Jun 02, 2018, at 08:36 am
New York, June 2 (IBNS): The United Nations has called on Nicaragua to allow access to the Organization’s human rights arm into the country amid reports that over 100 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in over six weeks of anti-Governments protests.
Countries back ‘ambitious and comprehensive’ reform of UN development system
Jun 01, 2018, at 02:59 pm
New York, June 1 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday gave the green light to a bold new plan to make sustainable development a reality, described by UN chief António Guterres as “the most ambitious and comprehensive transformation of the UN development system in decades.”
UN agencies join forces against environmental risks that cause 12.6 million deaths a year
Jun 01, 2018, at 02:53 pm
New York, June 1 (IBNS): Two United Nations agencies are combining their expertise to counter the growing threat of extreme weather, climate change and air pollution, which cause more than 12.6 million deaths a year, it was announced on Thursday.
European court finds Romania, Lithuania guilty of colluding with the US and torturing prisoners
Jun 01, 2018, at 02:10 pm
Strasbourg, May 31 (IBNS): The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found Romania and Lithuania guilty of conspiring with the US and allowing the latter to torture suspects in makeshift cells run by the Central Intelligence Agency in the aforementioned European countries.
Gaza is ‘on the brink’ warns UN envoy, urging more international intervention
Jun 01, 2018, at 02:06 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): Rocket fire this week across the border between Gaza and Israel shows how close the region is “to the brink of war” a senior United Nations official warned on Wednesday, urging the international community to do more to help Israelis and Palestinians return to the negotiating table.
After democratic elections, Iraqi leaders must form ‘truly national’ government, urges UN envoy
Jun 01, 2018, at 02:03 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): The low voter turnout for Iraq’s recent national elections was a “strong signal” to the country’s ruling political elites that they must work harder to ease sectarian divides and promote democratic accountability over nepotism and patronage, the United Nations envoy to the country said on Wednesday.
World needs generation of self-empowered ‘superheroes’, UN youth forum told
Jun 01, 2018, at 01:58 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): The world needs young people who dream big and can endure both failure and pain, a Tongan Olympic idol told a gathering of youth at the United Nations on Wednesday.
Jun 01, 2018, at 01:55 pm
He is best known for his bare-chested appearances at the Rio and Pyeongchang Olympic Games, but Pita Taufatofua now wants to use his social media muscle to empower youth, and get them to share their stories.
UN rights chief urges action in Mexico to end ‘outrageous’ wave of disappearances
Jun 01, 2018, at 01:52 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): Authorities in Mexico are being urged to act to end what the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has described as “a wave of enforced disappearances” in the city of Nuevo Laredo, amid “strong indications” that federal security forces may be involved.
Mali: In Mopti, UN chief finds ‘a determination to fight for peace’
Jun 01, 2018, at 01:49 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): On the second day of his visit to Mali, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres travelled some 460 kilometers outside the capital, Bamako, to Mopti, where he highlighted how insecurity in the region is threatening the country’s fragile peace process.
UN chief condemns killing of police officers and civilian in Belgium’s Liège
Jun 01, 2018, at 01:40 pm
New York, May 31 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned Tuesday’s attacks by a gunman in the Belgian city of Liège, which left two police officers and a civilian dead.
UN calls for ‘new political energy’ to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine
May 30, 2018, at 04:10 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The United Nations top political affairs official on Tuesday stressed the need to breathe life back into ongoing efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, now in its fifth year, which has killed and injured thousands of civilians, plunging the country into a humanitarian crisis.
Promoting biodiversity across all agricultural sectors ‘fundamental’ — FAO chief
May 30, 2018, at 04:07 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Changing how countries across the world produce food is “fundamental” to protecting the future of the Earth’s ecosystem, said the head of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Tuesday.
‘Positive’ community building helps combat hate online: UN counter-terrorism chair
May 30, 2018, at 04:05 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): In an increasingly interconnected world, the glorification of terrorism online impacts everyone, the chair of a United Nations counter-terrorism body said on Tuesday, calling for a renewed effort to combat hateful propaganda and promote community solidarity.
In Mali, Guterres honours dedication and sacrifice of UN peacekeepers
May 30, 2018, at 04:01 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Mali on Tuesday, to honour the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers around the world, and mark the official International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
UN releases $2.7 million to help cyclone-hit 'Somaliland'; urges focus on longterm rebuilding
May 30, 2018, at 03:56 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Following a visit to a cyclone-hit community in ‘Somaliland’, the United Nations has released close to $3 million to help people affected by an unprecedented storm which delivered a full year's worth of rain in just a few days, compounding damage caused by recent severe flooding.
UN aid chief highlights 2 million Syrians in greatest need
May 30, 2018, at 03:53 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Less than 20 per cent of the “desperate” civilians living in Syria’s hard-to-reach areas have got the humanitarian aid they need so far this year, a senior United Nations official warned on Tuesday, calling for the Security Council to help ease their plight.
Spirit of compromise needed to combat workplace ‘brutalism’ – UN labour agency
May 30, 2018, at 02:10 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations labour agency has called for a new spirit of cooperation and consensus between workers, employers and Governments, to end what he called the “new brutalism” of sexual harassment and violence in the workplace.
Kim Jong-un bats for Singapore meeting, meets Moon Jae-in
May 28, 2018, at 12:52 am
Pyongyang, May 27 (IBNS): With North Korea's state media confirming that its leader Kim Jong-un's "fixed will" is to hold a summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore amid fears of its cancellation after the US president's tweet to call it off, it can be safely said that the North Korean leader has evolved as a politician.
Cyclone Mekunu hits Oman, Yemen, kills five
May 27, 2018, at 03:55 pm
Sana'a, May 27 (IBNS): A powerful cyclone named Mekunu has hit the Gulf country of Oman and neighbouring Yemen, media reports said.
Irish abortion referendum: Over 70 percent wants repeal
May 26, 2018, at 07:48 pm
Dublin, May 26 (IBNS): Exit polls in the recent Ireland polls over abortion have suggested that the majority of the population have voted for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment.
UN chief notes ‘with concern’ report holding Russia liable for downing airliner
May 26, 2018, at 06:05 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): Following the conclusion of an investigation that holds Russia responsible for the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane in 2014, the United Nations chief said on Friday that he “has taken note with concern of the latest report”.
France: New terrorism laws may undercut human rights and freedoms, says UN expert
May 26, 2018, at 06:04 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): While commending efforts by the French government to combat terrorism, a United Nations rights expert has raised concerns about the effect recent counter-terrorism laws are having on fundamental human rights there, including freedom of movement, religion and association.
‘What is good for Africa is good for the world’ says UN chief on International Day
May 26, 2018, at 06:01 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): Praising efforts by African countries to alleviate poverty and build more stable societies, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres pledged his on-going support for ending conflict and building peace across the continent.
AU-UN mission in Darfur extra-vigilant in wake of attacks on civilian camps
May 26, 2018, at 05:58 pm
New York, Mar 26 (IBNS): Following a series of armed attacks on camps hosting displaced Sudanese in central Darfur, the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission there has urged all parties to respect designated humanitarian areas, which it says should be free of weapons, threats, and violence.
Yemen: Human suffering at risk of further deterioration, warns UN aid chief
May 25, 2018, at 05:50 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): An escalation in fighting, increasing obstacles to aid delivery and lack of food and fuel, is compounding Yemen’s dire humanitarian crisis, the United Nations top relief official warned on Thursday, calling on all parties to the conflict to end the violence.
UN envoy urges ‘inclusive’ talks to resolve crisis in Burundi
May 25, 2018, at 05:42 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): Inclusive talks remain the only way to find a lasting solution to the political, socio-economic and humanitarian crisis that has engulfed Burundi since 2015, the United Nations envoy for the African Great Lakes country said on Thursday.
‘Gravely concerned’ over northern Somalia clashes, UN and partners call for ceasefire
May 25, 2018, at 05:36 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): The United Nations and its partners on Thursday expressed grave concern over armed clashes which have broken out in northern Somalia, urging all parties to immediately halt the violence.
UN development official urges greater international support for Zimbabwe
May 25, 2018, at 05:33 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): With a new administration in place and plans to hold free and fair general elections later this year, authorities in Zimbabwe are hoping to see greater international investment in their country, according to the top United Nations official there.
Not so fast on fracking, UN agency tells developing countries
May 25, 2018, at 05:22 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): The hydraulic extraction of natural gas, commonly known as fracking, produces cleaner energy than oil and coal, but it is not necessarily in the best interests of the world’s poorest countries, UN development experts said on Thursday.