Burkina Faso: Dozens killed in clashes, UN chief condemns attacks
Jan 06, 2019, at 05:06 pm
New York, Jan 6 (IBNS): More than 40 civilians have been reportedly killed during intercommunal clashes this week in northern Burkina Faso, prompting UN Secretary-General António Guterres to issue a statement on Friday night condemning the violence and “deteriorating security situation” in parts of the West African country.
The ‘abuse of food relief in Yemen’ must end now
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:15 am
New Delhi, Jan 5 (IBNS): On Friday, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) demanded that the stealing of food by warring factions in Yemen must stop immediately; and welcomed a statement from Houthi rebel leaders saying that the situation was now under investigation.
UN chief expresses ‘full confidence’ in top Somalia official following Government expulsion
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:13 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): The UN Secretary-General said on Friday he “deeply regrets” the Somali Government’s decision to expel his Special Representative in the country, adding that he had “full confidence” in Nicholas Haysom’s abilities and track record as an international civil servant.
Rights defenders jailed in Bahrain and UAE should be released unconditionally, UN urges
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:11 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has called for the immediate release of a prominent human rights defender in Bahrain, after the country’s highest court rejected a final appeal for his release on Monday. Nabeel Rajab was jailed in 2016 for tweeting criticism of Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes on Yemen and allegations of torture inside one of Bahrain’s prisons.
DRC ‘calm but tense’ as country awaits presidential election result
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:01 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): The post-election environment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is “calm but tense” as the country waits for the results of the presidential poll, the UN Human Rights office (OHCHR) said on Friday.
Jan 05, 2019, at 08:50 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): The criminal trial in Saudi Arabia of individuals suspected of being involved in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi does not meet the requirements of an independent and international probe requested by the UN’s top rights official, Michelle Bachelet, her office said on Friday.
First-ever World Braille Day underscores importance of written language for human rights
Jan 05, 2019, at 08:47 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): To raise awareness of the importance of Braille for approximately 1.3 billion people living with some form of distance or near vision impairment, on Friday the United Nations is observing the first official World Braille Day.
After US, China develops its own "Mother of All Bombs"
Jan 04, 2019, at 04:38 pm
Beijing, Jan 4 (IBNS): China's arms industry giant NORINCO recently displayed a new massive aerial bomb which they called as the Chinese version of the "Mother of All Bombs", media reports said.
First-ever World Braille Day underscores importance of written language for human rights
Jan 04, 2019, at 09:16 am
New York, Jan 4 (IBNS): To raise awareness of the importance of Braille for approximately 1.3 billion people living with some form of distance or near vision impairment, on Friday the United Nations is observing the first official World Braille Day.
Deadly Mali attack to be investigated by UN rights experts
Jan 04, 2019, at 09:07 am
New York, Jan 4 (IBNS): An attack on a village in central Mali earlier this week in which at least 37 civilians died, is to be investigated with the help of United Nations human rights experts, the UN stabilization mission in the country (MINUSMA), announced on Thursday.
Jan 04, 2019, at 08:54 am
New York, Jan 4 (IBNS): Somali Government efforts to build a lasting peace through political reform and transformation have progressed along a “positive trajectory” but everyone involved in the process needs to “pull in the same direction”, the UN Special Representative in the country told the Security Council on Thursday.
Powering up health care in Sub-Saharan Africa
Jan 03, 2019, at 09:07 am
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS): Solar power is helping make universal healthcare a reality in places where unreliable power supplies regularly affect access to vital services, and can out people’s lives at risk, thanks to support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Attack on UN compound in Somalia may be 'violation of international humanitarian law'
Jan 03, 2019, at 09:04 am
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Tuesday’s attacks against the UN compound in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, saying that intentionally attacking UN personnel may constitute "a violation of international humanitarian law.”
Denmark: Train mishap kills six people
Jan 02, 2019, at 03:58 pm
Copenhagen, Jan 2 (IBNS): At least six people died in a train mishap in Denmark on Wednesday, media reports said.
Man shouting "Allahu Akbar" stabs three in Manchester station, police treats attack as terrorism
Jan 02, 2019, at 11:56 am
Manchester, Jan 2 (IBNS) Manchester police in the UK is treating as terrorism a knife attack on people by a man who stabbed three, including a cop, shouting "Allahu Akbar" and ISIS slogan on Tuesday on a platform at Manchester Victoria Metrolink station.
15 fatal airliner accidents occurred in 2018: Aviation Safety Network
Jan 02, 2019, at 09:18 am
New York, Jan 2 (IBNS): The Aviation Safety Network on Tuesday released the 2018 airliner accident statistics showing a total of 15 fatal airliner accidents, resulting in 556 fatalities.
Attack on UN compound in Somalia may be 'violation of international humanitarian law'
Jan 02, 2019, at 09:13 am
New York, Jan 2 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Tuesday’s attacks against the UN compound in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, saying that intentionally attacking UN personnel may constitute "a violation of international humanitarian law.”
UN diplomacy: political conflicts to watch in 2019
Jan 01, 2019, at 09:32 am
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS): As the world – and the United Nations – continues to grapple with political crises, we look at the political landscape with Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo. We begin by asking her what it’s like to be the top UN political officer.
UN refugee agency presses States to aid 49 refugees stranded on Mediterranean
Jan 01, 2019, at 09:18 am
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), on the last day of 2018, called on UN Member States to urgently offer safe ports of disembarkation for 49 refugees and migrants, including young children, aboard rescue vessels in the Mediterranean Sea.
‘Stealing’ food from hungry Yemenis ‘must stop immediately’, says UN agency
Jan 01, 2019, at 09:11 am
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS): After uncovering evidence that humanitarian food supplies are being diverted in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, Sana’a, and other parts of the country, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has demanded an immediate end to the practice.
Manchester Victoria station stabbing leaves three hurt
Jan 01, 2019, at 09:02 am
London, Jan 1 (IBNS): At least three people were injured after they were stabbed by a knife-wielding man at Manchester Victoria railway station in the UK on Monday, officials said on Tuesday.
Russia detains US citizen on suspicion of espionage
Dec 31, 2018, at 05:32 pm
Moscow, Dec 31 (IBNS): Russia’s Federal Security Service has detained a US citizen over suspicion of espionage from country's Moscow city, media reports said on Monday.
Gas explosion in Russia’s Urals city leaves three dead
Dec 31, 2018, at 04:47 pm
Moscow, Dec 31 (IBNS): A gas explosion at a house in Russia's Urals city of Magnitogorsk left three people dead, local media reports said.
Philippines: Blast outside shopping mall leaves 2 dead
Dec 31, 2018, at 04:32 pm
Cotabato City, Dec 31 (IBNS): An explosion ripped through rows of stalls selling firecrackers and fireworks in front of the SouthSeas Mall in the southern Philippines which left at least 2 people dead on Monday, media reports said.
Egypt: Security officials kill 40 terrorists during raids after tourist bus blast
Dec 29, 2018, at 07:53 pm
Cairo, Dec 29 (IBNS): Security officials in Egypt have killed dozens of terrorists during a raid in the country on Saturday, media reports said.
7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes off Philippines coast
Dec 29, 2018, at 02:22 pm
Manila, Dec 29 (IBNS) : A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Mindanao, a southern Philippine island,on Saturday, producing a tsunami threat for parts of the Pacific, media reports said.
Egypt: Blast hits tour bus near Giza pyramids, 4 killed
Dec 29, 2018, at 08:50 am
Cairo, Dec 29 (IBNS): A roadside blast near Giza pyramids in Egypt left four people killed, media reports said on Saturday.
Yemen: Committee brings warring parties to the table in Hudaydah, builds on ceasefire
Dec 29, 2018, at 08:38 am
New York, Dec 29 (IBNS): Yemen’s warring parties have begun the process this week of implementing a comprehensive ceasefire agreement across the key rebel-held port city of Hudaydah, raising hopes that groundbreaking consultations convened by the UN in Sweden can lead to a lasting peace through further talks next year.
‘Continue working together’ UN chief urges DR Congo, as country heads to polls
Dec 29, 2018, at 08:35 am
New York, Dec 29 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on all those playing an active political role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to “continue working together” to ensure free and fair elections, as the country heads to polls this Sunday.
Children suffering ‘atrocities’ as number of countries in conflict hits new peak: UNICEF
Dec 29, 2018, at 08:29 am
New York, Dec 29 (IBNS): The world “has failed” to sufficiently protect children caught up in conflict and millions more are at risk of harm, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed on Friday, adding that national leaders need to hold perpetrators of violence more accountable.