Ban calls for end to 'man-made crisis' in South Sudan
Jul 09, 2014, at 07:10 am
New York, July 9 (IBNS): On the occasion of the third anniversary of South Sudan's independence,UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on the country’s leaders to live up to the expectations of their people, lay down their arms and return immediately to negotiations to end the ongoing crisis.
Ban urges maximum restraint amid 'dangerous escalation of violence' in Gaza
Jul 09, 2014, at 07:08 am
New York, July 9 (IBNS): With militants in the Gaza Strip stepping up rocket attacks against Israel, and Israeli airstrikes on the enclave intensifying, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday said that he is ‘extremely concerned†by the escalating violence, and reiterated his call on all actors to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further civilian casualties and overall destabilization
UN widens its same-sex marriage policy to include all legally-married staff
Jul 09, 2014, at 07:06 am
New York, July 9 (IBNS): The United Nations is changing how it categorizes staff personal status, allowing more same-sex couples access to the same benefits enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts.
UN agency dismayed as Thailand deports Laotian refugee at risk of mistreatment
Jul 09, 2014, at 07:05 am
New York, July 9 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday spoke out against the deportation of a Laotian man from Thailand back to his homeland, where he could face harsh treatment amounting to persecution.
West Africa: UN envoy cites region’s daunting challenges, Boko Haram threat to Nigeria
Jul 09, 2014, at 07:04 am
New York, July 9 (IBNS) While countries in West Africa are trying to promote development and consolidate democracy, they continue to face daunting challenges such as transnational organized crime and growing terrorist activities, the top United Nations official in the region told the Security Council on Tuesday, while also warning of the increasing threat the Boko Haram crisis poses to Nigeria.
Syrian refugee mothers in 'spiral of hardship', UN reports
Jul 09, 2014, at 07:02 am
New York, July 9 (IBNS) One in four of all Syrian refugee families in Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan are headed by women who, on their own, are struggling to make ends meet and take care of their increasingly traumatized families, the United Nations on Tuesday reported, calling for more resources to aid these single mothers.
UN rights office 'deeply disturbed' over Australia's handling of Sri Lanka asylum seekers
Jul 09, 2014, at 07:01 am
New York, July 9 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday that is "deeply disturbed" that Australian authorities on Sunday returned to Sri Lanka 41 people seeking asylum, apparently without adequate screening of their protection claims and needs.
Typhoon lashes Japan's Okinawa Islands
Jul 09, 2014, at 03:05 am
Tokyo, July 8 (IBNS) A typhoon lashed Japan's southernmost island prefecture of Okinawa, making people to seek shelter while all flights and ferry services were cancelled on Tuesday, reports said.
Ukraine: Amidst intensified military offensive, Ban condemns violence against civilians
Jul 08, 2014, at 03:18 pm
New York, July 8 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday strongly condemned the "continued, unlawful" acts of armed fighters in Ukraine after reports that they are regrouping in eastern provinces, and urged Ukrainian authorities to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians.
Ban praises late Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze
Jul 08, 2014, at 06:41 am
New York, July 8 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday praised former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze for contributing to efforts to overcome the divisions of the Cold War.
UN voices concern after Australia returns asylum-seekers intercepted at sea to Sri Lanka
Jul 08, 2014, at 06:40 am
New York, July 8 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday voiced deep concern after Australia handed over some 41 asylum-seekers to Sri Lanka after intercepting them at sea, and highlighted its unease with shipboard processing of protection clai
UN calls on Iraqi leaders to agree on Speaker, hold next Parliament session
Jul 08, 2014, at 06:39 am
New York, July 8 (IBNS): Ahead of on Tuesday's elections, the United Nations envoy for Iraq has called on the country’s political leaders to reach an agreement on a Speaker for the Council of Representatives as soon as possible.
Urging Somali unity, UN envoy deplores 'murderous campaign' being waged by Al-Shabaab
Jul 06, 2014, at 06:05 am
New York, July 5 (IBNS): Condemning this morning's attempted attack on Somalia's Parliament, the United Nations envoy to the country has called on all Somalis to unite with the authorities to thwart future attacks and "bring to justice those behind this murderous campaign" of terror that has intensified since the start of Ramadan.
China: Bus fire leaves 29 injured
Jul 06, 2014, at 03:18 am
Hangzhou, July 5 (IBNS) At least 29 people were injured as the bus in which they were traveling caught fire in China's Hangzhou city on Saturday.
UN rights chief urges all sides in eastern Ukraine to 'turn away from destructive path'
Jul 05, 2014, at 06:29 pm
New York, July 5 (IBNS) Amid fresh deadly clashes in eastern Ukraine, destruction of civilian infrastructure and “utterly reprehensible†incitement to violence targeting women and underage girls, the United Nations human rights chief on Friday urged all sides to engage in dialogue and "turn away from the destructive path" towards which they are leading the crisis-torn region.
Heavy rains, ongoing violence push South Sudan towards 'hunger catastrophe', warns UN agency
Jul 05, 2014, at 06:25 pm
New York, July 5 (IBNS):Already working hard to get supplies to people in South Sudan cut off by flooded roads, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday warned that the rains, as well as the ongoing fighting, are pushing the country towards a "hunger catastrophe".
UN rights expert urges durable solutions for Haiti's displaced, vulnerable
Jul 05, 2014, at 06:11 pm
New York, July 5 (IBNS) Four years after the massive earthquake that devastated Haiti, it is time to move from a largely humanitarian approach to a development based drive, a United Nations human rights expert said on Friday, while calling for durable solutions for the internally displaced and the vulnerable segments of the population of the island nation.
UN refugee agency warns Sudan over forced return of Eritrean asylum seekers
Jul 05, 2014, at 05:27 pm
New York, July 5 (IBNS): Sudan has forced dozens of Eritrean refugees and other asylum seekers to return to their home country, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday, warning that the recent deportations are “an act of repression†and could place the lives and liberty of those expelled at risk.
With focus on sustainable development, UN praises role of cooperatives at 'critical time'
Jul 04, 2014, at 03:41 pm
New York, July 4 (IBNS): As the international community focuses on climate change, sustainable development and a new anti-poverty agenda beyond 2015, United Nations officials are highlighting the role cooperative enterprises can play in economic development, social justice and environmental protection.
Number of South Sudanese sheltering at UN bases to remain high in coming months
Jul 04, 2014, at 03:39 pm
New York, July 4 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said on Thursday that the number of conflict-displaced persons sheltering at its bases is likely to remain high over the coming months in light of insecurity and the projected worsening of the food security situation.
Syria: UN agency warns of grave risks to refugees if funding gaps remain unmet
Jul 04, 2014, at 03:38 pm
New York, July 4 (IBNS) Failure to close the funding gap to meet the needs of the growing number of people fleeing the conflict in Syria could mean grave risks for the refugees as well as for the stability of the region, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
Security Council, UN envoy 'appalled' at murder of Somali parliament member
Jul 04, 2014, at 03:35 pm
New York, July 4 (IBNS) The Security Council and the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) have condemned the killing on Thursday in Mogadishu of parliamentarian Mohamed Mohamud 'Hayd'.
Urgent efforts needed to avert further crises in Somalia, Yemen UN relief officials
Jul 03, 2014, at 06:45 pm
New York, July 3 (IBNS): Urgent action is needed to prevent a worsening of the humanitarian crises in both Somalia and Yemen, senior United Nations relief officials warned on Wednesday, as they urged donors to help them step up their response as well as to consolidate the recent gains made in both countries.
'Death penalty has no place in 21st century,' declares UN chief
Jul 03, 2014, at 06:31 pm
New York, July 3 (IBNS) The death penalty has no place in the 21st century, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Wednesday, calling on all States take concrete steps towards abolishing or no longer practicing this form of punishment.
'Leave no stone unturned' to halt Ebola's rapid spread in West Africa, urges UN agency
Jul 03, 2014, at 06:24 pm
New York, July 3 (IBNS)Urging health authorities in West African countries affected by the largest Ebola outbreak in history to “leave no stone unturned†in their efforts to contain the spread of the deadly virus, a United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) official on Wednesday underscored the critical need to engage community, religious and opinion leaders in the region to be at the forefront of the response.
Ban announces review of probes related to UN-African Union Darfur peacekeepers
Jul 03, 2014, at 06:14 pm
New York, July 3 (IBNS) Concerned by recent allegations against the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan’s Darfur region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a review of related investigations and reviews over the last two years to determine what, if any, corrective action needs to be taken.
Iraq: UN officials voice concern about humanitarian situation, abuse of women, girls
Jul 03, 2014, at 06:01 pm
New York, July 3 (IBNS) Amid reports of deliberate targeting of women and girls in Iraq, senior United Nations officials on Wednesday voiced deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and security situations in the country, where more than 1.2 million people have fled their homes in fear for their lives.
UN officials deplore murder of Palestinian boy in Jerusalem
Jul 03, 2014, at 05:55 pm
New York, July 3 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have both condemned the murder of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem, and called on both Israelis and Palestinians to refrain from exacerbating an already tense situation.
Initial UN report aims to 'reconnect science and policy towards global sustainable development'
Jul 02, 2014, at 03:50 pm
New York, July 2 (IBNS) To achieve a sustainable transition by 2050, when more than nine billion people will live on Earth, there needs to be significant adjustment to the current patterns of consumption and production, delegations heard on Tuesday as a United Nations high-level political forum considered a new report aiming to lay the foundation for a new global sustainable development agenda.
Ukraine: UNESCO condemns killing of Russian journalist near Donetsk
Jul 02, 2014, at 03:49 pm
New York, July 2 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, condemned on Tuesday the killing of Russian television journalist Anatoli Klian, who was shot to death last night in crisis-torn eastern Ukraine.