Security Council renews Yemen sanctions panel
New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): Under the terms of a resolution unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, members decided to extend the mandate of the group of four experts on Yemen, which was established to oversee sanctions measures employed against individuals and entities designated as threatening peace, security or stability in the country.
Ban taps veteran diplomat Kubiš to head up UN Iraq mission
New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Jan Kubiš of Slovakia as his new Special Representative for Iraq, a United Nations spokesperson announced on Tuesday.
WHO's appeal to tackle needs in four crisis-torn nations
New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday appealed to donors to provide $1 billion for life-saving health needs ranging from childhood vaccinations to surgical care for the severely wounded for some 25 million people caught up in conflict across the Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan and Syria.
South Sudan gripped by serious failure of leadership: UN official
New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): Amid a worsening humanitarian situation and a fragile security environment, the continuing tensions between South Sudan’s rival factions risk plunging the country into further violence, the United Nations peacekeeping official warned on Tuesday.
Event stresses on extractive industries to sustainable growth in Africa
New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) held a meeting at Headquarters in New York on Tuesday on the role of the extractive industry in Africa.
Nigeria: Suicide bombings kill 27
Abuja, Feb 24 (IBNS): At least 27 people were killed as suicide bombings rocked bus stations at two areas in northern Nigeria on Tuesday, media reports said.
Czech Republic shooting kills 8
Prague, Feb 24 (IBNS): At least eight people have been killed during a shooting attack at Druzba restaurant in Czech Republic town of Uhersky Brod on Tuesday, media reports said.
Iraq: UN reports rights violations of increasingly sectarian nature
New York, Feb 24 (IBNS): A report released on Monday by the United Nations documents widespread human rights violations of an increasingly sectarian nature in Iraq, as well as a deterioration of the rule of law in large parts of the country.
2015 pivotal for finalizing universal climate change agreement: Ban
New York, Feb 24 (IBNS): "This year is pivotal for global action on climate change", United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday in New York, emphasizing that all the major advances of 2014 have set the stage for success in 2015.
Photo competition shines spotlight on UN's zero hunger goal
New York, Feb 24 (IBNS): Scenes of families eating together in Burundi, Laos and the Philippines on Monday won a photo competition judged by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver aimed at demonstrating “the simple yet powerful role provided by sitting tougher and eating as a family,†the World Food Programme (WFP) announced.
Development system must adapt to post-2015 agenda: UN officials
New York, Feb 24 (IBNS): The United Nations officials on Monday underlined the importance of ongoing review and reform of the Organization’s development system as Member States met to begin the UN Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) Operational Activities Segment.
WHO urges global switch to smart syringes by 2020
New York, Feb 24 (IBNS): The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday called for all countries to switch by 2020 to new ‘smart’ syringes that cannot be used more than once as an “absolutely critical†stop to protect millions of people from deadly infections acquired through unsafe injections.
Technology boost for UN peacekeepers essential: UN experts
New York, Feb 24 (IBNS): From the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the Central African Republic (CAR), United Nations’ peacekeeping missions must make greater use of technological advances in order to better confront the dynamic challenges of the 21st century, according to a group of UN experts.
UN chief discusses key issues with Russian officials
Kolkata, Feb 24 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met on Monday, with the Foreign Minister of Russia to discuss among other issues, the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, expressing his expectation that all concerned parties would live up to their commitments to the truce agreed in Minsk on 12 February.
Ban stresses UN’s impact in past 70 years
New York, Feb 24 (IBNS): In a Security Council meeting on Monday, in which Member States reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Charter, the Secretary-General said the UN was an Organization with major achievements to its credit, multiple crises on its agenda, and tremendous opportunities ahead.