Sand and dust storms, a 'human well-being' issue, says high level panel
Jul 17, 2018, at 09:02 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): From higher morbidity and mortality rates to reduced economic growth, the impact of sand and dust storms can be major, especially for lower-income nations and vulnerable communities. However, with stronger collaboration and improved information-sharing, much of the risk could be managed and mitigated, a UN meeting heard on Monday.
Progress has been made, but 'not at a sufficient speed to realize the SDGs': UN ECOSOC President
Jul 17, 2018, at 08:59 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): One week after zeroing-in on how to build sustainable, resilient societies, key players from around the world debated on Monday at United Nations Headquarters in New York, how to keep up the momentum to turn the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into a reality.
UN chief condemns violence against civilian protesters in Nicaragua
Jul 17, 2018, at 08:56 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday deplored and condemned the ongoing violence against civilians, including against students, in Nicaragua.
-1531797789.jpg "'Status quo in Libya cannot be sustained', UN Envoy tells Security Council")
'Status quo in Libya cannot be sustained', UN Envoy tells Security Council
Jul 17, 2018, at 08:53 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): Despite encouraging signs on the political and humanitarian front, efforts must be sustained and intensified in Libya to avoid further “economic collapse, the breakdown of public services, and more frequent and intense outbreaks of violence”, said the United Nations Special Envoy for the country on Monday.
Discovery to release Operation Thai Cave Rescue
Jul 16, 2018, at 04:45 pm
Bangkok, July 16 (IBNS): From the moment the news broke that 12 young Thai soccer players and their 25-year-old coach were stuck in a cave complex near the Myanmar border, the world has been glued to the rescue and recovery details.
Jul 16, 2018, at 09:37 am
New York, July 16 (IBNS): With a ceasefire largely holding after a day-long flare-up in fighting between Israel and Gaza militants, the United Nation envoy on the Middle East peace process was in the enclave on Sunday urging Israelis and Palestinians to pull back from the brink of a confrontation “that nobody wants…and everybody will lose.”
Donald Trump adviced me to sue EU: Theresa May
Jul 15, 2018, at 04:47 pm
London, July 15 (IBNS): British Prime Minister Theresa May has said US President Donald Trump adviced her to sue the European Union rather than negotiate over Brexit.
China authorities issue restricted entry of visitors to Mount Fanjingshan
Jul 14, 2018, at 04:13 pm
Beijing, July 14(IBNS): Mount Fanjingshan, which is China’s latest entrant in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, has been asked to restrict the entry of visitors in an effort to protect the place, local media reports said.
Dump Trump: Scotland protests US President's visit to the country
Jul 14, 2018, at 03:06 pm
Edinburgh, July 14 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump faced massive protests upon his arrival in Scotland, where he will be spending the weekend, reports said.
UN Forum examines three pillars of 2030 Global Goals
Jul 14, 2018, at 08:02 am
New YorK, July 14 (IBNS): The first week of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) concluded on Friday at United Nations Headquarters in New York, with a review of the progress made so far by countries on nature preservation, partnerships for development, and the need to ensure no one is excluded, during the drive towards the 2030 deadline.
Iceland to take vacated US seat on Human Rights Council
Jul 14, 2018, at 07:59 am
New York, July 14 (IBNS): Iceland has for the first time been elected to the Human Rights Council, filling the seat vacated by the United States, which withdrew from the body last month, citing bias.
Fresh airstrikes kill dozens in conflict-ravaged Syria
Jul 14, 2018, at 07:55 am
New York, July 14 (IBNS): Despite the return of tens of thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) to Syria following local agreements and changes in territorial control, the United Nations said on Friday that fresh airstrikes have reportedly killed dozens of civilians “in several areas” of the country.
Security Council downsizes AU-UN mission in Darfur, eying eventual exit
Jul 14, 2018, at 07:52 am
New York, July 14 (IBNS): The Security Council on Friday extended the mandate of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping operation in Sudan’s Darfur until the end of June next year, but reduced the number of troops deployed in the field with an eye towards the mission’s eventual exit.
‘Historic moment’ for people on the move, as UN agrees first-ever Global Compact on migration
Jul 14, 2018, at 07:49 am
New York, July 14 (IBNS): For the first time ever, United Nations Member States have agreed an all-encompassing Global Compact to better manage international migration, address its challenges, strengthen migrant rights and contribute to sustainable development.
Security Council imposes arms embargo on South Sudan
Jul 14, 2018, at 07:45 am
New York, July 14 (IBNS): The Security Council on Friday narrowly passed a measure aimed at stopping the flow of weapons to armed groups in South Sudan, with those Members in favour saying it would protect civilians, while abstainers voiced concerns that it would undermine the ongoing peace process in the world’s youngest country.
Villages ‘reduced to ash’ amid ‘barbaric violence’ in DR Congo, reports UN refugee agency
Jul 14, 2018, at 07:42 am
New York, July 14 (IBNS): Humanitarian needs are enormous in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has reported accounts of “barbaric violence”.
At least 19 killed, 31 injured in China chemical plant explosion
Jul 13, 2018, at 03:18 pm
Beijing, July 13 (IBNS) : At least 19 people were killed and a dozen injured after a chemical plant exploded in southwest China' Sichuan province on Thursday, media reports said.
Safe and orderly migration is ‘in everybody’s interest’, says senior UN official
Jul 13, 2018, at 09:18 am
July 13 (IBNS): International migration “has been with us forever”, and a safe and orderly means of facilitating it is “in everybody’s interest”, said a UN envoy.
Jul 13, 2018, at 09:08 am
New York, July 13 (IBNS): A reckoning on the importance of maximising the world’s resources is taking place across the world, and achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 depends heavily on reeling in our global consumption and production patterns, a key United Nations forum heard on Thursday.
UN emergency fund releases $15 million to help Ethiopians affected by inter-communal violence
Jul 13, 2018, at 09:06 am
New York, July 13 (IBNS): A United Nations emergency fund on Thursday released $15 million to urgently scale up humanitarian assistance to people affected by escalating inter-communal violence in Ethiopia.
‘Multilateralism in action’ says UN chief ahead of expected agreement on migration compact
Jul 13, 2018, at 09:03 am
New York, July 13 (IBNS): With the General Assembly set to agree a new global compact on migration, the United Nations chief on Thursday highlighted its “immense potential” to harness the benefits of orderly migration and lower the risks facing millions on the move without documentation.
Jul 13, 2018, at 08:43 am
New York, July 13 (IBNS): Since the start of the conflict in South Sudan, widespread and systematic sexual violence has been a pervasive tactic of war and terror, said a high-level United Nations envoy, after visiting the war-torn country and hearing “horrific” testimonies.
UN chief pushes for greater benefits from new technology, as he launches digital experts panel
Jul 13, 2018, at 08:39 am
New York, July 13 (IBNS): A high-profile group of tech experts has been assembled at the request of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, tasked with putting the benefits of digital technology to more effective use, while also protecting against unwanted or unexpected negative impacts.
-1531366149.jpg "UN forum spotlights cities, where struggle for sustainability ‘will be won or lost’")
UN forum spotlights cities, where struggle for sustainability ‘will be won or lost’
Jul 12, 2018, at 08:59 am
New York, July 12 (IBNS): Although cities are often characterized by stark socioeconomic inequalities and poor environmental conditions, they also offer growth and development potential – making them central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and a main focus of the third day of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Wednesday.
Visiting North Korea, UN relief chief spotlights funding shortfall to meet humanitarian needs
Jul 12, 2018, at 08:56 am
New York, July 12 (IBNS): The United Nations is seeking to raise $111 million to meet humanitarian needs in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), where millions of people face malnutrition, a shortage medicines, and lack of access to safe drinking water, the Organization’s top relief official said on Wednesday.
Rohingya cannot become ‘forgotten victims,’ says UN chief urging world to step up support
Jul 12, 2018, at 08:52 am
New York, July 12 (IBNS): Painting a grim picture of villages being burned to the ground and other “bone-chilling” accounts he heard from Rohingya refugees who fled violence in Myanmar, the UN chief has called on the world to answer their calls for help with real action.
Jul 12, 2018, at 08:49 am
New York, July 12 (IBNS): Climate change – and the shortages of water and food that come from it – is becoming increasingly linked to conflict, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council on Wednesday, warning that countries most vulnerable to drought and crop failure are also most vulnerable to conflict and fragility.
World Population Day: ‘A matter of human rights’ says UN
Jul 12, 2018, at 08:34 am
New York, July 12 (IBNS): Family planning was affirmed to be a human right 50 years ago, leading to what would become the annual observation of World Population Day, which focuses attention on the impact the number of children born, has on the world.
Vladimir Putin calls French President Emmanuel Macron after semi-final victory
Jul 11, 2018, at 04:46 pm
Moscow, July 11 (IBNS): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday congratulated his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron after his nation reached the final of the FIFA World Cup by beating Belgium in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Thailand cave rescue episode may become a movie
Jul 11, 2018, at 04:31 pm
Los Angeles, July 11 (IBNS): The daring rescue operation from the Thailand cave that witnessed the evacuation of 13 people might be turned into a movie, media reports said.