May 30, 2015, at 11:33 pm
Tokyo, May 30 (IBNS): A massive earthquake hit Japan on Saturday, shaking buildings and triggering panic in the country, media reports said.
South Sudan: UN officials call for international engagement to de-escalate country's conflict
May 30, 2015, at 08:24 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): As South Sudan's civil conflict continues to escalate, five senior United Nations officials have urged all stakeholders in the country to reach a sustainable solution to the crisis through inclusive dialogue and foster a lasting peace based on accountability and reconciliation.
UN 'deeply concerned' by desperate situation facing thousands of Iraqis fleeing Ramadi
May 30, 2015, at 08:23 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Some 85,000 Iraqis have fled fighting in the central city of Ramadi but as temperatures in the region soar, thousands more still on the move are facing obstacles in reaching safety such as lack of proper shelter and "onerous requirements" for documentation, the United Nations refugee agency warned Friday.
UN honours fallen peacekeepers; looks to past, present and future of 'invaluable' operations
May 30, 2015, at 08:21 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the “invaluable contribution†of peacekeeping to the history of the Organization and reaffirmed his commitment to improving the effectiveness of ‘blue helmets’ in the coming years.
May 30, 2015, at 08:18 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Across northern Mali, a flare-up in clashes between armed groups has spurred a renewed exodus of people fleeing the violence and their homes, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday, reporting difficulties in reaching the beleaguered populations with critical humanitarian aid.
UN rights office welcomes Nebraska as latest US state to abolish death penalty
May 30, 2015, at 08:17 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): Welcoming Nebraska as the nineteenth state in the United States to abolish the death penalty, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today urged the Federal Government to engage with those states retaining the policy towards achieving a nationwide moratorium as a first step to abolition.
At debate, UN and Security Council renew pledge to counter foreign terrorist fighters
May 30, 2015, at 08:15 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The increasing number of foreign terrorist fighters populating the front-lines of the world's conflict zones is cause for deepening concern and requires the international community's bolstered efforts to combat the scourge, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today as the Security Council renewed its resolve in addressing this growing threat to international peace and security.
Libya: UN envoy hopes new draft of political deal can be agreed within four weeks
May 30, 2015, at 08:13 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): Libya is on the verge of economic collapse amid ongoing violence, political infighting and efforts by terrorists to “build strong bases†throughout the country, the envoy facilitating the United Nations efforts to restore peace there said as he briefed journalists on meetings held in Brussels discussing the situation in the North African country and efforts towards a political transition.
UN envoy urges restraint among all Burundian parties; heads to region for weekend summit on crisis
May 30, 2015, at 08:11 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Burundi Friday travelled to Tanzania where he hopes an East African community summit over the weekend will help reinforce dialogue among the Burundian parties amid concerns raised by UN agencies that the current political instability and violence puts children at risk and could lead to a humanitarian crisis.
Inclusion and active involvement of youth vital to success of UN sustainability agenda: Ban
May 30, 2015, at 08:08 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly Friday commemorated the 20th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth with an acknowledgement that young people have been "disproportionately" affected by many global challenges but "are ready and willing to be actively involved in shaping their future.
UN welcomes Southeast Asia region's proposals to address plight of refugees and migrants at sea
May 30, 2015, at 08:04 pm
New York, May 30 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency Friday welcomed the positive outcomes of a regional meeting in Thailand to resolve the advancing solutions to refugees and migrants stranded in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
Children's NGO plans for a better world for them to live in
May 29, 2015, at 03:24 pm
Kolkata, May 29 (IBNS): The international organization 'Save the Children', presently working for children's rights in 120 countries and across 16 states in India including West Bengal plans for bigger changes in 2015.
-1432873176.jpg "At UN Asia-Pacific policy forum, leaders discuss post-2015 agenda")
At UN Asia-Pacific policy forum, leaders discuss post-2015 agenda
May 29, 2015, at 03:19 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The 71st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) opened its ministerial session on Thursday in Bangkok, as region’s leaders meet to discuss the integration and implementation of economic, social and environmental development with focus on financing and partnership.
-1432872793.jpg "UN envoy announces steps towards joint vision for united Cyprus")
UN envoy announces steps towards joint vision for united Cyprus
May 29, 2015, at 03:13 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): On Thursday, the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, took the next steps towards fulfilling their joint vision for a united federal Cyprus, the United Nations Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus has confirmed.
'Use your voices to claim your rights,' Ban urges university graduates in Belgium
May 29, 2015, at 03:10 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): Addressing the graduating class at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, where he was bestowed an honorary degree on Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave students one final homework assignment: become global citizens with global vision.
-1432872017.jpg "UN calls for an halt to 'wanton' destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage")
UN calls for an halt to 'wanton' destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage
May 29, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday expressed outrage that attacks on Iraq's cultural heritage are being used as a tactic of war to spread terror and hatred, “a new phenomenon,†the head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) labelled as a form of "cultural cleansing" threatening the people and security in the region.
-1432871876.jpg "Ban deplores shooting incident in Mali that killed one")
Ban deplores shooting incident in Mali that killed one
May 29, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the shooting incident that took place in Bamako, Mali, on Monday, 25 May, during which a peacekeeper with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was killed and another injured.
UN official urges Security Council to save Syria from 'hopelessness'
May 29, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The Security Council must set aside its political differences and come together to find a solution for the "intractable" and drawn-out Syrian conflict, the top United Nations humanitarian official urged on Thursday as she warned the 15-member body that the situation in the country was "extremely grave and deteriorating by the day."
Burundi: UN officials step up engagement to ease country's political crisis
May 29, 2015, at 02:39 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, arrived in Burundi today as the top UN political official met with a Burundian government representative at UN headquarters and discussed the need to prevent and investigate political violence and killings.
Despite growing threats, UN peacekeepers worldwide remain dedicated to serve
May 29, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): More than one million military, police and civilian personnel have served as United Nations peacekeepers over the years, and despite growing security threats and the sacrifices that come with being deployed in challenging environments, over 100,000 men and women continue to work for the cause of peace.
Security Council renews mandate of UN Mission in South Sudan
May 29, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations mission in the country until 30 November 2015, giving the operation authorization to use all necessary means to protect civilians, monitor and investigate human rights, and create the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Security Council renews mandate of UN Mission in South Sudan
May 29, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations mission in the country until 30 November 2015, giving the operation authorization to use all necessary means to protect civilians, monitor and investigate human rights, and create the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Joint UN report says rate of world hunger dropping amid wider eradication efforts
May 28, 2015, at 02:38 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): The number of the world's chronically undernourished has dropped below the 800 million mark as an increasing number of countries hit their Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets on hunger, according to a new United Nations report released on Monday by the Organization's three food agencies.
Some 8.6 million people in urgent need of medical help in Yemen: UN agency
May 28, 2015, at 02:36 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday warned that the “unnecessary loss of innocent lives cannot go on†and spotlighted the increasingly dire medical situation in Yemen, where it says the health and lives of millions of people are at risk, and health facilities, staff and patients are under attack in widespread violations of international humanitarian law.
Security Council condemns violence against journalists, urges end to impunity
May 28, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): Deeply concerned by the frequency of acts of violence in many parts of the world against media professionals in armed conflict, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning all violations and abuses committed against journalists and strongly deploring impunity for such acts.
UN envoy warns Boko Haram aims to destroy family structures
May 28, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict has condemned Boko Haram militias in Nigeria for “waging war on women’s physical, sexual and reproductive autonomy and rights†by repeatedly raping their female captors and treating them as vessels for producing children for fighters.
Ban tells European Parliament to work together to address challenge of migration
May 28, 2015, at 02:31 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): In Brussels on Wednesday, where he was addressing the European Parliament, the United Nations Secretary-General on Wednesday the important role played by the European Union in boosting the UN agenda, particularly on matters of peace, development and human rights.
Dialogues needed to tackle violence against women in Sudan: UN expert
May 28, 2015, at 02:29 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): More open and constructive dialogues should be held among Sudanese stakeholders as a top priority to address ‘the silence and the denials’ of crimes against women, a United Nations human rights expert concluded after her recent mission to the country.
UN Latin America commission chief welcomes visit of China premier
May 28, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations’ regional commission in Latin America and the Caribbean has met with the Premier of China, and looked forward to greater cooperation and a deeper relationship with the Asian country.
WHO devotes World No Tobacco Day 2015 to combatting illegal tobacco trade
May 28, 2015, at 02:25 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): One in every 10 cigarettes consumed is illicit, making them cheaper and more accessible to people from low-income groups, as well as to children, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned ahead of this year’s World No Tobacco Day, devoted to combatting the illegal tobacco trade.