WHO taken aback as measles resurfaces in Europe

New York, Feb 26 (IBNS): European policymakers, healthcare workers, and parents must step up their efforts to vaccinate children against measles amid an ongoing outbreak across the continent, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, warning that a recent resurgence in the disease threatened Europe’s goal of eliminating measles by the end of 2015.

Cutting crime important to sustainable development: UN Assembly

New York, Feb 26 (IBNS): Reducing violent crime is critical to sustainable development, the top United Nations ant-crime official told the General Assembly on Wednesday, spotlighting that while global progress has been made in combatting the scourge, homicide levels in low and lower-middle income countries have increased by 10 per cent over the last decade.

Paraguay: Ban sets sights on post-2015 development agenda

New York, Feb 26 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the Government of Paraguay to join forces with the United Nations and forge ahead in framing the post-2015 agenda for a new generation of sustainable development goals, noting that the country had “an important role to play across the board.”

Natural disasters in Asia and Pacific affects 80 million people

New York, Feb 26 (IBNS): When leaders and decision makers from across Asia and the Pacific gather next month in Japan to discuss how to reduce disaster risks, their top priority will be to build resilience in a region that saw some 80 million people affected and nearly $60 billion in economic losses incurred by natural disasters last year.

Middle East: UN envoy condemns arson attack on mosque

New York, Feb 26 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy for Middle East peace on Wednesday condemned an arson attack on the Al-Huda mosque near Bethlehem in the West Bank, calling for a swift investigation and saying that extremists “must not be allowed to turn this conflict into a religious one.”

Bangla court issues arrest warrant against Khaleda Zia

Dhaka, Feb 25 (IBNS) A court in Bangladesh on Wednesday issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and two others in connection with two cases of embezzlement of funds.

West Africa: UN launches improved fish drying technique

New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): A newly developed fish drying technology is improving food quality and saving lives in West Africa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Tuesday as it launched its effort to boost food safety and working conditions across the region.

UN nuclear chief meets Iranian minister to boost understanding

New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): The head of the UN atomic watchdog held a meeting in Vienna on Tuesday morning with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister to follow-up on talks held earlier this month.

Central Africa: Surge in violence triggers new displacement

New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): An upsurge in violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has triggered fresh displacement inside the country and across the border into the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.

Ban meets Ukrainian minister, discusses conflict

New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General met on Monday in New York with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin, to discuss the conflict in the east of that country.

UN launches humanitarian appeal for Ukraine

New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): The enormous humanitarian needs of the people of Ukraine have intensified since January this year, outstripping local capacities, the United Nations’ official in Ukraine said on Tuesday as the international community launched a new humanitarian appeal for the country.

Worrying situations for displaced families from Iraq: UN officials

New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Lise Grande, along with Neill Wright, the country’s UN refugee agency (UNHCR) representative, on Tuesday visited Iraqi families recently displaced from Al Baghdadi district in the western province of Anbar.

Philippines radio journalist shooting, UN calls for investigation

New York, Feb 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has denounced the latest killing of a journalist in the Philippines and urged authorities to investigate the murder and “provide the media with as safe an environment as possible to ensure the public’s right to be kept informed.”

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.