UN agency requests $400 million 'lifeline' for Palestinian refugees
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:21 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS) The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has on Tuesday launched an emergency appeal for $414 million to support those living in the occupied Palestinian territory, where demands for “lifeline†services continue to grow.
Central African Republic in 'critical phase' of transition – UN peacekeeping chief
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS): Despite a volatile security situation and ongoing fighting throughout the country, the Central African Republic (CAR) is now entering “a critical phase†in its transition to stability and democracy, the top United Nations peacekeeping official told the Security Council on Tuesday, as he urged the international community to remain engaged in the war-torn country.
Genocide begins with 'dehumanization;' no single country is immune from risk, warns UN official
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Dec 10 (IBNS) Not a single country is immune to the risk of genocide, said the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide on Tuesday as he marked the 66th anniversary of the signing of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
South Sudan: UN mission destroys weapons seized from displaced persons camps
Dec 10, 2014, at 03:17 pm
New York, Nov 10 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has destroyed a deadly assortment of weapons confiscated from internally displaced persons (IDPs) living at its civilian protection sites, the Mission has announced, amid broader efforts to defuse tensions in the young country.
Thailand: Murders of human rights defenders underline need for protection, says UN
Dec 10, 2014, at 04:33 am
New York, Dec 9 (IBNS) The murders of two human rights defenders working on land and natural resource issues in the south of Thailand underscore the need for authorities in the country to take urgent measures to ensure the safety and protection of such people, United Nations said on Tuesday.
Surpassing fundraising goal, UN agency restarts urgent food aid for Syrian refugees
Dec 10, 2014, at 04:33 am
New York, Dec 9 (IBNS) A week after launching its social media campaign to raise emergency funding for food assistance aimed at Syrian refugees, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Tuesday that it had not only reached its initial goal of $64 million, but also exceeded it thanks to a “massive expression†of support from the public, the private sector and donor countries.
Dramatic fall in malaria deaths show fight against disease can be won – UN
Dec 10, 2014, at 04:32 am
New York, Dec 9 (IBNS) A newly-released United Nations health agency report reveals that the number of people dying from malaria globally has fallen dramatically with more and more countries moving towards its elimination, but the findings also note that gains made were at particular risk in Ebola-affected countries.
On International Day, UN urges all to 'break the corruption chain'
Dec 10, 2014, at 04:30 am
New York, Dec 9 (IBNS) The fight against corruption is a global concern requiring the broadest possible response to “dismantle its high wallsâ€, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday in a message marking International Anti-Corruption Day.
Hafiz Saeed's Twitter account suspended
Dec 09, 2014, at 03:18 am
Islamabad, Dec 8 (IBNS): Days after he had wrote about freeing Kashmir and other issues, Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed's official Twitter account was suspended on Tuesday, reports said.
Pakistan: Al Qaeda leader killed in drone strike
Dec 08, 2014, at 01:08 am
Peshawar, Dec 7 (IBNS) A key Al Qaeda leader has been killed in a US drone attack in Pakistan's Dattakhel area on Sunday, media reports said.
Two hostages killed during Yemen rescue bid
Dec 06, 2014, at 11:45 pm
Washington, Dec 6 (IBNS) A US journalist and a South African teacher, who were held by Al Qaeda militants in Yemen, have been killed during a failed rescue attempt by the joint US and Yemeni special forces on Friday, officials said on Saturday.
Dec 06, 2014, at 08:45 pm
Islamabad, Dec 6 (IBNS): Pakistan on Saturday confirmed that a top Al Qaeda leader Adnan el Shukrijum was killed in Shinwarsak region of the Asian country's South Waziristan Agency.
US condemns J&K militant attack
Dec 06, 2014, at 05:29 pm
Washington, Dec 6 (IBNS): The United States condemned the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s poll rally on Monday, media reports said.
DR Congo: UN refugee agency concerned at sudden closure of displaced persons camp
Dec 06, 2014, at 02:24 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency voiced concern on Fridayover the sudden closure of a camp for internally displaced people, or IDPs, located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), exposing some 2,000 to potential lawlessness, banditry and sexual violence against women perpetrated by militia groups still operating in the area.
'Dark day for justice' says ICC Prosecutor, dropping charges against Kenyan President
Dec 06, 2014, at 02:21 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced Friday that she has decided to drop the charges against the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, two days after the judges refused to postpone the trial as she had requested.
'Turning blind eye not a solution' to Mediterranean migrant crisis – UN rights expert
Dec 06, 2014, at 02:16 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) The rise of migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean Sea in the last few months has resulted in a global crisis that calls for a global humanitarian response, a United Nations human rights expert urged on Friday.
UN relief agencies prepare emergency response as typhoon approaches Philippines
Dec 06, 2014, at 02:13 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) More than 30 million people risk feeling the brunt of Typhoon Hagupit as it barrels down on the Philippines, United Nations emergency and humanitarian officials warned on Fridayas they outlined the Organization-wide preparations being made before the massive storm makes landfall this weekend.
'Humane impulse to assist' leads to enriched life, UN chief says on global Volunteer Day
Dec 06, 2014, at 01:56 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) Volunteers are people who act with a spirit of giving, selflessly serving their communities all the while inspiring others to follow by example, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Fridayas the world body marked International Volunteer Day, and paid special tribute to those who have made a difference.
Central African Republic: UN chief says security fragile, calls for vote by August 2015
Dec 06, 2014, at 01:55 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretary-General met on Fridaywith the Head of State of the Transition of the Central African Republic, Catherine Samba-Panza, noting that the security situation in the country remained fragile, and agreeing on the need for urgent progress to establish an inclusive political process.
Eric Garner, Michael Brown cases spark 'legitimate concerns' about US policing – UN experts
Dec 06, 2014, at 01:52 pm
New York, Dec 6 (IBNS) Grand jury verdicts in the United States which resulted in the decisions to not bring to trial the cases of two unarmed African-American men killed by police forces have sparked “legitimate concerns†regarding policing practices across the country, a group of United Nations human rights experts said on Friday.
Obama nominates Ashton Carter as US defence secretary
Dec 06, 2014, at 04:38 am
Washington, Dec 5 (IBNS): US President Barack Obama on Friday nominated ex-Pentagon official Ashton Carter as the new defence secretary of the country, officials said.
Ban appoints new Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:25 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Thursday the appointment of Cristina Gallach of Spain as Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, the UN Spokesperson’s office announced on Thursday.
Amid fresh violence in Libya, UN mission urges all parties to give dialogue chance to succeed
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) Strongly condemning the spiralling violence in Libya, including a recent round of air raids in the western part of the country, the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL) on Thursday noted with deep concern the "disastrous impact" the attacks have on civilians and infrastructure, and warned that the violence is also endangering the political process.
US should respond to public demands for greater police accountability – Ban
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:17 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) In the wake of a grand jury decision in New York on Wednesdaynot to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, an unarmed man, in July, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the United States to do "anything possible to respond to demands of greater accountability."
Ban condemns deadly terrorist attacks in Grozny
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:16 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday strongly condemned last night’s terrorist attacks in Grozny, Russia, reiterating that there can be no justification for acts of terror.
UN political chief urges revamped approach to boosting development in Afghanistan
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:10 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS): Despite lingering instability and economic fragility, Afghanistan sits at an historic crossroads from which it can fully transition to a "strong, independent, and forward-looking" nation, the top United Nations political official said on Thursday in London.
Senior UN relief official describes "bleak" situation in South Sudan after a year of conflict
Dec 05, 2014, at 04:07 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) A year of conflict has "devastated" South Sudan, the United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Kyung-wha Kang, said at UN Headquarters on Thursday, as she briefed journalists on her recent visit to that crisis-torn country and to Ethiopia.
Yemen: Security Council condemns deadly bombing at Iranian Ambassador's residence
Dec 05, 2014, at 03:58 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council has condemned yesterday’s bomb attack at the residence of the Iranian Ambassador to Yemen which killed several people.
Darfur: UN peacekeeping chief warns Security Council of region's ongoing insecurity, violence
Dec 05, 2014, at 03:55 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) The situation in Darfur remains precarious amid intermittent clashes, inter-communal violence, and a dire humanitarian crisis, the top United Nations peacekeeping official said on Thursday, as he delivered a sobering assessment of the region’s security and stability to the UN Security Council.
Road to Dignity by 2030: UN chief launches blueprint towards sustainable development
Dec 05, 2014, at 03:52 pm
New York, Dec 5 (IBNS) Calling for inclusive, agile and coordinated action to usher in an era of sustainable development for all, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday presented the United Nations General Assembly with an advance version of his so-called "synthesis report," which will guide negotiations for a new global agenda centred on people and the planet, and underpinned by human rights.