Ban marks international day by stressing need for human rights

Mar 25, 2015, at 02:15 pm

New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday recalled, on the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador, that the United Nations has over the past year supported commissions of inquiry on the Central African Republic, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, the recent conflict in Gaza and Syria to further the icon’s work to see that truth prevails.

UN trade report urges to improve environment for e-commerce

Mar 25, 2015, at 02:14 pm

New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): The scope for developing countries to participate in and benefit from e-commerce is expanding, according to a new United Nations report released on Tuesday, with improved connectivity, new e-commerce applications, platforms and payment solutions, and the emergence of local e-commerce companies that are tailoring their services to local demands.

Security Council urges effective steps to end tensions in South Sudan

Mar 25, 2015, at 02:13 pm

New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has voiced its “profound disappointment” at the failure of all parties in South Sudan to conclude an agreement that would bring the country closer to resolving its ongoing conflict and usher in a period of national unity and peace.

Airbus crashes in French Alps, 150 feared dead

Mar 25, 2015, at 02:11 am

Marseille, Mar 24 (IBNS): An Airbus A320 airliner, which was carrying 150 people, crashed in the French Alps between Barcelonnette and Digne on Tuesday, media reports.

Lufthansa's Germanwings plane crashes in France: All feared killed

Mar 24, 2015, at 10:27 pm

Marseille: An Airbus plane of Lufthansa's Germanwings budget airline crashed in southern France on Tuesday en route from Barcelona to Duesseldorf.

Central Africa in urgent need of agricultural assistance: FAO

Mar 24, 2015, at 01:53 pm

New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched an urgent appeal to help provide farmers in the Central African Republic (CAR) with seeds and tools for the country’s upcoming planting season, warning that without additional assistance vulnerable populations risked a further deterioration of their livelihoods.

Singapore: UN offers condolences on death of former leader Lee Kuan Yew

Mar 24, 2015, at 01:51 pm

New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Singapore’s former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, praising his “strong leadership and statesmanship” and describing him as “a legendary figure in Asia,” according to a United Nations spokesperson.

UN-backed report finds high levels of elephant poaching across Africa

Mar 24, 2015, at 01:50 pm

New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): An ongoing decline in overall elephant numbers remains likely as the poaching of African elephants continued to exceed population growth rates throughout 2014, a new United Nations-backed report warned on Monday.

Palestinian conflict continues to destroy human life: UN rights official

Mar 24, 2015, at 01:48 pm

New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): Violations of human rights “fuel and shape the conflict” in the occupied Palestinian territories, a senior United Nations official reported to the Human Rights Council on Monday.

UN chief stresses need to mitigate climate change patterns

Mar 24, 2015, at 01:47 pm

New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): With extreme weather and changing climatic patterns taking a heavier toll on the planet, mitigating and adapting to them remains “among the great tests of our time,”Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday, as he stressed the need for timely, reliable information to further strengthen resilience.

Brussels: UN envoy urges to work together for peace in Libya

Mar 24, 2015, at 01:45 pm

New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): Stakeholders must work together to take Libya out of its “mess of a war” and begin rebuilding the conflict-ridden country into a modern, democratic state, a senior United Nations official said on Monday.

Liberia: UNICEF ambassador Orlando Bloom sees Ebola response

Mar 24, 2015, at 01:44 pm

New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): At the end of a four-day visit to Ebola-affected communities in Liberia, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador and actor Orlando Bloom praised the efforts of people there who have been combatting the deadly virus.

Security Council: UN envoy says Yemen on rapid downward spiral

Mar 23, 2015, at 01:56 pm

New York, Mar 23 (IBNS): Yemen stands on the brink of civil war amid deepening political tensions and an uptick in sectarian violence, United Nations Special Adviser Jamal Benomar warned on Sunday as he explained that only through dialogue could the country achieve a peaceful political transition.

UN calls for global unity to conserve water on World Water Day

Mar 23, 2015, at 01:55 pm

New York, Mar 23 (IBNS): As the perils of climate change increasingly threaten the planet, the international community must unite in “a spirit of urgent cooperation” to address the many water-related challenges facing humanity, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Sunday.

More aid needed for 120,000 displaced by clashes in southern Philippines - UN agency

Mar 21, 2015, at 05:33 pm

New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Intensifying armed conflict in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao has displaced some 120,000 people since late January, the United Nations refugee agency said on Friday , expressing particular concern for the safety of women and children who could be exposed to exploitation and abuse.

Yemen: UN chief strongly deplores terrorist bombings, urges continued peace talks

Mar 21, 2015, at 05:29 pm

New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks against two mosques in Yemen on Fridaythat have reportedly left dozens of people dead and wounded.

UN envoy says Libya on cusp of 'decisive moment' as parties resume peace talks

Mar 21, 2015, at 04:39 pm

New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Negotiations between Libyan parties are entering a "decisive round" as continued fighting and the menace of terrorism cast a sense of urgency to the United Nations-facilitated talks, a senior official for the Organization said on Friday .

In call with Netanyahu, Ban urges renewed Israeli commitment to two-State solution

Mar 21, 2015, at 04:24 pm

New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Fridayto congratulate him on his recent electoral victory, and urged him to renew Israel’s commitment to the two-State solution.

On International Day, UN chief calls for efforts to 'fill world with happiness'

Mar 21, 2015, at 02:46 pm

New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Happiness for the entire human family is one of the main goals of the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared, as the Organization kicked-off its global celebrations marking the annual observance of the International Day of Happiness.

Independent UN human rights expert calls trial of former Maldives President 'mockery'

Mar 20, 2015, at 05:16 pm

New York, Mar 20 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert has warned of the "seriously deteriorating situation" regarding the independence of the justice system in the Maldives in the wake of the sentencing of former President Mohammed Nasheed, calling his trial a "mockery" of the country’s Constitution.

Despite progress, Georgia needs to do more, says UN expert dealing with torture

Mar 20, 2015, at 05:12 pm

New York, Mar 20 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture on Thursday praised the Government of Georgia for its positive advances in the treatment of prisoners since the October 2012 parliamentary election but cautioned that "there is still room for improvement and a need for anchoring."

Ukraine crisis taking heaviest toll on women, children and elderly – UN officials

Mar 20, 2015, at 05:09 pm

New York,Mar 20 (IBNS) Women, children and the elderly are disproportionately bearing the devastating impact of the protracted conflict in Ukraine, which has left five million people in need of humanitarian assistance, senior United Nations officials said on Thursday, as they stressed the "grave and urgent need" to scale up international relief efforts.

UN officials say suffering in Nigeria 'immense,' warn of regional humanitarian crisis

Mar 20, 2015, at 05:02 pm

New York, Mar 20 (IBNS):Amid ongoing fighting between Government forces and Boko Haram insurgents, the effects of the crisis in north-eastern Nigeria are increasingly reverberating across the region, two senior United Nations humanitarian officials said on Thursday, as they urged international donors to ramp up financial support for relief efforts.

China and US telecoms giants lead global patent activity in 2014 – UN report

Mar 20, 2015, at 04:59 pm

New York, Mar 20 (IBNS) Three telecoms giants from China and the United States led international patent filings in 2014 in a fifth consecutive record-breaking year that "underscores the increasing importance of intellectual property as it moves from the periphery to the centre of the global economic system," the United Nations reported on Thursday.

Political vacuum undermines Lebanon's ability to tackle many challenges – Security Council

Mar 20, 2015, at 04:56 pm

New York, Mar 20 (IBNS) The Security Council voiced its concern at the 10-month stalemate in the election of a president in Lebanon, saying it undermined the country’s ability to address the security, economic and social challenges it faces.

UN envoy outlines progress in DR Congo from 'shattered' country to 'proud nation'

Mar 20, 2015, at 04:43 pm

New York, Mar 20 (IBNS) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is unified with a "clear, shared and celebrated" identity, the top United Nations envoy there told the Security Council on Thursday, as he briefed on the latest developments in the vast African nation.

ISIL may have committed genocide, war crimes in Iraq, says UN human rights report

Mar 20, 2015, at 03:42 am

New York, Mar 19 (IBNS) A report released on Thursday by the United Nations human rights office says that the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) may have committed genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in its attacks against ethnic and religious groups in the country.

IS claims responsibility for attack on Tunisia museum

Mar 20, 2015, at 03:38 am

Tunis, Mar 19 (IBNS): The Islamic State (IS) on Thursday claimed responsibility for the attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunisia's Tunis city which left 23 people dead.

Tunis museum attack: 9 suspects arrested

Mar 20, 2015, at 03:12 am

Tunis, Mar 19 (IBNS): A day after 23 people were killed in an attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunisia's Tunis city, nine people have been arrested so far in connection with the incident, media reports said on Thursday.

Sendai: UN conference adopts new, people-centred disaster risk reduction

Mar 19, 2015, at 03:21 pm

New York, Mar 19 (IBNS): Death, destruction and displacement wrought by natural disasters would be significantly reduced by 2030 under a new framework adopted by countries attending the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, in Sendai, Japan.