UN donors pledge $3.8 billion in aid to people affected by Syria crisis
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): In an expression of solidarity with the millions of children, women and men affected by the devastating conflict in Syria, now in its fifth year, international donors today pledged $3.8 billion at a United Nations-backed conference held in Kuwait.
Vanuatu: UNICEF launches back-to-school relief after Cyclone Pam
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:55 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): As schools reopen across the cyclone-battered nation of Vanuatu, 30,000 children will begin receiving targeted assistance in order to help them resume classes and continue with their studies, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Tuesday.
UN concerned over civilian casualties in wake of recent fighting in Yemen
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): Senior United Nations officials on Tuesday expressed their deep concern about the fast deteriorating situation in Yemen, where dozens of civilians have been killed in fighting in recent days.
UN envoy lauds historic Myanmar ceasefire
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The latest ceasefire reached between the Government of Myanmar and 16 ethnic armed groups operating in the Asian country is “a historic and significant achievement,†bringing to an end more than 60 years of conflict and hostilities, a United Nations envoy has declared.
UNICEF launches Ukraine mine awareness campaign
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): An estimated 109 Ukrainian children have been injured and 42 others killed by landmines and unexploded ordinance resulting from the Eastern European country's ongoing civil conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday as it reported on the recent launch of its lifesaving mine awareness campaign.
Libya: UN welcomes ceasefire, force withdrawal in Sidra Oil Crescent region
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has on Tuesday welcomed the ceasefire and the withdrawal of forces from the Sidra Oil Crescent area, a move which follows weeks of mediation efforts between parties.
Eliminating sheep and goat plague will boost livelihoods: UN official
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:46 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations agricultural agency will outline a strategy in Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday for the total eradication of sheep and goat plague by 2030 at an international conference that began today in the country’s capital, Abidjan.
DR Congo: UN welcomes declaration aimed at combating rape in war
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:45 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, Tuesday called the signing of a landmark declaration by military commanders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a “milestone†on the road to ending conflict related sexual violence.
UN official in Lebanon calls for more support for Palestine refugee camp
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:42 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): On a visit to the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein El-Hilweh in south Lebanon on Tuesday, the United Nations’ top official in the country said the world body would continue working to assist where possible and would seek critical support from donors.
Syria: UN warns of humanitarian crisis in Idleb as fighting in city intensifies
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:41 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The humanitarian situation in conflict-torn Syria is deteriorating even further amid reports that the city of Idleb has fallen to anti-government insurgents, a senior United Nations relief official has warned.
UN concerned over plight of refugees after 2 Iraqis die at Bulgarian border
Apr 01, 2015, at 01:38 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Wednesday expressed concern that people needing international protection are being blocked from entering the European Union, citing the deaths of two Iraqi men who were in a group of 12 Yazidi people allegedly beaten by Bulgarian border guards.
Singapore teen charged for posting video against ex-PM Yew, Christianity
Mar 31, 2015, at 05:00 pm
Singapore, Mar 31 (IBNS) A 16-year-old Singapore teenager, who was arrested for allegedly posting expletive-laden video in Youtube where he attacked country's late PM Lee Kuan Yew and Christianity , has been charged on Tuesday, media reports said.
Vanuatu: UN official warns secondary emergency looming
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:20 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): Two weeks after Tropical Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the archipelago on a tour through one of the most severely affected provinces on Saturday, warned of a “secondary emergency†and urged a scale-up in efforts to provide the essentials to people in need.
Iraq: Ban pledges support as Government tackles ongoing threat from ISIL
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): Despite recent military gains against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), “vast challenges†remain ahead as the Government of Iraq fights to consolidate its territorial integrity against the terrorist threat, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday during an unannounced visit to Baghdad.
Syria: Before pledging conference, UN urges donors to stand by people
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): The crisis in Syria is getting much worse, characterized by shocking “levels of savagery,†the United Nations relief official has warned, urging countries to pledge as generously as possible ahead of the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference kicking off on Tuesday in Kuwait City.
UN calls for hydro-diplomacy as world faces growing water shortages
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): The international community must gear up for a new era of “hydro-diplomacy†as the threat of water scarcity risks plunging the world into a period of geopolitical tension and stunted development, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told delegates gathered at the General Assembly on Monday.
Boko Haram weak, but still committing horrendous acts: UN envoy
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): As the Security Council met on Monday morning to discuss threats to international peace and security caused by terrorism, top United Nations officials briefed the 15-member body on the impact of Boko Haram in Nigeria and beyond, warning of the group’s intensified violence and brutality.
Cyprus: UN envoy optimistic about re-start of structured negotiations
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Adviser for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, will return to the Mediterranean island on 6 April 2015 to follow up on the encouraging indications received during his last trip regarding a possible resumption of negotiations.
UN stresses need for employment, to achieve sustainable development
Mar 31, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Mar 31 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Monday underlined the importance for States to create employment opportunities and decent work for all in order to achieve poverty eradication and sustainable development, and to fulfil the objectives of the new UN development agenda.
Welcoming peaceful Nigerian elections, Ban encourages patience
Mar 30, 2015, at 01:32 pm
New York, Mar 30 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the people and Government of Nigeria on the largely peaceful and orderly conduct of Saturday's presidential and parliamentary elections.
Egypt: Ban and Arab League Secretary-General discuss regional challenges
Mar 30, 2015, at 01:31 pm
New York, Mar 30 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Nabil El-Araby Secretary General of the League of Arab States pledged on Sunday, continued cooperation between the two organizations and discussed strengthening international efforts on a range of issues as the League's Summit continued in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Air Canada flight skids off runway, 23 hurt
Mar 30, 2015, at 02:46 am
Ottawa, Mar 29 (IBNS): At least 23 passengers were injured as an Air Canada flight skidded off the runway while it was landing at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport in the Canada's Nova Scotia province on Sunday, officials said.
Singapore: Thousands of mourners gather to bid farewell to Lee
Mar 29, 2015, at 07:32 pm
Singapore, Mar 29 (IBNS): Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was remembered by his country men with a heavy heart at his state funeral on Sunday, where the procession through the city's streets drew thousands of mourners despite heavy rain.
In Egypt, Ban calls on Arab leaders to strengthen bonds for region's people, global security
Mar 29, 2015, at 03:50 pm
New York, Mar 29 (IBNS) With a raft of ills plaguing the Arab world – from the “shameful†conflict in Syria to the "tinderbox" that is Gaza and the steadily unraveling situation in Yemen –Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called upon leaders gathered in Egypt to work with each other and the United Nations to "strengthen our bonds for the people of this region and the security of our world."
'We must respond,' declares UNESCO chief, launching #Unite4Heritage campaign in Baghdad
Mar 29, 2015, at 03:46 pm
New York, Mar 29 (IBNS) Taking an innovative step to support Iraqi youth and to mobilize young people worldwide for the protection of cultural heritage, Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched on Saturday at Baghdad University #Unite4Heritage, a social media campaign to counter the propaganda of cultural cleansing in Iraq and other crisis-torn counties.
UN strongly condemns deadly terrorist attack on Mogadishu hotel
Mar 29, 2015, at 03:12 pm
New York, Mar 29 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Somalia along with the members of the UN Security Council have strongly condemned yesterday's terrorist attack on a hotel in Mogadishu city that resulted in the death of many civilians, including the Somali Federal Government's Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Ambassador Yusuf Bari-Bari.
Demanding 'immediate' ceasefire in Libya, Security Council extends UN mission in crisis-torn country
Mar 29, 2015, at 03:08 pm
New York, Mar 29 (IBNS) Unanimously adopting two separate resolutions on Libya, the Security Council, in the first, called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and extended the United Nations Support Mission there (UNSMIL) until 15 September, and in the second, adjusted the arms embargo on the country in light of the terrorist threat there.
US cop indicted for using unreasonable force on Indian Sureshbhai Patel
Mar 28, 2015, at 04:33 pm
Washington, Mar 28(IBNS) A US police officer, accused of throwing to the ground and causing partial paralysis of a 57-year-old Indian has been indicted on Friday by grand jury on a civil rights charge for the use of unreasonable force.
Ban calls on defence chiefs for unity on UN peacekeeping
Mar 28, 2015, at 02:38 pm
New York, Mar 28 (IBNS): At the first-ever United Nations Chiefs of Defence Conference on Friday, the Secretary-General appealed to senior military officials for more troop contributions from States around the world and for political will and purpose.
Ban urges to end violence against religious minorities in Middle East
Mar 28, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Mar 28 (IBNS): Millions of lives in the Middle East, and the very social fabric of entire countries, are at stake, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Friday morning, calling for urgent action from the Security Council to end the religiously and ethnically-motivated violence sweeping the region and end impunity for those committing crimes against humanity.