World Humanitarian Day: More people than ever need help
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS) Spotlighting humanitarians who often take great risks to help communities in need, World Humanitarian Day 2014 will feature events ranging from a 5K run/walk in Mogadishu, a wreath-laying ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey, a radio talk show with disaster management experts in Papua New Guinea, and the launch of a postage stamp honouring the late United Nations humanitarian veteran Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Following Argentina 'Grandmother' reunion, UN experts urge support for families of disappeared
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:30 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts on Monday urged Governments around the world to fully support the families of disappeared people and organizations working on their behalf in the search for their loved ones.
Iraq: UN officials urge respect for constitution as Prime Minister-designate named
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS) Amidst ongoing insecurity in northern Iraq, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his representative in the country expressed support on Monday for President Fouad Masoum's office, as politicians are working towards creating a new Government, and warned that heightened political tensions could lead Iraq into even deeper crisis.
UN Rights Council appoints members of commission to investigate purported Gaza violations
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:26 pm
New York, Aug 12 (IBNS)The United Nations Human Rights Council announced on Monday the appointment of three members to its independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate purported violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and particularly in the Gaza Strip since the conflict began on 13 June.
"Israel crossing into Gaza had to close due to deliberate and continuous rocket fire"
Aug 12, 2014, at 05:04 am
New Delhi,Aug 11 (IBNS) Israel on Monday said several rockets were intentionally fired at the Kerem Shalom Crossing between Israel and Gaza, hitting working areas of the crossing, since Sunday.
The news coming from Iraq pains me: Pope Francis
Aug 11, 2014, at 03:53 am
Vatican City, Aug 10 (IBNS) Pope Francis on Sunday said the ongoing violence in conflict-hit Iraq 'pains' him.
All 40 passengers feared dead in Iran plane crash
Aug 10, 2014, at 07:21 pm
Tehran, Aug 10 (IBNS): All 40 passengers, including seven children, are feared dead after a passenger plane crashed in northwest region of the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday, media reports said.
Tea-seller's son can head a country only in India: Hagel
Aug 10, 2014, at 07:37 am
New Delhi, Aug 9 (IBNS): United States Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel on Saturday said both India and the US were the two nations where even a tea seller's son can become the Prime Minister or a Kenyan's child can become the President of the country.
Airstrikes against ISIS successful: Obama
Aug 10, 2014, at 07:09 am
Washington, Aug 9 (IBNS): US President Barack Obama on Saturday said airstrikes have successfully destroyed arms and equipment that ISIL terrorists could have used against Erbil in conflict-hit Iraq.
On International Day, Ban says indigenous peoples can be 'powerful agents of progress'
Aug 10, 2014, at 06:55 am
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS): Marking the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said indigenous peoples have a central interest in development and can act as "powerful agents of progress."
Northern Iraq: UN voices concern about civilians' safety, need for humanitarian aid
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:38 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) Gravely concerned for the physical safety of civilians in northern Iraq and the humanitarian situation in areas now controlled by the group, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the United Nations human rights office on Friday called on the international community and the Governments of Iraq and the Kurdistan region to protect people affected by the fighting.
'[World must act now' to avert repeat of devastating famine in Somalia – UN expert
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:37 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS)A United Nations human rights expert on Friday urged the international community to "act now" to avert a humanitarian disaster in Somalia, where a widening hunger crisis has sparked fears of a repeat of the 2011 famine that devastated the war-ravaged country.
UN experts condemn wave of arrest, sentencing of activists in Iran
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:36 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Friday voiced grave concern over the escalating trend of arresting and sentencing people exercising their rights of freedom of expression and opinion, peaceful assembly and association.
Gaza: As hostilities resume, Ban urges 'swift' return to ceasefire, negotiations
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:33 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) Amid renewed hostilities in Gaza, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called firmly on the parties to the conflict not to resort to further military action but "swiftly find a way back to respect of the humanitarian ceasefire and continue negotiations in Cairo."
Ukraine: UN alarmed by intensifying clashes, mounting casualties in country's east
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:32 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) A senior United Nations human rights official on Friday declared the situation in Eastern Ukraine "extremely alarming" with intensifying fighting, mounting casualties and serious damage to infrastructure.
Civilian conditions in Libya 'steadily deteriorating,' warns UN rights office
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:24 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday expressed deep concern over the situation in Libya, where a conflict between multiple armed groups has been raging primarily in Benghazi and Tripoli.
Clashes in north-western Central African Republic cause renewed displacement – UN
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) Fighting from 30 to 31 July in Batangafo, Central African Republic (CAR) has caused renewed displacement, according to Jens Laerke of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Ahead of International Day, UN spotlights rights of indigenous peoples
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:22 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS)Kicking off its observance of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations on Friday highlighted the importance of advancing the rights those people and communities to bridge the development gap.
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:21 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) Expressing "grave alarm and concern" about the deteriorating security situation and looming humanitarian catastrophe and South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council on Friday urged President Salva Kiir and political rival Riek Machar to engage fully and inclusively in ongoing peace talks, and uphold their commitment to establish a transitional government.
UN agency provides assistance for hundreds fleeing town near Lebanon's border with Syria
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:16 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) As violence escalates in Lebanon, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and its partners are distributing humanitarian supplies in the north-eastern Bekaa Valley to both Lebanese and Syrian refugees who had fled the town of Arsal, close to the Syrian border.
UN rights office praises identification of 114th Argentinian 'Grandson of Plaza de Mayo'
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:13 pm
New York, Aug 9 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday called on authorities around the world to redouble their efforts to find people missing due to enforced disappearances following reports that an Argentine grandmother discovered the identity of a grandson born during the military dictatorship in the country 37 years ago.
Afghan presidential candidates agree to political deal, UN mission confirms
Aug 09, 2014, at 04:11 pm
New York ,Aug 9 (IBNS) The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Friday said that it welcomes a political agreement reached between Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and looks forward to their pledged progress on moving ahead to form a national unity government.
Iraq: US steps up air strikes on militants
Aug 09, 2014, at 03:07 pm
Baghdad, Aug 9 (IBNS): The US launched series of airstrikes against militants in conflict-hit northern Iraq, media reports said.
Iraq: US airstrike begin on militants
Aug 09, 2014, at 02:08 am
Baghdad, Aug 8 (IBNS) In a significant development, the US on Friday said it has launched an air strike against militants in conflict-hit Iraq.
Hamas re-launching attacks, says Israel
Aug 08, 2014, at 11:31 pm
New Delhi, Aug 8 (IBNS) Israel alleged that early Friday morning, before the end of the 72 hours ceasefire and shortly before 04:30, two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip at them.
Obama authorises air strikes on Iraq to counter militants
Aug 08, 2014, at 02:58 pm
Washington, Aug 8 (IBNS): Amid ongoing conflict in Iraq, US President Barack Obama has authorised air strikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq to help Iraqi forces as well as to protect American personnel present in the country.
UN calls for urgent response to help thousands in northern Iraq displaced by militants' advance
Aug 08, 2014, at 02:12 pm
New York , Aug 8 (IBNS) As Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists continue to overrun areas of northern Iraq, the United Nations has begun coordinating humanitarian assistance for displaced vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities, while UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on the international community to support Iraq and help the Government alleviate the suffering of all those impacted by the spiralling violence.
Darfur: African Union-UN envoy urges Security Council to support Sudanese dialogue
Aug 08, 2014, at 02:09 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS) The challenge for the international community remains how best to impress upon all the parties involved in the Darfur conflict that a military solution and the status quo are untenable, the African Union-United Nations envoy on the region said on Thursday, urging the Security Council to play a more proactive role in supporting the holding of a successful national dialogue in Sudan.
UNESCO chief deplores killing of Russian journalist, urges full investigation
Aug 08, 2014, at 01:54 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS) The head of the UN agency mandated to defend press freedom on Thursday condemned the death of journalist Timur Kuashev in Russia and called for a thorough investigation.
DR Congo: Despite improved security, situation remains 'fragile,' UN envoys warn
Aug 08, 2014, at 01:51 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS) Two senior UN officials warned on Thursday that although the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has vastly improved since this time last year, it remains fragile and the gains are "not irreversible."