More attacks, ‘persisting security challenges’ threaten progress in West Africa, Sahel
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:51 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): A rising number of attacks by extremist groups, using more sophisticated tactics, risk undermining progress in West Africa and the Sahel, the region’s UN envoy told the Security Council on Thursday.
Storms and snow in Lebanon worsen plight for Syrian refugees
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:48 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): Storm-force winds and snow across Lebanon have worsened the plight for tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who’ve been forced from their homes by nearly eight years of conflict, a top UN humanitarian official said on Thursday.
‘Refrain from violence’ UN chief urges, as presidential election result is announced in DR Congo
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:44 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for all parties to “refrain from violence” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following the announcement of the provisional results of the long-delayed presidential election.
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:08 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): Following the Guatemalan Government’s unilateral decision to shut down a long-running UN anti-corruption commission, its spokesperson told UN News on Wednesday that the team is looking at ways to continue to carry out its mandate, hours after the country's highest court ruled against the Government expulsion order.
Armed insurgency in north-east Nigeria ‘has created a humanitarian tragedy’
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:06 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): Following an upsurge in violence in north-east Nigeria, which was brought to global attention five years ago with the abduction by Boko Haram extremists of the Chibok schoolgirls, tens of thousands of innocent civilians continue to flee, prompting “grave concern” from the United Nations envoy there.
‘We cannot lose momentum’ on the road to peace in Yemen, UN envoy warns
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:04 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): “The difficult part” of reaching a lasting political settlement in Yemen “is still ahead of us” said the UN Special Envoy on Wednesday, urging the Security Council to support the “speedy implementation” of the fragile ceasefire agreed in and around the crucial port city of Hudaydah, at breakthrough talks in Sweden last month.
Somalia: UN congratulates Puntland region’s newly-elected President
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:00 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS).The UN’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, on Wednesday congratulated the newly-elected president of Puntland, Somalia’s semi-autonomous region in the country’s north east.
Amid troop build-up in Rohingya's home state, UN appeals to Myanmar for peaceful solution
Jan 10, 2019, at 09:54 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): Major fighting in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine state has so far been avoided following clashes between armed separatists and national security forces who are increasing troop numbers there, a top UN humanitarian official there said on Wednesday.
100 years on, UN labour agency mission focussed on growing inequality, says Director-General
Jan 10, 2019, at 09:50 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): As it celebrates its centenary year, the International Labour Organization (ILO) must help to tackle inequality in the world of work through the efforts of its 180-plus members, said Director-General Guy Ryder on Wednesday.
China: Fuxing bullet train debuts on Lanzhou-Chongqing line
Jan 09, 2019, at 06:19 pm
Beijing, Jan 9 (IBNS): The first Fuxing bullet train started running on the Lanzhou-Chongqing line in China from Tuesday, media reports said.
-1547027810.jpg "Kim Jong Un heads back home after meeting Xi Jinping in China")
Kim Jong Un heads back home after meeting Xi Jinping in China
Jan 09, 2019, at 03:26 pm
Beijing, Jan 9 (IBNS): Ending his visit to China, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is heading back home on Wednesday, media reports said.
Oil tanker blaze off Hong Kong's Lamma Island leaves 1 dead
Jan 09, 2019, at 03:23 pm
Hong Kong, Jan 9 (IBNS): At least one person was killed and seven others were injured when an oil tanker exploded and caught fire Tuesday off Hong Kong's Lamma Island, media reports said on Wednesday.
'Hope' on the horizon as UN Peacekeepers push deep into Mali
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:28 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): UN peacekeepers in Mali have given what villagers in a remote part of the West African country have called a “real glimmer of hope.”
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:22 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): Following a run-off election for the Presidency of Madagascar which saw former leader Andry Rajoelina declared the winner on Tuesday, the UN chief has commended all those who contributed to the “peaceful and orderly” voting process that began at the end of November.
How to stay in shape and step up support for refugees
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:18 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): At a time of year when many resolve to get fit, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the huge distances many are forced to cover to escape persecution, in search of a better life far from home.
THE COMMITTEES: ‘All roads lead to the Fifth’
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:16 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): At the United Nations, there is a popular saying – all roads lead to the Fifth – the “Fifth” here is the General Assembly’s main Administrative and Budgetary Committee, where all financial and programme matters concerning the UN system, are discussed. In this feature series on the work of the General Assembly, the UN body made up of all 193 Member States, UN News gives you an inside look at the critical work of the Fifth Committee.
UN Chief ‘strongly rejects’ Guatemala decision to expel anti-corruption body
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:03 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General António Guterres has “strongly rejected” the Guatemalan Government’s decision to unilaterally terminate the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), an independent body set up by the UN and Guatemala to investigate illegal security groups and high-level corruption in the country.
UK: Heathrow Airport stops departures for drone sighting
Jan 09, 2019, at 01:15 am
London, Jan 8 (IBNS): The Heathrow Airport in London on Tuesday temporarily stopped departure of flights after a drone was sighted.
China: Beijing school attack leaves 20 children hurt
Jan 08, 2019, at 03:34 pm
Beijing, Jan 8 (IBNS): At least 20 children were injured when a man attacked a primary school in China's Beijing city with a knife on Tuesday, media reports said.
Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun seeks asylum in Canada
Jan 08, 2019, at 02:22 pm
Bangkok, Jan 8 (IBNS): Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, who has claimed that she has escaped from her family in the Middle-east nation, on Tuesday sought asylum in Canada.
DR Congo: Restore internet services as 'a matter of urgency', urges UN expert
Jan 08, 2019, at 10:26 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): More than a week after voters went to the polls to choose a new President in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), results have yet to be announced and all primary telecommunications remain shut down – prompting a UN expert on Monday to urge the authorities to restore internet services as “a matter of urgency”.
Killing of aid worker in Syria part of ‘disturbing trend’
Jan 08, 2019, at 10:23 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): The abduction and killing of an aid worker last week in Syria’s Idleb region, brings into focus the daily risks faced by humanitarians working in conflict zones, said the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, in a statement deploring the killing on Monday.
World Bank President steps down, Chief Executive assumes temporary role
Jan 08, 2019, at 10:17 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): The President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, announced on Monday that he is stepping down, after more than six years in the role. Kristalina Georgieva, CEO of the World Bank CEO, will assume the role of interim President, from 1 February.
Saudi woman seeking asylum in Thailand ‘now in a secure place’ says UNHCR
Jan 08, 2019, at 10:14 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Monday that 18-year-old Saudi national Rahaf Mohammed Al-qunun, who had been stranded at Bangkok airport after fleeing her family in Kuwait, saying that she would be killed if forced to return, was “now in a secure place”.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commences his China visit
Jan 08, 2019, at 10:06 am
Beijing, Jan 8 (IBNS): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commenced his China visit from Tuesday.
Rising human trafficking takes on ‘horrific dimensions’: almost a third of victims are children
Jan 08, 2019, at 09:50 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): A new UN report published on Monday shows that human trafficking is on the rise and taking on “horrific dimensions”, with sexual exploitation of victims the main driver. Children now account for 30 per cent of those being trafficked, and far more girls are detected than boys.
UK visa costlier for Indians from tomorrow
Jan 07, 2019, at 09:13 pm
London, Jan 7 (IBNS): UK visa is set to cost more for Indian and other non-EU citizens from tomorrow, media reports said on Monday.
China kindergarten knife attack convict executed
Jan 07, 2019, at 04:14 pm
Beijing, Jan 7 (IBNS): China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) on Monday said a man, who was convicted in the kindergarten knife attack case in south China, was executed on Friday after his death sentence was approved, media reports said.
Human Rights Watch urges Thailand authorities to halt deportation of Saudi woman
Jan 07, 2019, at 10:02 am
Bangkok, Jan 7 (IBNS): Thailand authorities should immediately halt the planned deportation of a Saudi woman who says she is fleeing domestic abuse and fears for her safety if forcibly returned to Saudi Arabia, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.
2019 'a critical year' for Somali politics and development says Security Council
Jan 07, 2019, at 08:42 am
New York, Jan 7 (IBNS): In the wake of the Somali Government's decision last week to expel the head of the UN's assistance mission, UNSOM, the Security Council on Saturday cautioned that 2019 would be "a critical year" for the east African nation that is reconsituting itself after decades of conflict.