Kenya's Garissa University College attacked by gunmen, several injured
Apr 02, 2015, at 05:56 pm
Nairobi, Apr 2 (IBNS): Gunmen have attacked Garissa University College in northeast Kenya, leaving several people injured, media reports said on Thursday.
In phone call, UN chief congratulates Nigeria’s President-elect Buhari
Apr 02, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Taking note of the results of the Nigerian presidential and parliamentary elections announced yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him, and called on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections.
Roots of conflict must be addressed to defeat Boko Haram: UN rights chief
Apr 02, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Expansive economic, social and political opportunities are key to reducing Nigeria’s smouldering ethnic and sectarian tensions and countering the growing threat posed by Boko Haram, the top United Nations human rights official declared on Wednesday.
'Children urgently need our protection', says UN envoy to Yemen
Apr 02, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Alarmed by the rising number of child casualties in Yemen, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui on Wednesday urged all parties involved in military operations “avoid creating new risks†for crisis-torn country's children and to adhere to international law.
FAO launches project to boost agricultural production in northern Mali
Apr 02, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): A new project aimed at restoring the livelihoods of some 33,000 households affected by armed conflict and climate change in northern Mali has been launched Wednesday by the country’s Government and the United Nations agriculture agency.
ICC welcomes Palestine as State Party to the Rome Statute
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): The International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomed the Palestine as the 123rd State Party to its founding Rome Statute on Wednesday, in a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague in The Netherlands.
Widows’ eviction highlights Tanzania’s discriminatory laws: UN experts
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Tanzania should take steps to revise or repeal laws, customs and practices that discriminate against women, a United Nations Committee said on Wednesday after considering the case of two widows who were prevented from inheriting their late husbands’ property and were left homeless.
Ban appoints new head of UN Environment Programme’s New York office
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Elliott Harris of Trinidad and Tobago as the new Assistant Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) New York office, a spokesperson for the Organization announced on Wednesday.
Thailand must end criminalization of dissenting voices: UN expert
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert has urged the Government of Thailand to immediately and unequivocally distance itself from the “intimidating†statements made by its leader, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, in which he threatened the freedom and lives of the country’s journalists.
Iraq: UN envoy welcomes armed forces victory against ISIL in Tikrit
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): The top UN official in Iraq has welcomed the recent victories of the Iraqi Security Forces in liberating the town of Tikrit from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and associated armed groups.
It’s about more than mines: UN official
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): As the world marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of the global mine ban treaty and commemorates International Mine Awareness Day, the head of the United Nations’ office dealing with the threat they pose stressed on Wednesday the importance of looking beyond the effects of just anti-personnel mines.
Syria: UN warns of violence near Palestinian refugee camps
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:47 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Fierce fighting has erupted between armed groups in the area of Yarmouk, a camp of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, putting thousands of people in danger, warned the spokesperson of the United Nations agency tasked with the ensuring the well-being of Palestinians across the Middle East.
UN agency to launch network tackling monumental employment challenge
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:46 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): As the Economic and Social Council concluded its three-day segment on boosting integration of the three pillars of sustainable development, the body’s Vice-President said he would work with the United Nations labour agency to follow-up on delegates’ work by launching an international entity to help address the issue of providing employment and decent work to people around the world.
UN donors pledge $3.8 billion in aid to people affected by Syria crisis
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): In an expression of solidarity with the millions of children, women and men affected by the devastating conflict in Syria, now in its fifth year, international donors today pledged $3.8 billion at a United Nations-backed conference held in Kuwait.
Vanuatu: UNICEF launches back-to-school relief after Cyclone Pam
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:55 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): As schools reopen across the cyclone-battered nation of Vanuatu, 30,000 children will begin receiving targeted assistance in order to help them resume classes and continue with their studies, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Tuesday.
UN concerned over civilian casualties in wake of recent fighting in Yemen
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): Senior United Nations officials on Tuesday expressed their deep concern about the fast deteriorating situation in Yemen, where dozens of civilians have been killed in fighting in recent days.
UN envoy lauds historic Myanmar ceasefire
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The latest ceasefire reached between the Government of Myanmar and 16 ethnic armed groups operating in the Asian country is “a historic and significant achievement,†bringing to an end more than 60 years of conflict and hostilities, a United Nations envoy has declared.
UNICEF launches Ukraine mine awareness campaign
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): An estimated 109 Ukrainian children have been injured and 42 others killed by landmines and unexploded ordinance resulting from the Eastern European country's ongoing civil conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday as it reported on the recent launch of its lifesaving mine awareness campaign.
Libya: UN welcomes ceasefire, force withdrawal in Sidra Oil Crescent region
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has on Tuesday welcomed the ceasefire and the withdrawal of forces from the Sidra Oil Crescent area, a move which follows weeks of mediation efforts between parties.
Eliminating sheep and goat plague will boost livelihoods: UN official
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:46 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations agricultural agency will outline a strategy in Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday for the total eradication of sheep and goat plague by 2030 at an international conference that began today in the country’s capital, Abidjan.
DR Congo: UN welcomes declaration aimed at combating rape in war
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:45 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, Tuesday called the signing of a landmark declaration by military commanders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a “milestone†on the road to ending conflict related sexual violence.
UN official in Lebanon calls for more support for Palestine refugee camp
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:42 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): On a visit to the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein El-Hilweh in south Lebanon on Tuesday, the United Nations’ top official in the country said the world body would continue working to assist where possible and would seek critical support from donors.
Syria: UN warns of humanitarian crisis in Idleb as fighting in city intensifies
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:41 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The humanitarian situation in conflict-torn Syria is deteriorating even further amid reports that the city of Idleb has fallen to anti-government insurgents, a senior United Nations relief official has warned.
UN concerned over plight of refugees after 2 Iraqis die at Bulgarian border
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:38 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Wednesday expressed concern that people needing international protection are being blocked from entering the European Union, citing the deaths of two Iraqi men who were in a group of 12 Yazidi people allegedly beaten by Bulgarian border guards.
Singapore teen charged for posting video against ex-PM Yew, Christianity
Mar 31, 2015, at 05:00 pm
Singapore, Mar 31 (IBNS) A 16-year-old Singapore teenager, who was arrested for allegedly posting expletive-laden video in Youtube where he attacked country's late PM Lee Kuan Yew and Christianity , has been charged on Tuesday, media reports said.
Vanuatu: UN official warns secondary emergency looming
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:20 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): Two weeks after Tropical Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the archipelago on a tour through one of the most severely affected provinces on Saturday, warned of a “secondary emergency†and urged a scale-up in efforts to provide the essentials to people in need.
Iraq: Ban pledges support as Government tackles ongoing threat from ISIL
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): Despite recent military gains against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), “vast challenges†remain ahead as the Government of Iraq fights to consolidate its territorial integrity against the terrorist threat, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday during an unannounced visit to Baghdad.
Syria: Before pledging conference, UN urges donors to stand by people
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): The crisis in Syria is getting much worse, characterized by shocking “levels of savagery,†the United Nations relief official has warned, urging countries to pledge as generously as possible ahead of the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference kicking off on Tuesday in Kuwait City.
UN calls for hydro-diplomacy as world faces growing water shortages
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): The international community must gear up for a new era of “hydro-diplomacy†as the threat of water scarcity risks plunging the world into a period of geopolitical tension and stunted development, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told delegates gathered at the General Assembly on Monday.
Boko Haram weak, but still committing horrendous acts: UN envoy
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): As the Security Council met on Monday morning to discuss threats to international peace and security caused by terrorism, top United Nations officials briefed the 15-member body on the impact of Boko Haram in Nigeria and beyond, warning of the group’s intensified violence and brutality.