Cooperation key to healing Asia's rifts: Ban
May 22, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): While hailing Asia's dynamism, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday cautioned leaders gathered in Shanghai that despite best efforts, the wider Asian theatre is the scene of some of the "most worrying tensions in the world on Wednesday," and urged healing the region's rifts, including the Syrian crisis, the spread of deadly weapons, and local territorial disputes, through cooperation and common interests.
Syria: UN denounces hardship wrought on Aleppo's residents
May 22, 2014, at 05:36 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday condemned the "flagrant disregard" for international human rights and humanitarian law - both by the Syrian Government and by some armed groups - that has led to tremendous suffering for civilians in Aleppo.
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.
Mali: Ban urges immediate end to fighting in Kidal
May 22, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday voiced his deep concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the northern Malian town of Kidal, where the United Nations says renewed violence threatens to once again destabilize the country.
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 cites worsening human rights situation in Ukraine
May 22, 2014, at 05:19 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The southern and eastern regions of crisis-racked Ukraine are now awash in weapons and the scene of numerous cases of illegal detentions and abductions, a senior United Nations human rights official warned on Wednesday, noting that he had discussed with the parties some rights-based and humanitarian de-escalation measures.
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.
South Sudan: UN calls for protection of aid workers
May 22, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan on Wednesday demanded unhindered freedom of movement for aid workers after alleged members of South Sudan's security forces assaulted and illegally detained two UN staff.
UN urges Iran to halt execution of two Ahwazi Arabs
May 22, 2014, at 05:09 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): UN human rights experts on Wednesday appealed to Iranian authorities to halt the scheduled execution of two members of Iran's Ahwazi Arab minority after their death sentences were reportedly upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court.
Pakistan air strikes kill 60 terrorists
May 22, 2014, at 04:42 am
Peshawar, May 21 (IBNS); At least 60 terrorists were killed as Pakistan Air Force warplanes bombarded terrorist’s hideouts in North Waziristan Agency on Wednesday.
UN Women chief visits girls' school in Nigeria
May 21, 2014, at 05:58 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Reaffirming the United Nations unwavering support for girls' education in Nigeria, the Organization's top women's rights official has just wrapped up a "solidarity mission" during which she visited an all-girls college near Abuja similar to the school in the country's restive northeast, where militants kidnapped more than 200 students in mid-April.
Ban urges candidates to ensure peaceful elections in Malawi
May 21, 2014, at 05:55 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Ahead of simultaneous presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in Malawi, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged all candidates political parties, and State institutions to ensure that the polls are peaceful and inclusive.
Ukraine: UN concerned over peoples affected by displacement
May 21, 2014, at 05:52 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency estimated on Tuesday that 10,000 people, most ethnic Tatars, but also Ukrainians, Russians and mixed families, have fled Crimea and restive eastern Ukraine to other parts of the country, out of fear of insecurity or persecution.
South Sudan: Donors pledge support to aid crisis response
May 21, 2014, at 05:50 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): International donors on Tuesday pledged more than USD 600 million dollars in aid to South Sudan at a conference hosted by Norway and the United Nations aimed at preventing famine and upholding human rights in the world's newest country which has been ravaged by months of fighting.
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).
Thailand: Ban urges respect of democratic principles
May 21, 2014, at 05:44 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Urging constructive dialogue to end the prolonged political statement in Thailand, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday reiterated his call on all parties to exercise "utmost restraint" in the wake of the army's declaration of martial law in the country.
Ban highlights crises in Ukraine & Syria at meeting with Putin
May 21, 2014, at 05:39 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): With Ukrainians preparing to elect a new president on Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday sat down with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he also discussed a long-overdue political solution in Syria and other challenges to international peace and security.
UN urges Israel, Palestine to carefully consider next steps
May 21, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Briefing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday on what he called an "impasse" in talks between Israelis and Palestinians, a top United Nations political official said it was critical to restart negotiations, but just as important for the parties to consider paths to progress, before talks resume.
Ban concerned over flood-hit Balkans, seeks disaster response
May 21, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): As the United Nations and its humanitarian partners ramp up disaster response in the Balkans, where heavy rains have led to massive floods and devastating mudslides, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern for affected populations in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia desperate for fresh water, medicines, and other basic necessities.
UN concerned over expansion of synthetic drugs in market
May 21, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): "An unprecedented expansion" of synthetic drugs is taking an ever-greater share of the illicit drugs market, according to a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Afghanistan: UN welcomes preliminary results of provincial polls
May 21, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Afghanistan on Tuesday welcomed the release of preliminary results in the country's provincial council election and lauded the "real community engagement" seen in the polls.
UNSC deplores renewed violence in northern Mali
May 21, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Briefing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the wake deadly violence that rocked the northern Malian town of Kidal this past weekend, the top UN official in the country urged all parties on Tuesday to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and avoid further provocation to keep the long-troubled region from sliding back into crisis.
Russia: 6 dead in train collision
May 21, 2014, at 03:19 am
Moscow, May 20 (IBNS): At least six people were killed as a freight train collided with a passenger train west of the Russian capital of Moscow, media reports said.
UN rallies support for flood-hit Balkan regions
May 20, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Deeply concerned by the devastating floods in the Balkans - days of rainfall have reportedly submerged entire villages and triggered landslides across the region - the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator is rallying the international community to provide speedy assistance that can help save lives and put people on the road to recovery.
Shanghai: Ban urges China's support for sustainable development
May 20, 2014, at 05:35 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): The partnership between the United Nations and China was in the spotlight on Monday in Shanghai where just-arrived UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with President Xi Jinping and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi before outlining key global challenges at the city's premiere institute for the study of international politics, economy and security strategy.
Iraq: Ban welcomes parliamentary election results
May 20, 2014, at 05:23 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Welcoming the announcement of the initial results of Iraq's Council of Representatives election, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday looked forward to the final tally and subsequent timely formation of a new government.
Syria: Palestinian students allowed to leave Yarmouk camp
May 20, 2014, at 05:20 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Amid a "dire" situation in the Yarmouk refugee camp where thousands of civilians have been and hiding from snipers and often eating weeds to survive, the United Nations agency that administers aid to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East has confirmed that 120 students were allowed to do what anywhere else would generate few headlines - take school exams.
Ban saddened by collapse of DPR Korean building
May 20, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday expressed deep sorrow at the loss of lives and injuries caused by the recent tragic collapse of a building in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Libya: UN urges peaceful settlement of differences
May 20, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): The United Nations mission in Libya on Monday voiced deep concern over the recent violence in the country, and called on all sides to address differences through political means and on authorities to quickly address the lawlessness.