Libya: UN-facilitated political dialogue set to begin next week
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): With a new round of the United Nations-facilitated political dialogue set to begin next week, the top UN envoy for Libya, Bernardino León, has urged the parties to redouble their efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the country.
Amid rising tensions, UN chief reiterates concerns to Burundian President
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to resume the political dialogue that was suspended last month, and reiterated his strong condemnation of the recent killing of General Adolphe Nshimirimana and the attempted assassination of human rights defender Pierre Claver Mbonimpa.
Growing insecurity leads to more displacements in Lake Chad region: UN official
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): The United Nations on Thursday reported further population displacement in the Lake Chad region owing to fear of attacks by Boko Haram and appeals by the Government of Chad for civilians to leave areas where ongoing military operations are being undertaken against the group.
Almost 400 people rescued in the Mediterranean after fishing boat sinks: UN agency
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): Almost 400 people have been rescued so far from a vessel which sank off the coast of Libya while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea with an estimated 600 refugees and migrants on board, the United Nations refugee agency reported on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia: Suicide attack kills 13
Abha city , Aug 6 (IBNS): At least 13 people were killed in a suicide attack at a mosque in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, media reports said.
Myanmar: UN food agency delivers aid to 82,000 people in flooded areas
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS):The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday announced that it has delivered aid to 82,000 people in the most flood-affected parts of western Myanmar, and is now working to reach 200,000 people.New York, Aug 6 (IBNS):The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday announced that it has delivered aid to 82,000 people in the most flood-affected parts of western Myanmar, and is now working to reach 200,000 people.
UN rights chief highlights alarming use of capital punishment in Iran
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS): The top United Nations human rights official on Wednesday expressed alarm at the imposition of the death penalty on Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of a spiritual movement, writer and practitioner of alternative medicine theories used in Iran and abroad.
Civilians continue to bear brunt of Afghan conflict, UN report reveals
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS): Civilians continued to bear the brunt of the Afghan conflict in the first half of 2015, the United Nations reported on Wednesday, noting that casualties are projected to equal or exceed the record high numbers documented last year.
Security in Central Africa improves, but situation remains fragile: UN envoy
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS): Political progress combined with the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers in nearly 40 localities have contributed to the improvement of the overall security situation in Central African Republic (CAR), which nonetheless remains precarious, the top UN envoy in the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.
UN experts urge Pakistan to strengthen protection of children after latest execution
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Wednesday condemned the execution in Pakistan of Shafqat Hussein, who was reportedly 14 years old when he was convicted of murder, and called on the country to strengthen the protection of children.
UN allocates $70 million from emergency fund to assist millions
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS): The United Nations humanitarian chief on Wednesday allocated $70 million to help provide a lifeline to millions of men, women and children forced from their homes by violence and instability.
Kiribati: UN backs vaccine to protect children from life-threatening diarrhoea
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are supporting a new vaccination campaign announced today by the Government of Kiribati to protect children from a potentially killer virus.
Head of UN watchdog discusses Iranian nuclear issues with US lawmakers
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met with United States lawmakers on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. to discuss the important role the Agency can play in monitoring and verifying nuclear activities in Iran.
UNESCO chief condemns killing of Mexican photojournalist
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations agency charged with promoting press freedom on Wednesday condemned the killing of photojournalist Ruben Espinosa, who was found dead in Mexico City on 1 August.
Burundi: UN condemns assassination attempt on leading human rights defender
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations human rights office have strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a leading Burundian human rights defender who was shot and wounded by unknown assailants in the capital on Monday.