UN launches new fund to advance sustainable development in Aral Sea region
Nov 28, 2018, at 08:52 am
New York, Nov 28 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged countries to fund a new initiative designed to reduce vulnerability, advance sustainable development and create decent living conditions for millions of people living around the Aral Sea, whose basin encompasses Uzbekistan, and six other countries in Central Asia.
‘Dire consequences’ for a million children in the Middle East, North Africa, as funding dwindles
Nov 28, 2018, at 08:45 am
New York, Nov 28 (IBNS): Amidst a $33 million funding shortfall, plunging temperatures in the Middle East and North Africa pose a major threat to children in the region, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
Climate Change Focus: Lake Chad trees keep deadly drought at bay
Nov 27, 2018, at 08:53 am
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): Tens of thousands of drought-resistant trees are being planted with the support of the UN in the Lake Chad region to restore vegetation cover around the lake, help farmers adapt to climate change, and support women's economic initiatives.
Somalia: UN mission head condemns deadly terrorist attacks in Mogadishu, Galkayo
Nov 27, 2018, at 08:50 am
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Somalia has “strongly condemned” terrorist attacks in the north-central city of Galkayo and in the Somali capital on Monday, which left a prominent cleric and a number of other civilians dead.
Top UN official urges Russia and Ukraine to step away from further confrontation at sea
Nov 27, 2018, at 08:47 am
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): An “immediate de-escalation” of tensions is needed in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, the United Nations top political official has said, underlining the importance of “earnest attempts” to find a peaceful resolution to years of simmering conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Take-home pay growing at lowest level since 2008, as gender-gap persists: UN labour agency
Nov 27, 2018, at 08:44 am
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): Wages grew higher and faster in less well-off countries last year than in richer nations, but salaries are still far too low in the developing world, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Monday, with growth overall at its lowest since the 2008 global recession.
Guterres censures terrorist attacks in Nigeria, pledges UN ‘solidarity’
Nov 27, 2018, at 08:41 am
New York, Nov 27 (IBNS): Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the recurrent attacks by terrorists and other extremist groups in northern Nigeria that have taken a heavy toll on civilians and security forces.
UN chief ‘following very closely’ reports of chemical weapons use in Syria’s Aleppo
Nov 26, 2018, at 09:36 am
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has underlined that any use of chemical weapons against civilians and under any circumstances is a clear violation of international law, amid reports of their alleged use in Syria’s war-battered Aleppo.
Violence against women a ‘mark of shame’ on our societies, says UN chief on World Day
Nov 26, 2018, at 09:33 am
New York, Nov 26 (IBNS): Violence against women and girls is not only a fundamental human rights issue but also a “moral affront” against them and a “mark of shame” on all societies, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said, calling greater action by everyone around the world to root out the scourge.
Toxic gas attack in Syria leaves over 100 people hospitalised
Nov 25, 2018, at 06:15 pm
Aleppo, Nov 25 (IBNS): At least 107 people were hospitalised after a toxic gas attack hit government-controlled city of Aleppo in Syria, local media reports said on Sunday.
Nov 24, 2018, at 08:43 am
New York, Nov 24 (IBNS): The United Nations should “actively and urgently” pursue negotiations for a leading role in aiding the humanitarian crisis in Yemen’s port city of Hudaydah, the top UN envoy for the war-torn country urged Friday.
Respect people’s peaceful assembly and fair trail rights, UN human rights wing urges Nicaragua
Nov 24, 2018, at 08:40 am
New York, Nov 24 (IBNS): Nicaragua must respect the rights to free opinion and expression and to peaceful assembly, the United Nations human rights wing said on Friday, amid reports that authorities are continuing to criminalize legitimate actions of social leaders and others associated with protests that erupted in the country earlier this year.
UN agencies call for more resettlement and end to detention of asylum seekers in Libya
Nov 24, 2018, at 08:37 am
New York, Nov 24 (IBNS): Denouncing the dangers faced by migrants and asylum seekers in Libya, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) called on Friday for an end to their detention and advised those intercepting or rescuing them at sea against returning them to a country where they face “squalid conditions”.
Guatemala Dos Erres massacre conviction welcomed by UN human rights office
Nov 24, 2018, at 08:34 am
New York, Nov 24 (IBNS): The conviction of a former Guatemalan soldier involved in the mass killing of villagers in an infamous massacre during the country’s civil war has been welcomed by the UN human rights office, OHCHR.
UN chief commends African Union on adoption of institutional reforms
Nov 24, 2018, at 08:31 am
New York, Nov 24 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres has commended the African Union, a UN peace partner, and its leadership for progress achieved on institutional reform, adopted at the continental organization’s Assembly meeting.
Top UN officials sound alarm as Yemen fighting nears vital hospital in port city of Hudaydah
Nov 23, 2018, at 08:55 am
New York, Nov 23 (IBNS): As fighting in Yemen edges closer to the main healthcare practice in the port city of Hudaydah, the head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) joined the world body’s humanitarian chief on Thursday to urge the warring parties not to target or occupy any civilian sites – including Al Thawrah Hospital.
5 killed as car ploughs into crowd of children outside China school
Nov 22, 2018, at 04:05 pm
Huludao,China, Nov 22 (IBNS) : A car ploughed into a crowd of children outside a primary school in northeastern China on Thursday, killing five people and injuring 18, state media reported.
Burundian must take lead in launching inclusive dialogue to end political crisis – UN envoy
Nov 22, 2018, at 09:09 am
New York, Nov 22 (IBNS): The absence of an inclusive political dialogue in Burundi has left country fragile amid the humanitarian, economic and financial difficulties and ongoing security threats, the United Nations Special Envoy there told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Future of our planet hinges on action by today’s youth – UN deputy chief
Nov 22, 2018, at 09:06 am
New York, Nov 22 (IBNS): Protecting the planet rests on this generation’s youth and their inclination “to hold leaders and decision-makers accountable,” especially in the combat against climate change, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told university students in China today.on Wednesday.
UN police officer recognized for protecting vulnerable Somali women from abuse
Nov 22, 2018, at 09:04 am
New York, Nov 22 (IBNS): United Nations Police Officer Phyllis Osei has been awarded the 2018 UN Female Police Officer Award, in recognition for her outstanding work with the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), at a ceremony in New York on Monday.
Landmine casualties high for third consecutive year despite record funding, latest monitor reports
Nov 22, 2018, at 09:01 am
New York, Nov 22 (IBNS): Despite hundreds of millions of dollars in investment to rid the world of landmines, the number of casualties caused by explosive remnants of war (ERW) remains high, according to the latest UN-backed civil society report on the issue, published on Tuesday.
Nov 22, 2018, at 08:59 am
New York, Nov 22 (IBNS): Backed by the United Nations, countries in eastern Africa have launched a new energy security framework to help tackle growing challenges over energy access and availability in the region.
At UN forum, Asia-Pacific countries highlight importance of transport for sustainable development
Nov 22, 2018, at 08:56 am
New York, Nov 22 (IBNS): Gathered at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Organization’s development wing in the region, countries have highlighted how new technologies – especially smart devices – are making transport systems safer and greener.
Nov 22, 2018, at 08:53 am
New York, Nov 22 (IBNS): For the first time in a decade, the number of people falling into poverty in rural Latin America and the Caribbean has increased by two million, according to a new United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report, which called the worrying trend a “historical reversal.”
Twitter bots played disproportionate role spreading misinformation during 2016 US election: Study
Nov 21, 2018, at 07:00 pm
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS): An analysis of information shared on Twitter during the 2016 U.S. presidential election has found that automated accounts -- or "bots" -- played a disproportionate role in spreading misinformation online.
Kim Jong Yang of the Republic of Korea has been elected President of INTERPOL
Nov 21, 2018, at 05:22 pm
Dubai, Nov 21 (IBNS): Delegates attending INTERPOL’s General Assembly have elected Kim Jong Yang of the Republic of Korea as the Organization’s new President.
Maldives decides to rejoin Commonwealth of Nations
Nov 21, 2018, at 03:46 pm
Male, Nov 21 (IBNS): Maldives has decided to rejoin the Commonwealth of Nations after a gap of two years, the President's office confirmed on Wednesday.
UN chief condemns deadly terrorist attack in Kabul
Nov 21, 2018, at 09:33 am
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has “strongly condemned” the terrorist attack targeting a religious gathering in the Afghan capital, Kabul, which claimed dozens of civilian lives.
Cameroon violence condemned by UN human rights office in appeal for dialogue to address grievances
Nov 21, 2018, at 09:31 am
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS): Continuing insecurity in Cameroon has been condemned by the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) amid reports of killings by armed groups and State forces that has prompted mass internal displacement.
Nov 21, 2018, at 09:28 am
New York, Nov 21 (IBNS): A “pragmatic, strategic and evolutionary” approach is needed in the least developed countries to strengthen their public sector capacity, bring about institutional reform and promote policy learning, a new United Nations report has urged.