Canada grants asylum for Saudi teen who fled family: UNHCR
Jan 12, 2019, at 08:43 am
New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun’s desperate and ultimately successful bid for asylum in the face of alleged death-threats from her own family, provides a “glimpse into the precarious situation of millions of refugees worldwide” said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees on Friday.
How the smell of fresh bread transformed one refugee life
Jan 12, 2019, at 08:39 am
New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): Who would imagine that the smell of fresh bread wafting through a bakery could change the course of a young Syrian refugee’s life?
DR Congo: Days ahead ‘critical’ to ‘historic election process’ Security Council hears
Jan 12, 2019, at 08:36 am
New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): With millions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) demonstrating “their commitment to the political process”, the days ahead are “critical” to what has been an “historic election process”, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Friday.
Jan 12, 2019, at 08:32 am
New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): The human rights situation in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – DPRK - remains “extremely serious”, and along with international demands for denuclearization, this constitutes a “a critical test” for the year ahead, a senior UN-appointed expert said on Friday.
Thousands risk lives fleeing fighting in Syria’s last ISIL stronghold
Jan 12, 2019, at 08:29 am
New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): North-east Syria is seeing increasing numbers of civilian casualties and large-scale displacement amid intensifying efforts to defeat extremists from ISIL, otherwise known as Da’esh, in Deir-ez-Zor governorate, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday.
Saudi girl Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun granted asylum in Australia, claims Thai official
Jan 11, 2019, at 04:41 pm
Bangkok, Jan 11 (IBNS): The Australian government has granted asylum to Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, the 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled to Thailand to escape her allegedly abusive family, media reports said.
San Juan: Gay Latin artist Kevin Fret shot dead, investigation under way
Jan 11, 2019, at 03:12 pm
San Juan, Jan 11 (IBNS): The first openly gay Latin trap artist Kevin Fret was shot dead in San Juan, Puerto Rico by unknown men, media reports said on Friday.
‘Everyone must be on board’ for peace in Central African Republic: UN’s Lacroix
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:53 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): The agreement by the Government and armed groups in the Central African Republic to hold talks later this month (CAR) is “an important step to resolve the country’s crisis”, said the UN peacekeeping chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, on Thursday.
More attacks, ‘persisting security challenges’ threaten progress in West Africa, Sahel
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:51 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): A rising number of attacks by extremist groups, using more sophisticated tactics, risk undermining progress in West Africa and the Sahel, the region’s UN envoy told the Security Council on Thursday.
Storms and snow in Lebanon worsen plight for Syrian refugees
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:48 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): Storm-force winds and snow across Lebanon have worsened the plight for tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who’ve been forced from their homes by nearly eight years of conflict, a top UN humanitarian official said on Thursday.
‘Refrain from violence’ UN chief urges, as presidential election result is announced in DR Congo
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:44 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for all parties to “refrain from violence” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following the announcement of the provisional results of the long-delayed presidential election.
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:08 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): Following the Guatemalan Government’s unilateral decision to shut down a long-running UN anti-corruption commission, its spokesperson told UN News on Wednesday that the team is looking at ways to continue to carry out its mandate, hours after the country's highest court ruled against the Government expulsion order.
Armed insurgency in north-east Nigeria ‘has created a humanitarian tragedy’
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:06 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): Following an upsurge in violence in north-east Nigeria, which was brought to global attention five years ago with the abduction by Boko Haram extremists of the Chibok schoolgirls, tens of thousands of innocent civilians continue to flee, prompting “grave concern” from the United Nations envoy there.
‘We cannot lose momentum’ on the road to peace in Yemen, UN envoy warns
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:04 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): “The difficult part” of reaching a lasting political settlement in Yemen “is still ahead of us” said the UN Special Envoy on Wednesday, urging the Security Council to support the “speedy implementation” of the fragile ceasefire agreed in and around the crucial port city of Hudaydah, at breakthrough talks in Sweden last month.
Somalia: UN congratulates Puntland region’s newly-elected President
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:00 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS).The UN’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, on Wednesday congratulated the newly-elected president of Puntland, Somalia’s semi-autonomous region in the country’s north east.
Amid troop build-up in Rohingya's home state, UN appeals to Myanmar for peaceful solution
Jan 10, 2019, at 09:54 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): Major fighting in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine state has so far been avoided following clashes between armed separatists and national security forces who are increasing troop numbers there, a top UN humanitarian official there said on Wednesday.
100 years on, UN labour agency mission focussed on growing inequality, says Director-General
Jan 10, 2019, at 09:50 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): As it celebrates its centenary year, the International Labour Organization (ILO) must help to tackle inequality in the world of work through the efforts of its 180-plus members, said Director-General Guy Ryder on Wednesday.
China: Fuxing bullet train debuts on Lanzhou-Chongqing line
Jan 09, 2019, at 06:19 pm
Beijing, Jan 9 (IBNS): The first Fuxing bullet train started running on the Lanzhou-Chongqing line in China from Tuesday, media reports said.
-1547027810.jpg "Kim Jong Un heads back home after meeting Xi Jinping in China")
Kim Jong Un heads back home after meeting Xi Jinping in China
Jan 09, 2019, at 03:26 pm
Beijing, Jan 9 (IBNS): Ending his visit to China, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is heading back home on Wednesday, media reports said.
Oil tanker blaze off Hong Kong's Lamma Island leaves 1 dead
Jan 09, 2019, at 03:23 pm
Hong Kong, Jan 9 (IBNS): At least one person was killed and seven others were injured when an oil tanker exploded and caught fire Tuesday off Hong Kong's Lamma Island, media reports said on Wednesday.
'Hope' on the horizon as UN Peacekeepers push deep into Mali
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:28 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): UN peacekeepers in Mali have given what villagers in a remote part of the West African country have called a “real glimmer of hope.”
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:22 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): Following a run-off election for the Presidency of Madagascar which saw former leader Andry Rajoelina declared the winner on Tuesday, the UN chief has commended all those who contributed to the “peaceful and orderly” voting process that began at the end of November.
How to stay in shape and step up support for refugees
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:18 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): At a time of year when many resolve to get fit, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the huge distances many are forced to cover to escape persecution, in search of a better life far from home.
THE COMMITTEES: ‘All roads lead to the Fifth’
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:16 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): At the United Nations, there is a popular saying – all roads lead to the Fifth – the “Fifth” here is the General Assembly’s main Administrative and Budgetary Committee, where all financial and programme matters concerning the UN system, are discussed. In this feature series on the work of the General Assembly, the UN body made up of all 193 Member States, UN News gives you an inside look at the critical work of the Fifth Committee.
UN Chief ‘strongly rejects’ Guatemala decision to expel anti-corruption body
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:03 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General António Guterres has “strongly rejected” the Guatemalan Government’s decision to unilaterally terminate the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), an independent body set up by the UN and Guatemala to investigate illegal security groups and high-level corruption in the country.
UK: Heathrow Airport stops departures for drone sighting
Jan 09, 2019, at 01:15 am
London, Jan 8 (IBNS): The Heathrow Airport in London on Tuesday temporarily stopped departure of flights after a drone was sighted.
China: Beijing school attack leaves 20 children hurt
Jan 08, 2019, at 03:34 pm
Beijing, Jan 8 (IBNS): At least 20 children were injured when a man attacked a primary school in China's Beijing city with a knife on Tuesday, media reports said.
Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun seeks asylum in Canada
Jan 08, 2019, at 02:22 pm
Bangkok, Jan 8 (IBNS): Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, who has claimed that she has escaped from her family in the Middle-east nation, on Tuesday sought asylum in Canada.
DR Congo: Restore internet services as 'a matter of urgency', urges UN expert
Jan 08, 2019, at 10:26 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): More than a week after voters went to the polls to choose a new President in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), results have yet to be announced and all primary telecommunications remain shut down – prompting a UN expert on Monday to urge the authorities to restore internet services as “a matter of urgency”.
Killing of aid worker in Syria part of ‘disturbing trend’
Jan 08, 2019, at 10:23 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): The abduction and killing of an aid worker last week in Syria’s Idleb region, brings into focus the daily risks faced by humanitarians working in conflict zones, said the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, in a statement deploring the killing on Monday.