Ban urges Russia, Ukraine to exercise restraint after aid convoy crosses border
Aug 23, 2014, at 05:36 pm
New York, Aug 23 (IBNS) Reacting to reports that a Russian aid convoy crossed the Ukrainian border without Kiev’s permission, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged all sides to continue to work together to ensure that humanitarian supplies reach those most in need.
Gaza: Ban confers with world leaders, stresses importance of durable ceasefire
Aug 23, 2014, at 05:33 pm
New York, Aug 23 (IBNS) After the breakdown earlier this week of the latest temporary ceasefire in Gaza, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed the need for efforts to guide the parties towards a durable peace, on Friday making a round of phone calls to a number of key players in the Middle East and beyond concerning the situation.
Over 20,000 people risked their lives in Indian Ocean sea crossings this year: UN report
Aug 23, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, Aug 23 (IBNS) Over 20,000 people risked their lives in sea crossings in the Indian Ocean in the first half of this year, many of them Rohingya who fled Myanmar, according to a new report released on Friday by the United Nations refugee agency.
UN envoy in Yemen calls for constructive cooperation, peaceful solution to crisis
Aug 23, 2014, at 05:30 pm
New York, Aug 23 (IBNS) Amid escalating tensions and ongoing political instability in Yemen, the United Nations envoy to the country on Friday urged all the parties to move the political process forward by addressing the roots of the current turmoil through comprehensive dialogue.
More than 191,000 people killed in Syria with 'no end in sight' : UN
Aug 23, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, Aug 23 (IBNS) The number of people killed in Syria is double the number documented a year ago, the United Nations human rights chief on Friday announced, criticizing the international community for its failure to stop the “killers, destroyers and torturers†that have torn the country apart.
Iraq: Attack in Sunni mosque kills 73
Aug 23, 2014, at 03:59 am
Baquba, Aug 22 (IBNS): A Shia Muslim armed group opened fired inside an Iraqi Sunni mosque in Iraq's eastern Diyala province which killed at least 73 people on Friday, media reports said.
Pakistan: PTI to initiate talks with govt?
Aug 23, 2014, at 02:21 am
Islamabad, Aug 22 (IBNS) Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday said it is ready to initiate talks with the government.
Humane world cannot let West Africa suffer 'on such extraordinary scale': UN health chief
Aug 22, 2014, at 03:48 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS) The newly-appointed United Nations System Coordinator for Ebola on Thursday began his visit to countries affected by the deadly disease, as the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) appealed for "massive, coordinated and targeted assistance" in the months ahead, saying "a humane world cannot let the people of West Africa suffer on such an extraordinary scale."
UN expects upcoming Samoa small island conference to generate vital partnerships
Aug 22, 2014, at 03:40 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS) The United Nations expects over 300 initiatives to be announced two weeks from now at a major world conference aimed at fostering partnerships with small island developing States, a top UN organizing official on Thursday said.
Gaza: UN says over 370,000 Palestinian children in need of 'psycho-social first aid'
Aug 22, 2014, at 03:39 pm
New York, Aug 22 (IBNS) The top UNICEF field officer in Gaza reported on Thursday that at least nine more Palestinian children have been killed there in the last 48 hours, bringing the total to 469 since early July, saying that there is not a single family in the tiny enclave that has not been touched by the current violence.
Imran Khan's PTI suspends talks with Pak govt
Aug 21, 2014, at 09:30 pm
Islamabad, Aug 21 (IBNS): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said the party suspended negotiations with the government team.
UN chief welcomes destruction of Syria's declared chemical weapons material
Aug 21, 2014, at 03:43 pm
New York, Aug 21 (IBNS)UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the destruction of Syria's declared chemical weapons material on board the United States Maritime Vessel Cape Ray.
Afghanistan: UN mission concerned over acts of intimidation against journalist
Aug 21, 2014, at 03:40 pm
New York, Aug 21 (IBNS)The United Nations mission in Afghanistan on Wednesday expressed its concern about the acts of intimidation against New York Times reporter Matthew Rosenberg, who on Tuesday was banned from leaving the country and told that he was being investigated for an article he had written.
Restoring dignity, ensuring 'safe space' for returning Nigerian schoolgirls critical : UN official
Aug 21, 2014, at 03:39 pm
New York, Aug 21 (IBNS) A United Nations official for Nigeria on Wednesday said that restoring the dignity and integrity of returning schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants in Chibok is instrumental in reintegrating the girls back into a "safe space" in society.
Iraq: Major relief effort underway in north as UN envoy warns against targeting of Sunnis in south
Aug 21, 2014, at 06:43 am
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) A United Nations refugee agency cargo jet carrying 100 tons of emergency relief supplies landed at Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan region on Wednesday "in the largest single aid push" in more than a decade, as the top UN official in the country warned against increased targeting of Sunni minorities in the south.
Aug 21, 2014, at 06:26 am
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) As renewed violence signalled the end of the latest Gaza ceasefire, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed grave disappointment at the return to hostilities and urged the parties to "reach an immediate understanding on a durable ceasefire which also addresses the underlying issues."
Obama condemns James Foley's murder
Aug 21, 2014, at 06:24 am
Washington, Aug 20 (IBNS): US President Barack Obama on Wednesday condemned the recorded beheading of James Foley and said the entire world is 'appalled' by the brutal murder of the American journalist by militant group ISIL.
Will celebrate Azadi at D Chowk tonight: Imran Khan
Aug 21, 2014, at 02:00 am
Islamabad, Aug 20 (IBNS) Amid ongoing protests in demand for Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said he and his supporters will celebrate 'Azadi' (freedom) at D Chowk on Wednesday night.
Aug 20, 2014, at 06:37 pm
New York , Aug 20 (IBNS) With a month left to the before full deployment of the United Nations mission in the Central African Republic (CAR), the UN envoy for that country on Tuesday said that while there have been pockets of improvements, the overall humanitarian and security situation in the country remains dire and "extremely volatile."
UN Member States receive report on finance for sustainable development
Aug 20, 2014, at 06:32 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) The General Assembly formally received on Tuesday an expert report setting out options that can be weighed by Member States on ways to finance the United Nations-driven sustainable development agenda, which will aim to improve people’s lives and protect the planet for future generations.
Thai law on defaming monarchy has 'chilling effect' on free expression: UN rights office
Aug 20, 2014, at 06:28 pm
New York , Aug 20 (IBNS) The United Nations rights office on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the prosecution and harsh sentencing of individuals in Thailand under the country’s so called lèse majesté law and its “chilling effects†on freedom of expression.
As South Sudan crisis grows, Ethiopia becomes Africa's largest refugee host
Aug 20, 2014, at 06:09 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) Ethiopia has surpassed Kenya in hosting the most refugees in Africa, sheltering 629,000 refugees as of the end of July, the United Nations refugee agency announced on Tuesday.
Amid unprecedented destruction, Gaza needs 'new deal'-style recovery plan: UN official
Aug 20, 2014, at 05:56 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) Concerned by the many civilian casualties and the unprecedented scale of destruction in the latest military conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants, a senior United Nations official urged on Tuesday the international community to "rethink the Gaza paradigm."
Iraq: UN refugee agency launches major humanitarian aid push for displaced people
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:38 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday that it is launching one of its largest humanitarian aid pushes in response to the deteriorating situation in Iraq, aiming to help close to a half million people who had been forced to flee their homes.
UN mission in South Sudan condemns 'sustained gunfire' near Bentiu base
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:36 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Tuesday condemned the live gunfire by Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers near the UN base in Bentiu, that wounded a child.
Briefing Security Council, UN deputy chief urges protection for frontline 'humanitarian heroes'
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:31 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS)United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson had one main message – "we must protect humanitarian workers" – as he marked World Humanitarian Day with a special briefing to the Security Council, addressing a subject critical to people caught in conflict.
World Humanitarian Day: UN honours sacrifices, celebrates spirit of aid workers
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:27 pm
New York, Aug 20 (IBNS) The United Nations is marking World Humanitarian Day on Tuesday by paying tribute to aid workers who carry out life-saving activities around the world, often in dangerous and difficult circumstances, while celebrating the spirit of humanitarian work worldwide.
Pakistan: Imran Khan, Qadri lead protesters march into Red Zone
Aug 20, 2014, at 03:25 pm
Islamabad, Aug 20 (IBNS): Demanding Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation, protesters led by Pakistan's cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and cleric Tahir ul-Qadri re demonstrating in Islamabad's Red Zone.
UN humanitarian agencies scaling up efforts as Iraq’s displacement crisis deepens
Aug 19, 2014, at 03:26 pm
New York, Aug 19 (IBNS): Amidst an expanding displacement crisis in Iraq, several United Nations humanitarian organizations are scaling up efforts to get food and water to people fleeing attacks by the Islamic State (IS).
Top UN envoy pledges to step up support for peace, progress in Somaliland
Aug 19, 2014, at 03:24 pm
New York, Aug 19 (IBNS) The top United Nations envoy in Somalia on Monday pledged to step up the world body’s support for peace and progress in Somaliland during a visit to the region, which declared itself independent in 1991.