UN expert urges Mauritius to prioritize protection against abuse of the aged

New York, May 9 (IBNS): While efforts have been made in Mauritius to ensure that older persons fully enjoy their rights, the United Nations rights expert on the issue stressed on Friday that “law is not enough” and encouraged the authorities to make detection of elder abuse and law enforcement a priority.

Ban appoints deputy special representatives for missions in Mali and Haiti

New York, May 9 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday announced the respective appointments of his Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and also of his Deputy Special Representative for the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Pakistan chopper crash kills 7, Taliban claims responsibility of attack

Islamabad, May 8 (IBNS): Local Taliban has claimed responsibility of the helicopter crash in Pakistan's Naltar Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday, which left at least seven people, including Ambassador of Philippines Domingo D Lucenario Jr and Ambassador of Norway Leif Larsen, killed.

Pakistan chopper crash kills 7

Islamabad, may 8 (IBNS): At least seven people, including Ambassador of Philippines Domingo D Lucenario Jr and Ambassador of Norway Leif Larsen, were killed in a helicopter crash in Pakistan's Naltar Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday, reports said.

Ambassadors of Norway, Philippines killed in Pakistan chopper crash

Islamabad, May 8 (IBNS) Ambassador of Philippines Domingo D Lucenario Jr and Ambassador of Norway Leif Larsen along with several others were killed in a helicopter crash in Pakistan's Naltar Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday, said reports.

Nepal: WHO calls for efforts to boost health services in quake-hit country

New York, may 8 (IBNS): Amid continuing relief efforts throughout Nepal, the threat of disease increasingly hangs over the earthquake-stricken nation as the country's water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure struggles to recover from the 7.8 magnitude tremor, an official with the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

Yemen: UN official urges immediate halt to attacks against civilians

New York, May 8 (IBNS): The top United Nations relief official for Yemen has voiced grave concern over reports that “scores” of civilians have been killed and injured amid ongoing fighting in the city of Aden, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

UN predicts world food import bill to fall to five-year low

New York, May 8 (IBNS): A report on agricultural commodity prices released on Thursday by the United Nations agricultural agency says that hefty supply levels mean rates will continue to decline despite pressure from a slight reduction in global harvests.

UNESCO chief condemns murder of journalists in East Africa

New York, May 8 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations agency mandated to promote freedom of expression and the safety of media workers worldwide has on Thursday condemned the murder of two journalists, a Somalian and a Kenyan, and urged an investigation into the two separate incidents.

UN official warns of widespread sexual violence in Syria, Iraq

New York, May 8 (IBNS): Sexual violence is being committed strategically, in a widespread and systematic manner, and with a high-degree of sophistication by most parties to the conflict in Syria and Iraq, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Bangura, said Thursday as she briefed journalists on her “scoping mission” to the region in April.

UN envoy on Syria meets Saudi minister

New York, May 8 (IBNS): As part of ongoing Geneva consultations on Syria, the United Nations Special Envoy for the country, Staffan de Mistura, met on Thursday with Prince Mohammed bin Saud bin Khaled Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Information and Technology Affairs.

Poland: Ban commemorates 70th anniversary of Second World War's end

New York, May 8 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in Poland on Thursday at an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, recalled the “tremendous” shared sacrifice and the huge price of victory over fascism, paid by the millions of lost lives.

South Sudan: UN confirms influx of displaced seeking refuge at Mission base

New York, May 8 (IBNS): The number of internally displaced persons seeking refuge with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has grown to 53,000 following the latest bout of fighting in the African country, a spokesperson for the Organization has confirmed.

Gruelling lean season ahead for areas of Sahel: UN agency

New York, May 8 (IBNS): Thousands of women and children in regions where Boko Haram violence has spilled into Cameroon, Niger and Chad, face a gruelling lean season and worsening malnutrition, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday.

Afghanistan: Khost blast injures 9

Khost, May 7 (IBNS): At least nine people, including six policemen, were injured in a blast in Afghanistan's Khost province on Thursday, media reports said.