Untold suffering of South Sudanese people must end: UN envoy
New York, May 15 (IBNS): The security situation in South Sudan deteriorated further during late April and early May, the head of the United Nations mission in the country warned on Thursday as she briefed the Security Council on the “very worrying†developments that have had a devastating effect on civilians.
Geneva: UN envoy on Syria meets with officials from the Russia and UK
New York, May 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met on Thursday in Geneva with senior officials from the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom to discuss how to help Syrians move towards launching a political process, a spokesman for the UN has confirmed.
Haiti: UN official says cholera outbreak needs urgent attention
New York, May 15 (IBNS): The cholera outbreak in Haiti remains the largest in recent world history, according to the United Nations official coordinating the Organization’s cholera response in the country, yet the health crisis has fallen off the international agenda after having ceased appearing in the media.
Afghan Taliban claims responsibility of Kabul attack
Kabul, May 14 (IBNS): The Afghan Taliban on Thursday claimed responsibility for Wednesday's terror attack in Kabul which left 14 people dead in the country, media reports said.
Two Indians among 14 killed in attack on Kabul guest house
Kabul, May 14 (IBNS) Two Indians and an American were among 14 killed when gunmen stormed a guest house in Kabul on Wednesday niht and attacked the inmates, mostly foreigners.
Yemen: UN welcomes ceasefire as humanitarian relief begins to arrive
New York, May 14 (IBNS): The United Nations humanitarian official has welcomed the commencement of a ceasefire in Yemen aimed at allowing the delivery of “lifesaving†relief and aid to the country's civilian populations.
Nepal’s emergency preparedness saved lives in earthquake aftermath: WHO
New York, May 14 (IBNS): The emergency preparedness efforts implemented by the Government of Nepal over the past 15 years have ensured that key elements of the health sector remained ready and able to function during the recent earthquake that devastated large swathes of the mountainous country, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
Arms Trade Treaty vital to halting flow of casual instruments of death: Security Council
New York, May 14 (IBNS): The widespread availability of small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition, is the common factor in over 250 conflicts witnessed across the globe in the last decade, the United Nations Secretary-General told the Security Council on Wednesday, pointing to 50,000 deaths along with displacement levels unseen since the Second World War as direct consequences of such violence.
UN report shows mixed results for reaching MDG health targets by end of 2015
New York, May 14 (IBNS): The United Nations health agency on Wednesday reported that by the end of 2015, the world will have met the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for turning around the epidemics of HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, and boosting access to drinking water, but will likely fall short of reaching other health-related goals in areas such as child and maternal deaths and basic sanitation.
UN voices alarm over pushbacks of boats carrying migrants in Southeast Asia
New York, May 14 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency has said it is “extremely alarmed†at reports suggesting that Indonesian and Malaysian authorities have pushed back boats carrying numerous migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
UN official tells Forest Forum how it can contribute to sustainable development
New York, May 14 (IBNS): A new international agreement on forests should aim at advancing implementation of sustainable forest management and bring about a reversal of deforestation, the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) said on Wednesday morning.
Ban condemns terrorist act in Pakistan on Shia Muslim community
New York, May 14 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned in the “strongest possible terms†Wednesday’s terrorist attack in Pakistan which left dozens dead and many others injured, a United Nations spokesperson has confirmed.
UN welcomes European Union proposals for ‘visionary’ migration reforms
New York, May 14 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency and the world body’s top envoy on international migration have applauded European Union (EU) authorities’ proposals for dealing with refugees and migrants arriving in Europe via the Mediterranean, calling for swift implementation of the reforms “for the urgent purpose of saving lives.â€
Rebel group responsible for violations in DR Congo massacres: UN report
New York, May 14 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights report released on Wednesday says that a Uganda-based rebel group has committed grave violations of international humanitarian law in crisis-riven north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
5 killed, 50 injured as Amtrak passenger train derails in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, May 13 (IBNS) An Amtrak passenger train derailed in north Philadelphia on Tuesday night, killing at least five people and injuring more than 50 others, media reports said.