Thailand: UN rights chief warns against Government's 'draconian' powers
Apr 03, 2015, at 05:28 pm
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS): The top United Nations human rights official has expressed alarm at the Government of Thailand’s decision to bestow wide-ranging powers upon General Prayuth Chan-ocha the leader of the military coup that deposed Thailand's elected Government in 2014 and, currently, the country's Prime Minister.
UN inquiry into violent Mail protests submits report; Ban 'profoundly regrets' civilian casualties
Apr 03, 2015, at 05:26 pm
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS) An inquiry launched in February to determine the facts surrounding a violent demonstration in Gao, Mali, in front of the regional headquarters of the United Nations mission in the country has submitted its report, according to a statement made on Thursday by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson.
Senior UN officials condemn terrorist attack against Kenyan university
Apr 03, 2015, at 05:25 pm
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the head of the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization have strongly condemned this morning’s terrorist attack on a university in north-eastern Kenya, with both officials expressing solidarity with the Kenyan people and urging swift justice for those responsible for the deadly attack.
Libya: UN mission strongly condemns air strikes on western airport
Apr 03, 2015, at 05:20 pm
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS): The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday strongly condemned repeated air strikes on an airport in the western town of Zintan that it said have endangered civilians and seriously undermined attempts at securing a solution to the Libyan crisis.
UN agency calls on Syrians to protect cultural heritage amid uptick in violence
Apr 03, 2015, at 04:49 pm
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS) Syrians must unite for the protection of their shared cultural heritage amid a recent escalation in hostilities across the war-torn country, the head of the United Nations cultural agency declared today.
Lebanon a 'ray of hope' for tolerance in Middle East - UN rights expert
Apr 03, 2015, at 04:43 pm
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS) Amid escalating tensions throughout the Middle East, the country of Lebanon, known for its rich cultural diversity, can be a "ray of hope" for tolerance in a region beset by religious fanaticism, a United Nations human rights expert has said.
Afghanistan: UN envoy deplores latest deadly attack on civilians
Apr 03, 2015, at 04:40 pm
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS): The top United Nations envoy for Afghanistan has condemned "in the strongest terms" today's deadly suicide attack in the city of Khost, in the country's far east, which reportedly left dozens of people dead and injured.
Bangladesh: 8 killed as trawler sinks in Buriganga River
Apr 03, 2015, at 04:15 am
Dhaka, Apr 2 (IBNS): At least eight bodies have been recovered after a trawler sank in the Buriganga River at Dhaka’s Keraniganj area, media reports said on Thursday.
Kenya's Garissa University College attack: 70 students killed
Apr 03, 2015, at 04:15 am
Nairobi, Apr 2 (IBNS): At least 70 students were killed while 79 others were injured after al-Shabab Islamist militants attacked Garissa University College in northeast Kenya, reports said on Thursday.
Afghanistan: Suicide bomb blast kills 18 in Khost
Apr 03, 2015, at 03:55 am
Khost City, Apr 2 (IBNS): At least 18 people were killed and 64 others were injured after a suicide explosion hit the southeastern Khost province in Afghanistan on Thursday, media reports said.
Afghanistan: Explosion in Khost kills 17
Apr 02, 2015, at 07:11 pm
Kabul, Apr 2 (IBNS): A heavy explosion rocked Afghanistan's Khost province which left at least 17 people killed, media reports said on Thursday.
Russian trawler sinks, 54 sailors killed
Apr 02, 2015, at 06:43 pm
Moscow, Apr 2 (IBNS): At least 54 sailors were killed as a Russian trawler sank off the Kamchatka peninsula, media reports said on Thursday.
Kenya's Garissa University College attacked by gunmen, several injured
Apr 02, 2015, at 05:56 pm
Nairobi, Apr 2 (IBNS): Gunmen have attacked Garissa University College in northeast Kenya, leaving several people injured, media reports said on Thursday.
In phone call, UN chief congratulates Nigeria’s President-elect Buhari
Apr 02, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Taking note of the results of the Nigerian presidential and parliamentary elections announced yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him, and called on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections.
Roots of conflict must be addressed to defeat Boko Haram: UN rights chief
Apr 02, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Expansive economic, social and political opportunities are key to reducing Nigeria’s smouldering ethnic and sectarian tensions and countering the growing threat posed by Boko Haram, the top United Nations human rights official declared on Wednesday.
'Children urgently need our protection', says UN envoy to Yemen
Apr 02, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Alarmed by the rising number of child casualties in Yemen, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui on Wednesday urged all parties involved in military operations “avoid creating new risks†for crisis-torn country's children and to adhere to international law.
FAO launches project to boost agricultural production in northern Mali
Apr 02, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): A new project aimed at restoring the livelihoods of some 33,000 households affected by armed conflict and climate change in northern Mali has been launched Wednesday by the country’s Government and the United Nations agriculture agency.
ICC welcomes Palestine as State Party to the Rome Statute
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): The International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomed the Palestine as the 123rd State Party to its founding Rome Statute on Wednesday, in a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague in The Netherlands.
Widows’ eviction highlights Tanzania’s discriminatory laws: UN experts
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Tanzania should take steps to revise or repeal laws, customs and practices that discriminate against women, a United Nations Committee said on Wednesday after considering the case of two widows who were prevented from inheriting their late husbands’ property and were left homeless.
Ban appoints new head of UN Environment Programme’s New York office
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Elliott Harris of Trinidad and Tobago as the new Assistant Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) New York office, a spokesperson for the Organization announced on Wednesday.
Thailand must end criminalization of dissenting voices: UN expert
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert has urged the Government of Thailand to immediately and unequivocally distance itself from the “intimidating†statements made by its leader, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, in which he threatened the freedom and lives of the country’s journalists.
Iraq: UN envoy welcomes armed forces victory against ISIL in Tikrit
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): The top UN official in Iraq has welcomed the recent victories of the Iraqi Security Forces in liberating the town of Tikrit from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and associated armed groups.
It’s about more than mines: UN official
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): As the world marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of the global mine ban treaty and commemorates International Mine Awareness Day, the head of the United Nations’ office dealing with the threat they pose stressed on Wednesday the importance of looking beyond the effects of just anti-personnel mines.
Syria: UN warns of violence near Palestinian refugee camps
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:47 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Fierce fighting has erupted between armed groups in the area of Yarmouk, a camp of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, putting thousands of people in danger, warned the spokesperson of the United Nations agency tasked with the ensuring the well-being of Palestinians across the Middle East.
UN agency to launch network tackling monumental employment challenge
Apr 02, 2015, at 01:46 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): As the Economic and Social Council concluded its three-day segment on boosting integration of the three pillars of sustainable development, the body’s Vice-President said he would work with the United Nations labour agency to follow-up on delegates’ work by launching an international entity to help address the issue of providing employment and decent work to people around the world.
Chinese president to visit Pakistan?
Apr 01, 2015, at 05:36 pm
Islamabad, Apr 1 (IBNS) Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit Pakistan this month, media reports said on Wednesday.
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.