Ban calls for return to civilian order in Thailand
May 23, 2014, at 04:30 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): Appealing for "a prompt return to civilian order" in Thailand, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed serious concern about the military takeover in the country on Thursday and urged all parties to respect human rights and refrain from violence.
Ban seeks justice for perpetrators of Chinese market attack
May 23, 2014, at 04:27 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned Thursday's attack on civilians at an open-air market in Xinjiang, China, and said he hoped that those responsible will be brought to justice.
UN spotlights power of sports to advance shared values
May 23, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): High-level officials, prominent athletes and youth teamed up at the United Nations in New York on Thursday to spotlight the values that the world of sports can advance, including, diversity, inclusion, peacebuilding and development.
UN Women launches campaign to promote gender equality
May 23, 2014, at 04:19 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): The United Nations entity tasked with promoting gender equality on Thursday launched a major campaign kicking off a year-long, worldwide commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
World conference to dominate 2014 session on indigenous issues
May 23, 2014, at 04:16 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): Calls for the full, equal and effective participation by the world's 370 million indigenous peoples in the upcoming, first-ever World Conference devoted to the realization of their rights gained momentum during a two-week annual forum at United Nations Headquarters.
Ukraine: Ban appeals for calm ahead of elections
May 23, 2014, at 04:05 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): As violence continues to roil eastern Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated on Thursday his appeals to all parties ahead of Sunday's scheduled presidential elections to redouble their efforts to help create the conditions that will allow voters across the crisis-torn country to safely cast their ballots.
Cooperation key to healing Asia's rifts: Ban
May 22, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): While hailing Asia's dynamism, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday cautioned leaders gathered in Shanghai that despite best efforts, the wider Asian theatre is the scene of some of the "most worrying tensions in the world on Wednesday," and urged healing the region's rifts, including the Syrian crisis, the spread of deadly weapons, and local territorial disputes, through cooperation and common interests.
Syria: UN denounces hardship wrought on Aleppo's residents
May 22, 2014, at 05:36 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday condemned the "flagrant disregard" for international human rights and humanitarian law - both by the Syrian Government and by some armed groups - that has led to tremendous suffering for civilians in Aleppo.
Role of cooperation critical for sustainable development: UN
May 22, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Wednesday highlighted the importance of both traditional and new forms of cooperation, as well as building broad partnerships, to shaping a future development agenda that is both sustainable and leads to prosperity for millions around the world.
Mali: Ban urges immediate end to fighting in Kidal
May 22, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday voiced his deep concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the northern Malian town of Kidal, where the United Nations says renewed violence threatens to once again destabilize the country.
UN launches guide on attacks against schools, hospitals
May 22, 2014, at 05:22 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): Every child has a right to education and health, the United Nations on Wednesday said launching a guidance note to assist the people monitoring, reporting and working to prevent attacks against schools and hospitals.
UN cites worsening human rights situation in Ukraine
May 22, 2014, at 05:19 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The southern and eastern regions of crisis-racked Ukraine are now awash in weapons and the scene of numerous cases of illegal detentions and abductions, a senior United Nations human rights official warned on Wednesday, noting that he had discussed with the parties some rights-based and humanitarian de-escalation measures.
UN strongly condemns double bombings in Nigeria
May 22, 2014, at 05:17 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy for West Africa has strongly condemned the double bombings that targeted a market in the Nigerian city of Jos and resulted in the deaths of over 100 people and the wounding of scores more.
UN atomic watchdog to further address nuclear concerns
May 22, 2014, at 05:15 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations and Iran have agreed on additional practical measures aimed at allaying concerns about the country's nuclear programme, which its officials have stated is for peaceful purposes but some other countries contend is driven by military ambitions.
South Sudan: UN calls for protection of aid workers
May 22, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan on Wednesday demanded unhindered freedom of movement for aid workers after alleged members of South Sudan's security forces assaulted and illegally detained two UN staff.
UN urges Iran to halt execution of two Ahwazi Arabs
May 22, 2014, at 05:09 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): UN human rights experts on Wednesday appealed to Iranian authorities to halt the scheduled execution of two members of Iran's Ahwazi Arab minority after their death sentences were reportedly upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court.
Pakistan air strikes kill 60 terrorists
May 22, 2014, at 04:42 am
Peshawar, May 21 (IBNS); At least 60 terrorists were killed as Pakistan Air Force warplanes bombarded terrorist’s hideouts in North Waziristan Agency on Wednesday.
UN Women chief visits girls' school in Nigeria
May 21, 2014, at 05:58 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Reaffirming the United Nations unwavering support for girls' education in Nigeria, the Organization's top women's rights official has just wrapped up a "solidarity mission" during which she visited an all-girls college near Abuja similar to the school in the country's restive northeast, where militants kidnapped more than 200 students in mid-April.
Ban urges candidates to ensure peaceful elections in Malawi
May 21, 2014, at 05:55 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Ahead of simultaneous presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in Malawi, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged all candidates political parties, and State institutions to ensure that the polls are peaceful and inclusive.
Ukraine: UN concerned over peoples affected by displacement
May 21, 2014, at 05:52 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency estimated on Tuesday that 10,000 people, most ethnic Tatars, but also Ukrainians, Russians and mixed families, have fled Crimea and restive eastern Ukraine to other parts of the country, out of fear of insecurity or persecution.
South Sudan: Donors pledge support to aid crisis response
May 21, 2014, at 05:50 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): International donors on Tuesday pledged more than USD 600 million dollars in aid to South Sudan at a conference hosted by Norway and the United Nations aimed at preventing famine and upholding human rights in the world's newest country which has been ravaged by months of fighting.
UN urges eradication of forced labour once and for all
May 21, 2014, at 05:47 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Millions of people suffering under the yoke of modern slavery - more than half are women and girls primarily in commercial sex trade or domestic work - are generating some USD 150 billion a year in illegal profits for the people who are exploiting them, according to a new report released on Tuesday by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO).
Thailand: Ban urges respect of democratic principles
May 21, 2014, at 05:44 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Urging constructive dialogue to end the prolonged political statement in Thailand, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday reiterated his call on all parties to exercise "utmost restraint" in the wake of the army's declaration of martial law in the country.
Ban highlights crises in Ukraine & Syria at meeting with Putin
May 21, 2014, at 05:39 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): With Ukrainians preparing to elect a new president on Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday sat down with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he also discussed a long-overdue political solution in Syria and other challenges to international peace and security.
UN urges Israel, Palestine to carefully consider next steps
May 21, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Briefing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday on what he called an "impasse" in talks between Israelis and Palestinians, a top United Nations political official said it was critical to restart negotiations, but just as important for the parties to consider paths to progress, before talks resume.
Ban concerned over flood-hit Balkans, seeks disaster response
May 21, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): As the United Nations and its humanitarian partners ramp up disaster response in the Balkans, where heavy rains have led to massive floods and devastating mudslides, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern for affected populations in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia desperate for fresh water, medicines, and other basic necessities.
UN concerned over expansion of synthetic drugs in market
May 21, 2014, at 05:25 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): "An unprecedented expansion" of synthetic drugs is taking an ever-greater share of the illicit drugs market, according to a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Afghanistan: UN welcomes preliminary results of provincial polls
May 21, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Afghanistan on Tuesday welcomed the release of preliminary results in the country's provincial council election and lauded the "real community engagement" seen in the polls.
UNSC deplores renewed violence in northern Mali
May 21, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Briefing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the wake deadly violence that rocked the northern Malian town of Kidal this past weekend, the top UN official in the country urged all parties on Tuesday to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and avoid further provocation to keep the long-troubled region from sliding back into crisis.
Russia: 6 dead in train collision
May 21, 2014, at 03:19 am
Moscow, May 20 (IBNS): At least six people were killed as a freight train collided with a passenger train west of the Russian capital of Moscow, media reports said.