At Harvard, UN chief urges global community to confront world's existential threats
Dec 03, 2014, at 03:12 pm
New York, Dec 3 (IBNS) The world on Tuesdayfaces an increasing array of threats to peaceful coexistence – from climate change and conflict to poverty and disease – all of which loom over the future of the planet’s physical survival, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Tuesdayin a lecture delivered at Harvard University.
Ban deplores deadly terrorist attack against civilians in north-eastern Kenya
Dec 03, 2014, at 03:10 pm
New York, Dec 3 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned a "horrific" terrorist attack in Mandera, Kenya which left over 30 people killed in the second outburst of extremist violence to afflict the East African nation in less than two weeks.
UN envoy welcomes deal between Iraqi, Kurdish region on oil, finances
Dec 03, 2014, at 03:10 pm
New York, Dec 3 (IBNS) The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) welcomed on Tuesdayan agreement reached between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to resolve issues related to oil exports and the budget.
Great Lakes Envoys outraged by spate of civilian massacres in eastern DR Congo
Dec 03, 2014, at 03:08 pm
New York, Dec 3 (IBNS) A team of United Nations, African Union and other Special Envoys on the Great Lakes region have said they are “deeply outraged†by the recent spate of civilian massacres that have taken place in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and have called on the Government to "engage in robust military action" against all armed groups operating there.
Cambodia: UN refugee agency voices concern over possible deportation of Montagnards
Dec 03, 2014, at 03:07 pm
New York, Dec 3 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesdaythat it is deeply concerned at reports that Cambodian police are seeking 13 Montagnards to deport to Viet Nam and urged the Government to refrain from the involuntary return of people.
UN rights experts call on US to commute death sentence of mentally ill prisoner
Dec 03, 2014, at 03:06 pm
New York, Dec 3 (IBNS) Two United Nations human rights experts on Tuesdayurged the United States Government and the authorities in Texas to halt the execution of Scott Panetti, a prisoner with proven psychosocial disabilities, due to be carried out on 3 December.
South Sudan: UN chief stresses support for independence and sovereignty
Dec 03, 2014, at 03:05 pm
New York, Dec 3 (IBNS) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has made it “categorically clear†that the United Nations has no intention of placing South Sudan under a "protectorate," a UN spokesperson has stressed.
Paraguay: UN expert concerned over indigenous peoples' rights to land, resources
Dec 02, 2014, at 02:04 pm
New York, Dec 2 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples identified a number of ongoing challenges remaining in Paraguay as she ended an eight-day official visit to the country on Friday.
UN recognizes achievement of thirteen countries in eradicating hunger ahead of 2015-deadline
Dec 02, 2014, at 02:03 pm
New York, Dec 2 (IBNS) Honouring their outstanding progress in fighting hunger, 13 countries were commended on Monday by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday for achieving food security milestones ahead of the UN global 2015 target deadline and urged continued momentum to end the suffering of 805 million people who continue to endure chronic undernourishment.
Lebanon: Ban appoints Special Coordinator as country continues to face political vacuum
Dec 02, 2014, at 01:49 pm
New York, Dec 2 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands as his new Special Coordinator for Lebanon, the UN Spokesperson's office announced on Monday.
Violence in Iraq kills at least 1,232 people in November – UN
Dec 02, 2014, at 01:49 pm
New York, Dec 2 (IBNS) Some 1,232 people – mostly civilians – were killed by violence in Iraq in November, the top United Nations official there said on Monday as he called on Iraq’s political, religious and social leaders to rise above their differences and work to consolidate the democratic process.
Darfur: African Union-UN mission launches campaign against recruitment of child soldiers
Dec 02, 2014, at 01:48 pm
New York, Dec 2 (IBNS) The United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has launched a campaign throughout the western region of Sudan against the recruitment of children as soldiers with an event that was attended by more than 1,000 people.
Syria: UN forced to suspend food aid, warns of 'disastrous' impact as winter nears
Dec 02, 2014, at 01:44 pm
New York, Dec 2 (IBNS) A life-saving programme providing food vouchers to more than 1.7 million Syrian refugees has been suspended due to lack of funds, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday, warning that the move will have a devastating impact on families who are already facing a dire situation as the harsh winter months approach.
Hosni Mubarak freed of murder charges
Nov 29, 2014, at 09:23 pm
Cairo, Nov 29 (IBNS): An Egyptian court on Saturday dismissed criminal charges against former president Hosni Mubarak in connection with the killing of protesters in the 2011 uprising that ended his nearly three-decade reign, media reported.
Emergency declared in Gaza following severe flooding – UN agency
Nov 29, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Nov 29 (IBNS) The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, has declared an emergency in Gaza City, following extreme weather and severe flooding over the past 48 hours exacerbating the already poor humanitarian situation in the enclave, which is dealing with the aftermath of a last summer’s conflict, and an acute fuel and energy crisis.
UN refugee agency welcomes adoption of civil registration declaration in Asia-Pacific
Nov 29, 2014, at 03:19 pm
New York. Nov 29 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) welcomed the adoption on Friday of an Asia-Pacific ministerial declaration proclaiming a shared vision of civil registration for all people by 2024.
Development cooperation in Mediterranean can help stem tide of forced migration – UN agency
Nov 29, 2014, at 03:15 pm
New York, Nov 29 (IBNS) If countries of the Mediterranean want to stem the tide on forced migration and human suffering, they must put agricultural, food and rural development, including youth-targeted incentives, at the core of regional cooperation, said the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Friday.
Structural reforms can help poorest countries break 'vicious' economic circle – new UN report
Nov 28, 2014, at 02:45 pm
New York, Nov 28 (IBNS)The world's poorest countries are trapped in an economic vicious circle, which pins them in poverty and must be reversed if new development goals are to be met, according to a newly released report from United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
New UN-backed open-source tool will support community resilience-building
Nov 28, 2014, at 02:33 pm
New York, Nov 28 (IBNS)The United Nations Food and Agriculture Programme (FAO) is teaming up with a coalition of partner agencies to develop a new data crunching tool to help national governments, development and relief organizations in their efforts to prevent and respond to crises such as animal diseases, plant pests and even conflict.
China: Coal mine explosion kills 11
Nov 28, 2014, at 02:39 am
Beijing, Nov 27 (IBNS) At least 11 people were killed in a coal mine explosion in southwest China's Guizhou Province Thursday, media reports said.
UN chief appoints panel on creating 'technology bank' for world’s poorest nations
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:50 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced the formation of a High-Level Panel to study the scope and functions of a proposed new "technology bank" and dedicated to helping the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) advance out of poverty, the Organization’s spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.
Ritual dancing, bread-making among cultural practices added to UN heritage list
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:49 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): Brazil's martial art of Capoeira, Burundi's ritual dance of the royal drum and the preparation of Lavash – a popular flatbread integral to Armenian cuisine – are among the eight elements added on Wednesday to the United Nations-endorsed list of the world's intangible cultural heritage – part of the world body's ongoing efforts to highlight global diversity and raise awareness of its importance.
DR Congo: Security Council condemns massacres of civilians, attacks on peacekeepers
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:48 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the massacres perpetrated against civilians on 20 November near the city of Beni in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as well as the ongoing attacks targeting peacekeepers.
'Profoundly concerned' over violence in Libya, Security Council warns of possible sanctions
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:47 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): The Security Council on Wednesday expressed its "profound concern" over the deteriorating situation in Libya and its impact on regional peace and stability, warning of the possibility of sanctions.
Obesity-related cancers on the rise, especially in developed countries – UN report
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:46 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): Being overweight or obese have become major risk factors for developing cancer, particularly among women and in more developed countries, the specialized cancer agency of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday.
Kyrgyzstan: UN rights experts urge Parliament to withdraw anti-gay bill
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:37 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts have urged the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan to reject a bill that would introduce criminal and administrative sanctions for acts aimed at forming "a positive attitude towards non-traditional sexual orientation," warning that the proposed law would go against the country's human rights obligations and commitments.
UN rights experts urge US President Obama to release report on CIA torture allegations
Nov 27, 2014, at 02:27 pm
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS) The United States must rise to meet the high human rights standards it has set for itself and others around the world, a group of United Nations human rights experts urged on Wednesday, as they called on President Obama to support "the fullest possible release" of a report detailing Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) interrogation practices.
6.8 earthquake rocks Indonesia
Nov 27, 2014, at 05:53 am
Jakarta, Nov 26 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale hit eastern Indonesia on Wednesday, reports said.
Haiti: UN mission chief urges calm, respect for rights in wake of protests
Nov 26, 2014, at 11:08 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Amid rising tensions Port-au-Prince and other key Haitian cities in the wake of last month’s delayed elections, the top United Nations official in the country deplored the violence that recently caused injuries among demonstrators and called on all sides to respect the right to free expression while also avoiding any recourse to violence.
UN sounds alarm to end ‘global pandemic’ of violence against women
Nov 26, 2014, at 11:05 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic that destroys lives, fractures communities and holds back development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as the world body Tuesday marked the International Day to End Violence against Women.