Ban deplores attacks on civilians in Kenya
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" the attacks that took place on Sunday in Mpeketoni, Kenya, which reportedly killed at least 48 people and wounded many more.
Lebanon: Ban appoints new head to peacekeeping force
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday appointed Major General Luciano Portolano of Italy as the new head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Ban urges laws to ensure dignity for elderly persons
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): Warning that elderly people in all societies can be vulnerable to physical, psychological and financial abuse, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday appealed to the international community to adopt measures to address all aspects of this routinely under-acknowledged public health, social and human rights issue.
Ban condemns abduction of three Israeli youths
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the abduction of three Israeli students in the West Bank, urging everyone to exercise restraint and to support efforts for the release and safe return of the young people, who include two minors.
UN urges China, G77 to unite for combating climate change
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): As the Group of 77 Summit ends on Sunday with a focus on creating a new sustainable development framework, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed to the G77 and China the importance of cooperation and partnerships to reduce inequality, end poverty and fight climate change.
Earthquake hits southern Indian Ocean, no casualty
Sydney, June 14 (IBNS) An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale hit he southern Indian Ocean on Saturday.
No combat troops to Iraq: Obama
Washington, June 14 (IBNS): United States President Barack Obama has said he will "not send any troops back into combat in Iraq" but is seeking other options as insurgents continue to overrun the northern parts of the country.
Iraq: UN rights chief 'alarmed' by reported abuses
New York, June 13 (IBNS): As insurgents continue to overrun parts of northern Iraq, the United Nations human rights chief expressed "extreme alarm" on Friday at reports of summary executions and extrajudicial killings, and the massive displacement of some half a million people, many of whom are now in urgent need of shelter.
UN marks World Day Against Child Labour
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Thursday marked the World Day Against Child Labour by highlighting the crucial role of social protection in keeping boys and girls out of a heinous practice that robs them of their childhood and threatens their prospects for a better future.
UN deplores detention of rights defenders in Swaziland
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): A group of independent United Nations experts on Thursday voiced serious concerns at the arrest, detention and prosecution of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and the editor-in-chief of The Nation magazine, Bheki Makhubu, in Swaziland.
UN calls for restoring calm along DR Congo-Rwanda border
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): Following clashes on Wednesday between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, a senior United Nations official has called on both sides to restore calm in the border area of Kibumba.
DR Congo: UN applauds oil firm's decision to halt exploration
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): The United Nations agency that advocates for the protection of irreplaceable natural and cultural resources on Thursday welcomed as "a step in the right direction" the decision of British oil company Soco to halt oil exploration in ecologically rich but endangered Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ban urges action on sexual violence in conflict
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): Noting that sexual violence in conflict remains widespread, yet largely invisible, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for concerted efforts to "turn the tide" and rid the world of this scourge.
UN General Assembly reviews counter-terrorism strategy
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): As the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday began a review of its overall counter-terrorism strategy, a senior official urged Member States to take advantage of the opportunity "to make the UN more relevant" in the international effort to fight what he called "a destructive and deplorable malady."
Ban seeks political solutions to differences in Libya
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday encouraged all Libyans to remain engaged in the search for political solutions to resolve differences, while stressing the importance of the peaceful and timely holding of legislative elections later this month.