UN joins Olympic Committee to promote sport in development
Apr 29, 2014, at 05:17 pm
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): With Norwegian professional biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen and Boston Marathon male winner Meb Keflezighi watching on, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach on Monday signed an agreement between their respective organizations, marking an "historic step" in their cooperation to promote the role of sport in development and peace.
Egypt: Ban alarmed by recent mass death sentence
Apr 29, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday voiced alarmed at the news that another preliminary mass death sentence has been handed down in Egypt, where more than 680 people were reportedly on trial, a topic he will raise later this week in a meeting with the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nabil Fahmy.
Ukraine: Ban demands release of OSCE military monitors
Apr 29, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, Apr 29 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday strongly condemned the detention of international military monitors and staff in Ukraine, and demanded that they be released "immediately, unconditionally and unharmed."
Tornadoes strike US, 16 killed
Apr 29, 2014, at 03:41 am
Arkansas, Apr 28 (IBNS): At least 16 people were killed as tornadoes hit south-central United States, media reports said on Monday.
Egypt court sentences 683 people
Apr 29, 2014, at 03:04 am
Cairo, Apr 28 (IBNS): An Egyptian court recommended death sentences for 683 people on Monday.
Ukraine: US announces fresh sanctions against Russia
Apr 29, 2014, at 02:57 am
Washington DC, Apr 28 (IBNS) Amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the US announced fresh sanctions against Russia on Monday.
UN urges Syria to complete chemical weapons removal
Apr 28, 2014, at 04:47 pm
New York, Apr 28 (IBNS): Nearly eight percent of Syria's declared chemical weapons material remains on its territory and should be removed in the shortest possible timeframe, despite the difficult security situation, the head of the Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations on Sunday urged.
Pope Francis declares John XXIII, John Paul II as saints
Apr 27, 2014, at 08:25 pm
Vatican City, Apr 27 (IBNS): Pope Francis has declared his two predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II as saints.
Ferry mishap: South Korean PM offers resignation
Apr 27, 2014, at 04:40 pm
Seoul, Apr 27 (IBNS): In the wake of the ferry mishap in the country which claimed over hundreds of lives, South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won offered his resignation Sunday.
CAR: Ban names US diplomat as deputy head of UN mission
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:42 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday appointed Laurence D. Wohlers of the United States as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-Genera for the newly-created United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCa).
Ban marks Chernobyl anniversary, seeks support for recovery efforts
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:36 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): "This is an opportunity to pay tribute to the emergency workers who responded, remember the more than 330,000 people who were evacuated from contaminated regions, and stand in solidarity with the millions who still live in the affected areas in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine," said a statement issued by the spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General.
UN urges Belarus to impose death penalty moratorium
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:31 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert on Friday urged authorities in Belarus, the only European nation that still retains the death penalty, to impose an immediate moratorium on the punishment and refrain from carrying out further executions.
CAR: UN concerned over children suffering from malnutrition
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:27 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): The number of children being treated for severe acute malnutrition in the Central African Republic's war-torn capital, Bangui, has tripled since the beginning of 2014, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) confirmed on Friday, predicting that more children are likely to suffer in the coming months.
UN concerned over conflict-related sexual violence
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): Despite the current unprecedented political will to eliminate sexual violence in conflict, hold perpetrators to account and support victims, the reality is that raping a woman, child or man is still a largely "cost-free" crime, United Nations officials warned on Friday, appealing to all States to strengthen their cooperation to end impunity and protect the vulnerable.
Ukraine: Ban urges diplomatic solution to crisis
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:15 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called on all parties to seek a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis, warning that the situation could "spin out of control quickly," while the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that is opening a preliminary probe into alleged crimes of humanity committed in the country.
Algeria: Ban lauds peaceful polls, encourages democracy
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:42 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday congratulated the people and Government of Algeria on the peaceful holding of recent presidential elections and encouraged them to work together to strengthen the democratic process in the country.
UNESCO denounces killing of media workers in Syria
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:40 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom on Thursday urged respect for professional and citizen journalists after three media workers from a Lebanese television station were killed while reporting on clashes south of Damascus in Syria.
Stable societies vital for advancing development: UN
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Peace and stability are vital if sustainable development is to take root and flourish, United Nations officials stressed on Thursday as the UN General Assembly met to consider how these essential conditions can contribute to eradicating poverty and ensuring well-being for all.
UN urges Bahrain to stop persecuting Shi'a Muslims
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:33 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert on Thursday urged the Government of Bahrain to stop the harassment and persecution of a Shi'a Muslim leader who was reportedly forced to leave the country following threats from State security agents to arrest him and his son.
Smaller farmers gain greater hold in banana market: UN
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:30 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Banana markets are becoming more fragmented creating opportunities for new companies and smaller producers, the United Nations agricultural agency on Thursday reported, urging more support for smaller farmers to be fully included in their national economies and to grow resilient fruit.
Syria: UN confirms progress in removing chemical weapons
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:27 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): More than 90 per cent of Syria's chemical weapons material has been removed and destroyed in country, the head of the Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations on Thursday confirmed.
South Sudan: UN condemns attack on convoy carrying aid
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:24 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has strongly condemned Thursday's attack on a convoy of barges delivering urgently needed food and fuel supplies to its base in Malakal in Upper Nile state.
Ukraine: UN calls for immediate de-escalation of violence
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:20 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about continued violence in eastern Ukraine, which has led to loss of life, further instability and which is contributing to a climate of fear and anxiety, his spokesperson said on Thursday.
Darfur: UN urges support for peace process
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Stepped-up rebel attacks, clashes fuelled by local political rivalries, and mass displacement sparked by the abuses of a pro-Government militia have again left long-troubled Darfur at a crossroads, said the United Nations peacekeeping chief on Thursday, appealing to the UN Security Council and its African Union (AU) counterpart for political support to move the warring factions towards lasting peace.
UN urges greater action to combat sexual violence
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:06 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Despite unprecedented political momentum to fight rape in war zones, sexual violence remains a global crime affecting women, men and children in more than 20 countries, a senior United Nations official announced on Thursday urging greater action at the regional and national levels.
UN discusses Fatah-Hamas reconciliation deal with Palestine
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:03 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): The reconciliation deal reached by rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas will be implemented on the basis of previous commitments such as the recognition of Israel and non-violence, a senior United Nations envoy was told on Thursday.
South Sudan: UN concerned over attack on base sheltering civilians
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:59 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Warning on Wednesday that the surging violence in South Sudan is clear evidence that the United Nations can no longer operate in "business-as-usual" mode in the county, the Organization's peacekeeping chief declared that the fighting must stop immediately; the Government has a duty to protect civilians; and the warring parties should negotiate a genuine ceasefire that will be respected by all sides.
Cote d'Ivoire: UN urges consultations on reforming electoral commission
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:55 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert on Wednesday called on authorities in Cote d'Ivoire to undertake broad consultations on the reform of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to prevent the country from "falling back into crisis."
Syria: UN issues plea to save besieged civilians
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:51 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Calling urgently on Syrian authorities and the opposition to allow aid access, end siege warfare and halt the indiscriminate bombing of civilians, the top United Nations humanitarian officials on Wednesday also issued a strong challenge to "those with the responsibility, power and influence" to find the courage to re-energize a thus-far failed diplomatic push to end the brutal three-year conflict.
UN report spotlights potential of mobile technology
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:48 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Mobile technology can advance literacy and learning in underserved communities around the world, according to a new report published on Wednesday by the United Nations education agency on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day.