UN launches humanitarian appeal for battered Vanuatu
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:26 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has launched a flash appeal for urgent funding to help with ongoing relief efforts in Vanuatu following the devastation wrought by Cyclone Pam.
UN chief urges to intensify efforts to end tuberculosis by 2035
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): With some 37 million lives saved between 2000 and 2013 through the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, it is possible to end the epidemic by 2035,Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on World Tuberculosis Day, urging leaders to recommit to ending one of humanity's top killers.
UN to unveil permanent memorial honouring victims of slave trade
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:23 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): A permanent memorial to honour the victims of one of the most horrific tragedies of modern history will be revealed at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, when the world marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Amid Yemen unrest, UNICEF warns of grave child rights abuses
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:21 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): Grave violations of children’s rights are continuing to take place in Yemen, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirmed on Tuesday, on the heels of a spate of recent attacks on mosques in Sana’a that killed 12 children and injured 20.
UN official meets with Nigerian refugees in northern Cameroon
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee chief António Guterres began a two-day visit to Cameroon on Tuesday to see the impact of the displacement crises in neighbouring Nigeria and Central African Republic (CAR), which have sent over hundreds of thousands fleeing for safety.
UN rights expert urges Chile to boost efforts in fighting extreme poverty
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): The issue of poverty continues to remain “under the radar†for many Chilean policy-makers despite the country’s impressive array of anti-poverty programmes, an independent United Nations human rights expert has warned.
Ban marks international day by stressing need for human rights
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday recalled, on the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador, that the United Nations has over the past year supported commissions of inquiry on the Central African Republic, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, the recent conflict in Gaza and Syria to further the icon’s work to see that truth prevails.
UN trade report urges to improve environment for e-commerce
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): The scope for developing countries to participate in and benefit from e-commerce is expanding, according to a new United Nations report released on Tuesday, with improved connectivity, new e-commerce applications, platforms and payment solutions, and the emergence of local e-commerce companies that are tailoring their services to local demands.
Security Council urges effective steps to end tensions in South Sudan
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Mar 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has voiced its “profound disappointment†at the failure of all parties in South Sudan to conclude an agreement that would bring the country closer to resolving its ongoing conflict and usher in a period of national unity and peace.
Airbus crashes in French Alps, 150 feared dead
Mar 25, 2015, at 02:11 am
Marseille, Mar 24 (IBNS): An Airbus A320 airliner, which was carrying 150 people, crashed in the French Alps between Barcelonnette and Digne on Tuesday, media reports.
Lufthansa's Germanwings plane crashes in France: All feared killed
Mar 24, 2015, at 10:27 pm
Marseille: An Airbus plane of Lufthansa's Germanwings budget airline crashed in southern France on Tuesday en route from Barcelona to Duesseldorf.
Central Africa in urgent need of agricultural assistance: FAO
Mar 24, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched an urgent appeal to help provide farmers in the Central African Republic (CAR) with seeds and tools for the country’s upcoming planting season, warning that without additional assistance vulnerable populations risked a further deterioration of their livelihoods.
Singapore: UN offers condolences on death of former leader Lee Kuan Yew
Mar 24, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Singapore’s former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, praising his “strong leadership and statesmanship†and describing him as “a legendary figure in Asia,†according to a United Nations spokesperson.
UN-backed report finds high levels of elephant poaching across Africa
Mar 24, 2015, at 01:50 pm
New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): An ongoing decline in overall elephant numbers remains likely as the poaching of African elephants continued to exceed population growth rates throughout 2014, a new United Nations-backed report warned on Monday.
Palestinian conflict continues to destroy human life: UN rights official
Mar 24, 2015, at 01:48 pm
New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): Violations of human rights “fuel and shape the conflict†in the occupied Palestinian territories, a senior United Nations official reported to the Human Rights Council on Monday.
UN chief stresses need to mitigate climate change patterns
Mar 24, 2015, at 01:47 pm
New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): With extreme weather and changing climatic patterns taking a heavier toll on the planet, mitigating and adapting to them remains “among the great tests of our time,â€Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday, as he stressed the need for timely, reliable information to further strengthen resilience.
Brussels: UN envoy urges to work together for peace in Libya
Mar 24, 2015, at 01:45 pm
New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): Stakeholders must work together to take Libya out of its “mess of a war†and begin rebuilding the conflict-ridden country into a modern, democratic state, a senior United Nations official said on Monday.
Liberia: UNICEF ambassador Orlando Bloom sees Ebola response
Mar 24, 2015, at 01:44 pm
New York, Mar 24 (IBNS): At the end of a four-day visit to Ebola-affected communities in Liberia, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador and actor Orlando Bloom praised the efforts of people there who have been combatting the deadly virus.
Security Council: UN envoy says Yemen on rapid downward spiral
Mar 23, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Mar 23 (IBNS): Yemen stands on the brink of civil war amid deepening political tensions and an uptick in sectarian violence, United Nations Special Adviser Jamal Benomar warned on Sunday as he explained that only through dialogue could the country achieve a peaceful political transition.
UN calls for global unity to conserve water on World Water Day
Mar 23, 2015, at 01:55 pm
New York, Mar 23 (IBNS): As the perils of climate change increasingly threaten the planet, the international community must unite in “a spirit of urgent cooperation†to address the many water-related challenges facing humanity, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Sunday.
More aid needed for 120,000 displaced by clashes in southern Philippines - UN agency
Mar 21, 2015, at 05:33 pm
New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Intensifying armed conflict in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao has displaced some 120,000 people since late January, the United Nations refugee agency said on Friday , expressing particular concern for the safety of women and children who could be exposed to exploitation and abuse.
Yemen: UN chief strongly deplores terrorist bombings, urges continued peace talks
Mar 21, 2015, at 05:29 pm
New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks against two mosques in Yemen on Fridaythat have reportedly left dozens of people dead and wounded.
UN envoy says Libya on cusp of 'decisive moment' as parties resume peace talks
Mar 21, 2015, at 04:39 pm
New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Negotiations between Libyan parties are entering a "decisive round" as continued fighting and the menace of terrorism cast a sense of urgency to the United Nations-facilitated talks, a senior official for the Organization said on Friday .
In call with Netanyahu, Ban urges renewed Israeli commitment to two-State solution
Mar 21, 2015, at 04:24 pm
New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Fridayto congratulate him on his recent electoral victory, and urged him to renew Israel’s commitment to the two-State solution.
On International Day, UN chief calls for efforts to 'fill world with happiness'
Mar 21, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Mar 21 (IBNS) Happiness for the entire human family is one of the main goals of the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared, as the Organization kicked-off its global celebrations marking the annual observance of the International Day of Happiness.
Independent UN human rights expert calls trial of former Maldives President 'mockery'
Mar 20, 2015, at 05:16 pm
New York, Mar 20 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert has warned of the "seriously deteriorating situation" regarding the independence of the justice system in the Maldives in the wake of the sentencing of former President Mohammed Nasheed, calling his trial a "mockery" of the country’s Constitution.
Despite progress, Georgia needs to do more, says UN expert dealing with torture
Mar 20, 2015, at 05:12 pm
New York, Mar 20 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture on Thursday praised the Government of Georgia for its positive advances in the treatment of prisoners since the October 2012 parliamentary election but cautioned that "there is still room for improvement and a need for anchoring."
Ukraine crisis taking heaviest toll on women, children and elderly – UN officials
Mar 20, 2015, at 05:09 pm
New York,Mar 20 (IBNS) Women, children and the elderly are disproportionately bearing the devastating impact of the protracted conflict in Ukraine, which has left five million people in need of humanitarian assistance, senior United Nations officials said on Thursday, as they stressed the "grave and urgent need" to scale up international relief efforts.
UN officials say suffering in Nigeria 'immense,' warn of regional humanitarian crisis
Mar 20, 2015, at 05:02 pm
New York, Mar 20 (IBNS):Amid ongoing fighting between Government forces and Boko Haram insurgents, the effects of the crisis in north-eastern Nigeria are increasingly reverberating across the region, two senior United Nations humanitarian officials said on Thursday, as they urged international donors to ramp up financial support for relief efforts.
China and US telecoms giants lead global patent activity in 2014 – UN report
Mar 20, 2015, at 04:59 pm
New York, Mar 20 (IBNS) Three telecoms giants from China and the United States led international patent filings in 2014 in a fifth consecutive record-breaking year that "underscores the increasing importance of intellectual property as it moves from the periphery to the centre of the global economic system," the United Nations reported on Thursday.