UN agency expresses concern over plight of civilians in southern Lebanon refugee camp
Aug 26, 2015, at 03:12 pm
New York, Aug 26 (IBNS) The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) called on Tuesday for restraint in the wake of 24 August clashes between various armed groups that have seriously impacted the refugee community in southern Lebanon's Ein el Hilweh Camp in Saida.
In France, Ban and President Hollande discuss global issues including upcoming Paris climate talks
Aug 26, 2015, at 03:09 pm
New York, Aug 26 (IBNS): In Paris today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with the President of France, Francois Hollande, with whom he discussed a range of issues, including the climate change conference, which is due to start in December (COP-21) in the French capital, as well as the next steps to be taken to ensure an ambitious outcome.
Aug 26, 2015, at 03:05 pm
New York, Aug 26 (IBNS): Welcoming the decision by rival parties in South Sudan to convene tomorrow a 'mini-summit,' where the Government, "in the interest of peace," is expected to sign the agreement already endorsed by former Vice-President Riek Machar, the top United Nations official in the country on Tuesday said that the security situation on the ground remains "volatile and tense."
Aug 26, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, Aug 26 (IBNS) Alarmed by the dramatic increase in grave violations against Yemen's children, the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict has called on all parties to respect their obligations under international law to safeguard civilians from harm, including children.
UN atomic energy watchdog will need more than $10 million a year to assess Iran's nuclear capacity
Aug 26, 2015, at 02:56 pm
New York, Aug 26 (IBNS): The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday presented to its member States for approval a report outlining a 9.2 million euros-a-year (roughly $10.5 million) programme to carry out the verification and monitoring of Iran's nuclear-related commitments as set out in the landmark international agreement reached last month with the Government of Iran.
UN human rights chief urges Maldives to consider release of imprisoned former President
Aug 26, 2015, at 02:53 pm
New York, Aug 26 (IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday expressed deep concern that Government of the Maldives after former President Mohammad Nasheed was once again sent to prison, calling the move a "serious set-back" for the country.
Europe's response to migrant crisis is not working, warns UN rights expert
Aug 26, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Aug 26 (IBNS): The European Union should establish a human rights-based, coherent and comprehensive migration policy which makes mobility its central asset, a United Nations expert on Tuesday advocated, assuring is the only way in which the EU can reclaim its border, effectively combat smuggling and empower migrants.
Ban welcomes agreement to resume regular inter-Korean dialogue, hopes for talks on nuclear issue
Aug 25, 2015, at 03:48 pm
New York, Aug 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the news of the agreement reached between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Monday.
Civilian needs mount in Yemen as medical supplies dwindle - UN health agency
Aug 25, 2015, at 03:43 pm
New York, Aug 25 (IBNS) Life saving medicines, trauma kits and blood bank supplies are urgently needed in war-ravaged Yemen, where nearly half the country's health facilities have shut down, leaving thousands of injured civilians with fewer and fewer places to seek emergency assistance, according to the UN health agency.
Aug 25, 2015, at 03:20 pm
New York, Aug 25 (IBNS) Commemorating the 4th anniversary of the "vicious terrorist attack" that killed 23 United Nations employees in Abuja, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday also paid tribute to the “extraordinary fortitude†and determination of the survivors, many of whom suffered terrible injury and trauma.
Iraq: UN hotline set up to reach out to displaced Iraqis scattered in hard-to-reach areas
Aug 25, 2015, at 03:08 pm
New York, Aug 25 (IBNS) United Nations relief agencies on Monday announced the launch of a national hotline in Iraq to respond to the urgent food, medical and shelter needs of people displaced by the fighting now numbering 3.2 million and scattered in over 3,000 hard-to-reach locations across the war-ravaged country.
Syria: UNESCO chief condemns destruction of Palmyra's ancient temple
Aug 25, 2015, at 02:59 pm
New York, Aug 25 (IBNS) Extremists “cannot silence history,†the Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, declared today, firmly condemning the destruction of Palmyra’s ancient temple of Baalshamin, in Syria, a World Heritage site.
Top UN relief official in Central African Republic condemns attack against aid workers
Aug 25, 2015, at 02:52 pm
New York, Aug 25 (IBNS): A senior United Nations relief official on Monday strongly condemned the attack against humanitarian workers that occurred on August 20 in Bambari, in Central African Republic (CAR), and injured one staff from the Red Cross Movement.
Japan PM Shinzo Abe will not attend WWII-end anniversary in China
Aug 25, 2015, at 12:37 am
Tokyo, Aug 24 (IBNS): Japan PM Shinzo Abe will not visit China to attend a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II next month, media reports said.
Moderate earthquake hits Nepal's Kodari region
Aug 23, 2015, at 10:06 pm
Kathmandu, Aug 23 (IBNS): A moderate earthquake measuring 5.0 on Richter Scale hit 15 kilometres south-east of Kodari in Nepal on Sunday, media reports said.
Kabul explosion leaves 14 killed, Afghanistan President Ghani condemns attack
Aug 23, 2015, at 06:15 pm
Kabul, Aug 23 (IBNS): Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Sunday condemned the deadly suicide bombing in Kabul city which left 14 people killed.
England: Jet crashes during air show, 7 killed
Aug 23, 2015, at 05:30 am
London, Aug 22 (IBNS): At least seven people were killed as a Hawker Hunter jet crashed into several vehicles during Shoreham Airshow at Sussex in southeast England on Saturday, media reports said.
Afghanistan: 3 killed in suicide bombing
Aug 23, 2015, at 12:29 am
Kabul, Aug 22 (IBNS): At least three people were killed in a suicide bombing at Kabul city in Afghanistan on Saturday, media reports said.
France: Gunman opens fire on train, 3 hurt
Aug 22, 2015, at 06:39 pm
Paris, Aug 22 (IBNS): At least three people were injured as an armed man opened fire on a train in northern France, media reports said on Saturday.
Mauritania: UN expert welcomes new anti-slavery law
Aug 22, 2015, at 04:16 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS): While applauding the adoption of a new anti-slavery law in Mauritania that doubles, from 10 to 20 years, the maximum prison sentence for slavery crimes and creates special prosecution tribunals for slavery-like practices, a United Nations expert on Friday cautioned that "this welcome development needs to be followed by its full implementation."
UN human rights chief urges end to 'endemic impunity' for violations in Darfur
Aug 22, 2015, at 04:14 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS): A new United Nations report paints a grim picture of "systemic failure, or outright refusal" by authorities in Darfur to take human rights violations seriously and points to the failure of initiatives taken so far by the Government to combat "endemic impunity."
Kosovo: Security Council says progress demands commitment from parties
Aug 22, 2015, at 04:11 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS): The enormous strides already taken by Kosovo and Serbia through the European Union-facilitated dialogue demand continuing commitment from both the parties and the international community, the United Nations Security Council was told on Friday.
UN refugee agency concerned by violence at border of Macedonia and Greece
Aug 22, 2015, at 04:09 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency is concerned about the increasingly precarious situation at the border between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), where force was used earlier on Friday to prevent people from crossing.
UN official in Somalia appeals for scaled-up assistance in newly opened areas
Aug 22, 2015, at 04:06 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS): Just back from an assessment mission in southern regions of Somalia, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the country has underscored that while relief supplies are reaching the areas “after years of isolation,†much work lay ahead for people to rebuild their lives in the towns of Baardheere and Diinsoor, in the Gedo and Bay regions, respectively.
Azerbaijan: UN rights experts condemn prison sentencing of human rights defenders
Aug 22, 2015, at 04:02 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS): Condemning the recent prison sentencing of two prominent Azerbaijani human rights defenders, United Nations human rights experts on Friday expressed concern about the activists’ health during their pre-trial detention and called on the Government to immediately halt any persecution against human rights advocates.
Ban calls for restraint as violations jeopardize ceasefire between Israel and Syria
Aug 22, 2015, at 03:52 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS): Deeply concerned over the serious violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria, United Nations Secretary-General ban Ki-moon on Friday called on all involved to exercise maximum restraint to prevent any further escalation in an already tense regional environment.
South Korean Defense Minister assures action against any further North Korean attack
Aug 22, 2015, at 03:03 am
Seoul, Aug 21 (IBNS) Han Min-koo, South Korea's Defense Minister reassured his countrymen on Friday, vowing an action against any further attack by neighbour North Korea.
Sri Lanka: Ranil Wickremesinghe takes oath as PM
Aug 21, 2015, at 08:47 pm
Colombo, Aug 21 (IBNS): UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday took oath as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
After Tianjin explosion, UN expert calls on China to ensure transparent investigation
Aug 21, 2015, at 01:41 pm
New York, Aug 21 (IBNS): The Government of China and relevant businesses in the country should ensure complete transparency in the investigation of the chemical disaster in Tianjin, including both causes and effects of the explosion, says an independent United Nations human rights expert.
UN chief urges Burundian President to ‘pursue path of inclusivity and reconciliation’
Aug 21, 2015, at 01:40 pm
New York, Aug 21 (IBNS): Noting the inauguration on Thursday of Pierre Nkurunziza for his third term as President of Burundi, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged him to “pursue a path of inclusivity and reconciliation,†and reiterated his call on all Burundian stakeholders to undertake a broad and transparent political dialogue.