Aug 04, 2014, at 06:06 am
Kunming, Aug. 3 (IBNS) At least 175 people were killed and 181 others went missing as a major earthquake hit southwest China's Yunnan Province on Sunday, media reports said.
Gaza: Ban condemns latest deadly attack near UN school as 'moral outrage and criminal act'
Aug 04, 2014, at 05:54 am
New York, Aug 3 (IBNS) Amidst an 'appalling' escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip since the collapse of a brief 1 August ceasefire, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the killing on Sunday of at least 10 Palestinian civilians in shelling outside of a United Nations school in Rafah which had been sheltering thousands of civilians.
UN warns of 'humanitarian tragedy' as militants seize town in northern Iraq
Aug 04, 2014, at 05:51 am
New York, Aug 3 (IBNS) The capture of the town of Sinjar in northern Iraq by militants belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other armed groups has displaced as many as 200,000 people and set off a "humanitarian tragedy", the United Nations envoy to the crisis-gripped country warned on Sunday.
China factory blast kills 68, injures 187
Aug 03, 2014, at 03:10 am
Nanjing, Aug 2 (IBNS): At least 68 people were killed and 187 others were injured after a powerful blast hit a factory in east China's Jiangsu Province, reports said.
Myanmar: UN welcomes release of child soldiers, commitment to get them educated
Aug 02, 2014, at 09:06 pm
Yangon/New York, Aug 2 (IBNS) Myanmar released dozens of children and young adults from its armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, the United Nations Friday confirmed, welcoming also efforts to get the people away from guns and into classrooms.
UN welcomes Afghanistan's recommitment to end recruitment of child soldiers
Aug 02, 2014, at 09:03 pm
New York, Aug 2 (IBNS): Afghanistan took another step forward in protecting children from being recruited into and used by national security forces, a move welcomed to Friday by the United Nations.
Despite peace talks, ongoing clashes in Central African Republic take heavy toll on civilians – UN
Aug 02, 2014, at 09:01 pm
New York, Aug 2 (IBNS): United Nations humanitarian staff working in crisis-torn Central African Republic (CAR) reported Friday that despite peace talks, civilians continue to be caught in crossfire in ongoing fighting.
Annulment of Uganda's anti-homosexuality law hailed by UN officials
Aug 02, 2014, at 08:59 pm
New York, Aug 2 (IBNS): United Nations officials have welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court of Uganda to annul the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, hailing it as a victory for the rule of law and social justice.
Simple, smart, cost-effective, breastfeeding provides benefits that last a lifetime – UN
Aug 02, 2014, at 08:56 pm
New York, Aug 2 (IBNS): The best thing a mother can do for her newborn is breastfeed – which does more than help children survive, it helps them to thrive with benefits that last a lifetime, said the United Nations today, kicking off World Breastfeeding Week.
Aug 02, 2014, at 08:52 pm
New York, Aug 2 (IBNS): The world faces a looming energy problem. There’s not enough of it. It also faces a looming climate change problem. Too much of it. Could natural gas and fracking technology be part of the solution to both challenges?
In West Africa, top UN health official unveils $100 million Ebola response plan
Aug 02, 2014, at 08:49 pm
New York, Aug 2 (IBNS): West Africa is confronted with a “fast-moving…unprecedented outbreak†of the deadly Ebola disease accompanied by “unprecedented challenges,†but the head of the United Nations health agency Friday told Presidents of countries affected by the most lethal strain of the virus that “when well-managed, an Ebola outbreak can be stopped.â€
Iraq: UN envoy urges greater civilian protection as fighting continues to take heavy toll
Aug 02, 2014, at 08:47 pm
New York, Aug 2 (IBNS): The top United Nations envoy to Iraq Friday called for greater efforts to protect civilians amid the ongoing fighting, as the latest casualty figures show that nearly 1,200 civilians were killed in the month of July, while another 1,500 were injured.
Afghanistan: UN welcomes arrival of observers for audit of run-off election results
Aug 02, 2014, at 08:44 pm
New York, Aug 2 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomed Friday’s deployment of international observers and UN experts ahead of the resumption Saturday of the comprehensive audit of the results of the Presidential election run-off held on 14 June.
Aug 02, 2014, at 05:06 am
Gaza City, Aug 1 (IBNS) The 72-hour truce with Hamas in Gaza has collapsed as Israel soldiers are searching for a soldier who is believed to have been captured, media reports said on Friday.
Greater local-level autonomy in Viet Nam would be 'litmus test' for religious freedom : UN expert
Aug 01, 2014, at 08:23 am
New York, Aug 1 (IBNS) During his recent visit to Viet Nam, the United Nations independent expert on religious freedom, Heiner Bielefeldt, stressed the need for religious communities in the country to be able to operate also outside of the officially established channels for religious practice.
Gaza: UN relief officials warn of growing humanitarian crisis as conflict continues
Aug 01, 2014, at 08:22 am
New York, Aug 1 (IBNS) As the crisis in Gaza continues unabated, United Nations relief officials on Thursday urged the parties to protect civilians amid the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in thousands of casualties and caused widespread displacement and destruction.
Iraq: Amid rising insecurity, UN official urges unimpeded access to desperate civilians
Aug 01, 2014, at 08:19 am
New York, Aug 1 (IBNS) A senior UN official in Iraq expressed concern on Thursday over rising levels of violence and instability across the crisis-torn country and its impact on the lives of civilians.
Food insecurity in South Sudan set to deepen as funds dry up, warns UN agency
Aug 01, 2014, at 08:17 am
New York, Aug 1 (IBNS) The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Thursday that food insecurity continues to deepen in South Sudan as funding for life-saving assistance dwindles.
Central African Republic: Ban appoints Cameroonian general to lead UN peacekeeping force
Jul 31, 2014, at 05:24 pm
New York, July 31 (IBNS) As the United Nations “re-hats†some of the African troops currently serving in the Central African Republic to a peacekeeping mission that will take over in mid-September, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday announced that the current African force commander will remain in charge under the UN flag.
UN envoy welcomes agreement of intent to form new central Somalia administration
Jul 31, 2014, at 05:20 pm
New York, July 31 (IBNS)The United Nations envoy in Somalia welcomed on Wednesday the agreement stating intent and principles for forming a new regional administration in the central part of the country.
'Flagrant' violations of international law continue in Syria, top UN relief official warns
Jul 31, 2014, at 05:09 pm
New York, July 31 (IBNS) 'Flagrant' violations of international law continue in Syria, Top UN relief official warns With the United Nations and its partners in Syria begin to ramp up aid deliveries across battle lines, the Organization's Emergency Relief Coordinator warned on Wednesday that attacks on civilians by all parties to the conflict and human rights abuses continue "in flagrant violation of the most basic principles of international law."
UN envoy welcomes criteria for invalidation, recount in Afghan audit process
Jul 31, 2014, at 05:05 pm
New York, July 31 (IBNS) The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has welcomed the decision to adopt criteria for the invalidation and recount of ballots as part of the ongoing audit over the results of the presidential run-off poll.
Security Council extends mandates of UN missions in Iraq, Cyprus
Jul 31, 2014, at 05:02 pm
New York, July 31 (IBNS) The Security Council on Wednesday unanimously approved resolutions extending the United Nations missions in Iraq and Cyprus, recognizing the vital role they continue to play in the maintenance of peace and security.
Ban urges halt to fighting, unfettered access to Malaysia Airlines crash site in Ukraine
Jul 31, 2014, at 04:55 pm
New York,July 31 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for an immediate halt to hostilities in eastern Ukraine so that international investigators can gain access to the site where a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight crashed earlier this month.
On World Day against Trafficking in Persons, UN calls for action to eradicate scourge
Jul 31, 2014, at 04:39 pm
New York, July 31 (IBNS) Emphasizing that the practice of slavery still plagues modern society, the United Nations marked its first-ever World Day against Trafficking in Persons by calling on the international community to end impunity for perpetrators and help victims, especially women and children, who continue to be particularly vulnerable to the perfidious trade.
On first official visit, Ban hails Costa Rica as 'model' for development, peace
Jul 31, 2014, at 04:34 pm
New York, July 31 (IBNS) On his first official visit, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon lauded Costa Rica as a "model country" in sustainable development and protecting human rights.
On Friendship Day, UN chief urges solidarity among human family
Jul 31, 2014, at 04:31 pm
New York, July 31 (IBNS) In the current time of mistrust and violence, with previously harmonious neighbours warring, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging all people to reach out to one another as friends and build long-term foundations for lasting peace.
Gaza conflict: 43 Palestinians killed
Jul 30, 2014, at 07:11 pm
Gaza City, July 30 (IBNS): At least 43 Palestinians killed have been in Israeli fire afresh as conflict continued on Wednesday, media reports said.
Ban lauds Nicaragua's 'forward-looking' energy policy during day-long visit
Jul 30, 2014, at 04:26 pm
New York, July 30 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday hailed Nicaragua's “forward-looking†energy policy as he arrived on an official visit to discuss how the United Nations and the Central American nation can work together in promoting peace and sustainable development.
Citing humanitarian impact, Ban warns against further escalation in Gaza conflict
Jul 30, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, July 30 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly urged all sides to avoid any further escalation in the Gaza conflict, warning of the devastating humanitarian impact on civilians in the enclave who have already suffered immensely since the crisis started.