UN seeks real-time flight data on Malaysian airline
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): In the wake of the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and the ongoing hunt for the plane, the head of the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on Tuesday committed the agency to the search for a real-time inflight communications system, drawing on new technology to help improve on the 50-year-old "black box" model.
Guinea-Bissau: UN stresses need for free, fair polls
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): The United Nations panel dealing with peacebuilding efforts in Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday welcomed the successful preparations for the country's upcoming legislative and presidential elections and called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring that the polls are free and fair.
South Sudan: UN concerned over harassment of staff
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Amid growing humanitarian aid needs and despite recent assurances from the Government, the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) continues to report increasingly difficult working conditions due to movement restrictions and other harassments against its personnel and partners.
Nevada man pleads guilty to child porn charges
Kansas City, Apr 2 (IBNS) Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Nevada, Missouri man who is a registered sex offender pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to receiving and distributing child pornography over the Internet.
MH 370: Malaysia releases transcript
Kuala Lumpur, Apr 1 (IBNS):Malaysia on Tuesday released a transcript of the communications between the cockpit of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370, which was declared lost forever last month, and air traffic controllers and said there was no indication of anything 'abnormal' in it.
Russia's intervention in Ukraine condemned
Brussels, Apr 1 (IBNS): The Foreign Ministers of the NATO-Ukraine Commission on Tuesday condemned Russia's intervention in Ukraine."We, the Foreign Ministers of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, are united in our condemnation of Russia's illegal military intervention in Ukraine, and Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We do not recognize Russia's illegal and illegitimate 'annexation' of Crimea. We will continue to work together to reach a political and diplomatic solution which respects international law and Ukraine's internationally recognized borders," the NATO said in a statement on Tuesday.
Myanmar: Ban urges safety of humanitarian workers
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Government of Myanmar to ensure the safety and security of all staff members and their property in the wake of recent attacks against the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Rakhine state.
UN denounces mass death sentences in Egypt
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): A group of eight United Nations human rights independent experts on Monday urged the Egyptian authorities to quash the 529 death sentences announced in Egypt last week and give the defendants new and fair trials, in line with international human rights law.
UN officials reach South Sudan amid hunger, displacement
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): Senior United Nations relief officials began a visit to South Sudan on Monday to meet conflict-affected people and to review the ongoing response and needs amid a spiralling humanitarian crisis in the world’s youngest nation.
UN urges to abandon broken, reactive approach to aid
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): Relief aid should anticipate and prevent – not just react and treat, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) declared on Monday in a new report that challenges humanitarian and development actors to change the way they operate, and aims to kick-start an urgent global dialogue on preventing crises through effective risk management.
UN to probe violence against women in UK
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): Domestic and sexual violence, sexual bullying and harassment, forced and early marriages, and female genital mutilation – all these issues and more will be on the docket as the United Nations expert tasked with monitoring violence against women launched her first mission in the United Kingdom.
El Salvador: Ban commends turnout for presidential poll
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon followed with keen interest the electoral process in El Salvador, whose outcome confirmed the election of Salvador Sanchez Ceren as President.
The Exxon Valdez, 25 Years After
Washington, Mar 31: On March 24, 1989--25 years ago today--the massive oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in Alaska's Prince William Sound. The ship was outbound from Port Valdez and carried 53 million gallons of crude oil; an estimated 11 million gallons spilled into the Gulf of Alaska.
US man charged with mail fraud
Minneapolis, Mar 28 (IBNS) United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Watertown, South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for five counts of mail fraud.
US: Loan shark sentenced to prison
Detroit, Mar 26 (IBNS) A Troy man was sentenced on Tuesday to serve 41 months in prison for loan sharking activities within the Albanian community, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced.