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.
UN forum spotlights challenges of indigenous peoples
May 20, 2014, at 05:12 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Non-recognition and marginalization of indigenous populations of Asia, home to two-thirds of the world's 370 million indigenous peoples, and a growing concern of rising violence against indigenous women and girls surfaced at the mid-way point of the annual UN gathering of indigenous peoples around the world.
UN launches tools to tether investment to disaster risk planning
May 20, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Launching an initiative to mainstream disaster risk management into business investment, the United Nations on Monday showcased a digital globe that viscerally lays out current and possible future effects of climate change and other threats, to help stem rampant economic loss from geographic events.
Ban commends Guinea-Bissau as electors count ballots
May 20, 2014, at 05:07 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): With ballot counting underway in Guinea Bissau's presidential run-off, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the successful conclusion of the second round of voting and urged the political parties to peacefully address any grievances arising from the elections through the appropriate channels.
Somalia: UN deploys special force to protect staff in Mogadishu
May 19, 2014, at 05:02 pm
New York, May 19 (IBNS): A special United Nations defensive military force recommended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to protect UN staff and facilities in Mogadishu, was deployed on Sunday to shore up the world body's operations in long-troubled Somalia.
UNICEF seeks action to save children of South Sudan
May 19, 2014, at 04:57 pm
New York, May 19 (IBNS): With malnutrition and conflict stalking the youngest and most vulnerable citizens of South Sudan, the United Nations warned on Sunday that hundreds of thousands of children in the country's most crisis-torn areas are at imminent risk of death and disease, including the threat of cholera.
Turkey mine disaster: 24 arrested
May 19, 2014, at 04:34 am
Istanbul, May 18 (IBNS): Turkish police have arrested 24 people in connection with the coal mine tragedy in Turkey's Soma city on Tuesday, media reports said on Sunday.
Syria: Ban warns against targeting civilians
May 18, 2014, at 05:38 am
New York, May 17 (IBNS): Following reports that armed groups cut water supplies in Syria's flashpoint town of Aleppo, leaving at least 2.5 million people with no access to safe water for drinking and sanitation for days, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that such deliberate targeting of civilians is a “clear breach†of international law.
WTD: UN spotlights broadband for sustainable development
May 18, 2014, at 05:37 am
New York, May 17 (IBNS): With digital development now well recognized as a transformative tool to fast-track sustainable development, the United Nations is marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day with calls on the global community to roll-out high-speed broadband networks, making digital communication affordable as well as universally accessible.
Guinea-Bissau polls: UN chief urges high turnout, peaceful vote
May 18, 2014, at 05:31 am
New York, May 17 (IBNS): On the eve of run-off presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau, United Nations UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged voters to show the same sense of civic duty exhibited during the first round of the polls “by turning out in large numbers and in a peaceful manner.â€
Bangladesh ferry disaster toll at 54
May 18, 2014, at 04:19 am
Dhaka, May 17 (IBNS): The death toll in Thursday's Bangladesh ferry disaster touched 54 on Saturday as 23 more bodies were rescued by rescuers, media reports said.
Ban saddened by Turkish coal mine tragedy
May 17, 2014, at 05:29 pm
New York, May 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his solidarity with the people of Turkey following the coal mine tragedy in Soma, and said he hopes that measures will be taken to prevent such disasters in the future.
UN alarmed by deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine
May 17, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, May 17 (IBNS): A United Nations report released on Friday documents an "alarming" deterioration of the human rights situation in eastern Ukraine, including serious problems emerging in Crimea, citing numerous examples of targeted killings, torture and beatings, abductions, intimidation and some cases of sexual harassment, committed mostly by anti-Government groups.
UN concerned over Sudanese woman facing death penalty
May 17, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, May 17 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Friday voiced deep concern about the situation of Meriam Ibrahim, the pregnant Christian Sudanese woman who was sentenced to 100 lashes and to death by a Sudanese court for apostasy and adultery.