UN condemns mass executions in Iraq
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Monday condemned the reported "cold-blooded" mass execution in Iraq in recent days, while Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged that the perpetrators of those crimes be brought to justice while also calling on Iraqi leaders to prevent sectarian reprisals.
UN cites need for funding to ensure aid delivery
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): As the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance worldwide continues to grow, the top United Nations relief official on Monday urged the international community to provide the requisite funding and access needed to enable aid workers to do their jobs effectively.
UN urges focus on kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:37 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Marking the Day of the African Child, United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown on Monday called for the world to remember the kidnapped schoolgirls of Chibok, Nigeria, while also praising young people around the world as they mobilise to demand education for all.
Sri Lanka: UN alarmed at inter-communal violence
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:35 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights voiced her deep alarm on Monday at inter-communal violence taking place in south-western Sri Lanka in which several people have reportedly been killed and scores injured.
UN urges rapid peacekeeping response in Cote d'Ivoire
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): The reduction of peacekeeping personnel in Cote d'Ivoire will continue, given 'impressive' progress there, but the rapid reaction capabilities of remaining forces must be boosted to help ensure security during planned elections, the top United Nations envoy in the West African country told the Security Council on Monday.
Chile, China and Morocco join fight against hunger, malnutrition
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Chile, China and Morocco on Monday joined a growing group of countries that are making successful strides in fighting hunger and malnutrition, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Monday.
Ban congratulates Colombians on presidential vote
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:31 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Following confirmation that President Juan Manuel Santos has been re-elected, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said he looks forward to continuing to work with his Government in "efforts to promote peace, human rights and development" for all Colombians.
Jordan's Prince Zeid appointed UN human rights chief
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:29 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Monday unanimously approved Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein of Jordan as the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, succeeding Navi Pillay of South Africa.
Ban deplores attacks on civilians in Kenya
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:27 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" the attacks that took place on Sunday in Mpeketoni, Kenya, which reportedly killed at least 48 people and wounded many more.
Lebanon: Ban appoints new head to peacekeeping force
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday appointed Major General Luciano Portolano of Italy as the new head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Sharif justifies military operation in North Waziristan
Jun 17, 2014, at 04:04 am
Islamabad, June 16 (IBNS): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday sent out a strong message to the militants and said full-scale military operation in North Waziristan tribal region will continue until terrorism in eliminated from the Asian nation.
Pakistan: Air strike kills 27 militants
Jun 17, 2014, at 02:27 am
Rawalpindi, June 16 (IBNS): Pakistan on Monday said 27 militants were killed in air strikes in the country's North Wazirastan area.
Ban urges laws to ensure dignity for elderly persons
Jun 16, 2014, at 05:00 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): Warning that elderly people in all societies can be vulnerable to physical, psychological and financial abuse, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday appealed to the international community to adopt measures to address all aspects of this routinely under-acknowledged public health, social and human rights issue.
Ban condemns abduction of three Israeli youths
Jun 16, 2014, at 04:57 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the abduction of three Israeli students in the West Bank, urging everyone to exercise restraint and to support efforts for the release and safe return of the young people, who include two minors.
Afghanistan: UN condemns mutilation of voters in western province
Jun 16, 2014, at 04:55 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Afghanistan on Sunday strongly condemned what appears to be punishment doled out by the Taliban to nearly a dozen of people who had their index fingers cut off after voting in the presidential run-off.
UN urges China, G77 to unite for combating climate change
Jun 16, 2014, at 04:53 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): As the Group of 77 Summit ends on Sunday with a focus on creating a new sustainable development framework, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed to the G77 and China the importance of cooperation and partnerships to reduce inequality, end poverty and fight climate change.
Karachi airport attack mastermind killed?
Jun 16, 2014, at 03:56 am
Islamabad, June 15 (IBNS) The mastermind of the Karachi airport attack last week, Abu Abdul Rehman al Maani, was killed during air strikes carried out by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets and the Pakistan Army in the country's North Waziristan area on Sunday, media reports said.
Afghans vote in run-off election
Jun 15, 2014, at 03:24 am
Kabul, June 14 (IBNS): Defying Taliban threats, hundreds of Afghans exercised their franchise in a run-off vote to choose a new president of Afghanistan on Saturday.
Earthquake hits southern Indian Ocean, no casualty
Jun 15, 2014, at 01:51 am
Sydney, June 14 (IBNS) An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale hit he southern Indian Ocean on Saturday.
No combat troops to Iraq: Obama
Jun 14, 2014, at 05:20 pm
Washington, June 14 (IBNS): United States President Barack Obama has said he will "not send any troops back into combat in Iraq" but is seeking other options as insurgents continue to overrun the northern parts of the country.
Iraq: UN rights chief 'alarmed' by reported abuses
Jun 14, 2014, at 04:56 am
New York, June 13 (IBNS): As insurgents continue to overrun parts of northern Iraq, the United Nations human rights chief expressed "extreme alarm" on Friday at reports of summary executions and extrajudicial killings, and the massive displacement of some half a million people, many of whom are now in urgent need of shelter.
Jun 14, 2014, at 03:51 am
Baluchistan, June 13 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale hit southwestern Pakistan on Friday.
UN marks World Day Against Child Labour
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:36 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Thursday marked the World Day Against Child Labour by highlighting the crucial role of social protection in keeping boys and girls out of a heinous practice that robs them of their childhood and threatens their prospects for a better future.
UN deplores detention of rights defenders in Swaziland
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): A group of independent United Nations experts on Thursday voiced serious concerns at the arrest, detention and prosecution of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and the editor-in-chief of The Nation magazine, Bheki Makhubu, in Swaziland.
UN calls for restoring calm along DR Congo-Rwanda border
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:31 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): Following clashes on Wednesday between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, a senior United Nations official has called on both sides to restore calm in the border area of Kibumba.
DR Congo: UN applauds oil firm's decision to halt exploration
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:29 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): The United Nations agency that advocates for the protection of irreplaceable natural and cultural resources on Thursday welcomed as "a step in the right direction" the decision of British oil company Soco to halt oil exploration in ecologically rich but endangered Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ban urges action on sexual violence in conflict
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:26 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): Noting that sexual violence in conflict remains widespread, yet largely invisible, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for concerted efforts to "turn the tide" and rid the world of this scourge.
UN General Assembly reviews counter-terrorism strategy
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:24 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): As the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday began a review of its overall counter-terrorism strategy, a senior official urged Member States to take advantage of the opportunity "to make the UN more relevant" in the international effort to fight what he called "a destructive and deplorable malady."
Ban seeks political solutions to differences in Libya
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:22 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday encouraged all Libyans to remain engaged in the search for political solutions to resolve differences, while stressing the importance of the peaceful and timely holding of legislative elections later this month.
Iraq: UN swings into action on humanitarian fronts
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:19 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): With Iraq facing "the most serious threats to its security in years," the top United Nations official in the country reiterated on Thursday the Organization's support for the Iraqi Government's efforts to combat terrorist groups in the wake of the crisis sparked by the militant takeover of key cities in the north.