UN urges UK to address violence against women
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): Violence against women remains a pervasive challenge in the United Kingdom and a more comprehensive and targeted response is needed to address the scourge, an independent United Nations human rights expert said on Wednesday after a two-week mission to the country.
Nigeria: UN seeks immediate release of abducted school girls
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have condemned the abduction of some 100 school girls from their hostel in north-eastern Nigeria on Tuesday and called for their immediate release.
Argentina violated rights of prisoner with disabilities: UN
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights panel said on Wednesday that Argentine authorities failed to ensure that a prisoner with disabilities was able to use prison facilities and services on an equal basis with other detainees, and urged them to take steps to rectify the situation.
UNSC marks 20th anniversary of Rwandan genocide
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide by calling on all countries to recommit to prevent and fight such serious crimes, as a senior United Nations official warned that many of on Wednesday's conflicts reveal that protection of populations from atrocities remains "lagging and elusive."
UN seeks emergency funds to aid civilians fleeing CAR
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): United Nations humanitarian agencies and their partners on Wednesday launched a joint appeal to donors to fund emergency operations in support of the growing number of people who have been fleeing the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) since last December.
South Sudan: UN concerned over swelling number of refugees
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): Spiraling violence has forced an increasing number of civilians in South Sudan's oil-rich Unity state are seeking refuge with the United Nations peacekeeping mission, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Ban pushes for 2015 global agreement on disaster risk
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): Disaster risk reduction and climate change are closely linked, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday stressed, reiterating to the world community his key priorities through the next year as preparations continue for the 2015 world conference on reducing risk from natural disasters.
DR Congo: UN condemns attack on Virunga National Park director
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): A senior United Nations official on Wednesday condemned the attack against the chief warden of Virunga National Park, and urged the international community to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in protecting not only its World Heritage sites but also those who safeguard them.
Unrest in eastern Ukraine risks entire country: UN
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): The ongoing unrest in eastern Ukraine, if not addressed as a matter of priority, risks seriously destabilizing the rest of the country, a senior United Nations human rights official warned the Security Council on Wednesday, as he also urged steps to counter misinformation and bring to an end all incitement to hatred, discrimination and violence.
US: Physician sentenced for prescription drug fraud
Milwaukee, Apr 17 (IBNS) John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Richard Barney, 53, of Janesville, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Adelman to two years of probation and a $3,000 fine for prescription fraud.
TTP refuse to extend ceasefire
Peshawar, Apr 16 (IBNS):The Paksitan Taliban on Wednesday refused to extend their 40-day long ceasefire , media reports said.
South Korea: 4 killed in ferry sinking
Seoul, Apr 16 (IBNS) At least four people were killed as a ferry sank off South Korea's southern coast on Wednesday, media reports said.
Chile: UN offers support after devastating fires in Valparaiso
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the destruction caused by fires that have been raging around Valparaiso and pledged to help safeguard the Chilean city's historic sites.
Ukraine: UN urges halt to propaganda, incitement to hatred
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): While corruption and widespread inequality were among the root causes of the massive street protests that erupted last year in Ukraine, the fear-mongering and incitement to hatred that have followed must be urgently countered to avoid further escalation of tensions in the country, states a United Nations human rights report issued on Tuesday.
UN urges Israel to prevent takeover of West Bank building
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday urged Israel to prevent settlers from taking over Al-Rajabi House, a building in the West Bank city of Hebron that was built by Palestinian families but whose ownership was granted to the settlers after a protracted legal battle.