SAMOA: On eve of major conference, UN chief spurs green investment in small islands
Sep 01, 2014, at 04:23 pm
New York, Sept 1 (IBNS) Encouraging partnerships between the private sector and small developing island nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged corporate leaders to invest in renewable energy and make historic strides in sustainability.
Islamabad violence: 2 killed in anti-govt protests
Aug 31, 2014, at 08:35 pm
Islamabad, Aug 31 (IBNS): At least two people were killed and more than 300 other injured in clashes between police and protesters in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, which continued till the wee hours of Sunday, reports said.
Afghanistan: Traffic accident claims 24 lives
Aug 31, 2014, at 08:20 pm
Kabul, Aug 31 (IBNS): At least 24 people lost their lives in a traffic accident on Islam Qala highway in western Herat province of Afghanistan on Sunday, media reports said.
Will continue protests until Nawaz Sharif resigns: Imran Khan
Aug 31, 2014, at 06:59 pm
Islamabad, Aug 31 (IBNS): Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, who is protesting against the government along with thousands of activists, has declined to move from the site, which is near Prime Minister residence in Islamabad, until Nawaz Sharif resigns from his post.
Islamabad: 1 killed, 300 injured in anti-govt protests
Aug 31, 2014, at 06:57 pm
Islamabad, Aug 31 (IBNS): At least one activist was killed and 300 others were injured in clashes between police and protesters in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, which continued till the wee hours of Sunday, reports said.
Samoa: Business execs build partnerships with small islands at UN forum
Aug 31, 2014, at 06:42 am
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) Small island developing States offer opportunities for genuine and sustainable business partnerships, said executives and officials participating in a United Nations co-hosted private sector forum in Samoa.
Samoa: Apia welcomes thousands for UN conference
Aug 31, 2014, at 06:37 am
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) Ahead of the official opening of the United Nations conference on small island developing countries, the UN and Samoan flags were raised on Saturday over the site in the capital, Apia, that will host what is considered the largest conference of its kind in the Pacific region.
Enforced disappearances cannot be tolerated in 21st century, Ban says on International Day
Aug 31, 2014, at 06:34 am
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) Stressing that the enforced disappearance of individuals by States constitutes an unacceptable violation of human rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has declared that the time has come for the end to this "abhorrent" practice.
Protesters march towards Pakistan PM's residence, violence erupts
Aug 31, 2014, at 06:19 am
Islamabad, Aug 30 (IBNS) Violence erupted as protesters led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri marched towards the Prime Minister house in Islamabad leaving several people injured on Saturday.
Kosovo: citing recent unrest, UN envoy urges close vigilance to safeguard achievements
Aug 30, 2014, at 05:45 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) The United Nations envoy for Kosovo on Friday said that while great strides have been made since last year toward normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, close vigilance remains essential to safeguard achievements and continue dialogue.
Amid growing attacks, Security Council urges greater protection for aid workers
Aug 30, 2014, at 05:43 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) Against the backdrop of increasing threats to aid workers, the United Nations Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution calling for accountability for attacks and urging all parties to conflict to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian actors.
Data revolution advisory group named by UN Secretary-General
Aug 30, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon named an Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development to provide him with inputs to shape “an ambitious and achievable vision†for a future development agenda beyond 2015 to succeed the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Security Council condemns actions of Houthi militants to derail Yemen’s transition
Aug 30, 2014, at 05:35 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS): The Security Council on Friday voiced grave concern about the recent deterioration of the security situation in Yemen, condemning the actions of the Houthis, including their escalating campaign to bring down the Government and undermine the country’s political transition.
On International Day, UN chief urges renewed commitment to world free of nuclear weapons
Aug 30, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS): Marking the International Day against Nuclear Tests, United NationsSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called for a renewed global commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons and nuclear tests.
UN officials hail role of cultural, religious dialogue in advancing peace, development
Aug 30, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) United Nations officials on Friday highlighted the important role played by the initiative known as the Alliance of Civilizations in building bridges to peace, especially amid the current instability in many parts of the world, as they kicked off a global forum in Bali, Indonesia.
Number of Syrian refugees tops 3 million as insecurity grows – UN agency
Aug 30, 2014, at 05:08 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) Three million Syrians will have registered as refugees outside of their country on Friday, the UN refugee agency reported, amid accounts of increasingly horrifying conditions inside their homeland – cities where populations are surrounded, people are going hungry and civilians are being targeted or indiscriminately killed.
Ukraine: UN report shows rising civilian deaths, ongoing rights abuses
Aug 30, 2014, at 05:00 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) Intense fighting, including the use of heavy weaponry by both sides, in densely populated areas of eastern Ukraine, has increased the loss of civilian life, with an average of around 36 people being killed every day, says a new report issued on Friday by the United Nations human rights office.
Detained peacekeepers in the Golan safe and in good health: UN
Aug 30, 2014, at 04:53 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) The United Nations said on Friday that it has received assurances from credible sources that the 44 peacekeepers who were taken from their positions in the Golan on Thursday are safe and in good health.
Samoa: From weeds to electricity, UN partnership aims to connect families to electric grid
Aug 30, 2014, at 04:45 pm
New York, Aug 30 (IBNS) A toxic weed in Samoa is being turned into electricity, raising hopes that families on the southern coast of the Pacific island can be connected to the national grid as a result of a partnership between the Government and the United Nations.
Ban alarmed by 'dangerous escalation' in Ukraine crisis; Security Council holds emergency talks
Aug 29, 2014, at 06:01 am
New York, Aug 28 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is alarmed by what seems to be a "dangerous escalation" in the crisis in Ukraine with reports that the fighting in the eastern part of the country has spread near the border with Russia.
UN reports improved humanitarian access to Syria for first time in six months
Aug 29, 2014, at 06:00 am
New York, Aug 28 (IBNS) For the first time in six months, there has been some improvement recently on humanitarian access to Syria, but much more needs to be done by the parties to the conflict to ensure rapid and unhindered access to people in need, a senior United Nations relief official told the Security Council on Thursday.
Gen Raheel Sharif made 'mediator'
Aug 29, 2014, at 05:54 am
Islamabad, Aug 28 (IBNS): The protesting two leaders- Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan- on Thursday announced that Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has been appointed by the country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as a 'mediator' and 'guarantor' for the current crisis.
Aug 29, 2014, at 04:48 am
Islamabad, Aug 28 (IBNS): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif on Thursday as they discussed the current political situation in the Asian nation, media reports said.
UN peacekeepers detained by armed group amid fighting in Golan Heights
Aug 29, 2014, at 02:23 am
New York, Aug 28 (IBNS) The United Nations said on Thursday that 43 of its peacekeepers serving in the Golan Heights were detained this morning amid increased fighting in the area between Syrian Government forces and armed elements.
South Sudan: Security Council strongly condemns downing of UN helicopter
Aug 28, 2014, at 03:00 pm
New York, Aug 28 (IBNS): The Security Council has strongly condemned the downing on Tuesday of a United Nations helicopter in South Sudan which resulted in the death of three Russian crew members and left a fourth severely injured, and called for a thorough investigation.
Darfur: Security Council extends African Union-UN mission for 10 more months
Aug 28, 2014, at 03:00 pm
New York, Aug 28 (IBNS) The Security Council on Wednesday extended the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) until 30 June 2015, while requesting the peacekeeping mission to focus on strategic priorities such as the improved protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, along with the facilitation of aid and mediation activities.
Security Council reiterates concern over 'alarming' security situation in Africa's Sahel
Aug 28, 2014, at 02:59 pm
New York, Aug 28 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday reiterated its continued concern about the alarming situation in the Sahel region of Africa and reaffirmed its commitment to address the complex security and political challenges.
UN operation to feed displaced Iraqis reaches over 700,000 people
Aug 28, 2014, at 02:57 pm
New York, Aug 28 (IBNS) Food aid convoys from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have reached displaced Iraqis in Karbala, southwest of Baghdad, bringing the number of people receiving food assistance to over 700,000 people since the start of violence in mid-June.
UN pledges support to Afghan authorities to complete election audit
Aug 28, 2014, at 02:49 pm
New York/Kabul, Aug 28 (IBNS) The United Nations on Wednesday pledged to redouble its support to the Afghan electoral authorities to help expedite the completion of a thorough and credible audit of the presidential run-off in the wake of the decision of one of the candidates to halt participation in the process.
Civil society gathers at UN to help shape new vision for global development, prosperity
Aug 28, 2014, at 02:48 pm
New York, Aug 28 (IBNS) Civil society converged on United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday to make their voices heard regarding the future global development agenda that will point the way forward on a range of issues such as eradicating poverty, eliminating hunger and combating disease.