UN condemns rampant use of torture by Syrian forces
Apr 15, 2014, at 07:14 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Monday condemned the rampant use of torture, including allegedly of children, in detention facilities across Syria by Government forces and some armed opposition groups.
Nepal: UN concerned at amnesties for human rights abuses
Apr 15, 2014, at 07:03 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday voiced grave concern at a bill presented to the Nepalese Parliament which could lead to amnesties for serious human rights violations, saying it would weaken the foundation for a genuine peace in the country.
UN urges help for people of Central African Republic
Apr 15, 2014, at 07:00 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): More than 70,000 people are now living in horrendous conditions crammed into the Central African Republic (CAR) Bangui airport - the lucky ones under weather-beaten tarps just yards from the runway. Others are in the open.
Syria: UN urges efforts as chemical weapons deadline slips
Apr 15, 2014, at 06:52 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): Concerned that Syria has missed the Apr 13 deadline to remove most of its chemical agents, the Joint Mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations (OPCW-UN) says that it expects "an intensification of efforts" towards meeting the goal of removing all the country"s chemical weapons by the end of the month.
Ban encourages Israel-Palestine peace talks
Apr 15, 2014, at 06:41 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly encouraged Israel and Palestine to remain "constructively engaged" in ongoing efforts towards achieving a two-State solution during separate phone calls over the weekend with the leaders of both sides.
Ban commends Guinea-Bissau for peaceful elections
Apr 15, 2014, at 06:35 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has applauded the people of Guinea-Bissau for their orderly and peaceful participation in Sunday's presidential and legislative elections, and called on all candidates to respect the upcoming results.
UN urges financing for sustainable development
Apr 15, 2014, at 06:32 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): Even with a slow recovery from the economic and financial crisis underway, severe effects of the upheaval linger and serious risks remain, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson warned a high-level gathering of global finance institutions on Monday, urging measures to channel financial investment into vital areas that can help secure sustainable development for all.
Iran: UN urges immediate halt to woman's execution
Apr 15, 2014, at 06:23 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): A United Nations independent expert has issued a strong call on the Government of Iran to halt Tuesday's scheduled execution of an Iranian woman said to be the victim of physical and sexual assault, seriously concerned that she did not receive a fair trial.
Ban saddened by deadly Nigeria bus bombing
Apr 15, 2014, at 06:15 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday voiced his shock and sadness after a bomb attack at a bus station near the Nigerian capital of Abuja claimed dozens of lives, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
UN welcomes release of partial results in Afghanistan poll
Apr 14, 2014, at 04:55 pm
New York, Apr 14 (IBNS): Welcoming Sunday's announcement of the first batch of results in Afghanistan's Presidential elections as a further step towards completing the electoral process, the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA) has noted that these results represent only a small proportion of the millions of ballots cast in the poll.
UNSC concerned over worsening situation in Ukraine
Apr 14, 2014, at 04:50 pm
New York, Apr 14 (IBNS): In the wake of the violent clashes that have swept eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours as pro-and anti-Government demonstrators have faced off in the region, a senior United Nations political official warned the UN Security Council (UNSC) this evening that the crisis will only deepen unless intensive efforts are made by all sides to de-escalate the situation.
Bomb-proof security wall constructed at Musharraf's farmhouse
Apr 13, 2014, at 05:32 am
Islamabad, Apr 12 (IBNS): Days after former Pakistan President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf survived an assassination attempt, a bomb-proof security wall is being constructed around his Chak Shehzad farmhouse, media reports said on Saturday.
Attempted murder case dropped against Pakistani boy
Apr 13, 2014, at 04:56 am
Lahore, Apr 12 (IBNS): A Pakistani court on Saturday withdrew the attempted murder charges against a nine-month-old boy, media reports said.
"Signals from the black box of MH370 rapidly fading"
Apr 13, 2014, at 02:32 am
Perth, Apr 12 (IBNS) Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Saturday indicated that the ongoing search for the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 would continue for long time.
UN urges credible industrial policies to transform Africa
Apr 12, 2014, at 07:04 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): While Africa has recorded impressive economic growth in the past decade, more credible industrial policies and institutions are needed to advance the structural transformation of the continent, says a new report released on Friday by the United Nations and the African Union.
Brunei: UN concerned at application of death penalty
Apr 12, 2014, at 07:01 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Friday voiced deep concern about the revised penal code in Brunei Darussalam which stipulates the death penalty for numerous offences, including robbery, adultery, and insult or defamation of the Prophet Mohammed, and introduces stoning to death as the specific method of execution for crimes of a sexual nature.
UN deplores execution of Mexican national by US authorities
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:58 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Friday voiced deep regret at the execution of Mexican national Ramiro Hernandez Llanas in Texas on Wednesday, noting that the United States is in breach of international law since Llanas was not allowed access to consular services.
CAR refugees attacked as they flee to Cameroon
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:54 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency said on Friday it is extremely concerned by reports that anti-Balaka militiamen are blocking and attacking civilians trying to flee violence in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Aerial attacks stoke safety fears in South Sudan: UN
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:49 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): The recent sighting of unidentified planes over Yida, South Sudan, and the aerial bombing of a nearby community have raised fears about the safety of refugees and aid workers in the highly militarized area, the United Nations said on Friday, fearing these incidents might signal an increase in violence in the strife-torn country.
Amid Mediterranean crossings, UN urges safety for refugees
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:43 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Friday stressed the need to find durable solutions for those making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean, as it reported that the Italian navy had rescued some 6,000 people who had set out from Libya in overcrowded boats over the past four days alone.
Ban welcomes dialogue to ease Venezuela tensions
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:39 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday welcomed the start of dialogue to ease political tensions in Venezuela and called on all actors to work towards overcoming the current challenges facing the country.
Ban saddened by death of ex-President of Trinidad & Tobago
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:33 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to the Trinidad and Tobago's former President, A.N.R. (Ray) Robinson, who died on Wednesday at age 87.
UN urges respect for Guinea-Bissau vote results
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:05 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): With preparations supported by the United Nations, voters in Guinea-Bissau head to the polls this Sunday in presidential and parliamentary elections many hope will bring stability to the tiny West African nation.
WUF: UN hails cities as vital to sustainable development
Apr 12, 2014, at 05:59 pm
New York, Apr 12 (IBNS): "A city is not just an accident, but the result of coherent vision and aims," stated Leon Crier, pioneer architect, urban planner and visionary, as he spoke to participants at a discussion on Urban Equity in development - Cities for Life organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (Habitat).
US businessman indicted for bankruptcy fraud
Apr 12, 2014, at 05:03 pm
Jackson, Apr 12 (IBNS) William D. “Butch†Dickson, 58, of Jackson, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 8, 2014, on six counts of bankruptcy fraud, six counts of bank fraud, and five counts of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen.
Taliban militants killed in infighting
Apr 12, 2014, at 06:29 am
Islamabad, Apr 11 (IBNS) The latest infighting between Taliban factions has left several militants killed in Pakistan's Waziristan area on Friday, media reports said.
Ban saddened at death of UN envoy Norman Girvan
Apr 11, 2014, at 07:03 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday voiced his deep sadness at the death of Norman Girvan of Jamaica, who had been his Personal Representative on the Border Controversy between Guyana and Venezuela since April 2010.
Syria: UN strongly condemns car bomb attacks in Homs
Apr 11, 2014, at 07:01 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): Speaking out strongly against Wednesday's deadly car bomb attacks on a busy shopping street in the Syrian city of Homs, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator said such brutality serves to remind us again of the contempt the parties to this conflict show for human life.
Sudan: UN urges support to prevent further food crisis
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:59 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Thursday called for urgent support for farmers and herders in Sudan in order to help prevent a further worsening of the food security situation in the country.
UNSC establishes peacekeeping mission in CAR
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:54 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): Deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and ongoing human rights abuses in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday approved the establishment of a nearly 12,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping operation to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access in the war-torn country.