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).
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.
Iran: UN appeals for medical care of political prisoners
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:51 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Thursday voiced alarm at the denial of medical care to two political prisoners in Iran who are at risk of dying in detention due to worsening health conditions, and urged the authorities to provide them with treatment.
Ban joins campaign to get all children into school by 2015
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:48 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday joined a prominent roster of global leaders, campaigners and celebrities in Washington, D.C. to help launch a new worldwide campaign that aims to get 57 million children into school.
Around half million people murdered worldwide in 2012: UN
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:45 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): Almost half a million people across the world lost their lives in 2012 as a result of intentional homicide, with the highest murder rates logged in the Americas and Africa, and the lowest in Europe, Asia and Oceania, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports.
UN concerned over eviction of indigenous group in Cameroon
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:42 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): The independent United Nations experts dealing with the rights of minorities and of indigenous peoples on Thursday voiced their concern about the eviction and demolition of houses of the Mbororo pastoralist community in Cameroon, and urged a solution to their plight.
UN concerned by political violence in Burundi
Apr 11, 2014, at 06:32 pm
New York, Apr 11 (IBNS): The United Nations on Thursday called on the Government of Burundi to address ongoing political violence and restrictions on human rights, saying it is receiving "troubling" information about recent developments in the country.
UN establishes peacekeeping mission in CAR
Apr 11, 2014, at 03:23 am
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): Deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and ongoing human rights abuses in the Central Africa Republic (CAR), the UN Security Council 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.
China: Bus overturns in Hainan province , 8 killed
Apr 11, 2014, at 01:48 am
Haikou, Apr 10 (IBNS) At least eight students were killed and above 30 others were injured as a bus in which they were traveling was overturned at Hainan province in China on Thursday, media reports said.
UN provides aid to besieged Syrians in eastern Aleppo
Apr 10, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) said on Wednesday it managed to bring humanitarian aid to a besieged neighbourhood in eastern Aleppo, an area that had been cut off from assistance since last June.
UN urges DR Congo to end impunity for sexual violence
Apr 10, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Wednesday called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to step up the fight against impunity for rape and sexual violence, which remain widespread and largely unpunished despite some progress in holding perpetrators accountable.
UN launches joint talks on development partnerships
Apr 10, 2014, at 05:13 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): The United Nations took a major step on the road towards crafting a new, sustainability-focused agenda, as two of the Organization's main bodies - the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - brought Member States together to weigh action-oriented solutions for mobilizing new and existing development partnerships.
South Sudan: UN reaffirms commitment to protect civilians
Apr 10, 2014, at 05:07 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said on Wednesday that since the hostilities that erupted between the Government and opposition forces last December, an average of 75,000 civilians have found refuge from violence in UN bases across the country.
UN urges Lithuania to reverse political ban on ex-president
Apr 10, 2014, at 04:56 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): The United Nations expert body monitoring civil and political rights found on Wednesday that Lithuania violated the rights of its ex-president, Rolandas Paksas, by introducing a rule banning impeached officials from holding high office - just weeks after he had been removed from his post for abuse of power.
Syria: Ban condemns spiralling violence, urges end to conflict
Apr 09, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): Amid surging violence across Syria, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the killing of an elderly priest in Homs and the ongoing brutality against the civilian population, and urged all Syrians and their outside supporters to put a stop to this conflict, "now".
Europe: UN urges inclusion of Roma people in decision-making
Apr 09, 2014, at 05:04 pm
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): On International Roma Day, the United Nations independent expert on minority issues is calling on all European countries and institutions to fully include Roma people in their decision-making processes at all levels.
New Zealand: UN concerned by arbitrary detention of Maoris
Apr 09, 2014, at 05:01 pm
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights panel has voiced concerns about issues related to the deprivation of liberty in New Zealand, including the "disproportionate incarceration rates" of the Maori population, despite legal safeguards against arbitrary detention.
UN assists Syrians amidst fears of drought impact
Apr 09, 2014, at 04:57 pm
New York, Apr 9 (IBNS): While noting that the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provided assistance to a record 4 million Syrians in March, a new report out on Tuesday highlights that, with only one month left in the rainy season, a potential drought may strain the country's already fragile food security situation.
Blast in Pakistan train kills 16
Apr 09, 2014, at 03:56 am
Sibi, Apr 8 (IBNS): At least 16 people were killed and several others were injured in a blast inside the bogie of Jaffer Express at Sibi Railway Station in Pakistan's Baluchistan province on Tuesday, media reports said.
UN condemns killing of two consultants in Somalia
Apr 08, 2014, at 07:15 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): Senior United Nations officials on Monday voiced outrage at the killing of two consultants working for the world body's arm dealing with drugs and crime who were shot by unknown gunmen in Somalia's Puntland region.
Kigali: Ban marks 20th anniversary of Rwandan genocide
Apr 08, 2014, at 07:03 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): Commemorating "one of the darkest chapters in human history," United Nations officials paid tribute this morning to the 800,000 men, women and children - overwhelmingly Tutsi, moderate Hutu and Twa - that were systematically killed 20 years ago in Rwanda, and urged the international community to work together and remain vigilant to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.
UN forum to address challenges faced by world population
Apr 08, 2014, at 06:55 pm
New York, Apr 8 (IBNS): Member States on Monday kicked off a week-long assessment at United Nations Headquarters of action taken over the past 20 years to improve people's lives and address population issues amid changes in ageing, fertility, mortality, migration and urbanization.