Chinese cruise sinks in Yangtze, hundreds feared dead
Jun 02, 2015, at 07:18 pm
Beijing, June 2 (IBNS) Hundreds of people are feared dead when a cruise carrying 458 people capsized in the Yangtze River in China's Hubei province.
Ban condemns South Sudan's decision to expel UN humanitarian coordinator
Jun 02, 2015, at 06:54 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the Government of South Sudan's decision to expel his Deputy Special Representative and the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, Toby Lanzer.
UN relief wing boosts emergency support to refugees fleeing Burundi crisis
Jun 02, 2015, at 06:53 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): The new head of the United Nations relief arm on Monday released a fresh tranche of crisis funding from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in order to support life-saving relief work for thousands of Burundian refugees dispersed between Rwanda and Tanzania, the Organization has announced.
UN report presents recommendations on protecting LGBT rights
Jun 02, 2015, at 06:52 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): While some progress has been made since the first study four years ago spotlighting discrimination and violence against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, the overall picture remains one of pervasive, violent abuse, harassment and discrimination affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBT/I) persons in all regions, according to a new United Nations report issued on Monday.
Ending statelessness in Europe is realistic goal by 2024: UN refugee agency
Jun 02, 2015, at 06:50 pm
New York, Jun 2 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency, which has launched a campaign, #IBelong, to end the suffering of some 10 million stateless people across the world by the year 2024, said on Monday that addressing the plight for 600,000 people at the margins of society in Europe "is doable" in that timeframe.
UN rights chief urges inquiry into violations by international forces in Central Africa
Jun 01, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Jun 1 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief has urged several States to intensify their efforts to investigate long-standing allegations that soldiers in their forces sent to keep the peace in the Central African Republic (CAR) may have committed very serious violations, including killing of civilians and sexual exploitation of local women.
Syria: UN envoy condemns death of at least 70 civilians in Aleppo
Jun 01, 2015, at 02:29 pm
New York, Jun 1 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has strongly condemned the death of at least 70 civilians in Syria's northern Aleppo province by barrel bombs dropped from government helicopters.
Burundi: UN Special Adviser urges all parties to engage in talks to calm tensions
Jun 01, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Jun 1 (IBNS): At the conclusion of his two-day visit to Burundi, Adama Dieng, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, warned of increased tensions and the risk of further violence, unless all parties engage in open dialogue to resolve the crisis and calm tensions.
No Tobacco Day: UN launches fight against illicit tobacco trade to save lives
Jun 01, 2015, at 02:23 pm
New York, Jun 1 (IBNS): The elimination of the world's illicit tobacco trade will not only save millions of lives but also generate billions of dollars in windfall for governments, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday as it marked the 2015 edition of World No Tobacco Day.
May 30, 2015, at 11:33 pm
Tokyo, May 30 (IBNS): A massive earthquake hit Japan on Saturday, shaking buildings and triggering panic in the country, media reports said.
South Sudan: UN officials call for international engagement to de-escalate country's conflict
May 30, 2015, at 08:24 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): As South Sudan's civil conflict continues to escalate, five senior United Nations officials have urged all stakeholders in the country to reach a sustainable solution to the crisis through inclusive dialogue and foster a lasting peace based on accountability and reconciliation.
UN 'deeply concerned' by desperate situation facing thousands of Iraqis fleeing Ramadi
May 30, 2015, at 08:23 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Some 85,000 Iraqis have fled fighting in the central city of Ramadi but as temperatures in the region soar, thousands more still on the move are facing obstacles in reaching safety such as lack of proper shelter and "onerous requirements" for documentation, the United Nations refugee agency warned Friday.
UN honours fallen peacekeepers; looks to past, present and future of 'invaluable' operations
May 30, 2015, at 08:21 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the “invaluable contribution†of peacekeeping to the history of the Organization and reaffirmed his commitment to improving the effectiveness of ‘blue helmets’ in the coming years.
May 30, 2015, at 08:18 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Across northern Mali, a flare-up in clashes between armed groups has spurred a renewed exodus of people fleeing the violence and their homes, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday, reporting difficulties in reaching the beleaguered populations with critical humanitarian aid.
UN rights office welcomes Nebraska as latest US state to abolish death penalty
May 30, 2015, at 08:17 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Welcoming Nebraska as the nineteenth state in the United States to abolish the death penalty, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today urged the Federal Government to engage with those states retaining the policy towards achieving a nationwide moratorium as a first step to abolition.
At debate, UN and Security Council renew pledge to counter foreign terrorist fighters
May 30, 2015, at 08:15 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The increasing number of foreign terrorist fighters populating the front-lines of the world's conflict zones is cause for deepening concern and requires the international community's bolstered efforts to combat the scourge, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today as the Security Council renewed its resolve in addressing this growing threat to international peace and security.
Libya: UN envoy hopes new draft of political deal can be agreed within four weeks
May 30, 2015, at 08:13 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): Libya is on the verge of economic collapse amid ongoing violence, political infighting and efforts by terrorists to “build strong bases†throughout the country, the envoy facilitating the United Nations efforts to restore peace there said as he briefed journalists on meetings held in Brussels discussing the situation in the North African country and efforts towards a political transition.
UN envoy urges restraint among all Burundian parties; heads to region for weekend summit on crisis
May 30, 2015, at 08:11 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Burundi Friday travelled to Tanzania where he hopes an East African community summit over the weekend will help reinforce dialogue among the Burundian parties amid concerns raised by UN agencies that the current political instability and violence puts children at risk and could lead to a humanitarian crisis.
Inclusion and active involvement of youth vital to success of UN sustainability agenda: Ban
May 30, 2015, at 08:08 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly Friday commemorated the 20th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth with an acknowledgement that young people have been "disproportionately" affected by many global challenges but "are ready and willing to be actively involved in shaping their future.
UN welcomes Southeast Asia region's proposals to address plight of refugees and migrants at sea
May 30, 2015, at 08:04 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency Friday welcomed the positive outcomes of a regional meeting in Thailand to resolve the advancing solutions to refugees and migrants stranded in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
Children's NGO plans for a better world for them to live in
May 29, 2015, at 03:24 pm
Kolkata, May 29 (IBNS): The international organization 'Save the Children', presently working for children's rights in 120 countries and across 16 states in India including West Bengal plans for bigger changes in 2015.
-1432873176.jpg "At UN Asia-Pacific policy forum, leaders discuss post-2015 agenda")
At UN Asia-Pacific policy forum, leaders discuss post-2015 agenda
May 29, 2015, at 03:19 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The 71st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) opened its ministerial session on Thursday in Bangkok, as region’s leaders meet to discuss the integration and implementation of economic, social and environmental development with focus on financing and partnership.
-1432872793.jpg "UN envoy announces steps towards joint vision for united Cyprus")
UN envoy announces steps towards joint vision for united Cyprus
May 29, 2015, at 03:13 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): On Thursday, the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, took the next steps towards fulfilling their joint vision for a united federal Cyprus, the United Nations Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus has confirmed.
'Use your voices to claim your rights,' Ban urges university graduates in Belgium
May 29, 2015, at 03:10 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): Addressing the graduating class at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, where he was bestowed an honorary degree on Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave students one final homework assignment: become global citizens with global vision.
-1432872017.jpg "UN calls for an halt to 'wanton' destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage")
UN calls for an halt to 'wanton' destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage
May 29, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday expressed outrage that attacks on Iraq's cultural heritage are being used as a tactic of war to spread terror and hatred, “a new phenomenon,†the head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) labelled as a form of "cultural cleansing" threatening the people and security in the region.
-1432871876.jpg "Ban deplores shooting incident in Mali that killed one")
Ban deplores shooting incident in Mali that killed one
May 29, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the shooting incident that took place in Bamako, Mali, on Monday, 25 May, during which a peacekeeper with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was killed and another injured.
UN official urges Security Council to save Syria from 'hopelessness'
May 29, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The Security Council must set aside its political differences and come together to find a solution for the "intractable" and drawn-out Syrian conflict, the top United Nations humanitarian official urged on Thursday as she warned the 15-member body that the situation in the country was "extremely grave and deteriorating by the day."
Burundi: UN officials step up engagement to ease country's political crisis
May 29, 2015, at 02:39 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, arrived in Burundi today as the top UN political official met with a Burundian government representative at UN headquarters and discussed the need to prevent and investigate political violence and killings.
Despite growing threats, UN peacekeepers worldwide remain dedicated to serve
May 29, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): More than one million military, police and civilian personnel have served as United Nations peacekeepers over the years, and despite growing security threats and the sacrifices that come with being deployed in challenging environments, over 100,000 men and women continue to work for the cause of peace.
Security Council renews mandate of UN Mission in South Sudan
May 29, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations mission in the country until 30 November 2015, giving the operation authorization to use all necessary means to protect civilians, monitor and investigate human rights, and create the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance.