China:Death toll from letter bombs touches 7
Oct 01, 2015, at 03:09 pm
Beijing, Oct 1 (IBNS) The death toll in the 17 suspected letter bombs that rocked south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has touched seven, media reports said on Thursday.
President of Sri Lanka details country's vision built on sustainability and reconciliation
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:55 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): After years of conflict, "a new era of democracy" dawned in Sri Lanka this year, ushering in justice, freedom and equality, the country's President told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, reporting that his Government supports a "fresh universal approach" that deals honestly with the past while pursuing sustainable development.
Afghanistan: UN stresses need to protect civilians amid reported abuses in Kunduz
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:53 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Amid reports of extrajudicial executions, abductions and other abuses in Kunduz following this week's attack by the Taliban, the United Nations on Wednesday reminded all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan of their obligations to protect civilians and to respect human rights at all times.
Ban underscores shared responsibility to resolve Mid-east conflicts
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for using all the tools available to the United Nations to help steer the Middle East and North Africa towards a path of freedom, safety and dignity, citing in particular the obligation of the international community to ensure a peaceful solution to the conflict in Syria and accountability for serious crimes committed there.
Closing gender gap, ending child marriage key priorities, says Ghanaian President
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Spotlighting the importance his country places on gender equality, the President of Ghana told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday that a major priority will closing the "vast" gaps between men and women through, among other efforts, providing decent education for girls and working to end child marriage.
UN: Citing Israeli violations, Palestinian leader renounces security, political accords
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): On the day that the Palestinian flag was raised at United Nations Headquarters for the first time, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday renounced political and security accords with Israel, saying it must now resume its responsibilities as occupying Power, due to its continual violations of the 20-year-old agreements.
Amid numerous challenges, Lebanon needs great international support: Ban
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): While thanking Lebanon’s partners for their efforts to support the country in the face of numerous challenges, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday highlighted the need for even greater assistance, particularly as the country deals with the Syrian refugee crisis.
People over 60 will double by 2050 but little evidence they will be healthier: UN report
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The number of people over the age of 60 is expected to double by 2050 and require radical societal change because "unfortunately, 70 does not yet appear to be the new 60" contrary to widespread assumptions, according to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).
Central American leaders say UN must be democratized to tackle today's crises
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:45 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): As the annual high-level segment of the General Assembly entered its third day, leaders from Central America stressed reform of United Nations institutions and the urgent need to bolster multilateral relations between States.
UN: Turkish Prime Minister urges action to end Syrian crisis
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:44 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Recalling the heart-rending story of the little boy whose lifeless body washed up on a beach in Turkey last month, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Wednesday urged the United Nations to take swift action to address the deepening crisis in Syria and to protect the millions of people "fleeing war and tyranny."
'UN has no equal,' says Sultan of Brunei, praising scope of sustainability agenda
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:42 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Despite what some people may say about its effectiveness, the Sultan of Brunei on Wednesday told world leaders in the General Assembly that the United Nations has no equal, and 70 years of existence is a testament to its relevance.
UN event tackles biggest refugee and migration crisis since Second World War
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:40 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): As the world confronts the biggest refugee and migration crisis since the Second World War, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday convened a high-level meeting on the issue and outlined eight guiding principles to improve preparedness.
Global response to terrorism vital for solving refugee crisis: European leaders
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): European leaders took to the podium of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday to call for a global response to terrorism, both by combatting it and taking early action to pre-empt the scourge, which has seen hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding to the continent's doorstep.
Terrorism and climate change greatest threats to humanity: Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): As the global community marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that two global challenges pose the greatest threat to the sustainability of humankind: terrorism and violent extremism, and climate change.
Middle East Quartet strongly condemns Israeli-Palestinian violence
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the Middle East Quartet on Wednesday condemned "in the strongest possible terms" violence against Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and reiterated that unilateral actions by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of a negotiated solution.
UN: Pakistan's Prime Minister proposes new peace initiative with India
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif proposed on Wednesday renewed peace talks with India, aimed at defining the relationship between the Asian countries 'as one of cooperation, not confrontation.'
Lebanese Prime Minister calls on world powers to end 'ongoing massacres'
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Holding up a photograph at the podium of the General Assembly of three-year old Aylan lying face down on a Turkish beach – the Syrian boy who drowned at the beginning of the month along with his mother and brother – the President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon reiterated his country’s call to all powers in the world to "end the ongoing massacres."
'The time for excuses is over,' island leaders tell UN, urging action on climate change
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:28 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Speaking on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Fiji, along with other leaders of other small island developing States, warned of the existential threat of climate change and looked forward to the possibility of consensus at the upcoming conference in Paris.
Fallout from Boko Haram violence fastest growing crisis in Africa: UN relief official
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:25 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The humanitarian fallout from the violence inflicted by Boko Haram is the fastest growing crisis in Africa, a senior United Nations relief official warned on Wednesday, appealing for concerted action on the humanitarian, security and development fronts to tackle the situation.
Libya warns of ISIL's increasing influence, calls for unanimity to end region's crises
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): In his address, at the annual General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, Libya's Acting Head of State, Agila Saleh Essa Gwaider, reported on the "overwhelming threat" posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which is hindering Libya from becoming to a transparent democracy.
Iraqi leader highlights progress despite 'evil will' of region's terrorist groups
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:22 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly is being held as the world tackles challenges on many scales, especially ones posed by the terrorist group known as Da'esh or the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Prime Minister of Iraq told world leaders attending the annual debate in New York.
China: Blasts kill 3, injures 15
Oct 01, 2015, at 01:38 am
Beijing, Sept 30 (IBNS) At least three people were killed as blasts rocked south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Wednesday, media reports said.
Bangladesh: Foreign missions' alert for its citizens surprises PM Sheikh Hasina
Sep 30, 2015, at 11:12 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Amid directions given by UK, US and Australia governments to their nationals to limit their movements in Bangladesh, country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in the USA, expressed her surprise over the move.
Sep 30, 2015, at 10:46 pm
Moscow, Sept 30 (IBNS) Fugitive National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has joined micro-blogging site Twitter and since then 954K followers are following his account.
President of Guyana urges UN to protect small States from foreign aggression
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Reaffirming his country's commitment to international law and the primacy of the decisions of the United Nations, the President of Guyana on Tuesday called on the world body to stand by its commitment to protect small States from foreign aggression, in this case, attempts by Venezuela to "unravel borders which have been undisturbed for decades."
With South Sudan at crossroads, Ban urges parties to reaffirm commitment to peace
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Citing a new window of opportunity for peace in South Sudan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on all parties to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the peace agreement signed last month, including by immediately halting military operations and forming the Transitional Government of National Unity.
Taliban attack: UN rights chief urges protection of civilians in Afghan city
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:43 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Following Monday’s attack by the Taliban in the Afghan city of Kunduz, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday urged both parties to the conflict to take all measures to protect civilians from harm.
The only sustainable future is one that includes us all: Rwandan President
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:41 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Change is coming and it is vitally necessary, the President of Rwanda told the General Assembly on Tuesday, urging United Nations Member States to not merely pledge commitment to the Global Goals but to acknowledge that the bold new targets will only be reached if all countries work together and acknowledge their mutual interdependence.
Mongolian President urges coordinated action to tackle pressing global issues
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:39 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): In his speech at the 70th United Nations General Assembly's annual General Debate, Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj urged his international counterparts to unite and exercise decisive leadership to fulfil UN's core missions.
African leaders highlight UN's ability to support countries and rid world of fear
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): The UN has played a significant role in reducing conflicts on the African continent and in other parts of the world was a message underlined by a number of African leaders who addressed the United Nations General Assembly today during the annual general debate.