Afghanistan: UN proposes new audit plan to resolve stand-off over disputed election
Jul 12, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, July 12 (IBNS): With President Hamid Karzai's successor still undeclared, the United Nations in Afghanistan on Friday proposed an additional audit plan that would take up to two weeks to complete, in an effort to help resolve the stand-off.
Gaza: UN rights officials appeal to all sides to protect civilians
Jul 12, 2014, at 05:30 pm
New York, July 12 (IBNS) Voicing alarm at the Israeli military operations resulting in the killing of Palestinian children and other civilians in Gaza, as well as the indiscriminate firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel, senior United Nations officials on Friday appealed to all sides to abide by their obligations to protect civilians.
On World Population Day, UN calls for investment in young people
Jul 12, 2014, at 05:19 pm
New York, July 12 (IBNS): With 1.8 billion young people around the world – the largest generation of youth in history – senior United Nations officials are marking World Population Day with calls for a renewed commitment to helping young people improve their lives and the common future.
Saudi Arabia: UN concerned at harsh sentences against human rights defenders
Jul 11, 2014, at 08:16 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS): A top United Nations official Thursday expressed concern about the arbitrary arrest, trial and detention of human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia, and urged the authorities to immediately release all those held for their peaceful advocacy of human rights.
With special event, UN to mark 'Victory over Slavery: Haiti and Beyond'
Jul 11, 2014, at 08:05 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS): Visitors to the United Nations later Thursday and those to the Bronx Museum of Fine Arts tomorrow will have a chance to see an exhibit and a film focusing on the struggle by slaves for independence in Haiti the first successful slave revolt in the world that "continues to inspire."
UN chief appoints Staffan de Mistura as special envoy for Syria crisis
Jul 11, 2014, at 08:01 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday announced that he has appointed veteran diplomat Staffan de Mistura as the new special envoy tasked with seeking a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in Syria.
Middle East: Ban urges Israel, Palestinians to find common ground
Jul 11, 2014, at 07:52 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday warned the United Nations Security Council of the “risk of an all-out escalation in Israel and Gaza†and made an urgent appeal for maximum restraint, saying his “paramount concern is the safety and well-being of all civilians, no matter where they are.â€
Honduras must address widespread impunity for crimes against women : UN
Jul 11, 2014, at 07:47 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert has urged the Government of Honduras to address the culture of widespread impunity for crimes against women and girls, while also noting that incidents of violence against women appear to be on the rise in the Central American nation.
More than half of world's population now living in urban areas, UN survey finds
Jul 11, 2014, at 07:43 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS): An additional 2.5 billion people are predicted to live in urban areas by 2050, the United Nations today reported, highlighting the need for a successful urban planning agenda and greater attention to be given to smaller cities where nearly half of all people currently reside.
Pakistan: 6 suspected militants killed in drone strike
Jul 10, 2014, at 06:03 pm
Peshawar, July 10 (IBNS): At least six suspected militants were killed in drone strike in Pakistan's North Waziristan region on Thursday, media reports said.
Pakistan: 2 policemen killed in firing
Jul 10, 2014, at 05:51 pm
Peshawar, July 10 (IBNS): At least two policemen were killed in a firing incident in Pakistan's Peshawar city on Thursday, media reports said.
Pakistan: Four injured in explosion
Jul 10, 2014, at 05:36 pm
Peshawar, July 10 (IBNS): At least four people were injured in an explosion at Bannu town in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, media reports said.
Afghanistan: Blast in Kabul kills 1
Jul 10, 2014, at 05:21 pm
Kabul, July 10 (IBNS) A policeman was killed and another was injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan capital Kabul on Thursday, media reports said.
Japan: Typhoon hits Kyushu region
Jul 10, 2014, at 05:01 pm
Tokyo, July 10 (IBNS): Powerful typhoon Neoguri hit Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu on Thursday, media reports said.
Jul 10, 2014, at 04:39 pm
Texas, July 10 (IBNS) At least six people were shot dead at a house near the US city of Houston, media reports said on Thursday.
Security Council voices concern over political, security challenges facing West Africa
Jul 10, 2014, at 04:21 pm
New York, July 10 (IBNS) While noting the progress made in addressing political and security issues in West Africa, the members of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday voiced concern over challenges such as transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, terrorism and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
With Gaza on knife's edge, Ban calls for restraint, urges parties to avert 'full-blown war'
Jul 10, 2014, at 04:18 pm
New York, July 10 (IBNS) Warning that Gaza is on a knife's edge, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday the situation could spiral quickly beyond anyone's control, and urged the international community to work with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to avert further escalation "in a region that can ill-afford another full-blown war."
Ban says Israel's construction of West Bank wall violates international law, fuels Mid-East tensions
Jul 10, 2014, at 04:16 pm
New York, July 10 (IBNS) At a special meeting to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory ruling declaring illegal Israel’s construction of a separation wall in the West Bank, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for a halt to the current violence between Israelis and Palestinians, while also the need all Member States to comply with international law.
Yemen: UN relief official alarmed as renewed clashes displace thousands in country's north
Jul 10, 2014, at 04:14 pm
New York, July 10 (IBNS) The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen has voiced alarm at the recent escalation of violence in Amran Governorate which has displaced thousands of families in the past few days.
UN in Central African Republic condemns attack on civilians sheltering in church
Jul 10, 2014, at 04:13 pm
New York, July 10 (IBNS): In what it termed a “brutal†attack, the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday condemned the killing of dozens of displaced people at the site of Saint Joseph Cathedral and the Bishop's residence in Bambari.
UNESCO highlights freedom of expression, media development in new report
Jul 10, 2014, at 04:01 pm
New York, July 10 (IBNS) "Tectonic shifts" in technology are having mixed results for freedom of expression and media development – sparking unprecedented creativity and dialogue, while also ushering in increased use of censorship policies and measures that do not comply with international norms – the United Nations cultural agency reports in a study being launched on Wednesday at Headquarters.
Challenges facing Lebanon highlight urgent need to fill presidential vacuum: UN envoy
Jul 10, 2014, at 04:00 pm
New York, July 10 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy for Lebanon on Wednesday stressed the urgent need for the country's leaders to agree on the election of a new president as soon as possible in light of the situation on the ground, which is marked by renewed terrorist threats and the growing refugee population resulting from the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
New fish drying method in Burundi improves lives for local communities: UN
Jul 10, 2014, at 05:51 am
New York, July 10 (IBNS) It was a simple adjustment – drying fish on raised racks instead of the sand – but the United Nations food agency project in Burundi has cut fish waste by half, provided jobs for hundreds of families and sparked a surge in the prices for the small sardine-like ndagala.
UN envoy condemns Al-Shabaab attack on Somali presidential palace
Jul 10, 2014, at 05:46 am
New York, July 10 (IBNS) The top United Nations envoy in Somalia has condemned last night’s attack on the seat of the Federal Government in Mogadishu, the latest in a series of attacks by Al-Shabaab militants against the country’s political institutions.
Jul 10, 2014, at 05:44 am
New York, July 10 (IBNS) The nature of the Afghan conflict has added yet another grim dimension as ground combat among the warring parties surpassed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as the leading cause of conflict-related death and injury to Afghan civilians in the first six months of 2014, the United Nations reported on Wednesday.
Girl commits suicide in Nepal after Brazil's WC defeat
Jul 10, 2014, at 02:53 am
Kathmandu, July 9 (IBNS) A girl, who is a huge fan of Brazil, committed suicide in Nepal's Sunsari district after the side was crushed in the Word Cup semi-final by Germany on Wednesday, media reports said.
N Korea fires '2 short-range ballistic missiles'
Jul 09, 2014, at 05:55 pm
Seoul, July 9 (IBNS): South Korea on Wednesday said North Korea fired off two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea from an inland site on Wednesday.
Latest boat tragedy off Libya coast spotlights rising Mediterranean death toll: UN
Jul 09, 2014, at 04:11 pm
New York, July 9 (IBNS): Search and rescue operations are ongoing for survivors following a recent boat accident in the Mediterranean, the latest tragic incident off the Libyan coast of Tripoli, according to the United Nations Refugee agency (UNHCR).
Escalating violence in Central African Republic threatens aid delivery: UN agency
Jul 09, 2014, at 04:10 pm
New York, July 9 (IBNS): Warning about the deteriorating situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday that the violence there was threatening humanitarian assistance and creating major difficulties for relief workers in the field.
UN to mark 100 years since start of World War I
Jul 09, 2014, at 07:14 am
New York, July 9 (IBNS): Commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the beginning of First World War, the United Nations is holding an event at its Headquarters on Tuesday remembering the devastating catastrophe of the “war to end all wars†and its seminal lessons for promoting building peace and reconciliation.