UNESCO chief denounces murder of Somali radio journalist
Nov 26, 2014, at 11:03 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has deplored the murder of Abdirisak Ali Abdi, a journalist killed in the town of Galkayo, Somalia, and called for a thorough investigation into the crime.
Timor-Leste: UN expert warns dismissal of judicial officials may have 'chilling effect'
Nov 26, 2014, at 11:01 pm
New York, nov 26 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, Tuesday warned that the audit of the justice sector and the dismissal of all international judicial personnel from Timor-Leste puts at risk the independence of the judiciary in the country.
UN rights chief concerned over ‘disproportionate’ killings of African-Americans by US police
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:57 pm
Geneva, Nov 26 (IBNS): The decision by a Grand Jury in Missouri to absolve a police officer for the fatal shooting of an African-American teenager has spotlighted broader concerns about institutionalized discrimination across the United States, the top United Nations human rights official said today.
Burundi: UN expert urges defence of human rights activists to promote transparency
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:55 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders expressed regret Tuesday that defenders in Burundi are deemed to be political opponents, saying that in reality they are activists working to promote and protect human rights and civil liberties.
Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes 'contrary to international law,'UN experts warn
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:52 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): The Israeli Government’s use of house demolition as a punitive measure in response to alleged acts of violence by Palestinians must end immediately, two United Nations experts urged Tuesday, adding that the practice – which targets Palestinian homes in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory – is a violation of human rights law.
Security Council extends UN Guinea-Bissau office for three months
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:47 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): The Security Council Tuesday extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau, known as UNIOGBIS, so that it can continue to assist in tackling a range of political, security and development challenges in the country.
As number of South Sudanese refugees grows, UN relief official urges support to Ethiopia
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:43 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Following the end of a four-day mission to Ethiopia, a senior United Nations relief official has called for continued international attention to the plight of South Sudanese refugees, warning that the number of refugees could rise substantially if fighting in South Sudan persists.
Security Council extends UN mission in South Sudan through May 2015
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:36 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Expressing “grave alarm about the further deteriorating political, security and humanitarian crisis†in South Sudan, the Security Council Tuesday extended the United Nations Mission the country (UNMISS) for an additional six months, maintaining the operation’s mandate to focus on civilian protection, facilitation of relief assistance, and human rights monitoring.
International community has duty to protect minorities, UN deputy chief tells Geneva forum
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:33 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): It is the international community’s duty to draw lessons from the horrific violence and atrocious crimes facing minorities around the world to prevent them from being repeated, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said today at a forum on minority issues.
Syria: humanitarian efforts falling short, UN relief chief warns, calling for end to violence
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:28 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): While humanitarians have made some progress in delivering much-needed supplies to the growing numbers of people in conflict-riven Syria, efforts by the United Nations and its partners are still falling short, a top UN relief official has said today, calling on the Security Council to push for an end to the violence that is destroying the country and destabilizing the region.
Sanctions are 'effective' method to build global stability, Security Council told
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:25 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): From Afghanistan and Angola to Haiti and the former Yugoslavia, sanctions implemented by the United Nations Security Council have had a positive track record, proving their efficacy and economy in supporting Member States overcome instability, the top UN political official said today.
Ban voices 'deep concern' over eruption of violence in Libya; urges return to dialogue
Nov 26, 2014, at 10:23 pm
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday voiced deep concern over an uptick in violence across Libya and urged all parties to recommit to the values of the revolution that inspired the North African country’s break towards democracy, according to a statement issued today by his spokesperson.
Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attack in Kenya
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:11 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned Saturday's attack in Mandera, Kenya for which Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility and which has caused the deaths of numerous innocent people.
At UN meeting, prevention cited as key factor in fight against terrorism-related kidnapping
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:10 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) The practice of kidnapping for ransom and hostage-taking continues to provide the world’s terrorists with a reliable source of income to fund their operations, United Nations Member States were told on Monday at a meeting jointly held by the UN’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in New York.
Madagascar: UN health agency warns of 'rapid' spread of plague in capital city
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:08 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a "rapid" spread of the plague in the capital of Madagascar, where health authorities have reported 119 cases of the bacterial disease, including at least 40 deaths in the island nation.
Ban applauds Tunisian presidential vote as country's democratic transition continues
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:05 pm
New York, nov 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday extended his congratulations to the people of Tunisia on the occasion of their first presidential election since revolution swept the country and ushered in an era of democratic change.
'Peace process hangs from a thread,' UN warns ahead of Day of Solidarity with Palestinians
Nov 25, 2014, at 06:04 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) United Nations officials on Monday voiced their solidarity with the people of Palestine, while calling on both sides involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to cease acts of violence, overcome their differences, and resume peace talks with a clear framework towards resolving the decades-long dispute.
UN says Palestinian refugees from Syria face 'increasingly grave' situation region wide
Nov 25, 2014, at 05:59 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) The plight of Palestine refugees from Syria in the Middle East is becoming increasingly grave caused by closed borders and a series of forced returns from neighbouring countries, Chris Gunness, spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said on Monday.
In Central African Republic, UN team investigates outbreak of sectarian violence
Nov 25, 2014, at 05:57 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) A United Nations humanitarian mission has visited a town in the Central African Republic (CAR) amid an outburst of violence that left at least 14 people injured and three killed, the Organization’s humanitarian relief office announced on Monday.
#OrangeUrHood campaign kicks off UN-led effort to end violence against women
Nov 25, 2014, at 05:55 pm
New York, Nov 25(IBNS) On Monday night, for the first time ever, both the iconic United Nations Headquarters complex and the Empire State Building in New York are bathed in orange light to kick off the “Orange YOUR Neighbourhood†campaign ahead of the International Day to End Violence Against Women.
UN committee to examine inscription requests for lists on intangible cultural heritage
Nov 25, 2014, at 05:54 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) A United Nations committee tasked with protecting the world’s oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, craftsmanship and knowledge of nature will begin examining requests on Monday for inscription on the two lists of intangible cultural heritage, as part of its current session meeting in Paris this week.
Ban urges dialogue as Burkina Faso interim Government holds first cabinet meeting
Nov 25, 2014, at 05:53 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on all appointed transitional leaders in Burkina Faso to work in a “collaborative and harmonious manner,†as the inaugural Cabinet meeting of the transitional Government was held on Monday.
Trafficking in children on the rise, says new UN report
Nov 25, 2014, at 05:51 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) One in three known victims of human trafficking is a child, and girls and women are particularly targeted and forced into "modern slavery," according to the 2014 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, released on Monday by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna.
Amid 'anaemic' job creation, Greece risks prolonged social crisis – UN report
Nov 25, 2014, at 05:49 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) Faced with an “anaemic†pace of job creation and nearly 1.3 million unemployed citizens, Greece risks a prolonged social crisis unless urgent measures are taken, warns a new report out on Monday from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
DR Congo: UN special envoy condemns 'trend of massacres' in eastern province
Nov 25, 2014, at 05:06 pm
New York, Nov 25 (IBNS) The security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is “worsening,†a senior United Nations official has warned, citing an escalating trend of massacres in the town of Beni – the site of continuing flare-ups of deadly violence between armed groups, including Ugandan-based rebels operating in the area.
Afghanistan suicide attack kills 50
Nov 24, 2014, at 05:09 am
Kabul, Nov 23 (IBNS): At least 50 people were killed in a suicide attack during a volleyball match in Afghanistan's Paktika province on Sunday, media reports said.
Japan earthquake leaves 40 injured
Nov 24, 2014, at 03:00 am
Tokyo, Nov 23 (IBNS): At least 40 people were injured in Prefecture after an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale hit central Japan on Saturday, media reports said on Sunday.
Explosion in London hotel, several injured
Nov 23, 2014, at 02:13 am
London, Nov 22 (IBNS): The London Fire Brigade on Saturday said firefighters attended an explosion at a hotel in Berkeley Mews at the junction of Seymour Street in central London on Friday night.
Nov 23, 2014, at 01:26 am
Tokyo, Nov 22 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit central Japan on Saturday, officials said.
Al-Shabab militants shot dead 28 in Kenya
Nov 22, 2014, at 10:23 pm
Nairobi, Nov 22 (IBNS): In a horrific incident, Al-Shabab militants from Somalia have reportedly hijacked a bus in northern Kenya and killed 28 non-Muslims on Saturday.