New levels of 'brutality' in South Sudan, says UN rights report
Jul 01, 2015, at 03:56 pm
New York, July 1 (IBNS) The South Sudanese armed forces may have committed widespread human rights abuses, including the alleged raping and immolation of women and girls, during the recent upsurge in fighting across the African State, according to a new report released by the United Nations mission in the country (UNMISS).
Indonesia plane mishap kills more than 100
Jul 01, 2015, at 02:23 am
Jakarta, June 30 (IBNS) More than 100 people have lost their lives as an Indonesian military transport plane crashed in the country's Medan city, media reports said.
Indonesia: Military plane crash, 37 killed
Jun 30, 2015, at 10:50 pm
Jakarta, June 30 (IBNS) An Indonesian military transport plane crashed in the country's Medan city, leaving at least 37 people dead on Tuesday, media reports said.
ICC Prosecutor says determination to bring justice to people of Sudan remains 'unshaken'
Jun 30, 2015, at 04:54 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) Over six years since the issuance of the first warrant of arrest against Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday said that her Office's determination to bring "independent and impartial justice" to the people of Sudan remains "unshaken".
Extending mandate of UN mission in Mali, Security Council adds observers to monitor fresh ceasefire
Jun 30, 2015, at 04:49 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) The Security Council on Monday extended the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) for one year, within the authorized troop ceiling of 11,240 military personnel, including, for the first time, at least 40 military observers to monitor and supervise the country’s newly agreed ceasefire.
UN chief condemns deadly terrorist bombing in Egypt
Jun 30, 2015, at 04:45 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today’s fatal terrorist attack in Cairo which resulted in the killing of Egyptian Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat and the injuring of numerous civilians.
UNESCO unveils global campaign to counter deliberate destruction of cultural heritage
Jun 30, 2015, at 04:37 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday launched the Global Coalition Unite for Heritage campaign, which aims to strengthen the mobilization of governments and all heritage stakeholders in the face of deliberate damage to cultural heritage, particularly in the Middle East.
Yemen: Ban deplores attack on UN compound in Gulf country, calls for full investigation
Jun 30, 2015, at 03:44 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the Coalition-led airstrikes on a United Nations compound in the Yemeni city of Aden, which resulted in serious structural damage and one casualty, a spokesperson for the Organization said today.
Jun 30, 2015, at 03:39 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) Humanitarian access to civilians trapped by the Syrian conflict is being increasingly obstructed by the ongoing fighting in the country and a shortfall in critical funding, a senior United Nations relief official warned today.
'Journey towards bold climate action is at a critical moment,' UN General Assembly told
Jun 30, 2015, at 03:38 pm
New York, June 30 (BNS) Development cannot be sustainable if it does not address the challenge of climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Member States on Monday as he opened a High-Level Event on Climate Change convened in New York by the President of the UN General Assembly, Sam Kutesa.
Jun 30, 2015, at 03:36 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino León, announced on Monday that there is a political agreement amongst the parties on the majority of the elements of the draft proposal they are considering, and he hoped to have them initial it later this week.
UN envoy welcomes Bosnia-Herzegovina court ruling on sexual violence in conflict
Jun 30, 2015, at 03:34 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) The Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict on Monday welcomed the decision by a Bosnian Herzegovinian court to secure conviction for and award compensatory damages to victims of war-time sexual violence, the United Nations confirmed today.
Security Council extends UN-African Union operation in Darfur for another year
Jun 30, 2015, at 03:34 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) Expressing deep concern at the "serious deterioration" in the security situation in Darfur, the Security Council has decided on Monday to extend for one year, until 30 June 2016, the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in the Western region of Sudan.
UN agency for Palestine refugees announces staff reductions amid funding shortfall
Jun 30, 2015, at 03:31 pm
New York, June 30 (IBNS) The United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees across the Middle East announced on Monday that it will begin reducing staff numbers in an effort to cut costs amid a wider budget shortfall facing the Organization's presence in the region.
Jun 29, 2015, at 03:08 pm
New York, June 29 (IBNS) Reiterating his appeal to all Burundian political leaders to consider the wider interest of the people of their country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday expressed concerns about the Government's insistence on going ahead with elections on 29 June despite the prevailing political and security environment in the country.
Jun 29, 2015, at 03:05 pm
New York, June 29 (IBNS) From Morocco where he is facilitating the dialogue among Libyan parties, the United Nations envoy for the North African country has stressed that the coming week should be decisive to reach an agreement on the draft political proposal he recently introduced to bring Libya's diverse stakeholders together and ensure peace and stability.
As World Heritage Committee opens session, UNESCO urges protection of sites targeted for destruction
Jun 29, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, June 29 (IBNS) The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) strongly appealed for the international community to help counter the emerging threat of violent extremism and cultural cleansing, in remarks to the opening of the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee today in Bonn, Germany.
Somalia: UN official commends election of speaker of regional assembly
Jun 29, 2015, at 03:01 pm
New York, June 29 (IBNS) The United Nations envoy for Somalia commended on Sunday the completion of the establishment of the assembly of Galmudug, a region located in the center of the country.
Further militant attacks in Tunisia possible: Britain warns
Jun 28, 2015, at 10:19 pm
London, June 28 (IBNS): Britain has said that more militant attacks might take place in Tunisia in the upcoming days.
Over 300 hurt in Taiwan Formosa Water Park fire
Jun 28, 2015, at 06:40 am
Taipei, June 28 (IBNS): More than 300 people were injured in a fire that broke out at an amusement park in Taiwan's New Taipei Bali District on Saturday, media reports said.
Somalia: UN condemns Al Shabaab attack against African Union mission base
Jun 27, 2015, at 06:26 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): United Nations officials have condemned on Friday the attack perpetrated by Al Shabaab militants against an African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base.
In San Francisco, Ban celebrates 70th anniversary of UN Charter - 'compass' to a better world
Jun 27, 2015, at 06:22 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Bringing the idea of the United Nations to life required huge leaps of statecraft to bridge differences, declared Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday in San Francisco, ommemorating the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Charter, which he said "symbolizes the hope and aspirations that we can bring the world as it is a little closer to the world as it should be."
Syria: UN special envoy continues consultations on ways to end an escalating conflict
Jun 27, 2015, at 06:10 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, continues his talks with the parties to the conflict in this country within the framework of the Geneva consultations, having on Thursday met with leaders of the Syrian tribes, according to a UN spokesperson.
39 transnational tourists killed in Tunisia terror attack
Jun 27, 2015, at 05:58 pm
Sousse, Tunisia, June 27 (IBNS) A gunman disguised as a tourist opened fire at a Tunisian hotel on Friday, killing 39 people of different nationalities in horrific spree of mass murder for which Islamic State claimed the responsibility.
On World Day, UN says efforts to combat illicit drugs must be linked to development
Jun 27, 2015, at 05:50 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS) Marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, top United Nations officials focused on the need for alternative development for farmers who cultivate illicit crops and for leaders to address drug trafficking and drug abuse that pose as obstacles to sustainable development for the world.
UN agency welcomes European Union measures on refugee arrivals, urges more action
Jun 27, 2015, at 05:31 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS) The United Nations on Friday welcomed a decision by European Union (EU) leaders to assist up to sixty thousand refugees in need of international protection but warned that much more will have to be done to address the root causes of a steadily increasing global refugee crisis.
Jun 27, 2015, at 05:21 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS) Strongly condemning the terrorist attacks carried out separately on Friday in Tunisia, Kuwait and France, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored that, far from weakening the world’s resolve, the heinous incidents will only strengthen commitment to defeating all forms of terrorism.
Central African Republic's transition needs international community's support - UN expert
Jun 27, 2015, at 05:17 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS) The international community must redouble its efforts to help the Central African Republic to fully realize its transition to peace, national reconciliation, reconstruction and the end of impunity, the United Nations independent expert on the human rights situation in the country said today.
Ban appeals to Burundian authorities to consider postponing elections
Jun 27, 2015, at 05:13 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS) In anticipation of more arrivals, relocation efforts have been sped up over the last days. In May, UNHCR and 17 partners launched the Regional Refugee Response Plan for $207 million to protect and assist up to 200,000 Burundian refugees. Despite the deteriorating situation in Burundi, the plan has realised only 13 per cent of its target, leaving crucial services, such as water, health and sanitation, seriously underfunded.
On UN Charter Day, Ban calls for 'deeper cooperation' amid growing global challenges
Jun 27, 2015, at 05:05 pm
New York, June 27 (IBNS) On June 26th, 1945, the United Nations was born from the ashes and rubble of the Second World War as delegates from fifty nations came together to sign the UN Charter – the Organization's founding document and the bedrock of global peace and development.