection of homophobia.

Previously, a staff member's personal status was determined by the laws applicable in their country of nationality. Under the new UN policy on the personal status of same-sex couples, which became effective on June 26, the world body will recognise all same-sex couples married in a country where it is legal, regardless of their nationality. "Now, personal status will be determined instead by the law of the competent authority under which the personal status was established.