Ban concerned over Palestinian detainees on hunger strike
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:49 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern on Friday about reports regarding the deteriorating health of Palestinian administrative detainees who have been on hunger strike for over a month.
UN urges broad participation in Kosovo assembly elections
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:47 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The most senior United Nations official in Kosovo has on Friday stressed the critical importance of maximum participation of all communities in assembly elections slated for this Sunday.
Afghanistan: UNSC condemns latest Kabul attack
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:45 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): Emphasizing its ongoing support for Afghanistan's democratic process, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned on Friday's bomb attack in Kabul, which caused a number of deaths and injuries to civilians and security personnel.
UN establishes prize in honour of late Nelson Mandela
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:41 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Friday established the "United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize" as a tribute to the achievements and contributions of the late South African leader who inspired not only his own country but the rest of the world.
Iraq: UNSC supports humanitarian action for restive Anbar
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:39 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has stressed its support for the engagement of all political groups in Iraq, where nearly 800 people fell victim to violence last month, on concerted efforts to ensure security for its entire population, particularly in Anbar province, which has been embattled for months.
UN hails upcoming launch of truth commission
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:36 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations has welcomed the upcoming launch of the Truth and Dignity Commission in Tunisia, calling it a step forward in addressing past human rights violations in the North African nation.
UN reports 62 dead in boat tragedy in Red Sea this year
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:35 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that 62 people are confirmed to have died when their boat foundered while trying to cross the Red Sea from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, making it the deadliest sinking this year.
Libya: UN announces political initiative as violence deepens
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:19 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations' top envoy in Libya on Friday announced an initiative to bring together some of the country's most influential actors to settle long-divisive issues, as the world Organization's human rights arm expressed deepening concern over the violence plaguing the east of the country, particularly the city of Benghazi.
South Sudan: UN confirms looting of homes, hospitals
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:09 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations mission in South Sudan on Friday confirmed reports of "intense small arms fire and shelling" close to its base in Renk, Upper Nile state, where some of the 93,000 civilians sheltered by UN peacekeepers throughout the country are staying.
UN concert sets new global development agenda
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:04 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): As part of the United Nations-driven process to craft a new sustainable development agenda, a spectacular line up of global artists will hit the stage tonight at the world body's New York Headquarters to add their voices and talents to the unprecedented global conversation under way to build the future we want.
UN calls for end to death penalty in Iran
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:47 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts on Thursday expressed outrage at the recent executions of two prisoners in Iran, and urged the Government to institute a moratorium on the death penalty with a view to abolishing it all together.
UN concerned over worsening health of Palestinian detainees
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:44 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): Gravely concerned about the reported worsening health of more than 75 Palestinian detainees on hunger strike now in hospital protesting Israel's continued use of administrative detention, members of a United Nations committee on Thursday urged Israel to end the practice and heed the "desperate plea" prisoners to be told what they are accused of so they can mount a defence.
UN tribunals crucial for delivering justice for Rwanda: UNSC
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:41 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): What began as 'bold experiments' in international justice two decades ago have resulted in ensuring accountability for the worst of crimes, officials from the United Nations tribunals dealing with the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday, as they highlighted ongoing efforts to bring the work of their respective bodies to a close.
Ban launches UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:38 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): Launching the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday hailed modern energy services as the source of profound and life-changing opportunities - for the poorest communities and the richest investors - and urged generating the innovative ideas and vital partnerships to wholly transform the global energy landscape.
South Sudan: UN boosts aid operations to reach remote areas
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:28 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): As the rainy season begins in South Sudan, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has scaled up its emergency response operations with large-scale airdrops to provide remote communities with livelihood kits that will allow them to plant crops, fish waterways and protect livestock from fatal diseases.
Ban concerned over Israeli settlement expansion in West Bank
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:24 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday he is deeply concerned by reports that Israeli authorities have issued tenders for the construction of over 1,400 new housing units in settlements in the West Bank, including in occupied East Jerusalem.
UN calls for crisis funding for Central African Republic
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:27 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): Thousands of women and children fleeing the Central African Republic (CAR) for Cameroon arrive in a 'shocking state,' malnourished and dangerously ill, the heads of two United Nations humanitarian agencies said on Wednesday, warning that their funds are nearly exhausted and that hundreds of thousands of people could die unless urgent contributions are received.
UN seeks to mobilize investment for sustainable energy
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): Over 1,000 participants from government, business, international organizations and civil society groups gathered on Wednesday at United Nations Headquarters to kick off a three-day forum designed to mobilize investment and action to realize the goal of ensuring sustainable energy for all.
Libya: UN urges action on political, security fronts
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:23 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): Citing aerial attacks, use of heavy weaponry and civilian casualties in Benghazi and elsewhere in eastern Libya, the United Nations on Wednesday called for an end to the bloodshed and urged the country's officials to agree on precise means to counter terrorism and other challenges to security and state authority.
Syria: UN focuses on removal of remaining chemicals
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): Given that the Jun 30, 2014 deadline for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons programme will not be met, the focus now is on the immediate removal of the remaining materials, the head of the Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations (OPCW-UN) said on Wednesday.
UN launches 'Tacloban Declaration' to strengthen disaster readiness
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): As the Philippines continues to rebuild from Typhoon Haiyan, the top United Nations official on disaster risk reduction is among the more than 150 representatives, mostly from Asia and Europe, participating in a conference that will detail new policies and principles involving disaster preparation.
UN concerned over rising levels of violence in Syria
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): The demand by the UN Security Council for aid access to war-torn Syria has not produced the intended result, the United Nations humanitarian chief said on Wednesday, while warning that the needs of those affected are rising steadily as the conflict rages on.
UN seeks support for Colombians affected by conflict
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): Thousands of people are forcibly displaced and hundreds killed every month in Colombia, a senior United Nations humanitarian official on Wednesday said, calling for more support for people affected by five decades of armed conflict and natural disasters in the country.
Somalia: UN urges emergency funding through summer
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:12 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): The United Nations humanitarian chief on Wednesday called for USD 60 million for the next three months to prevent Somalia "from slipping back into a major humanitarian crisis" as it did during the 2011 famine.
Ban urges South Sudanese rivals to meet peace accord
Jun 05, 2014, at 05:03 pm
New York, Jun 5 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to meet with former Vice-President Riek Machar on Monday, as agreed to in the May 9 document that aimed to end the fighting in the world's newest country.
Pakistan: Suicide attack kills five
Jun 05, 2014, at 06:27 am
Rawalpindi, June 4 (IBNS): At least five people were killed as security forces vehicle was target by a suicide attacker in Pakistan's Tarnol area on Wednesday, officials said.
Taliban releases video on US soldier handover
Jun 05, 2014, at 06:26 am
Kabul, June 4 (IBNS) The Taliban on Wednesday released a video which showed the moment when US soldier Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was handed over by them to the US forces last week.
UN concerned over people lacking proper social protection
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:42 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): In the aftermath of the global economic crisis, more than 70 per cent of the world population is without proper social protections, the United Nations labour agency on Tuesday reported, urging governments to scale up investment in child and family benefits, pensions and other public expenditures.
UN initiative taps leadership to advance women's rights
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): The United Nations has teamed up with leading businesses to advance women's rights and empowerment through a new advisory council comprised of private sector chiefs with a strong commitment to supporting women and girls.
China: UN urges release of detained social activists
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:29 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday voiced concern about the detention of civil society activists, lawyers and journalists in China ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests, while also stressing the need to establish the facts surrounding what transpired between 3 and 4 June 1989.