Israel agrees to 'humanitarian pause' in war-torn Gaza Strip, UN envoy confirms
Jul 17, 2014, at 04:01 pm
New York, July 17 (IBNS) After days of escalating violence and follow-on civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations special envoy for the Middle East confirmed on Wednesday that Israel has agreed to a five hour humanitarian pause – set to begin on Thursday morning – and repeated his call on Hamas to respect the lull "in the interest of the people of Gaza."
As violence flares, UN rights expert urges Cambodia to lift protest ban
Jul 17, 2014, at 04:00 pm
New York, July 17 (IBNS)The United Nations expert on the situation of human rights in Cambodia urged all sides to immediately exercise utmost calm and restraint, and reiterated his call for an end to the official ban on demonstrations.
Easing plight of child migrants fleeing Central America requires 'compassionate solutions': Ban
Jul 17, 2014, at 04:00 pm
New York, July 17 (IBNS) Deeply concerned by the "urgent humanitarian situation" of unaccompanied child migrants from Central America, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for Governments of countries where the children start, continue or finish their journeys, to protect their dignity and human rights.
In Dominican Republic, Ban hails collective effort to bolster human rights, development, peace
Jul 17, 2014, at 03:59 pm
New York, July 17 (IBNS)In a first-ever visit to the Dominican Republic, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday addressed the National Congress, saying “one country with dedication and solidarity can move the world,†helping to spur progress in across the three pillars of the UN – development, human rights and peace.
UN rights chief warns of 'disturbing lack of transparency' for digital mass surveillance
Jul 17, 2014, at 03:57 pm
New York, July 17 (IBNS) The top United Nations human rights official on Wednesday warned of the "disturbing†lack of transparency in governmental surveillance policies and practices, “including de facto coercion of private sector companies to provide sweeping access to information and data relating to private individuals without the latter’s knowledge or consent."
Air strikes kill above 25 militants in Pakistan
Jul 16, 2014, at 10:42 pm
Rawalpindi, July 16(IBNS Pakistan on Wednesday said more than 25 militants have been killed in air strikes in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) on Wednesday.
Jul 16, 2014, at 10:10 pm
Mosow, July 16 (IBNS) At least two people have been detained in connection with the metro train derailment in Moscow which left at 20 people killed on Tuesday, media reports said on Wednesday.
Israel urges people in Gaza to leave homes
Jul 16, 2014, at 10:07 pm
Gaza City, July 16 (IBNS) Amid air strikes, Israel has asked Palestinians living in eastern and northern Gaza to leave their homes, media reports said on Wednesday.
Ban praises Haitian police recruits, judicial institutions in strengthening rule of law
Jul 16, 2014, at 04:27 pm
New York,July 16 (IBNS) Calling them "the backbone" of Haiti, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesdaypraised national police recruits and the efforts under way to strengthen the rule of law in the country, as he continued his visit to the Caribbean nation.
Level of human loss, destruction in Gaza 'immense', says UN agency
Jul 16, 2014, at 04:26 pm
New York, July 16 (IBNS) The level of human loss and destruction in Gaza as a result of the ongoing conflict with Israel has been "immense,†the United Nations ,"gency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees said today, noting that eight days of hostilities has claimed 174 lives and injured well over 1,100 people.
In Nigeria, UN envoy reviews efforts to release schoolgirls, meets with Malala Yousafzai
Jul 16, 2014, at 04:25 pm
New York, July 16 (IBNS) More than 90 days after hundreds of schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram rebels in north-eastern Nigeria, a United Nations envoy for the region got a first-hand account of the efforts underway to rescue the students and to fight terrorism in the region, and met with education activist Malala Yousafzai, who was spending her birthday in Nigeria to show solidarity with the girls and their families.
Recent crises show efforts to prevent relapse into conflict insufficient, Security Council told
Jul 16, 2014, at 04:24 pm
New York, July 16 (IBNS) The Chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) told the Security Council on Tuesdaythat the recent crises in the Central African Republic (CAR) and South Sudan are painful reminders that efforts to prevent relapse into conflict remain insufficient and tools are not fully adequate.
Development and alternative crops provide hope in war on illicit drugs :UN
Jul 16, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, July 16 (IBNS) Senior United Nations officials on Tuesdaycalled for a greater focus on development activities and alternative crops in countries where the tight grip of drug lords has disrupted peace, security and development, such as in Afghanistan and Myanmar.
New UN survey shows 10 million Yemenis still struggle for food
Jul 16, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, July 16 (IBNS) A new United Nations survey has found that over 10 million Yemenis – more than 40 per cent of the population – do not know where their next meal will come from.
Afghanistan: UN strongly condemns deadly attacks against civilians in Kabul, Paktika
Jul 16, 2014, at 06:49 am
New York, July 15 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations mission in Afghanistan strongly condemned two attacks that took place on Tuesday, one in Kabul and the other in the eastern province of Paktika, which have killed and injured scores of civilians.
Afghanistan: 89 killed in blast
Jul 16, 2014, at 03:18 am
Kabul, July 15 (IBNS) At least 89 people were killed in a blast in Afghanistan's Paktika province on Tuesday, media reports said.
Russia: Metro derailment kills 20
Jul 16, 2014, at 02:27 am
Moscow, July 15 (IBNS) At least 20 people died as a metro train derailed between two stations in Moscow on Tuesday, media reports said.
UK's top diplomat William Hague resigns
Jul 15, 2014, at 07:55 pm
London, July 15 (IBNS): British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced his resignation on Monday.
Human trafficking has no place in modern world, General Assembly President says
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:38 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS) Human trafficking has no place in the modern world, the President of the General Assembly declared on Monday at a special event at United Nations Headquarters ahead of the observance of the first ever World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
In Haiti, Ban calls for greater efforts to improve water and sanitation, end cholera epidemic
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:33 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for intensified efforts to ensure access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation in Haiti, as he launched a new United Nations-supported initiative and met with families affected by cholera.
UN emergency fund provides $1.4 million to vaccinate Somali children
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:31 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS): The United Nations on Monday announced the allocation of $1.4 million from an emergency account to vaccinate more than half a million children in danger of contracting measles in Somalia.
DR Congo: UN hails appointment of senior adviser on sexual violence, child recruitment
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:30 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS)The appointment of a presidential adviser on conflict-related sexual violence and child recruitment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) marks "a new dawn" in tackling these scourges, senior United Nations officials said on Monday.
Security Council authorizes UN, partners to use most direct routes for Syria aid delivery
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:13 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS) In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, the Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution aimed at increasing access to civilians in difficult-to-reach areas by authorizing the delivery of assistance across borders and conflict lines.
Lebanon faces 'national calamity' as refugee crisis deepens, UN relief official warns
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:12 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS) The top United Nations relief official in Lebanon on Monday warned of the implications for Lebanon as the number of refugees in the country grows amid the ongoing conflict in Syria as well as unrest in Iraq and now Gaza.
UN mission welcomes efforts to begin audit of Afghan presidential run-off vote
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:11 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS) The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has hailed the efforts by the country’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) to start the implementation of an audit plan to help resolve concerns over the results of the presidential run-off poll.
Amidst fierce clashes in Libya, Ban urges need for dialogue
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:09 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS): Extremely concerned by the dramatic increase in violence against civilians in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, United Nations UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for a halt to the fighting and a return to the country’s political objectives.
Nobel Prize-winning South African author Nadine Gordimer dies
Jul 15, 2014, at 03:24 am
Johannesburg, July 14 (IBNS) Nobel Prize-winning author Nadine Gordimer passed away at her home in South Africa's Johannesburg city on Sunday, media reports said on Monday.
UN chief demands end to Israeli-Palestinian fighting
Jul 14, 2014, at 09:42 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday voiced alarm that, despite the Security Council's clear demand for a ceasefire, the situation in and around the Gaza Strip appears to be worsening, with grave implications for the safety of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
UN mission calls for immediate halt to hostilities in Libya
Jul 14, 2014, at 09:35 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS): The United Nations mission in Libya on Sunday called for a cessation of hostilities in the capital, Tripoli, as well as in Benghazi and other parts of the country, amid reports of heavy clashes and several deaths.
N Korea fires '2 short-range ballistic missiles' today
Jul 13, 2014, at 06:55 pm
Seoul, July 13 (IBNS): North Korea on Sunday fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters, the South Korean Military said.