Ban saddened by Turkish coal mine tragedy
New York, May 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his solidarity with the people of Turkey following the coal mine tragedy in Soma, and said he hopes that measures will be taken to prevent such disasters in the future.
UN alarmed by deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine
New York, May 17 (IBNS): A United Nations report released on Friday documents an "alarming" deterioration of the human rights situation in eastern Ukraine, including serious problems emerging in Crimea, citing numerous examples of targeted killings, torture and beatings, abductions, intimidation and some cases of sexual harassment, committed mostly by anti-Government groups.
UN concerned over Sudanese woman facing death penalty
New York, May 17 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Friday voiced deep concern about the situation of Meriam Ibrahim, the pregnant Christian Sudanese woman who was sentenced to 100 lashes and to death by a Sudanese court for apostasy and adultery.
UN moves vital food aid in north-west Syria
New York, May 17 (IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday it has started moving more food supplies from Turkey into north-east Syria to assist displaced families, while noting continued challenges with humanitarian access to those in need inside the war-torn nation.
UN concerned over latest fighting in northern CAR
New York, May 17 (IBNS): As fighting worsens in northern Central African Republic, United Nations humanitarian agencies and partners are working to protect displaced people and children, and to support conflict-hit farmers, it was announced on Friday.
Mali: UN to restore Timbuktu's cultural heritage
New York, May 17 (IBNS): The United Nations and the European Union have forged an agreement on Friday to fund the restoration of cultural heritage in Timbuktu that was destroyed by extremists after fighting broke out in 2012 between Malian Government forces and Tuareg rebels.
Myanmar: UN concerned about access to thousands displaced
New York, May 17 (IBNS): With increased fighting in parts of Myanmar that is preventing access to civilians, the United Nations and humanitarian partners on Friday said they were seriously concerned by the displacement of thousands of people over the past weeks and called for an end to the fighting.
UN highlights role of families in achieving development
New York, May 16 (IBNS): United Nations officials are using this year's International Day of Families to highlight the vital role that these critical social units found in every society play in achieving globally agreed development goals and advancing a better world for all.
UN condemns conviction, sentencing of Saudi blogger
New York, May 16 (IBNS): A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Thursday expressed alarm at the conviction by a Saudi court of online activist and blogger Raef Badawi, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a 1 million Saudi riyal fine.
UN report shows rich-poor longevity divide persists
New York, May 16 (IBNS): People everywhere are living longer, the United Nations health agency on Thursday reported, mostly because fewer children are dying, certain diseases are in check, and tobacco use is down, but conditions in low-income countries continue to plague life quality there.
Afghanistan: UN welcomes release of presidential election results
New York, May 16 (IBNS): The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has welcomed Thursday's announcement of the final results of the recent presidential election and stressed the importance of cooperation between the electoral institutions and candidates ahead of the run-off scheduled for next month.
UN urges protection for Albinos after Tanzania killing
New York, May 16 (IBNS): The barbaric murder of a woman with albinism in Tanzania has prompted the United Nations human rights chief to call for greater protection for this "exceptionally vulnerable" community.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's politics hurting citizens: UNSC
New York, May 16 (IBNS): Ahead of the 'hotly contested' elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a senior United Nations official on Thursday warned the UN Security Council (UNSC) that the country is politically heading in the wrong direction and that politicians might try to raise inter-ethnic tensions to divert attention from real problems.
Nigeria: UN to support efforts to release abducted schoolgirls
New York, May 16 (IBNS): The United Nations is committed to supporting Nigeria's efforts to ensure the release of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants, the world body's newly-appointed envoy to the country said on Thursday, as he announced that the UN has initiated preparation of a "support package" that will include assistance for affected families and the girls after their release.
UN urges governments to buy local food in public projects
New York, May 16 (IBNS): Public procurement can contribute to making food systems more fair and sustainable, and help realize the human right to adequate food, according to a United Nations independent expert.