UN independent experts ‘deeply disturbed’ by alleged mistreatment of detained Iranian protesters
Dec 21, 2019, at 08:42 am
New York/IBNS: Sixteen independent UN human rights experts called on Friday for the release of arbitrarily detained protesters in Iran who have allegedly been abused while in custody.
Stand for peace and harmony says Guterres, following meeting with Pope Francis
Dec 21, 2019, at 07:58 am
New York/IBNS: In the midst of “turbulent and trying times”, all the world’s people must stand together in peace and harmony, the UN Secretary-General said on Friday. António Guterres was speaking following an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, who he thanked for his strong support for the global Organization.
Dec 21, 2019, at 07:52 am
New York/IBNS: Devastating drought in the southern African nation of Lesotho has left more than half a million people facing severe food shortages and tens of thousands “one step away from famine”, UN humanitarians said on Friday, in an appeal for funds.
Iranian President urges all countries to counter US 'Economic Terrorism'
Dec 21, 2019, at 07:43 am
Tehran/Sputnik/UNI: Countries committed to the fight against terrorism must stand against the US economic terrorism as well, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.
Lebanese security forces stabilize situation in Beirut after clashes with Sunni protesters
Dec 21, 2019, at 07:36 am
Beirut/Sputnik/UNI: The Lebanese security forces have stabilized the situation in downtown Beirut after the clashes with Sunni protesters in the area, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Saturday.
US took custody of 15 Islamic State children, 6 adults in war on terror – Senior Official
Dec 21, 2019, at 07:28 am
Washington/Sputnik/UNI: The US government has taken custody this year of 15 American children of parents associated with the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) and of eight adults of whom six are being prosecuted for terror-related offenses, a senior Trump administration told a Department of State briefing.
At least 30 Palestinians injured in anti-Israel protest in eastern Gaza
Dec 21, 2019, at 07:19 am
Gaza/Xinhua/UNI: At least 30 Palestinian demonstrators were injured on Friday during clashes with Israeli soldiers stationed on the border between the eastern Gaza Strip and Israel.
At least 485 killed in protests in Iraq since early October
Dec 21, 2019, at 07:14 am
Baghdad/Xinhua/UNI: The casualty toll in protests since early October in Iraq has risen to 485 dead and some 27,000 wounded, an official from the human rights watchdog said on Friday.
Iran and US both undermining nuclear deal says UN political affairs chief
Dec 20, 2019, at 08:34 am
New York/IBNS: Both Iran and the United States have been putting strain on the groundbreaking 2015 deal to monitor Iran’s nuclear programme, which remains a “cornerstone of international peace and security”, said the UN’s political affairs chief on Thursday.
Tolerance key to tackling violent extremism: UN counter-terrorism chief
Dec 20, 2019, at 08:24 am
New York/IBNS: The head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office (UNOCT) has highlighted the importance of tolerance in combating the “corrosive spread” of violent extremism.
Life for civilians in Syria ‘worse than when the year began’
Dec 20, 2019, at 08:18 am
New York/IBNS: The humanitarian situation facing civilians in many parts of Syria is “worse than when the year began”, the UN deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Thursday.
Rights expert welcomes Pope’s decision to lift 'veil of secrecy' on child abuse cases
Dec 20, 2019, at 08:03 am
New York/IBNS: The Vatican must take action to ensure justice for people who were sexually abused by priests during childhood, a UN independent human rights expert said on Thursday.
UN health agency signals tobacco might be reaching burn-out among men
Dec 19, 2019, at 10:10 am
New York/IBNS: Two decades of increasing tobacco use around the world are set to go into reverse, UN health experts have predicted, after revealing data indicating that fewer men and boys are smoking than before.
‘Deliver justice’ for atrocity crimes in Darfur, top court prosecutor tells Security Council
Dec 19, 2019, at 10:06 am
New York/IBNS: “Concrete steps” must be taken towards ending impunity for atrocity crimes in Darfur, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) told the Security Council on Wednesday, during her briefing on Sudan.
Global Refugee Forum ends with hundreds of pledges
Dec 19, 2019, at 09:54 am
New York/IBNS: The first-ever Global Refugee Forum concluded in Geneva on Wednesday with more than 770 pledges of support, covering areas such as protection, employment, and education, for refugees and the communities which have taken them in.
Only ‘concrete action’ will stop fraying of Israel-Palestine peace prospects
Dec 19, 2019, at 09:38 am
New York/IBNS: Obstacles to any lasting deal between Israel and Palestine continue to mount, the UN’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told Security Council members on Wednesday, and only “concrete action” towards a two-State solution will change that dynamic.
‘New and dangerous’ global risks require multilateral solutions, Guterres tells Italian Senate
Dec 19, 2019, at 09:30 am
New York/IBNS: Shifting balances of power are triggering “new and dangerous risks”, the UN chief told the Italian Senate in Rome on Wednesday, pointing to the need for more coordinated international responses, focused on solutions.
Misery for Venezuelans continues ahead of 2020 elections: UN rights chief Bachelet
Dec 19, 2019, at 09:00 am
New York/IBNS: Demonstrations in Venezuela must be allowed to take place ahead of elections in 2020, the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday, citing continued reports of harassment, threats, and detention by intelligence services and security forces.
Car bomb goes off in rebel-held area in NE Syria, leaving casualties
Dec 18, 2019, at 05:41 pm
Damascus/Xinhua/UNI: A car bomb went off in the countryside of the rebel-held Ras al-Ayn city in northeastern Syria on Wednesday, leaving unknown numbers of casualties, state news agency SANA reported.
Death toll from Hong Kong bus mishap toches six
Dec 18, 2019, at 05:40 pm
Hong Kong/Xinhua/UNI: Death toll from the bus crash in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday afternoon has risen to six after a female succumbed to her injury, according to local authorities.
Three killed in gunmen attacks in Iraq
Dec 18, 2019, at 05:38 pm
Baghdad/Xinhua/UNI: A total of three people were killed in separate attacks in the Iraqi provinces of Diyala and Nineveh, security sources said on Wednesday.
Bangladesh: 2 people arrested over murder of Chinese businessman
Dec 18, 2019, at 03:30 pm
Dhaka/IBNS: Bangladesh police have arrested two persons in connection with the murder of a Chinese businessman in Dhaka city recently.
Nearly 2 Mln Syrian refugees return home due to Russia's assistance - General Staff
Dec 18, 2019, at 10:29 am
Moscow/Sputnik/UNI: Nearly 500,000 Syrian refugees and 1.3 million internally displaced Syrians have returned home over the past one and a half year due to the assistance of the Russian Defense Ministry, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov said at a briefing for foreign military attaches.
Boris Johnson bans UK ministers from visiting world Economic Forum in Davos: reports
Dec 18, 2019, at 10:26 am
Moscow/Sputnik/UNI: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has banned ministers from attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos slated for January as the government plans to focus on national priority issues, media reported, citing a Downing Street source.
Twelve killed in prison shooting near Panama City
Dec 18, 2019, at 10:23 am
Panama City/Xinhua/UNI: At least 12 prisoners were killed and 13 others injured during a shooting Tuesday in a prison near Panama City, police said.
Two indigenous languages are dying every month: UN Assembly President
Dec 18, 2019, at 10:12 am
New York/IBNS: Despite UN efforts throughout this International Year of Indigenous Languages to highlight the daily disappearance of mother tongues across the world, the President of the General Assembly (PGA) warned on Tuesday that “challenges persist nonetheless”.
South Sudan: political will needed to form a unified government, on the road to peace
Dec 18, 2019, at 10:10 am
New York/IBNS: Extending the deadline for the establishment of a unity government in South Sudan has helped maintain a ceasefire but also disillusioned many citizens, the Security Council heard on Tuesday.
Bring global migration compact ‘to life’, urges UN chief
Dec 18, 2019, at 09:54 am
New York/IBNS: As “policies shaped more by fear than fact” have caused untold suffering to migrants, the UN Secretary-General is urging countries to realize the goals of a global agreement that promotes enhanced international cooperation on migration.
Lightning kills 10 in Africa's Malawi
Dec 17, 2019, at 10:58 pm
Lilongwe/Xinhua: At least 10 people have been killed by lightning in Malawi in East Africa since the rain season started in November, a situation weather experts and the police have described as worrisome.
Car blast kills at least one man in Damascus – Syria TV
Dec 17, 2019, at 10:12 am
Damascus/Sputnik/UNI: At least one man was killed in a car explosion in the Syrian capital in the early hours of Tuesday, Syria TV reports.