Burkina Faso: UN-African Union mission encouraged by commitment to restore order
Nov 05, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Nov 5 (IBNS) Reiterating his great concern for the current crisis in Burkina Faso and its impact on national and regional stability, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said the joint United Nations and African diplomatic mission sent to the conflict-ridden country last week has returned to the capital city of Ouagadougou to continue its engagements with all parties, with the objective of reaching an agreement that restores constitutional order through democratic elections.
Middle East: backed by UN-supported plan, Gaza reconstruction effort moves forward
Nov 05, 2014, at 03:19 pm
New York, Nov 5 (IBNS) The United Nations-backed mechanism designed to provide war-ravaged Gaza with reconstruction materials for urgent shelter repairs has commenced its operations, a senior UN official in the region has announced.
Iraq: as cold weather hits displaced persons, UN steps up humanitarian appeal
Nov 05, 2014, at 03:13 pm
New York, Nov 5 (IBNS): As temperatures plummet across Iraq amid a steadily advancing cold season, humanitarian resources are urgently required in order to satisfy the needs of over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) scattered across the country, a senior United Nations official in Iraq warned on Tuesday.
UN refugee agency launches campaign to eliminate statelessness within 10 years
Nov 05, 2014, at 03:12 pm
New York, Nov 5 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday launched a global campaign aimed at ending within a decade the problem of statelessness – a legal limbo for the more than 10 million people worldwide who lack a nationality and the human rights protections that go with it.
Pakistan using militant proxy against India, says Pentagon report
Nov 04, 2014, at 09:41 pm
New Delhi, Nov 4 (IBNS): A recent pentagon assessment has accepted the fact that Pakistan is resorting to proxy war to counter India’s superior military might, media reported.
Syria: UN envoy proposes new plan to 'freeze' conflict, promote political solution
Nov 04, 2014, at 07:03 pm
New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The war in Syria must be "frozen locally" on the ground so that the growing threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) may be fully confronted, a United Nations envoy said on Monday, suggesting that a peace introduced in increments would also provide all stakeholders with a better understanding of how to bring the three-year conflict to a definitive conclusion.
UN chief hails Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst's 'powerful message'
Nov 04, 2014, at 06:58 pm
New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) As part of a visit to mark the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna International Centre on Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was among those treated to a performance by Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst, calling her win earlier this year an "electrifying moment of human rights education."
In Darfur, UN mission voices concern over possible security raid on camps for displaced
Nov 04, 2014, at 06:44 pm
New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The United Nations mission in Darfur expressed concern on Monday over the Government of Sudan’s alleged intentions to conduct a security search operation in a camp for internally displaced people (IDP), cautioning that such an act might increase tensions among the camp’s civilian population.
In Iraq, UNESCO chief says education, culture key to country's future peace and stability
Nov 04, 2014, at 06:37 pm
New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The future of Iraq hinges on the education of its youth and the preservation of its cultural heritage, the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) affirmed during an official trip to the war-torn Middle Eastern country.
UN rights expert urges ratification of treaty against torture, ahead of 30th anniversary
Nov 04, 2014, at 06:33 pm
New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) As the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of an international legal framework to prevent torture and other types of inhumane treatment or punishment approaches, a United Nations rights expert urged the committee charged with monitoring its implementation to use the momentum garnered in the celebrations to accelerate efforts to move towards universal ratification of the treaty.
At UN conference, top officials urge greater development assistance for landlocked countries
Nov 04, 2014, at 06:25 pm
New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The international community must aid the world’s landlocked developing countries (LLDC) in pursuing their goals for greater economic development to transition from being landlocked to “landlinked,†Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon advised on Monday, noting that only through comprehensive improvements in trade would such nations be best prepared to tackle the post-2015 agenda.
Boat capsizes off Istanbul, 24 killed
Nov 04, 2014, at 12:05 am
Istanbul, Nov 3 (IBNS): At least 24 people were killed and several others are missing after a boat, reported to be carrying migrants, sank off the north coast of Istanbul.
'Stand up for justice', UN urges on first Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Nov 03, 2014, at 02:30 am
New York, Nov 2 (IBNS) Protecting the safety of journalists and ensuring that crimes committed against them don't go unpunished is ever-more important in on Sunday's changing times in order to build transparent societies and keep citizens around the world informed, the United Nations said on Sunday marking the first-ever International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
Virgin Spaceflight crash kills 1, Branson vows to continue mission
Nov 02, 2014, at 12:59 am
California, Nov 1 (IBNS) A pilot was killed as Virgin's tourist-carrying Galactic rocket ship crashed on a test flight at California's Mojave Desert in the US on Friday.
Security Council condemns ISIL's murder of Sunni tribesmen in Anbar
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:18 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) The Security Council this evening strongly condemned the kidnapping and murder by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists of "scores" of Sunni tribesmen whose bodies were found in mass graves in Anbar province, and once again urged the world to unite in a "common effort" to defeat the group and "stamp out" the violence and hatred it espouses.
Syria: 'Outraged' Security Council condemns ongoing violence targeting civilians
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:16 pm
New York , Nov 1 (IBNS) Outraged by the violence directed against civilians in Syria, including the reported dropping of barrel bombs on a displaced persons camp in the war-torn country’s northern region, which killed dozens of people, the Security Council this evening strongly condemned such acts, and reminded all the parties of their international legal obligations to protect civilians.
UN Mission extracts 30 civilians from airstrip in South Sudan as violence continues
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:15 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) extracted 30 civilians from the Rubkona airstrip on Thursday and brought them to the Protection of Civilians site in the UN compound, the Secretary-General said Friday.
Wrapping up Kenya visit, UN chief says technology can change future of Africa
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:14 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) Technology can help fuel Africa's development, facilitate peace and secure the continent's future, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday, as he wrapped up his trip to Kenya with a visit to a technology hub in the country's capital of Nairobi.
Burkina Faso: Ban notes resignation of President, as envoy arrives in crisis-gripped capital
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:12 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS): As his special envoy arrived in Burkina Faso this morning following the country's deteriorating security situation, the Secretary-General noted on Friday the resignation of President Blaise Compaore and continues to follow events there with great concern.
Secretary-General establishes eminent panel to review UN peace operations
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:11 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS): The world is changing and United Nations peace operations must change with it if they are to remain an indispensable and effective tool in promoting international peace and security, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday, announcing a new blue ribbon panel to assess the current and future needs of the Organization’s peacekeeping architecture.
Central African Republic: As violence flares, UN warns of worsening humanitarian conditions
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:10 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) Fresh fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) has aggravated the humanitarian situation across the country, UN humanitarian officials warned today, adding that amid the upsurge in violence, aid workers were now facing unprecedented attacks.
Singapore edict criminalizing same-sex relations 'missed opportunity' – UN rights office
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:09 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday expressed regret over a recent Singapore Supreme Court ruling to uphold a law criminalizing consensual same-sex relations between adult men, calling the directive a "missed opportunity" to strike down the law.
UN agency accelerates efforts on Nigerian refugee transfer as border insecurity surges
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:08 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) Despite mounting insecurity in border areas between Cameroon and Nigeria, where thousands of Nigerian refugees have sought refuge in the past weeks after fleeing from insurgent attacks, the UN refugee agency said it was stepping up efforts to continue to expedite their transfer.
UN agency warns Somalia on verge of food crisis, urges uptick in humanitarian funding
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:05 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) Still reeling from a devastating famine which struck the countryside in 2011, Somalia once again sits on the brink of another humanitarian crisis as a poor rainy season followed by severe bouts of floods threaten local harvests, the United Nations agriculture agency warned on Friday.
On first-ever World Cities Day, UN spotlights need for sustainable urban planning
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:04 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) As the world's urban areas inevitably expand, growing both in size and in population, they will also need to transition into better planned and better managed environments or risk exacerbating negative trends, the United Nations warned on Friday.
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:34 am
Ouagadougou, Oct 31 (IBNS) Amid protests, Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore has quit his post, media reports said on Friday
Nigeria blast kills above 30 people
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:16 am
Gombe, Oct 31 (IBNS): More than 30 people were killed in a blast at a bus station in Gombe state in north-eastern Nigeria on Friday, media reports said.
UN rights expert urges reversal of UK decision to halt Mediterranean migrant rescues
Oct 31, 2014, at 03:53 pm
New York, Oct 31 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights expert on migrants on Thursday urged British authorities to reconsider a decision not to support search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea, saying allowing people to die at Europe’s borders just because of their administrative status "is appalling."
At UN-backed forum, countries pledge to develop, implement youth policies
Oct 31, 2014, at 03:52 pm
New York, Oct 31 (IBNS)The United Nations-backed Global Forum on Youth Policies, which brought together over 700 participants from over 165 countries, concluded in Azerbaijan on Thursday with the launch of an outcome document pledging to support countries that are in the process of developing and "elevating" national youth policy.
South Sudan: Ban condemns renewed violence between opposing factions
Oct 31, 2014, at 03:47 pm
New York, Oct 31 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged an immediate end of all hostilities in South Sudan amid a renewed outbreak of violence in two towns in the country’s North, the United Nations confirmed on Thursday.