Jan 23, 2015, at 03:14 pm
Riyadh, Jan 23 (IBNS) Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has died on Friday, reports said.
Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attack in eastern Ukraine
Jan 23, 2015, at 03:01 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council has condemned 'in the strongest terms' Thursday's shelling which resulted in the deaths of more than 10 civilians in eastern Ukraine amid intensifying clashes between Government and opposition forces.
Ban nominates experts to review peacebuilding architecture
Jan 23, 2015, at 02:59 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday nominated an Advisory Group of Experts to conduct a policy and institutional review of the peacebuilding architecture and then to develop recommendations based on this work.
UN Messenger of Peace honoured for anti-hunger efforts
Jan 23, 2015, at 02:56 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS) UN Messenger of Peace recognized for work to United Nations Messenger of Peace Princess Haya Al Hussein, of Jordan, was on Thursday awarded the 2015 Hunger Hero Award by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) during a ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Somalia: UN, international partners call for resolution of country's political crisis
Jan 23, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS) The United Nations and its international partners on Thursday voiced concern over delays in the resolution of Somalia's long-standing political crisis and in the implementation of a stability-building mechanism as they called on the Horn of Africa nation's President, Prime Minister and Federal Parliament 'to unite for the greater good of the country.'
UN Libya Mission condemns attack against Central Bank in Benghazi
Jan 23, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday condemned the reported armed attack against the country’s Central Bank branch in the eastern city of Benghazi.
UN lauds Mali for stemming Ebola epidemic, flags need to boost cross-border surveillance
Jan 23, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS)The United Nations on Thursday commended Mali for stemming the Ebola outbreak and urged the West African nation to remain vigilant as neighbouring countries continue to report new cases as part of the epidemic that has recorded nearly 22,000 cases and more than 8,600 deaths to date.
DR Congo: Ban urges calm in Kinshasa; peacekeeping chief backs gradual drawdown of UN mission
Jan 23, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS) Amid the deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the capital, Kinshasa, is gripped by clashes between demonstrators and security forces, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged maximum restraint on all sides, while the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations briefed the Security Council on broader efforts to help stabilize the vast country.
UN has 'duty to speak out' against anti-Semitism, Ban tells General Assembly
Jan 23, 2015, at 02:43 pm
New York, Jan 23 (IBNS) During an informal meeting of the General Assembly this morning to address concerns of a rise in anti-Semitic violence worldwide, top United Nations officials echoed the view of keynote speaker Bernard-Henri Levy who lamented the ‘renewed advance of this radical inhumanity.’
Ukraine ceasefire exists 'in name only,' UN political chief tells Security Council
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:46 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) After weeks of relative calm, the United Nations political chief said the Security Council was meeting on Wednesday amid the ‘worst hostilities’ in eastern Ukraine since the Minsk Protocol was agreed on 5 September, with the urgently needed sustainable ceasefire presently existing in name only.
Darfur: UN humanitarian office reports mass displacement amid ongoing hostilities
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:43 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) The United Nations Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is reporting that thousands of people in North Darfur are now confirmed as displaced following ongoing fighting in the region, a UN spokesperson announced on Wednesday.
Mali: UN mission wards off rebel attack; urges armed groups to respect ceasefire
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:42 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has confirmed it used force in response to machine gun fire directed at its troops and towards the town inhabited by civilians, on Tuesday in Tabankort, in the restive north of the country.
Genocide occurs when 'warning signs' ignored, action not taken – UN deputy chief
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:35 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) During a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp today, United Nations Deputy-Secretary-General Jan Eliasson called for reflection on how better to prevent horrific crimes witnessed during the Holocaust and other genocides.
UN political chief says Burundi making strides towards 'peaceful, credible' elections
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:31 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) Amid a flare-up in fighting and ongoing political tensions between the Government and opposition members, the organization of legitimate elections in Burundi remains ‘one of the most pressing challenges’ facing the African country in 2015, the top United Nations political official declared on Wednesday.
Central African Republic: UN investigators urge establishment of war crimes tribunal
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:25 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) United Nations-mandated investigators warned on Wednesday that war crimes are being committed in the Central African Republic and called for the establishment of a ‘truly international’ tribunal with international judges who could objectively investigate and prosecute perpetrators of such crimes in the war torn country.
Mali: UN conference to examine conservation of country's precious ancient manuscripts
Jan 22, 2015, at 03:16 pm
New York, Jan 22 (IBNS) The United Nations agency mandated to protect cultural sites around the world will examine long-term conservation of Mali’s invaluable ancient manuscript collection at an international conference set to kick off in the country’s capital, Bamako, next week.
Central African Republic: UN relief official calls for kidnapped aid worker's release
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:41 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) A senior United Nations relief official in the Central African Republic (CAR) has strongly condemned the abduction of a French aid worker by unknown assailants and called for her immediate release, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday .
UN chief appoints new Special Envoy in move to end Tuberculosis
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:40 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Eric Goosby of the United States as his new Special Envoy on Tuberculosis (TB), the UN Spokesperson's office announced on Tuesday .
Southeast Asia: UN rights office appeals for halt in executions for drug crimes
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:38 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday expressed concern over the use of the death penalty for drug-related crimes in Southeast Asia and urged authorities to abolish the punishment amid reports that eight more people had been sentenced to death for heroin trafficking.
Ban welcomes transfer to ICC of alleged perpetrator of Uganda war crimes
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:31 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Tuesday of senior Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Dominic Ongwen, as well as his surrender on 6 January in the Central African Republic.
Children suffering 'dire consequences' of conflict in northern Nigeria-UN agency
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:24 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) Women and children make up the vast majority of the latest wave of refugees fleeing violence in northern Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund warned on Tuesday , spotlighting its ongoing efforts to provide basic assistance, including safe water, nutrition, health, education and protection services to affected children in the region.
DR Congo: UN Mission deplores loss of life as police, protesters clash in capital
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:22 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday condemned the deaths and injuries that occurred when protests turned violent on Monday in the streets of the country’s capital, Kinshasa.
UN urges immediate halt to hostilities in Yemen, calls on all sides to abide by commitments
Jan 21, 2015, at 07:22 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday expressed grave concern about the deteriorating situation in Yemen, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of full authority to legitimate Government institutions.
ISIL unlawful 'shari'a courts' meting out 'monstrous’ punishments, UN warns
Jan 21, 2015, at 04:15 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday confirmed that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has established unlawful, so-called 'shari'a courts’ in the territory under its control that have been carrying out cruel and inhuman punishments against men, women and children.
'No room for complacency' UN says, urging vigilance in Ebola fight as West Africa marks progress
Jan 21, 2015, at 04:07 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS): One year has passed since Ebola began spreading in West Africa, ravaging villages and local economies, and yet, amid dramatic improvements in the three most affected countries, the United Nations can now report progress in the fight against the deadly virus, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Tuesday as he urged the global community to help the region regain its footing following the unprecedented outbreak.
UN lauds Somalia as country ratifies landmark children's rights treaty
Jan 21, 2015, at 04:00 pm
New York, Jan 21 (IBNS) The United Nations on Tuesday applauded Somalia's ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – a move which was praised as being an "important step" towards protecting and promoting the rights of all children in the war-torn nation and an explicit commitment towards improving the lives of its youngest citizens.
Abe vows to save Japanese captives
Jan 21, 2015, at 03:29 am
Tokyo, Jan 20 (IBNS) Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed to save the two Japanese hostages after the Islamic State group threatened to kill them.
Security Council strongly condemns escalating Boko Haram attacks, warns of 'crimes against humanity'
Jan 20, 2015, at 03:01 pm
New York, Jan 20 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council on Monday condemned in the ‘strongest terms’ the recent escalation in attacks conducted by Boko Haram, and expressed its deep concern that the activities of the Islamist extremist group, including a spate of shocking suicide bombings across northern Nigeria, are undermining peace and stability in the West and Central African region.
Central African Republic: UN mission captures militia leader in high-profile arrest
Jan 20, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Jan 20 (IBNS) The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has announced the capture of Rodrigue Ngaibona, leader of the anti-Balaka militia, in what is being hailed as the Mission’s first high-profile arrest of 2015.
UN must boost links among development, security, human rights, Ban tells Security Council
Jan 20, 2015, at 02:36 pm
New York, Jan 20 (IBNS) Stressing that the United Nations is built around the three pillars of peace and security, development and human rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on Mondayunderlined the need to pay attention to their interdependence, during an address to the Security Council.