In Cairo, Ban urges parties to Gaza conflict to end 'cycle of building and destroying'
Oct 13, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): On the next stop of his tour of North Africa, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Egypt on Sunday at a conference on the reconstruction of Gaza urged all parties to last summer's war to address the root causes of the protracted conflict to prevent the "cycle of building and destroying" from becoming a ritual.
For any political progress to hold, 'the fighting has to stop', UN chief declares in Libya
Oct 12, 2014, at 04:50 pm
New York, Oct 12 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Tripoli on Saturday where he urged all Libyan parties to press forward on peace talks in order to restore stability to their crisis-ridden country, declaring "enough killings, displacement of people and destruction."
UN-backed forum spotlights civil society's role in fighting hunger, developing food policy
Oct 12, 2014, at 04:49 pm
New York, Oct 12 (IBNS) The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Saturday kicked-off a two-day meeting focusing on civil society's role in giving a voice to the hungry and how best to improve a multi-stakeholder approach to food security and nutrition policy development at national, regional and global levels.
After quake, typhoon Vonfong to hit Japan
Oct 11, 2014, at 07:57 pm
New Delhi, Oct 11 (IBNS): At a time when super cyclone "Hudhud" is about to unleash in the eastern coast of India, Japan is readying itself to face the pounding of Typhoon "Vongfong", which is about to hit the archipelago nation Saturday, media reported.
In Tunisia, UN Chief commends African nation for 'staying true to ideals' of Arab Spring
Oct 11, 2014, at 06:52 am
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Tunisia early this morning where he met with President Moncef Marzouki to pledge full United Nations support for the north African nation in its forthcoming elections and transition to democracy.
As ISIL advances on Syrian town, UN envoy urges international action to avoid 'massacre'
Oct 11, 2014, at 06:50 am
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS) The United Nations will adopt a minimalistic, concrete and realistic approach to addressing the crisis generated by Syria’s ongoing conflict, a senior UN official said on Friday as he warned about the growing dangers facing civilians amid the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIL) latest offensive in the country.
UN marks World Day against Death Penalty with strong calls to end 'cruel practice'
Oct 11, 2014, at 06:37 am
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS) The continuing application of the death penalty is a "cruel practice" that undermines human dignity, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as he urged Member States to "reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights" and impose moratoriums on executions.
UN celebrates awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to children’s rights activists
Oct 11, 2014, at 03:29 am
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS): The United Nations lauded Friday's awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to two human rights activists, saying the winners had received well-deserved recognition for championing children’s rights around the world.
DR Congo: UN officials urge justice for grave crimes committed by M23
Oct 10, 2014, at 05:18 pm
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS) Senior United Nations officials appealed on Thursdayfor justice for crimes committed by the March 23 Movement (M23)in parts of the North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Council (DRC), on the heels of a new UN- backed report citing a raft of grave rights abuses committed by the armed group between April 2012 and November 2013.
Republic of Korea: UN rights experts urges adoption of anti-discrimination law
Oct 10, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS) An independent United Nations human rights expert has urged the Republic of Korea to enact a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, saying it is essential for the Government to address the issue of racism and xenophobia in view of the country’s history of ethnic and cultural homogeneity.
UN force commanders brief Security Council on challenges facing 'blue helmets'
Oct 10, 2014, at 05:13 pm
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS) From Mali to the Golan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, United Nations peacekeeping missions are facing increasing challenges as they operate in some of the most difficult security environments around the world, senior UN military officials told the Security Council on Thursdayas they weighed field strategy for the world body’s "blue helmets."
In Washington, UN, World Bank chiefs rally support 'to build a healthy Haiti'
Oct 10, 2014, at 05:12 pm
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined global partners, including the head of the World Bank, at a high-level conference in Washington, D.C., to combat water borne diseases like cholera in Haiti and, raise commitments to provide clean water, improved sanitation and health services in cholera endemic areas over the next three years.
On World Day, UN spotlights need to usher postal services into changing communication landscape
Oct 10, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, Oct 10 (IBNS): Marking World Post Day, the head of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) said that for postal services to flourish in a globalized and ever-evolving communication landscape, electrical and Internet connectivity is essential, especially in developing countries, where only 32 per cent of the population has access to the Internet.
Design for the 'New Tube for London' revealed
Oct 10, 2014, at 01:40 am
London, Oct 9 (IBNS) The Mayor and London Underground (LU) on Thursday revealed stunning new designs for the 'New Tube for London' - the next generation of Underground trains, which will come in to service from the mid-2020s.
Twin suicide attacks kills at least 60 in Yemen
Oct 09, 2014, at 10:30 pm
Sanaa, Oct 9 (IBNS): At least 40 people died and scores injured when a powerful suicide bomb ripped through Sanaa, the capital of Yemen on Thursday. This was followed by another suicide attack which allegedly killed 20 soldiers, media reported.
UN ramping up aid efforts amid deepening Libyan crisis
Oct 09, 2014, at 06:31 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS) The United Nations humanitarian wing said on Wednesday it will need an estimated $35 million in additional funding to continue helping hundreds of thousands of people affected by the ongoing crisis in Libya.
Malaysian law criminalizing dissent threatens free expression-UN experts
Oct 09, 2014, at 06:15 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS) A group of independent United Nations rights experts on Wednesday urged the Government of Malaysia to withdraw its Sedition Act of 1948 amid allegations that critics of the country’s authorities have faced increasing criminalization and persecution.
Mali: Ban voices 'outrage' as UN peacekeeper killed in second deadly attack this month
Oct 09, 2014, at 06:08 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced outrage on Wednesday at a fatal attack against United Nations peacekeepers in Mali the second in less than a week – that left one “blue helmet†dead and wounded another, while the UN peacekeeping chief urged Malian parties to make a "credible effort" to reach a peace accord.
Eastern Ukraine conflict continues to take heavy toll on civilians, UN report warns
Oct 09, 2014, at 06:03 pm
New York, Oct 9 (IBNS) While the fragile month-long ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is a welcome step towards ending the conflict, armed groups continue to terrorize the population in areas under their control, pursuing killings, abductions, torture, ill-treatment and other serious abuses, the United Nations Human Rights Office said on Wednesday as it released its latest report on the situation in the country.
Lebanon: UN mission calls for restraint following explosion, retaliatory fire
Oct 08, 2014, at 04:06 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS) The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon on Tuesday urged maximum restraint after two Israeli soldiers were wounded in the Shaba'a area as a result of an improvised explosive device, and Israel retaliated with artillery fire towards the area of Kfar Shouba hills.
With eyes fixed on 2015, General Assembly takes up annual report on UN’s work
Oct 08, 2014, at 04:02 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS) The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday discussed Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon’s report on the work of the Organization, which covers a range of issues and calls for renewed efforts to address peace and security challenges and to encourage development aspirations.
Beyond worsening humanitarian situation, Iraq faces 'crisis of spirit' – UN relief official
Oct 08, 2014, at 04:01 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS) The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Iraq is more than a crisis of food and shelter, it is a "crisis of spirit" that requires urgent action from the international community, the Deputy United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq said on Tuesday .
UN envoy urges greater civilian protection as South Sudan faces daunting challenges
Oct 08, 2014, at 03:55 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS) Amid a vast population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and ongoing ethnic tensions, the challenges in South Sudan continue to remain "enormous," the head of the United Nations mission in the African country acknowledged on Tuesday .
Haiti: Despite death of former President, UN urges continued probes into alleged abuses
Oct 08, 2014, at 03:53 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS) It is “essential†that legal proceedings and investigations against individuals associated with former Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier continue despite the former leader’s recent passing, the United Nations human rights office urged on Tuesday .
UN concerned over safety of civilians as ISIL intensifies offensive in Syrian border town
Oct 08, 2014, at 03:52 pm
New York, Oct 8 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations human rights office on Tuesday voiced their grave concern for the safety of civilians caught up in the ongoing offensive by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on the northern Syrian town of Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobane.
Oct 08, 2014, at 06:59 am
Beijing, Oct 7 (IBNS): At least one person was killed in an earthquake, which measured 6.6 on the Richter scale, that hit southwest China Tuesday night, media reports said.
6.6 earthquake hits southwest China, no casualties
Oct 08, 2014, at 02:54 am
Beijing, Oct 7 (IBNS) A strong earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale hit southwest China on Tuesday, media reports said.
UN envoy on sexual violence warns rapes in South Sudan will 'haunt' generations
Oct 07, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS) The horrors of sexual violence in South Sudan did not end with the ceasefire agreement, a senior United Nations official on Monday said calling on citizens of the world's youngest country to stand together and say "enough is enough."
Smuggling of migrants tops agenda at opening of conference on organized crime
Oct 07, 2014, at 05:33 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS) The two main routes of smuggling of migrants to Europe and North America generate nearly $7 billion a year to the smuggling networks, according to an estimate on Monday released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
On World Habitat Day, UN calls for 'new urban agenda'
Oct 07, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS) Urgent action is needed to refocus urban planning and to provide safe, affordable housing that is appropriate and adequate for our citizens' growing needs, senior United Nations officials said marking World Habitat Day, which is observed annually on the first Monday of October.