At least seven killed at a religious gathering in northern Ethiopia – UN rights office
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:14 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): The United Nations human rights arm on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the deaths of at least seven people celebrating a religious festival in Ethiopia as security forces reportedly tried to stop them from shouting anti-Government chants.
Conditions in Myanmar not yet suitable for Rohingya refugees to return safely – UN agency
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:10 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): The necessary safeguards for Rohingyas to return to Myanmar are absent, and there are ongoing restrictions on access for aid agencies, the media and other independent observers, the United Nations warned on Tuesday, two months after Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed on a plan for the refugees’ voluntary return to their homes.
Fresh violence in Central African Republic sparks ‘unprecedented’ levels of displacement – UN
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:06 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): Surging violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has put unprecedented numbers of people on the run, the United Nations refugee agency said Tuesday, reporting that hungry, desperate arrivals being registered in neighbouring Chad say their houses have been torched and that armed groups are “killing anyone in their way.”
DR Congo: UN rights office urges probe into use of force against protestors, UN personnel
Jan 24, 2018, at 02:03 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): At least six people died and 68 were wounded during weekend demonstrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) capital, Kinshasa, the United Nations human rights office reported Tuesday, urging the Government to investigate all incidents where security forces may have used excessive force against protestors and UN personnel.
Record 22.2 million people need humanitarian assistance in Yemen – UN aid chief
Jan 24, 2018, at 01:59 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN): The top United Nations relief official has expressed his deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, noting that a record 22.2 million people are now in need of assistance – 3.4 million more than last year.
Jan 23, 2018, at 02:16 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): Sustainable development is a fundamental human right and humanity’s best chance for a future of peace and prosperity, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday, laying out the case for Agenda 2030 to be at the centre of UN activities.
Liberia: UN welcomes new President’s inauguration as key milestone on country’s road to success
Jan 23, 2018, at 02:14 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): George Weah was inaugurated on Monday as the new President of Liberia, where the United Nations is set to close its peacekeeping mission in a few weeks after a successful 15-year presence in the West African country.
UN flag no longer offers ‘natural’ protection to peacekeepers, says report on mission casualties
Jan 23, 2018, at 02:09 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): The United Nations should change the way it does business in high-security risk peacekeeping operations, as the UN flag no longer offers ‘natural’ protection to mission personnel, according to a new report, which calls for better training for ‘blue helmets,’ more technology and greater freedom to respond to the threat posed by armed groups.
UN agency for Palestine refugee launches global funding push after US aid cuts
Jan 23, 2018, at 02:02 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) launched on Monday a global fundraising campaign to sustain resources for its education, health and other assistance programmes.
Jan 23, 2018, at 01:58 pm
New York, Jan 23 (JEN): Amid disturbing reports that at least six people were killed on Sunday during political protests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Congolese security forces to respect the people’s right to free speech and freedom of assembly.
Amid unprecedented needs, UN, aid partners launch largest consolidated humanitarian appeal for Yemen
Jan 22, 2018, at 01:06 pm
New York, Jan 22 (JEN): With the crisis in war-ravaged Yemen continuing to deteriorate, United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners have launched a $2.96 billion response plan to reach over 13 million people with lifesaving assistance.
Afghanistan: Taliban attack leaves four soldiers killed
Jan 21, 2018, at 10:03 pm
Kabul, Jan 21 (IBNS): Taliban attack in Greashk district of Afghanistan left at least four Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers killed,media reports said.
UN chief urges vigilance against anti-Semitism and discrimination of all kinds
Jan 21, 2018, at 09:50 pm
New York, Jan 21 (JEN): Warning that hate is on the rise and that Nazi symbols, mindsets and languages are back, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for vigilance against anti-Semitism and discrimination of all kinds.
Syrian children succumb to freezing temperatures while crossing into Lebanon – UNICEF
Jan 21, 2018, at 09:40 pm
Washington, Jan 21 (IBNS): At least 12 Syrians, including two children, lost their lives to the bitter cold in eastern Lebanon as they tried to enter the country, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported Saturday, warning that there are fears more could be trapped along the route.
Donald Trump, Theresa May to meet in Davos
Jan 20, 2018, at 01:32 pm
London, Jan 20 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May are set to meet at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, media reports said.
One in four Iraqi children impacted by conflict, poverty; education key for lasting peace – UNICEF
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:42 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): More than four million children have been impacted by extreme violence in Iraq, many robbed of their childhood and forced to fight on the frontlines, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Friday.
Central Africa’s iconic mammals threatened by poachers, armed groups – UN environment wing
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:39 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): Elephants, giraffes, rhinos and other magnificent mammals targeted in wildlife conservation areas of Central Africa are under threat of extinction, caught in the crosshairs of armed groups and highly-militarized poachers, the United Nations environment wing warned on Friday.
Syria: UN rights officials decry ‘devastating’ impact of surging violence on civilians
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:34 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): Concerned over the devastating impact of escalating violence in Syria, where dozens of people in eastern Ghouta have been killed in recent airstrikes, and schools and hospitals are being deliberately destroyed, senior United Nations officials have underscored the obligation on all parties to the conflict, and the international community, to protect civilians from atrocity crimes.
More flee Cameroon’s English-speaking areas; UN concerned over safety of women and children
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:28 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): As swelling numbers of people flee English-speaking areas of Cameroon for Nigeria, the United Nations on Friday expressed concern over the precarious situation of women and children, which make now up about 80 per cent of the approximately 10,000 registered refugees in eastern Nigeria’s Cross River state.
UN chief spotlights potential offered by cooperation among countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:24 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): The threats of violent extremism and transnational organized crime in Afghanistan reverberate across Central Asia and the world and countering them cannot be the responsibility of one country alone, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Friday, urging regional and multilateral cooperation, based firmly on human rights.
Millions of children's lives hang in the balance as South Sudan conflict grinds on – UNICEF chief
Jan 20, 2018, at 12:17 pm
New York, Jan 20 (JEN): Following a two-day visit to conflict-ravaged South Sudan, where a quarter of a million children are severely malnourished and at imminent risk of death, the head of the United Nations children's agency has said only an end to hostilities can bring back hope and safety to the children and young people there.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern announces pregnancy
Jan 19, 2018, at 02:53 pm
Wellington, Jan 19 (IBNS): New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday announced that she is expecting her first child.
Amid 'dramatic deterioration' in DR Congo, UN and partners launch $1.68 billion aid appeal
Jan 19, 2018, at 02:41 pm
New York, Jan 19 (JEN): Warning of a “dramatic deterioration” in the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the last 12 months, United Nations agencies and relief partners on Thursday launched the largest-ever funding appeal for the vast central African country.
In Doha, General Assembly President spotlights UN ‘sustaining peace’ agenda
Jan 19, 2018, at 02:26 pm
New York, Jan 19 (JEN): Conflict is not always linear, with a clear beginning, middle and end, the President of the United Nations General Assembly said Thursday, urging a new approach to peace that requires action at all stages of the conflict cycle.
Dialogue and confidence vital to prevent, resolve conflicts, says UN chief
Jan 19, 2018, at 02:18 pm
New York, Jan 19 (JEN): Worldwide concerns over nuclear weapons are the highest they have been since the Cold War, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday, calling for comprehensive political solutions that include dialogue and negotiation to prevent, mitigate and resolve conflicts.
52 Uzbeks killed in Kazakhstan bus inferno
Jan 18, 2018, at 08:49 pm
In all 52 people were killed after a bus caught fire in north-western Kazakhstan on Thursday.
Central African Republic: UN mission issues 48-hour ultimatum to armed groups
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:45 pm
New York, Jan 17 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in the troubled Central African Republic, known by its French acronym, MINUSCA, has given armed groups in the north of the country 48 hours to clear out.
UN chief welcomes second anniversary of ‘Implementation Day’ for Iran nuclear deal
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:42 pm
New York, Jan 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday welcomed the second anniversary of the day when Iran was confirmed to have taken a series of nuclear-related actions under the nuclear agreement reached with key countries in 2015.
US funding cuts for UN Palestine refugee agency put vital education, health programmes at risk
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:37 pm
New York, Jan 18 (JEN): The decision by the United States to withhold more than half its annual funding commitment to the United Nations relief agency providing aid for Palestine refugees threatens “one of the most successful and innovative human development endeavours in the Middle-East,” the head of the body said Wednesday, warning that the rights and dignity of an entire community are at stake.
UN poised to scale up support for Libya’s post-conflict transition, Security Council told
Jan 18, 2018, at 02:27 pm
New York, Jan 18 (JEN): The United Nations is implementing its Action Plan for Libya to create the necessary conditions for the completion of the North African country’s post-conflict transition, the head of UN mission there said Wednesday.