Kim Jong-un bats for Singapore meeting, meets Moon Jae-in
May 28, 2018, at 12:52 am
Pyongyang, May 27 (IBNS): With North Korea's state media confirming that its leader Kim Jong-un's "fixed will" is to hold a summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore amid fears of its cancellation after the US president's tweet to call it off, it can be safely said that the North Korean leader has evolved as a politician.
Cyclone Mekunu hits Oman, Yemen, kills five
May 27, 2018, at 03:55 pm
Sana'a, May 27 (IBNS): A powerful cyclone named Mekunu has hit the Gulf country of Oman and neighbouring Yemen, media reports said.
Irish abortion referendum: Over 70 percent wants repeal
May 26, 2018, at 07:48 pm
Dublin, May 26 (IBNS): Exit polls in the recent Ireland polls over abortion have suggested that the majority of the population have voted for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment.
UN chief notes ‘with concern’ report holding Russia liable for downing airliner
May 26, 2018, at 06:05 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): Following the conclusion of an investigation that holds Russia responsible for the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane in 2014, the United Nations chief said on Friday that he “has taken note with concern of the latest report”.
France: New terrorism laws may undercut human rights and freedoms, says UN expert
May 26, 2018, at 06:04 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): While commending efforts by the French government to combat terrorism, a United Nations rights expert has raised concerns about the effect recent counter-terrorism laws are having on fundamental human rights there, including freedom of movement, religion and association.
‘What is good for Africa is good for the world’ says UN chief on International Day
May 26, 2018, at 06:01 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): Praising efforts by African countries to alleviate poverty and build more stable societies, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres pledged his on-going support for ending conflict and building peace across the continent.
AU-UN mission in Darfur extra-vigilant in wake of attacks on civilian camps
May 26, 2018, at 05:58 pm
New York, Mar 26 (IBNS): Following a series of armed attacks on camps hosting displaced Sudanese in central Darfur, the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission there has urged all parties to respect designated humanitarian areas, which it says should be free of weapons, threats, and violence.
Yemen: Human suffering at risk of further deterioration, warns UN aid chief
May 25, 2018, at 05:50 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): An escalation in fighting, increasing obstacles to aid delivery and lack of food and fuel, is compounding Yemen’s dire humanitarian crisis, the United Nations top relief official warned on Thursday, calling on all parties to the conflict to end the violence.
UN envoy urges ‘inclusive’ talks to resolve crisis in Burundi
May 25, 2018, at 05:42 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): Inclusive talks remain the only way to find a lasting solution to the political, socio-economic and humanitarian crisis that has engulfed Burundi since 2015, the United Nations envoy for the African Great Lakes country said on Thursday.
‘Gravely concerned’ over northern Somalia clashes, UN and partners call for ceasefire
May 25, 2018, at 05:36 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): The United Nations and its partners on Thursday expressed grave concern over armed clashes which have broken out in northern Somalia, urging all parties to immediately halt the violence.
UN development official urges greater international support for Zimbabwe
May 25, 2018, at 05:33 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): With a new administration in place and plans to hold free and fair general elections later this year, authorities in Zimbabwe are hoping to see greater international investment in their country, according to the top United Nations official there.
Not so fast on fracking, UN agency tells developing countries
May 25, 2018, at 05:22 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): The hydraulic extraction of natural gas, commonly known as fracking, produces cleaner energy than oil and coal, but it is not necessarily in the best interests of the world’s poorest countries, UN development experts said on Thursday.
UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ over cancellation of US-North Korea summit
May 25, 2018, at 05:01 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday that he was “deeply concerned” by the cancellation of the planned meeting between the leaders of the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly-known as North Korea.
UN chief launches new disarmament agenda ‘to secure our world and our future’
May 25, 2018, at 04:41 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): The United Nations chief announced a bold new vision for global disarmament on Thursday, to help eliminate nuclear arsenals and other deadly weapons from a world that is just “one mechanical, electronic and human error away” from destruction.
Donald Trump cancels Singapore summit with North Korea Chairman Kim Jong Un
May 25, 2018, at 02:43 am
Washington, May 24 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump on Thursday cancelled the long planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, that was scheduled to be held on June 12 in Singapore.
May 24, 2018, at 07:52 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): A “holistic approach” is needed to the address peace and security challenges in Africa’s vast Sahel region, a senior United Nations peacekeeping official told the Security Council on Wednesday, calling for more investment in better government, social services and youth opportunities.
Transforming the world requires input from all society: UN deputy chief
May 24, 2018, at 07:49 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): International efforts to create a world where no one is left behind will only become a reality if all sectors in society participate, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General told ambassadors in New York on Wednesday.
Urgent action needed to avoid war, alleviate suffering in Gaza – UN envoy tells Security Council
May 24, 2018, at 07:46 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): Gaza is on the verge of collapse and its people becoming increasingly desperate, a United Nations envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday, urging international action to avoid another war, alleviate suffering and empower more responsible government within the enclave.
South Korea leads developed nations in household debt, UN expert warns
May 24, 2018, at 07:43 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS):Despite being the world’s 11th largest economy, a significant number of South Koreans are living in “substandard” housing, faced with rising rents they can no longer afford, a United Nations rights expert said on Wednesday, noting that the country now leads developed nations in levels of household debt.
Tackling corruption ‘from the top down’ essential, declares UN chief, marking key global treaty
May 24, 2018, at 07:40 pm
New York, May 24 (IBNS): Corruption and complicity know no geographical boundaries, and it is society’s most vulnerable who get hurt the most, senior United Nations officials said on Wednesday, calling on Government leaders to fight the scourge, “from the top down”.
Afghanistan: Farah offensive kills at least 11 Taliban militants
May 24, 2018, at 04:10 pm
Kabul, May 24 (IBNS): At least 11 Taliban militants were gunned down in an anti-terrorism offensive by Afghanistan's special forces, reports said.
May 24, 2018, at 06:56 am
Naypyidaw: A Rohingya armed group brandishing guns and swords is responsible for at least one, and potentially a second, massacre of up to 99 Hindu women, men, and children as well as additional unlawful killings and abductions of Hindu villagers in August 2017, Amnesty International revealed on Tuesday after carrying out a detailed investigation inside Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Syrian terrorists relocating to Afghanistan, says Russian Defence Minister
May 23, 2018, at 08:54 pm
Moscow/Kabul, May 23 (IBNS): Sounding alert, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has reportedly said that militants from Syria are relocating to Afghanistan.
UN pays tribute to the Organization’s founding mothers
May 23, 2018, at 05:59 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): Women have played a pivotal role in the United Nations since its inception in 1945, including in the first international agreement proclaiming gender equality as a fundamental human right: the UN Charter.
New project safeguards Rohingya refugees; boosts local farming – UN migration agency
May 23, 2018, at 05:42 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): A major canal dredging project underway in Southern Bangladesh to protect Rohingya refugees from monsoon floods, will have the added benefit of boosting local agriculture, the United Nations migration agency said Tuesday.
UN calls on Algeria to stop expelling thousands of sub-Saharan African migrants
May 23, 2018, at 05:39 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) has called on the Algerian Government to stop collectively expelling thousands of migrants, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa, saying it violates international human rights law.
UN chief urges governments to shield more civilians from violence in conflict
May 23, 2018, at 05:29 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): With more than 128 million people worldwide requiring immediate humanitarian aid, mostly due to war and violence, the United Nations Secretary-General has urged the international community to do more to protect civilians caught in conflict.
Adelaide Archbishop to step down from post following conviction
May 23, 2018, at 04:26 pm
Melbourne, May 23 (IBNS): Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson has announced on Wednesday that he will be stepping down from his post after an Australian court found him guilty of concealing child sex abuse complaints.
Armed gangs force 'growing number' to flee north and south, in Central America
May 23, 2018, at 04:02 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): The number of people fleeing violence and persecution from States in Central America, including Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, has risen by nearly 60 per cent in the space of just a year, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has warned.
Rich variety of life on earth essential says UN chief Guterres, marking biological diversity day
May 22, 2018, at 03:09 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The welfare and prosperity of people now and in the future, depends on a “rich variety of life on earth” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his message for the International Day for Biological Diversity, marked on Tuesday.