Gaza border: Retaliatory fire from Israel kills pregnant woman, baby

Aug 09, 2018, at 10:44 am

Jerusalem, Aug 9 (IBNS): A pregnant woman and her 18-month-old daughter were among the three people killed in a retaliatory fire by Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border.

UN urges protection of indigenous peoples’ rights during migration

Aug 09, 2018, at 09:45 am

New York, Aug 9 (IBNS): Marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, UN Secretary-General António Guterres put a spotlight on the factors pushing indigenous people to migrate “within their countries and across international borders” despite their “profound spiritual connection to their lands and resources”.

Former Chilean President Bachelet put forward by UN chief as next High Commissioner for Human Rights

Aug 09, 2018, at 09:42 am

New York, Aug 9 (IBNS): She has twice been President of Chile, and on Wednesday, ground-breaking politician and women’s rights champion, Michelle Bachelet was nominated by the United Nations chief António Guterres for the key post of High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Amid ‘volatile’ environment, UN mission chief urges Iraqi leaders to ‘listen to the voice of the people’

Aug 09, 2018, at 09:38 am

New York, Aug 9 (IBNS): Despite a myriad of “long-neglected social, economic and development needs”, the Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Wednesday said progress had been made towards recovery and stability in the battle-scarred country, and called for Iraqi political leaders to continue to “work for national reconciliation” through “inclusive” solutions.

In Tokyo, UN chief expresses full support for US-Japan dialogue with North Korea

Aug 09, 2018, at 09:36 am

New York, Aug 9 (IBNS): At a joint press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ongoing talks between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as Japan’s renewed initiative of dialogue with the country.

‘Well-being of two million’ in Gaza at stake as emergency fuel runs dry: UN humanitarian coordinator

Aug 09, 2018, at 09:33 am

New York, Aug 9 (IBNS): To avert hospital closures and raw sewage overflowing onto the streets of Gaza, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator on Wednesday called on Israeli authorities to allow UN-purchased emergency fuel back across the border of the Palestinian enclave.

Let Nagasaki remain ‘the last city’ to suffer nuclear devastation says museum director, as UN chief arrives

Aug 09, 2018, at 09:30 am

New York, Aug 9 (IBNS): It’s essential that Nagasaki’s devastation should “not be forgotten” now or in the future, if the threat of nuclear war is to be lifted, said the Director of the Japanese city’s Atomic Bomb Museum, ahead of a visit there on Thursday by the UN Secretary-General.

Entire New South Wales now drought affected: Government

Aug 08, 2018, at 01:06 pm

Sydney, Aug 8 (IBNS): The entire state of New South Wales in Australia is affected by drought, its government has said on Wednesday.

Colombia's new President Ivan Duque takes office

Aug 08, 2018, at 11:26 am

Bogota, Aug 8 (IBNS): Colombia's new President Ivan Duque took office after he was sworn in at Bogota's Bolivar square on Tuesday.

Senior commander of armed Taliban killed in Logar province

Aug 08, 2018, at 08:59 am

Kabul, Aug 8 (IBNS):  A senior commander of armed Taliban named Najibullah known as Hemat was killed with his two accomplices during overnight operation, Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior said on Wednesday.

UN chief calls for ‘increased commitment’ to resolution on 10th anniversary of Georgia conflict

Aug 08, 2018, at 08:38 am

New York, Aug 8 (IBNS): Ten years after conflict involving Georgia, Russia and the South Ossetia region broke out, United Nations chief, António Guterres said on Tuesday that “increased commitment” is needed by “relevant actors” to advance the on-going reconciliation and peace process.

‘Immense’ needs of migrants making perilous journey between Yemen and Horn of Africa prompts $45 million UN migration agency appeal

Aug 08, 2018, at 08:32 am

New York, Aug 8 (IBNS): As conflicts and natural disasters have sharply deteriorated living conditions in the Horn of Africa and Yemen, more and more people have been crossing the Gulf of Aden in both directions, leading the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to appeal for $45 million to provide critical aid to 81,000 people over three years.

Indonesia: Psychological impact on earthquake survivors turns villages into ‘ghost towns’

Aug 08, 2018, at 08:28 am

New York, Aug 8 (IBNS): Following the magnitude 7 earthquake which rocked the Indonesian island of Lombok at the weekend, more than 130 aftershocks have been felt with some villages being turned into “ghost towns”, journalists at the UN in Geneva heard on Tuesday.

Rights experts call for greater protection of indigenous people during migration

Aug 08, 2018, at 08:22 am

New York, Aug 8 (IBNS): Governments are being urged to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are recognized, whether they are living on their traditional lands or forced to move elsewhere.

Key Brazilian border crossing for Venezuela refugees reopens as asylum numbers pass last year's total

Aug 08, 2018, at 08:17 am

New York, Aug 8 (IBNS): Some 117,000 Venezuelans have claimed asylum already this year — more than for the whole of 2017 — the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday, after welcoming a decision by the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court to reverse the closure of the country’s border with its northern neighbour.

Australian population to touch 25 million: ABS

Aug 07, 2018, at 06:32 pm

Canberra, Aug 7 (IBNS): Australia’s population is due to reach 25 million shortly after 11pm (AEST) on Tuesday, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population clock.

South Sudan peace deal a ‘big step forward’: UN mission chief

Aug 07, 2018, at 09:03 am

New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): There was jubilation in the streets of South Sudan’s capital overnight on Sunday, as residents celebrated a new agreement that the top UN official in the country has described as “a big step forward” towards ending nearly five years of brutal conflict.

As Hiroshima observes 73rd anniversary of atomic bombing, UN notes ‘stalled’ progress on nuclear disarmament

Aug 07, 2018, at 09:01 am

New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): The world needs the continued moral leadership of the people of Hiroshima, the top United Nations disarmament official said on Monday, commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city while lamenting that after decades of momentum towards a nuclear-free world, “progress has stalled.”

UN development agency provides lifeline to Gaza lifeguards, in bid to keep workers from debtors’ prison

Aug 07, 2018, at 08:58 am

New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): If Bilal Bashir, a Palestinian fisherman and lifeguard living on the coast of the Gaza Strip, does not get work over the summer months, he risks being sent to debtors’ prison.

UN chief ‘saddened’ by latest devastating earthquake to hit Indonesian island of Lombok

Aug 07, 2018, at 08:38 am

New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): Following the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Indonesia's East Lombok on Sunday, the United Nations Secretary-General said he was “saddened by the devastating loss of life, injuries and damage caused”, in a statement issued on Monday.

Bologna: Truck explodes on a motorway near airport

Aug 06, 2018, at 07:39 pm

Bologna, Aug 6 (IBNS): A tanker exploded on a motorway near Bologna Airport in Italy on Monday, media reports said.

Explosion rocks Italian city of Bologna

Aug 06, 2018, at 06:34 pm

Bologna, Aug 6 (IBNS): An explosion rocked Italian city of Bologna on Monday, media reports said.

Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador, freezes all ties, recalls own envoy

Aug 06, 2018, at 01:21 pm

Riyadh, Aug 6 (IBNS): Citing interference in its internal matters, Saudi Arabia has expelled the Canadian ambassador and freezes all bilateral ties..

Indonesia: Lombok Island earthquake kills 82

Aug 06, 2018, at 09:01 am

Jakarta, Aug 6 (IBNS): At least 82 people were killed as a powerful quake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale hit Indonesian Island of Lombok,  media reports said on Monday.

Nigeria: Wanted Boko Haram commander nabbed

Aug 05, 2018, at 09:20 pm

Abuja, Aug 5 (IBNS): The Nigerian Army on Sunday said a wanted Boko Haram commander has been nabbed by them, media reports said.

Aircraft with 20 onboard crashes in Swiss Alps

Aug 05, 2018, at 08:50 pm

Geneva, Aug 5 (IBNS): At least 20 people were killed when a vintage aircraft crashed into a mountainside in eastern Switzerland, media reports said on Sunday.

Indonesia: 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits Lombok island, no casualty

Aug 05, 2018, at 07:54 pm

Lombok Island, Aug 5 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale hit Indonesian island of Lombok on Sunday, US Geological Survey said.

Helicopter crash kills 18 in Siberia

Aug 04, 2018, at 04:52 pm

Moscow, Aug 4 (IBNS): At least 18 people were killed as a Mi-8 helicopter  crashed in the north of Krasnoyarsk region, East Siberia, media reports said on Saturday.

Woman attracts fine for wearing niqab in Denmark

Aug 04, 2018, at 04:05 pm

Copenhagen, Aug 4 (IBNS): A woman became the first person to be fined for violating the face veil ban in Denmark.

At least 18 killed as Russian copter crashes in Siberia

Aug 04, 2018, at 04:01 pm

Siberia, Aug 4 (IBNS): At least 18 people were killed in a helicopter crash in Russia's Siberia region, reports said.