Lawsuit claims monkey selfie copyright belongs to monkey
Sep 23, 2015, at 09:20 pm
San Francisco, Sept 23 (IBNS) The U.S. Copyright Act grants copyright ownership of a "selfie" to the "author" of the photograph—and there's nothing in the law that limits such ownership on the basis of species.
Ahead of sustainability summit, 'Global Goals' will light up UN Secretariat building in New York
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:07 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretariat Building in New York will be illuminated this evening with massive projections relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of the three-day special UN summit beginning on Friday.
Ban praises progress of panel to investigate chemical weapons in Syria
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:05 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday congratulated the leadership of a panel that has been charged with establishing a mechanism to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
UN envoy on sexual violence in conflict wraps up official visit to Guinea
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura has wrapped up an official visit to Guinea, where her Office has been supporting an investigation into events that took place in 2009 at a stadium in the capital, Conakry, where more than 100 people were killed and at least 100 women were raped during an opposition demonstration.
UN rights experts urge Saudi Arabia to immediately halt child executions
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:02 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday urged the Saudi Arabian Government to stop the imminent execution of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, convicted for a crime he allegedly committed as a child.
Concerned by escalating violence in Burkina Faso, Ban urges respect for all citizens
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following with “great concern†the situation in Burkina Faso, and on Tuesday called upon the country’s defence and security forces to avoid at all costs an escalation of violence and to ensure the respect for physical security and human rights of all Burkinabé citizens.
Thousands of women on the move in Europe need reproductive healthcare - UN
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:58 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday stressed the need to ensure women refugees and migrants moving across Europe have access to life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare, as it appealed for $4.2 million for humanitarian assistance.
Libyan parties encouraged to act on UN-backed peace plan
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations envoy for Libya has announced the finalization of a proposed peace plan to end the political crisis in the North African nation, adding that it is now up to the parties to act on the text.
Philippines: UN experts calls for probe into killings of indigenous rights defenders
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Two independent United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday called on the Philippines Government to investigate the deaths of three human rights defenders in Surigao del Sur in Mindanao.
Ban urges Israelis, Palestinians to defuse tensions, prevent escalation
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:52 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged both the Israeli and Palestinian sides to defuse tensions and prevent an escalation of the current situation on the ground, during a recent phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
UN agency warns European leaders of 'last opportunity' for response to refugee crisis
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels on Tuesday and on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing refugee and migration crisis, in what the United Nations cautioned may be the last chance to create a coherent response to end the suffering and exploitation of refuges and migrants.
UN envoy hopes intra-Syrian thematic discussions will 'set the stage' for end to conflict
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Returning from consultations with Syrian interlocutors in Damascus and Istanbul, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria announced on Tuesday that he met with facilitators appointed by the Secretary-General to head working groups designed to find a political solution to the five-year conflict.
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Addressing on Tuesday a high-level gathering at United Nations Headquarters, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) declared that the empowerment of women and the full realization of their human rights are essential for achieving sustainable development and for building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
Yemen: UN chief 'extremely concerned' at escalating ground fighting and airstrikes
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretary-General on Tuesday voiced extreme concern at the escalating ground fighting and airstrikes that have caused further devastation to Yemen’s cities and an ever-growing number of civilian casualties in recent days.
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:55 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council took note of the recent appointment of Carlos Correia as the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau as an important step towards ending the country’s political crisis, and stressed the importance of forming a new Government at the earliest.
Secretary-General condemns suspected Boko Haram attacks in north-east Nigeria
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the multiple bomb attacks at a mosque and nearby areas conducted by suspected Boko Haram elements in Maiduguri in north-east Nigeria on Sunday.
In wake of adoption of Nepal's constitution, Ban stresses need for dialogue, non-violence
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) While acknowledging the adoption of the long-awaited constitution of Nepal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern about recent violence in the country and stressed the need for dialogue and non-violence.
'Time to overcome diplomatic failure' in Syria, says head of UN-mandated rights probe
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:44 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) It is time to overcome diplomatic failure and recognise that there is a global interest in returning Syria to peace, the head of a United Nations-mandated human rights inquiry said today, warning that if conflict continues, nations will be "fuelling a war to keep their influence over a country that will barely exist."
UN chief strongly condemns reported violence against civilians in Burkina Faso
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:40 pm
N ew York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Mondaystrongly condemned reports of violence against civilians in Burkina Faso and urged the country’s defense and security forces, especially the Presidential Guard, to exercise restraint and respect the human rights of all citizens.
All countries must contribute to solving global refugee crisis, says General Assembly President
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) All countries must contribute to solving the global refugee crisis, the President of the United Nations General Assembly said today, underscoring that the international community has an unequivocal obligation towards the women, men and children seeking refuge from conflict and violence.
Indigenous and local groups from 20 countries recognized with UN Equator Prize
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) A Brazilian indigenous group that inspired the film Avatar, a conservation outfit in Indonesia that is saving sea turtles and a movement for pygmy rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are among the 20 winners of a United Nations prize that recognizes outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty, protect nature and strengthen resilience in the face of climate change.
UN observes International Day of Peace with call for global ceasefire
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:31 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) The United Nations on Monday observed the International Day of Peace with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealing to all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global ceasefire and "stop the killings and the destruction, and create space for lasting peace."
Head of UN atomic watchdog reports 'significant' progress in resolving outstanding issues with Iran
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:28 pm
ew York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Significant progress has been achieved in the implementation of a road-map to resolve all outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, the head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today, after visiting a nuclear site and meeting senior Government officials, including the President, over the weekend.
Billions of people in developing world still without Internet access, new UN report finds
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Broadband Internet is failing to reach billions of people living in the developing world, including 90 per cent of those living in the poorest nations, according to a new United Nations report that offers country-by-country data on the state of access around the globe.
International push needed to end child rights violations in Yemen - UN official
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:25 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Describing the current situation in Yemen as "beyond tragic" for all affected by the hostilities, a senior United Nations official said it is "ever more important" for both the Security Council and the international community to promote political dialogue aimed at ending violations against children.
Sep 22, 2015, at 06:14 am
Santiago, Sept 21 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter Scale rocked Chile on Monday, officials said.
Deploring latest military escalation, UN mission in Libya urges immediate ceasefire
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:25 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Sunday strongly condemned the military escalation in Benghazi and called for an immediate ceasefire, stressing the need to give the ongoing political dialogue a chance to bring the country's conflict to an end.
UN chief condemns rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned the recent rocket attacks by extremist Palestinian militants on Israel from Gaza.
In Jordan, top UN relief official calls for greater support for Syrian refugees, hosts communities
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:23 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) The top United Nations humanitarian official wrapped up a visit to Jordan on Sunday with a call on the international community to urgently increase support to Syrian refugees and the local communities hosting them.
Global brands join forces with UN to boost food aid to families affected by war
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:21 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS)The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Sunday unveiled a new partnership with some of the world's leading companies, including McDonald's, Burger King, Facebook, Google and MasterCard, in an unprecedented effort to support refugees and displaced people struggling to feed their families.