UN reports 62 dead in boat tragedy in Red Sea this year
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:35 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that 62 people are confirmed to have died when their boat foundered while trying to cross the Red Sea from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, making it the deadliest sinking this year.
UN concert sets new global development agenda
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:04 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): As part of the United Nations-driven process to craft a new sustainable development agenda, a spectacular line up of global artists will hit the stage tonight at the world body's New York Headquarters to add their voices and talents to the unprecedented global conversation under way to build the future we want.
UN calls for end to death penalty in Iran
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:47 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts on Thursday expressed outrage at the recent executions of two prisoners in Iran, and urged the Government to institute a moratorium on the death penalty with a view to abolishing it all together.
UN seeks to mobilize investment for sustainable energy
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): Over 1,000 participants from government, business, international organizations and civil society groups gathered on Wednesday at United Nations Headquarters to kick off a three-day forum designed to mobilize investment and action to realize the goal of ensuring sustainable energy for all.
UN initiative taps leadership to advance women's rights
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): The United Nations has teamed up with leading businesses to advance women's rights and empowerment through a new advisory council comprised of private sector chiefs with a strong commitment to supporting women and girls.
Funding shortfall leaves millions hungry in DR Congo: UN
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): Senior United Nations officials for the Great Lakes region of Africa are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to draw attention to continuing insecurity there, while the world body reported on Tuesday that the fighting and a decrease in financial resources is causing millions of people to go hungry.
UN concerned over food security situation in Somalia
Jun 03, 2014, at 05:00 pm
New York, Jun 3 (IBNS): The United Nations on Monday voiced increasing concern over the food security situation in Somalia, as food stocks from the previous harvest become depleted and prices continue to rise sharply, and the country experiences late rains and erratic weather patterns.
UN envoy in South Sudan to step down after three years
May 31, 2014, at 05:45 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): The top United Nations envoy in South Sudan announced on Friday that she is stepping down from her post in July after leading the world body's efforts in the country for nearly three years.
UN warns of failure to refer Syria to international court
May 31, 2014, at 05:39 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Friday emphasized that the United Nations Security Council's inability to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) leaves the door wide open for new atrocities in the ongoing conflict.
UN welcomes African campaign to end child marriage
May 30, 2014, at 05:27 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Two United Nations agencies on Thursday welcomed the first campaign by the African Union to end child marriage, a practice that robs over 17 million girls - 1 in 3 - across the continent of their youth.
UN condemns killing of pregnant Pakistani woman
May 29, 2014, at 05:12 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of a 25-year-old pregnant woman, who was stoned to death by her family as she approached a Pakistani court on Tuesday, and urged the Government to do much more to prevent such killings.
UN urges partners to break silence on open defecation
May 29, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): It is time to talk about open defecation, the United Nations declared on Wednesday, launching a new campaign to end the practice and improve access to toilets and latrines for the 2.5 billion people worldwide without basic sanitation.
UN urges protections for Sri Lankans migrating for work
May 28, 2014, at 06:16 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert called on Tuesday on the Government of Sri Lanka to increase its attention and efforts to prevent exploitation of its nationals working abroad, including by shoring up protections at all levels.
UN agencies scale up relief measures in Mali
May 28, 2014, at 06:09 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): A ceasefire agreed between the Government and three rebel groups in restive northern Mali appears to be holding, the United Nations reported on Tuesday, warning however that recent deadly violence in the flashpoint city of Kidal has displaced some 4,000 people who now desperately need food, water and other necessities.
UN calls for resolution of Somalia political crisis
May 28, 2014, at 06:02 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): The United Nations, the European Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Tuesday issued a joint appeal for a resolution of the political crisis in Somalia, adding that they stand ready to hold to account anyone who poses an obstacle to progress in the Horn of Africa nation.
UN urges Brazzaville to halt expulsion of DR Congo refugees
May 27, 2014, at 04:58 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): Senior United Nations officials on Monday demanded that Republic of the Congo immediately stops expelling citizens from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and called for an investigation into allegations of sexual violence and other human rights violations.
UN urges restoration of rule of law following Thai coup
May 24, 2014, at 08:35 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday urged Thailand to ensure respect for human rights and a prompt restoration of the rule of law, echoing a call made on Thursday by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following the military coup.
UN urges adoption of treaty against forced labour
May 24, 2014, at 08:31 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): Independent United Nations human rights experts dealing with the issues of slavery, migrants and trafficking on Friday called on governments to adopt a legally binding international protocol to respond to the scourge of forced labour.
UN condemns killing of Palestinian teenagers in West Bank
May 24, 2014, at 08:24 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief has voiced her "very serious concerns" about a recent incident involving the killing of two Palestinian teenagers in the occupied West Bank.
UN spotlights power of sports to advance shared values
May 23, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): High-level officials, prominent athletes and youth teamed up at the United Nations in New York on Thursday to spotlight the values that the world of sports can advance, including, diversity, inclusion, peacebuilding and development.
Role of cooperation critical for sustainable development: UN
May 22, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Wednesday highlighted the importance of both traditional and new forms of cooperation, as well as building broad partnerships, to shaping a future development agenda that is both sustainable and leads to prosperity for millions around the world.
UN launches guide on attacks against schools, hospitals
May 22, 2014, at 05:22 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): Every child has a right to education and health, the United Nations on Wednesday said launching a guidance note to assist the people monitoring, reporting and working to prevent attacks against schools and hospitals.
UN strongly condemns double bombings in Nigeria
May 22, 2014, at 05:17 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy for West Africa has strongly condemned the double bombings that targeted a market in the Nigerian city of Jos and resulted in the deaths of over 100 people and the wounding of scores more.
UN atomic watchdog to further address nuclear concerns
May 22, 2014, at 05:15 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations and Iran have agreed on additional practical measures aimed at allaying concerns about the country's nuclear programme, which its officials have stated is for peaceful purposes but some other countries contend is driven by military ambitions.
UN urges eradication of forced labour once and for all
May 21, 2014, at 05:47 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Millions of people suffering under the yoke of modern slavery - more than half are women and girls primarily in commercial sex trade or domestic work - are generating some USD 150 billion a year in illegal profits for the people who are exploiting them, according to a new report released on Tuesday by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO).
UN launches tools to tether investment to disaster risk planning
May 20, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Launching an initiative to mainstream disaster risk management into business investment, the United Nations on Monday showcased a digital globe that viscerally lays out current and possible future effects of climate change and other threats, to help stem rampant economic loss from geographic events.
Somalia: UN deploys special force to protect staff in Mogadishu
May 19, 2014, at 05:02 pm
New York, May 19 (IBNS): A special United Nations defensive military force recommended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to protect UN staff and facilities in Mogadishu, was deployed on Sunday to shore up the world body's operations in long-troubled Somalia.
UN alarmed by deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine
May 17, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, May 17 (IBNS): A United Nations report released on Friday documents an "alarming" deterioration of the human rights situation in eastern Ukraine, including serious problems emerging in Crimea, citing numerous examples of targeted killings, torture and beatings, abductions, intimidation and some cases of sexual harassment, committed mostly by anti-Government groups.
UN concerned over Sudanese woman facing death penalty
May 17, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, May 17 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Friday voiced deep concern about the situation of Meriam Ibrahim, the pregnant Christian Sudanese woman who was sentenced to 100 lashes and to death by a Sudanese court for apostasy and adultery.
UN moves vital food aid in north-west Syria
May 17, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, May 17 (IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday it has started moving more food supplies from Turkey into north-east Syria to assist displaced families, while noting continued challenges with humanitarian access to those in need inside the war-torn nation.