Structural reforms can help poorest countries break 'vicious' economic circle – new UN report
Nov 28, 2014, at 02:45 pm
New York, Nov 28 (IBNS)The world's poorest countries are trapped in an economic vicious circle, which pins them in poverty and must be reversed if new development goals are to be met, according to a newly released report from United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
New UN-backed open-source tool will support community resilience-building
Nov 28, 2014, at 02:33 pm
New York, Nov 28 (IBNS)The United Nations Food and Agriculture Programme (FAO) is teaming up with a coalition of partner agencies to develop a new data crunching tool to help national governments, development and relief organizations in their efforts to prevent and respond to crises such as animal diseases, plant pests and even conflict.
China: Coal mine explosion kills 11
Nov 28, 2014, at 02:39 am
Beijing, Nov 27 (IBNS) At least 11 people were killed in a coal mine explosion in southwest China's Guizhou Province Thursday, media reports said.
UN chief appoints panel on creating 'technology bank' for world’s poorest nations
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:50 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced the formation of a High-Level Panel to study the scope and functions of a proposed new "technology bank" and dedicated to helping the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) advance out of poverty, the Organization’s spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.
Ritual dancing, bread-making among cultural practices added to UN heritage list
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:49 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): Brazil's martial art of Capoeira, Burundi's ritual dance of the royal drum and the preparation of Lavash – a popular flatbread integral to Armenian cuisine – are among the eight elements added on Wednesday to the United Nations-endorsed list of the world's intangible cultural heritage – part of the world body's ongoing efforts to highlight global diversity and raise awareness of its importance.
DR Congo: Security Council condemns massacres of civilians, attacks on peacekeepers
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:48 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the massacres perpetrated against civilians on 20 November near the city of Beni in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as well as the ongoing attacks targeting peacekeepers.
'Profoundly concerned' over violence in Libya, Security Council warns of possible sanctions
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:47 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): The Security Council on Wednesday expressed its "profound concern" over the deteriorating situation in Libya and its impact on regional peace and stability, warning of the possibility of sanctions.
Obesity-related cancers on the rise, especially in developed countries – UN report
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:46 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): Being overweight or obese have become major risk factors for developing cancer, particularly among women and in more developed countries, the specialized cancer agency of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday.
Kyrgyzstan: UN rights experts urge Parliament to withdraw anti-gay bill
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:37 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts have urged the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan to reject a bill that would introduce criminal and administrative sanctions for acts aimed at forming "a positive attitude towards non-traditional sexual orientation," warning that the proposed law would go against the country's human rights obligations and commitments.
UN rights experts urge US President Obama to release report on CIA torture allegations
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:27 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS) The United States must rise to meet the high human rights standards it has set for itself and others around the world, a group of United Nations human rights experts urged on Wednesday, as they called on President Obama to support "the fullest possible release" of a report detailing Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) interrogation practices.
6.8 earthquake rocks Indonesia
Nov 27, 2014, at 05:53 am
Jakarta, Nov 26 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale hit eastern Indonesia on Wednesday, reports said.
Haiti: UN mission chief urges calm, respect for rights in wake of protests
Nov 26, 2014, at 11:08 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Amid rising tensions Port-au-Prince and other key Haitian cities in the wake of last month’s delayed elections, the top United Nations official in the country deplored the violence that recently caused injuries among demonstrators and called on all sides to respect the right to free expression while also avoiding any recourse to violence.
UN sounds alarm to end ‘global pandemic’ of violence against women
Nov 26, 2014, at 11:05 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic that destroys lives, fractures communities and holds back development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as the world body Tuesday marked the International Day to End Violence against Women.
UNESCO chief denounces murder of Somali radio journalist
Nov 26, 2014, at 11:03 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has deplored the murder of Abdirisak Ali Abdi, a journalist killed in the town of Galkayo, Somalia, and called for a thorough investigation into the crime.
Timor-Leste: UN expert warns dismissal of judicial officials may have 'chilling effect'
Nov 26, 2014, at 11:01 pm
New York, nov 26 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, Tuesday warned that the audit of the justice sector and the dismissal of all international judicial personnel from Timor-Leste puts at risk the independence of the judiciary in the country.
UN rights chief concerned over ‘disproportionate’ killings of African-Americans by US police
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:57 pm
Geneva, Nov 26 (IBNS): The decision by a Grand Jury in Missouri to absolve a police officer for the fatal shooting of an African-American teenager has spotlighted broader concerns about institutionalized discrimination across the United States, the top United Nations human rights official said today.
Burundi: UN expert urges defence of human rights activists to promote transparency
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:55 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders expressed regret Tuesday that defenders in Burundi are deemed to be political opponents, saying that in reality they are activists working to promote and protect human rights and civil liberties.
Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes 'contrary to international law,'UN experts warn
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:52 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): The Israeli Government’s use of house demolition as a punitive measure in response to alleged acts of violence by Palestinians must end immediately, two United Nations experts urged Tuesday, adding that the practice – which targets Palestinian homes in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory – is a violation of human rights law.
Security Council extends UN Guinea-Bissau office for three months
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:47 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): The Security Council Tuesday extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau, known as UNIOGBIS, so that it can continue to assist in tackling a range of political, security and development challenges in the country.
As number of South Sudanese refugees grows, UN relief official urges support to Ethiopia
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:43 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Following the end of a four-day mission to Ethiopia, a senior United Nations relief official has called for continued international attention to the plight of South Sudanese refugees, warning that the number of refugees could rise substantially if fighting in South Sudan persists.
Security Council extends UN mission in South Sudan through May 2015
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:36 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Expressing “grave alarm about the further deteriorating political, security and humanitarian crisis†in South Sudan, the Security Council Tuesday extended the United Nations Mission the country (UNMISS) for an additional six months, maintaining the operation’s mandate to focus on civilian protection, facilitation of relief assistance, and human rights monitoring.
International community has duty to protect minorities, UN deputy chief tells Geneva forum
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:33 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): It is the international community’s duty to draw lessons from the horrific violence and atrocious crimes facing minorities around the world to prevent them from being repeated, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said today at a forum on minority issues.
Syria: humanitarian efforts falling short, UN relief chief warns, calling for end to violence
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:28 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): While humanitarians have made some progress in delivering much-needed supplies to the growing numbers of people in conflict-riven Syria, efforts by the United Nations and its partners are still falling short, a top UN relief official has said today, calling on the Security Council to push for an end to the violence that is destroying the country and destabilizing the region.
Sanctions are 'effective' method to build global stability, Security Council told
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:25 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): From Afghanistan and Angola to Haiti and the former Yugoslavia, sanctions implemented by the United Nations Security Council have had a positive track record, proving their efficacy and economy in supporting Member States overcome instability, the top UN political official said today.
Ban voices 'deep concern' over eruption of violence in Libya; urges return to dialogue
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:23 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday voiced deep concern over an uptick in violence across Libya and urged all parties to recommit to the values of the revolution that inspired the North African country’s break towards democracy, according to a statement issued today by his spokesperson.
Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attack in Kenya
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:11 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned Saturday's attack in Mandera, Kenya for which Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility and which has caused the deaths of numerous innocent people.
At UN meeting, prevention cited as key factor in fight against terrorism-related kidnapping
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:10 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) The practice of kidnapping for ransom and hostage-taking continues to provide the world’s terrorists with a reliable source of income to fund their operations, United Nations Member States were told on Monday at a meeting jointly held by the UN’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in New York.
Madagascar: UN health agency warns of 'rapid' spread of plague in capital city
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:08 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a "rapid" spread of the plague in the capital of Madagascar, where health authorities have reported 119 cases of the bacterial disease, including at least 40 deaths in the island nation.
Ban applauds Tunisian presidential vote as country's democratic transition continues
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:05 pm
New York, nov 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday extended his congratulations to the people of Tunisia on the occasion of their first presidential election since revolution swept the country and ushered in an era of democratic change.
'Peace process hangs from a thread,' UN warns ahead of Day of Solidarity with Palestinians
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:04 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) United Nations officials on Monday voiced their solidarity with the people of Palestine, while calling on both sides involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to cease acts of violence, overcome their differences, and resume peace talks with a clear framework towards resolving the decades-long dispute.