UN reports Iraqi violence killed more than 2,400 people in June
Jul 02, 2014, at 06:20 am
New York, July 2 (IBNS) Iraq's violent insurgency has claimed some 2,400 lives – more than half of them civilians – a "staggering number", declared the top United Nations envoy there, as he called on all Iraqi leaders to work together to foil attempts to rip apart the country’s fabric.
UN chief condemns explosion in northern Mali
Jul 02, 2014, at 06:17 am
New York, July 2 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned an improvised explosive device explosion in northern Mali which killed a United Nations peacekeeper and injured six other 'blue helmets.'
UN relief officials issue urgent appeal as food shortages hit 800,000 refugees in Africa
Jul 02, 2014, at 06:16 am
New York, July 2 (IBNS): The heads of two United Nations humanitarian agencies on Tuesday issued an urgent appeal as food shortages hit nearly 800,000 refugees in Africa, threatening to worsen already unacceptable levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and anaemia, particularly in children.
No one could have predicted scope of South Sudan crisis, outgoing UN envoy says
Jul 01, 2014, at 03:36 pm
New York, July 1 (IBNS) As the top United Nations envoy in South Sudan prepares to complete her tenure, she says that no one could have predicted the horrible conflict that has gripped the world’s youngest nation for the past six months and urged the parties to put the country and its citizens above all else in order to restore peace and stability.
Strongly condemning murder of missing Israeli teens, UN chief urges calm on all sides
Jul 01, 2014, at 03:36 pm
New York, July 1 (IBNS): Strongly condemning the murder of three Israeli teenagers abducted in mid-June in the West Bank, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday declared that the perpetrators’ attempts to stoke tensions in the region "must not be allowed to succeed", expressing hope that Israeli’s and Palestinians will work together to uncover the truth.
Iraq: Displaced girls, women face increasing risk of sexual violence, UN warns
Jul 01, 2014, at 03:35 pm
New York, July 1 (IBNS): An estimated 20,000 women and girls in Iraq are at an increased risk of sexual violence as a result of the mounting crisis in northern and western parts of the country, warned the United Nations on Monday, urging immediate action to ensure their protection.
Nigeria: Ban strongly condemns ongoing 'horrific attacks' by Boko Haram
Jul 01, 2014, at 08:50 am
New York, July 1 (IBNS) Strongly condemning the ongoing "horrific attacks" being carried out by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored that such violence has become an almost daily occurrence, and reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to support the country.
New UN forum seeks to set the stage for future global development agenda
Jul 01, 2014, at 08:49 am
new York, July 1 (IBNS): As countries ramp up their efforts to achieve the set of anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 deadline, a new United Nations forum seeks to spur them on as well as to help them create the foundation for new global sustainable development agenda.
'Outraged', UN experts urge Egypt to overturn largest confirmed mass death verdict
Jul 01, 2014, at 08:47 am
New York, July 1 (IBNS): The credibility and integrity of the Egyptian justice system has become “deeply compromisedâ€, a group of United Nations human rights experts on Monday said, urging the Government to impose a moratorium on the death penalty and to offer new and fair trials for 183 people whose death sentences have been confirmed.
Palestinians in Syria's Yarmouk camp now without aid for one month: UN
Jul 01, 2014, at 08:46 am
New York, July 1 (IBNS): The United Nations agency charged with ensuring the well-being of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East has warned on Monday that, despite reports of a truce between the Syrian Government and armed groups inside Yarmouk camp, it is still unable to carry out humanitarian operations there.
Facebook under fire over research manipulaing users' emotions
Jul 01, 2014, at 04:30 am
Washington, June 30 (IBNS): Social networking site 'Facebook' has landed itself in a huge controversy after a study revealed that it secretly manipulated the feelings of 689,003 users to understand "emotional contagion".
15 suspected militants killed in Pakistan
Jul 01, 2014, at 03:51 am
Islamabad, June 30 (IBNS): Pakistan on Monday said 15 suspected militants have been killed in ground operation by the country's Army in and around Miramshah area of North Waziristan.
UN chief voices 'grave concern' at deepening crisis in Iraq
Jun 30, 2014, at 04:19 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday expressed his grave concern at the deepening crisis in Iraq and the rising number of civilian deaths and injuries, with over one million Iraqis having fled their homes due to the fighting.
In final meeting with Israeli President Peres, Ban decries global terrorism
Jun 30, 2014, at 04:12 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday stood again in solidarity with Israelis after the recent abduction of three students, and decried the use of terrorism in countries in the Middle East and around the world.
Pakistan: Police seize truck with explosives
Jun 30, 2014, at 05:01 am
Lahore, June 29 (IBNS): The police foiled a terrorism bid in Pakistan's Lahore city as they seized a explosive-laden truck, media reports said on Sunday.
Iraq: Security officials, rebels continue clashes
Jun 30, 2014, at 02:19 am
Baghdad, June 29 (IBNS): The crisis in Iraq continued as the country's government forces continued the offensive to retake the Tikrit city from Sunni rebels, media reports said.
Deeply concerned about eastern Ukraine, Ban welcomes extension of cease-fire
Jun 29, 2014, at 05:21 am
New York, June 28 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the extension of a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine and, with continued deep concern about the situation there, urged all sides to honour their commitments and work within a political process.
UN refugee agency warns of 'sharp rise' in people fleeing eastern Ukraine
Jun 28, 2014, at 04:09 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS): Some 16,400 people fled their homes in crisis-riven eastern Ukraine during the past week, bringing the number of displaced within the country to 54,000, according the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Central African Republic: UN supports re-establishment of core public services
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:24 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS): Amid the ongoing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and the World Bank, is working hard to re-establish primary public services in the country, such as the payment of civil servant salaries.
Rebuilding Timbuktu: UN agency working with Mali
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:23 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS): Two of the World Heritage mausoleums destroyed in Timbuktu have now been rebuilt through a partnership with local communities, the United Nations cultural agency said, adding that it will need an additional $8 million to finish the rehabilitation of the site and of libraries that could again store hundreds of thousands of Malian manuscripts.
Up to 10,000 people from Christian communities flee violence in northern Iraq: UN
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:20 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday that up to 10,000 people from predominately Christian communities in northern Iraq have fled their homes this week amid the ongoing violence in Mosul.
Ban urges new UN body to galvanize global sustainability agenda
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:19 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS): With the close of the Millennium Development Goal era just months away, and work already beginning on a successor agenda to reign in poverty and put the planet on a sustainable course before it is too late, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday the "timing could not be better" for the launch of a strong UN body tackling all issues relating to the environment.
UN welcomes Chinese court decision to overturn death sentence of abuse victim
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:18 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday welcomed the news that a Chinese court has recently overturned the death sentence imposed on Li Yan, who killed her abusive husband, Tan Yong, in 2010.
Renewed Central African Republic fighting displaces thousands of civilians: UN
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:17 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS): Thousands of people are fleeing new violence and reprisal attacks in and around the town of Bambari in Central African Republic (CAR) that have already left at least 45 people dead and scores more wounded, the United Nations refugee agency reported on Friday.
UN human rights office concerned by reports of ongoing violations in Venezuela
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:16 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS): The United Nations on Friday expressed concern about the continuing human rights violations reportedly taking place in Venezuela and reiterated its call on authorities to respect the rights of peaceful demonstration and assembly.
Burundi: Curbs on free expression ahead of elections draw concern of senior UN rights official
Jun 28, 2014, at 02:16 pm
New York, June 28 (IBNS) Expressing deep concern about growing restrictions on freedom of expression in Burundi, a senior United Nations rights official on Friday called on the authorities there to ensure that human rights are fully protected ahead of next year's presidential elections.
Ban announces start of 'UN70', worldwide celebration of Organization's anniversary
Jun 27, 2014, at 08:06 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday announced the start of the global celebration of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, which will aim to honour the historic breadth of the Organization’s development, security and human rights work, and ultimately, unite the international community in common cause to enable a strong UN to realize a better world.
UN strongly condemns assassination of Libyan human rights advocate
Jun 27, 2014, at 08:03 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): The United Nations Thursday condemned the assassination of Salwa Bugaighis, a prominent Libyan human rights advocate and member of the Preparatory Committee for National Dialogue.
UN gender equality campaign to take centre stage at legendary Apollo Theatre
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:41 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Around the world, a "pandemic of violence" and repression threatens to push back hard-won human rights for women and girls, the head of UN Women said Thursday as she declared that the United Nations is taking its campaign to promote gender equality “outside our offices to the community and people, where it will always belong.â€
Ban calls for accelerating efforts towards mine-free world
Jun 27, 2014, at 07:24 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Reiterating the commitment of the United Nations to ridding the world of anti-personnel landmines, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday called for accelerating efforts towards achieving this goal and strengthening adherence to the global treaty dealing with the issue.