UN official urges more rapid change for gender equality

Mar 18, 2015, at 02:12 pm

New York, Mar 18 (IBNS): A senior United Nations official on Tuesday stressed the need for more rapid advancements on gender equality, saying the pace of change since the 1995 World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, on many issues has not been sufficient and major disparities between genders remain.

Prince Harry to embed with the Australian Army

Mar 17, 2015, at 05:46 pm

Sydney, Mar 17 (IBNS): Prince Harry is all set to be embedded with the Australian Army, officials said on Tuesday.

12 death row prisoners hanged in Pakistan

Mar 17, 2015, at 03:16 pm

Islamabad, Mar 17 (IBNS): Pakistan hanged to death twelve death row convicts in different cities across the country on Tuesday, media reports said.

Sendai: Early warning saves lives, but communities need targeted

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:37 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): When disaster strikes, the surest way to save more lives is to get targeted, practical information quickly out to communities, United Nations experts told delegations gathered in Sendai, Japan, but stressed that even the most technically impressive systems “are useless” if people are not reached or do not understand the warning.

Ban promises necessary action to assist cyclone-hit Vanuatu

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:36 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): With United Nations relief agencies stepping up their response in Vanuatu after the country was hit by Cyclone Pam, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that the event “tragically underscored” the importance of global efforts on disaster risk reduction.

Eritrea: UN-mandated inquiry finds human rights abuses

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:34 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): A four-month United Nations investigation into the human rights situation in Eritrea has found “very clear patterns” of violations and abuses, according to a report delivered on Monday at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva.

UN launches social media campaign to create world’s happiest playlist

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:33 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The question "Does happiness have a sound? And, if so, what does it actually sound like?" is what the United Nations is asking as it launches its latest campaign –#HappySoundsLike – an appeal for the global citizenry “to nominate a song that brings a smile to your face” ahead of this year’s International Day of Happiness, observed annually on 20 March.New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The question "Does happiness have a sound? And, if so, what does it actually sound like?" is what the United Nations is asking as it launches its latest campaign –#HappySoundsLike – an appeal for the global citizenry “to nominate a song that brings a smile to your face” ahead of this year’s International Day of Happiness, observed annually on 20 March.

Pakistan: UN chief deplores terrorist attack on Christian sites of worship

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:31 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the terrorist attacks committed against two Christian churches in Pakistan.

UN panel probing new information on Dag Hammarskjöld death

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:30 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The United Nations on Monday announced the members of the Independent Panel of Experts tasked with examining new information related to the tragic death of former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and his party in September 1961.

Security Council: UN envoy cites hope for Afghan peace process

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:28 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The top United Nations envoy for Afghanistan on Monday said there was renewed hope for the peace process as he briefed the Security Council, which extended the mandate of the UN mission in the country for another year.

Countries urged to make dementia public health priority: WHO

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:27 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday opened the first ever Ministerial Conference on Global Action Against Dementia by reminding health ministers from around the world, experts and civil society representatives that every four seconds someone is diagnosed with the incurable disease.

Nigeria: UN political chief delivers message of solidarity

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:19 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The top United Nations political official arrived in Nigeria today for a two-day visit aimed at conveying the world body’s support and solidarity with the country ahead of the general elections starting on 28 March.

Women’s participation in sports key to boosting gender equality: UN

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:17 pm

New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The greater participation of women and girls in sports can help lift their involvement in society, fight gender stereotypes and accelerate progress towards gender parity, the head of the United Nations entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment declared on Monday.

Nepal bus mishap kills 18

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:58 am

Jumla, Mar 16 (IBNS): At least 18 people were killed as a passenger bus dropped 200 metres down the road in Nepal's in Jumla district on Monday, media reports said.

Pakistan protests against blasts targeting churches

Mar 17, 2015, at 02:20 am

Lahore, Mar 16 (IBNS): A day after twin blasts targeting churches in Lahore city left 15 people dead, the Christian community protested against the attacks in various cities of Pakistan on Monday, media reports said.

Health at very center of disaster risk reduction: WHO

Mar 16, 2015, at 02:18 pm

New York, Mar 16 (IBNS): The Ebola outbreak in West Africa, powerful storms in the Asia-Pacific region and ongoing conflicts in Syria and elsewhere are all stark reminders that health and stronger health system capacities must be central to the new framework for managing disaster risk currently being discussed in Sendai, Japan, senior United Nations health agency officials emphasized on Sunday.

Ban praises Sendai earthquake recovery system

Mar 16, 2015, at 02:17 pm

New York, Mar 16 (IBNS): Integrating disaster risk reduction into development can save lives and livelihoods, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as he toured Sendai, Japan, which was devastated four years ago by an earthquake and tsunami but which today, following an impressive rebuilding effort, is a reminder to the world that “we must turn all of the painful lessons of disasters into new policies for a better future.”

UN relief agencies ramp up support to cyclone-hit Vanuatu

Mar 16, 2015, at 02:15 pm

New York, Mar 16 (IBNS): Amid reports that powerful Cyclone Pam has impacted at least half the population of Vanuatu, the country's President, attending a United Nations conference under way in Japan aiming to reduce disaster risk, appealed for international support in anticipation of large-scale needs.

2 Indonesian planes crash during practice, pilots safe

Mar 16, 2015, at 12:33 am

Langkawi , Mar 15 (IBNS) Two Indonesian Air Forces Jupiter Aerobatic planes crashed during a practice session before an air show on Malaysia's Langkawi island on Sunday, media reports said.

Singh holds bilateral meeting with Ministers of Japan and Russia

Mar 16, 2015, at 12:13 am

Sendai, Mar 15 (IBNS) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral meetings with Ministers of Japan and Russia during his visit to the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction at Sendai in Japan on Sunday.

Pakistan church blasts kill 15

Mar 16, 2015, at 12:12 am

Lahore, Mar 15 (IBNS) Twin blasts rocked the Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church at Lahore's Youhanabad area in Pakistan which left at least 15 people dead and 70 others injured on Sunday, media reports said.

Pakistan: 14 killed, 68 injured in twin blasts at Lahore churches

Mar 15, 2015, at 09:31 pm

Lahore, Mar 15 (IBNS): At least 14 people were killed and 68 others were hurt as twin blasts rocked the Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church at Lahore's Youhanabad area in Pakistan on Sunday, media reports said.

Pakistan: 6 killed in twin blasts at Lahore churches

Mar 15, 2015, at 07:15 pm

Lahore, Mar 15 (IBNS): At least six people were killed as twin blasts rocked the Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church at Lahore's Youhanabad area in Pakistan, media reports said.

UN responding to 'devastating' impact of Tropical Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu, Pacific region

Mar 15, 2015, at 05:47 pm

New York, Mar 15 (IBNS)The United Nations announced on Saturday that it is taking all necessary steps to respond to the catastrophic impacts of a devastating tropical cyclone that affected most of Vanuatu over the past two days.

US shuts down embassy, consulates in Saudi Arabia over security concerns

Mar 15, 2015, at 05:37 pm

Riyadh, Mar 15 (IBNS): Citing 'heightened security concerns at U.S. diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia', the U.S. Embassy and Consulates have cancelled all consular services in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran for Sunday and Monday, officials said.

Cyclone hits Vanuatu, several feared dead

Mar 15, 2015, at 05:27 am

Port Vila , Mar 14 (IBNS): Dozens are feared dead as super tropical cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu on Saturday, reports said.

In Japan, UN chief urges global solidarity to strengthen disaster resilience, boost development

Mar 15, 2015, at 03:00 am

New York, Mar 14 (IBNS): With global leaders gathered in Sendai, Japan, to agree a new framework for managing disaster risk which will reduce mortality and curb economic losses, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday declared that responding to the world's growing needs requires empowering individuals, supporting communities and backing promises with resources.

Sendai: Critical role of women in building disaster resilience focus of event at UN conference

Mar 15, 2015, at 02:57 am

New York, Mar 14 (IBNS) Spotlighting the positive actions of women in planning and decision-making to make their communities safer before, during and after disasters strike, senior United Nations, Government and civil society representatives on Friday emphasized that risk reduction efforts can never be fully effective or sustainable if the needs and voices of women are ignored.

Fresh detention orders to put Lakhvi in jail for another one month

Mar 14, 2015, at 07:28 pm

Islamabad, Mar 14(IBNS) Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, acquitted by a court on Friday, will remain in jail for at least a month following a fresh detention order from the Home ministry of Punjab province in Pakistan.

21 drown in Myanmar ferry mishap

Mar 14, 2015, at 07:10 pm

Yangon, Mar 14(IBNS) At least 21 passengers were dead and 26 missing when a ferry sunk off the coast in western Myanmar's the Rakhine state, reports said on Saturday.