UK's top diplomat William Hague resigns
London, July 15 (IBNS): British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced his resignation on Monday.
Human trafficking has no place in modern world, General Assembly President says
New York, July 15 (IBNS) Human trafficking has no place in the modern world, the President of the General Assembly declared on Monday at a special event at United Nations Headquarters ahead of the observance of the first ever World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
In Haiti, Ban calls for greater efforts to improve water and sanitation, end cholera epidemic
New York, July 15 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for intensified efforts to ensure access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation in Haiti, as he launched a new United Nations-supported initiative and met with families affected by cholera.
UN emergency fund provides $1.4 million to vaccinate Somali children
New York, July 15 (IBNS): The United Nations on Monday announced the allocation of $1.4 million from an emergency account to vaccinate more than half a million children in danger of contracting measles in Somalia.
DR Congo: UN hails appointment of senior adviser on sexual violence, child recruitment
New York, July 15 (IBNS)The appointment of a presidential adviser on conflict-related sexual violence and child recruitment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) marks "a new dawn" in tackling these scourges, senior United Nations officials said on Monday.
Security Council authorizes UN, partners to use most direct routes for Syria aid delivery
New York, July 15 (IBNS) In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, the Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution aimed at increasing access to civilians in difficult-to-reach areas by authorizing the delivery of assistance across borders and conflict lines.
Lebanon faces 'national calamity' as refugee crisis deepens, UN relief official warns
New York, July 15 (IBNS) The top United Nations relief official in Lebanon on Monday warned of the implications for Lebanon as the number of refugees in the country grows amid the ongoing conflict in Syria as well as unrest in Iraq and now Gaza.
UN mission welcomes efforts to begin audit of Afghan presidential run-off vote
New York, July 15 (IBNS) The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has hailed the efforts by the country’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) to start the implementation of an audit plan to help resolve concerns over the results of the presidential run-off poll.
Amidst fierce clashes in Libya, Ban urges need for dialogue
New York, July 15 (IBNS): Extremely concerned by the dramatic increase in violence against civilians in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, United Nations UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for a halt to the fighting and a return to the country’s political objectives.
Nobel Prize-winning South African author Nadine Gordimer dies
Johannesburg, July 14 (IBNS) Nobel Prize-winning author Nadine Gordimer passed away at her home in South Africa's Johannesburg city on Sunday, media reports said on Monday.
UN chief demands end to Israeli-Palestinian fighting
New York, July 14 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday voiced alarm that, despite the Security Council's clear demand for a ceasefire, the situation in and around the Gaza Strip appears to be worsening, with grave implications for the safety of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
UN mission calls for immediate halt to hostilities in Libya
New York, July 14 (IBNS): The United Nations mission in Libya on Sunday called for a cessation of hostilities in the capital, Tripoli, as well as in Benghazi and other parts of the country, amid reports of heavy clashes and several deaths.
N Korea fires '2 short-range ballistic missiles' today
Seoul, July 13 (IBNS): North Korea on Sunday fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters, the South Korean Military said.
Despite insecurity, UN agency scales up assistance for thousands fleeing northern Nigeria
New York, July 12 (IBNS)With thousands of families being driven from their homes by the violence spreading through north-eastern Nigeria, United Nations agencies and their partners are providing humanitarian aid to those who have escaped and crossed the border into Cameroon.
UN envoy calls for vigil for abducted Nigerian schoolgirls, pledges "never to abandon them"
New York, July 12 (IBNS) United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown on Friday called for the world to show support for the kidnapped schoolgirls of Chibok, Nigeria, on 22 July, which will be the 100th day of their captivity.