Gaza: UN calls for end to Israeli blockade
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:23 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): On his first official visit to the Gaza Strip, the new head of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees across the Middle East underscored the need to lift the seven-year Israeli blockade and end the "illegal collective punishment" unleashed on the population there.
South Sudan: Ban condemns attack on UN base in Jonglei
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:19 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): Amid escalating violence in northern and central South Sudan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned Thursday's attack on civilians and peacekeepers at the UN mission base in Bor, the war-torn capital of Jonglei state, by a mob of armed civilians who forced their way into the facility and opened fire on displaced persons sheltering inside.
Geneva: Ban welcomes initial talks to defuse Ukraine crisis
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday said he was encouraged by the initial round of diplomatic negotiations on the crisis in Ukraine held in Geneva, but stressed that all sides need to follow up words with deeds as the situation remains 'extremely volatile.'
CAR: Ban calls on all parties to end fighting
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:09 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): On the heels of his recent visit to the Central African Republic (CAR), where the deadly rift between Christians and Muslims continues to widen, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday in a radio message appealed to all Central Africans to build a unified country through peace.
TTP: Pakistan to continue peace talks process
Apr 18, 2014, at 04:26 am
Islamabad, Apr 17 (IBNS): A day after the Paksitan Taliban refused to extend their 40-day long ceasefire, the Pakistan government on Thursday said the peace talks process with them would continue on a slow place based on a wait and see policy, media reports said.
South Korea ferry mishap: Toll touches 14
Apr 18, 2014, at 03:28 am
Seoul, Apr 17 (IBNS): The death toll in the ferry sinking tragedy in South Korea on Wednesday touched 14 on Thursday, media reports said.
UN urges UK to address violence against women
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:51 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): Violence against women remains a pervasive challenge in the United Kingdom and a more comprehensive and targeted response is needed to address the scourge, an independent United Nations human rights expert said on Wednesday after a two-week mission to the country.
Nigeria: UN seeks immediate release of abducted school girls
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:48 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have condemned the abduction of some 100 school girls from their hostel in north-eastern Nigeria on Tuesday and called for their immediate release.
Argentina violated rights of prisoner with disabilities: UN
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:39 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights panel said on Wednesday that Argentine authorities failed to ensure that a prisoner with disabilities was able to use prison facilities and services on an equal basis with other detainees, and urged them to take steps to rectify the situation.
UNSC marks 20th anniversary of Rwandan genocide
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:35 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide by calling on all countries to recommit to prevent and fight such serious crimes, as a senior United Nations official warned that many of on Wednesday's conflicts reveal that protection of populations from atrocities remains "lagging and elusive."
UN seeks emergency funds to aid civilians fleeing CAR
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:31 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): United Nations humanitarian agencies and their partners on Wednesday launched a joint appeal to donors to fund emergency operations in support of the growing number of people who have been fleeing the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) since last December.
South Sudan: UN concerned over swelling number of refugees
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): Spiraling violence has forced an increasing number of civilians in South Sudan's oil-rich Unity state are seeking refuge with the United Nations peacekeeping mission, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Ban pushes for 2015 global agreement on disaster risk
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:24 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): Disaster risk reduction and climate change are closely linked, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday stressed, reiterating to the world community his key priorities through the next year as preparations continue for the 2015 world conference on reducing risk from natural disasters.
DR Congo: UN condemns attack on Virunga National Park director
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): A senior United Nations official on Wednesday condemned the attack against the chief warden of Virunga National Park, and urged the international community to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in protecting not only its World Heritage sites but also those who safeguard them.
Unrest in eastern Ukraine risks entire country: UN
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): The ongoing unrest in eastern Ukraine, if not addressed as a matter of priority, risks seriously destabilizing the rest of the country, a senior United Nations human rights official warned the Security Council on Wednesday, as he also urged steps to counter misinformation and bring to an end all incitement to hatred, discrimination and violence.
US: Physician sentenced for prescription drug fraud
Apr 17, 2014, at 03:12 pm
Milwaukee, Apr 17 (IBNS) John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Richard Barney, 53, of Janesville, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Adelman to two years of probation and a $3,000 fine for prescription fraud.
TTP refuse to extend ceasefire
Apr 17, 2014, at 06:16 am
Peshawar, Apr 16 (IBNS):The Paksitan Taliban on Wednesday refused to extend their 40-day long ceasefire , media reports said.
South Korea: 4 killed in ferry sinking
Apr 17, 2014, at 04:32 am
Seoul, Apr 16 (IBNS) At least four people were killed as a ferry sank off South Korea's southern coast on Wednesday, media reports said.
Chile: UN offers support after devastating fires in Valparaiso
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:25 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the destruction caused by fires that have been raging around Valparaiso and pledged to help safeguard the Chilean city's historic sites.
Ukraine: UN urges halt to propaganda, incitement to hatred
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:21 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): While corruption and widespread inequality were among the root causes of the massive street protests that erupted last year in Ukraine, the fear-mongering and incitement to hatred that have followed must be urgently countered to avoid further escalation of tensions in the country, states a United Nations human rights report issued on Tuesday.
UN urges Israel to prevent takeover of West Bank building
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:18 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday urged Israel to prevent settlers from taking over Al-Rajabi House, a building in the West Bank city of Hebron that was built by Palestinian families but whose ownership was granted to the settlers after a protracted legal battle.
UN condemns ongoing violence in South Sudan
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:14 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The number of people seeking shelter at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in the Unity state capital, Bentiu, has doubled over the past few days, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Toby Lanzer said in Juba on Tuesday.
UN lauds Bulgaria's effort to improve conditions of asylum-seekers
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:11 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency applauded on Tuesday the "significant efforts" made recently by the Bulgarian authorities and their partners to improve living conditions for asylum seekers in the country.
Pepsi joins Coke in support to protect rights of poor: UN
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:08 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Tuesday that PepsiCo has joined the Coca-Cola Company in giving its official support to a set of global guidelines that protect the rights of poor and vulnerable people to land, livelihoods and food security.
Mexico: Ban urges renewed global partnership for development
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:02 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): With the deadline for the globally agreed development targets fast approaching, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called for a renewed global partnership to advance sustainable development and a life of dignity for all.
UN launches guide to mobilizing action for disarmament
Apr 16, 2014, at 05:58 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): "Your deeds will have an impact...be the new leaders of change," United Nations Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas urged on Tuesday during an event launching the book, 'Action for Disarmament: 10 Things You Can Do!'.
Libya: UNSC condemns abduction of Jordanian envoy
Apr 16, 2014, at 05:54 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned Tuesday's attack in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, which resulted in the abduction of the Jordanian ambassador and injuries to his driver.
US: Man sentenced for child sexual abuse
Apr 16, 2014, at 05:30 pm
Albuquerque, Apr 16 (IBNS) Ronald Martinez, 39, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Borrego Pass, New Mexico, was sentenced on Tuesday morning to 42 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his child sexual abuse conviction.
UN hails treaty allowing children to lodge complaints
Apr 15, 2014, at 08:49 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): United Nations child rights experts on Monday hailed a new treaty that allows children to complain directly to the world body about alleged violations of their rights.
UN urges less military spending, more investment in development
Apr 15, 2014, at 08:38 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): Marking the Global Day of Action on Military Spending, the United Nations independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order called on all governments to boost transparency and cuts in military expenditures, and increase investments in nutrition, health, environmental protection and other major sustainable development challenges.