Venezuela: UN rights chief calls for immediate release of opposition leader, politicians
Oct 21, 2014, at 02:17 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS) Expressing serious concern at the detention of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, as well as more than 69 other people who were arrested in February during mass public protests that took place across the country, the United Nations human rights chief called on the authorities for the “immediate release’ of all those being held.
UN urges winterization assistance for displaced Iraqis before cold weather sets in
Oct 21, 2014, at 02:13 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS) With Iraq soon expecting heavy winter rains and sub-zero temperatures, efforts to provide hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons in the Middle Eastern country with the necessary protections are already being implemented, an official with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has declared, adding that while much is being done, a more comprehensive approach would be required.
WHO declares end of Ebola outbreak in Nigeria
Oct 21, 2014, at 04:49 am
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS) The Ebola virus was introduced into Nigeria on 20 July when an infected Liberian man arrived by aeroplane into Lagos, Africa's most populous city.
Car bombings, suicide blast kill 33 in Iraq
Oct 21, 2014, at 01:03 am
Baghdad, Oct 20 (IBNS): Terror re-visited Iraq on Monday when a series of car bombings and a suicide blast claimed at least 33 lives, media reported.
With Mali peace talks set to resume, Security Council urges 'spirit of compromise' among parties
Oct 18, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) Welcoming the scheduled resumption on 19 October of the inter-Malian negotiation process in Algiers, the United Nations Security Council on Fridaycalled on all parties in Mali “to engage in good faith and in the spirit of compromise†in the talks towards the ultimate end of agreeing a “comprehensive and inclusive†peace deal.
Erasing infrastructure deficit key to Africa's growth, development – UN official
Oct 18, 2014, at 05:26 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) Africa’s continued progress on growth and development targets will hinge on concerted efforts – from partnerships inside and outside the continent – to enhance infrastructure, a vital area that will facilitate diversification of African economies and unleash their full productive capacity, the President of the United Nations General Assembly said on Friday.
UN agency reports growing number of refugees as Nigeria insurgency continues
Oct 18, 2014, at 05:12 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) Amid an intensifying campaign of violence committed by insurgent groups in north-eastern Nigeria, the number of refugees fleeing the conflict into the West African country’s neighbouring States has steadily increased significantly, the UN refugee agency warned on Friday.
Global media giants, UN agency team up in ongoing fight against hunger
Oct 18, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) Two new partnerships between the United Nations food agency and independent media outlets will help promote greater awareness about food and nutrition-related issues while providing greater ammunition in the global fight against hunger, the Organization has announced.
Central African Republic: UN officials deplore militia’s targeting of hospitals, patients
Oct 18, 2014, at 05:09 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) Armed groups must respect medical facilities and allow patients and medical staff unhindered and safe access to hospitals, two United Nations officials in the Central African Republic (CAR) urged as fighting continued in the embattled nation.
UN demands safe release of abducted personnel in South Sudan
Oct 18, 2014, at 04:58 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission in South Sudan on Friday strongly condemned the recent abductions of the world body's personnel at the airfield in Malakal and demanded the safe release of those still being detained.
UNESCO chief denounces killing of Cambodian journalist, urges investigation
Oct 18, 2014, at 04:52 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom on Fridaydenounced the killing of a Cambodian reporter shot while investigating illegal logging in the eastern part of the country.
Maldives: UN 'deeply concerned' as Supreme Court prosecutes rights advocates
Oct 18, 2014, at 04:52 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office has voiced deep concern about a criminal case initiated by the Supreme Court of the Maldives against members of the country’s Human Rights Commission.
On international Day, Ban declares eradication of poverty a 'most fundamental obligation'
Oct 18, 2014, at 04:48 pm
New York, Oct 18 (IBNS) Amid pronounced increases in global inequality, the United Nations marked the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Fridaywith calls to accelerate efforts in eliminating poverty in all its for
South Korea: 14 feared dead in accident during concert
Oct 17, 2014, at 11:40 pm
Seoul, Oct 17 (IBNS): At least 14 people are feared dead and 11 others got injured after a facility covering a ventilation window at an outdoor theater crashed during a concert near South Korea's capital city Seoul on Friday, media reports said.
Ban deplores attacks on UN peacekeepers amid simmering tensions in Darfur region
Oct 17, 2014, at 09:52 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday strongly condemned a deadly attack against the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur, known by the acronym UNAMID, which claimed the lives of three peacekeepers.
Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela elected to serve on UN Security Council
Oct 17, 2014, at 09:47 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): In three rounds of voting the United Nations General Assembly Thursday elected Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2015.
On regional tour, UN envoy for Syria calls for political stability in Lebanon
Oct 17, 2014, at 09:36 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): Lebanon's political environment should stabilize to face the threat from the terror group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and ahead of what will be a "very crucial period" in the political process in Syria, a senior United Nations official Friday said during a visit to the region.
UN envoy calls for funding backed by government action, peace successes in troubled Sahel
Oct 17, 2014, at 09:33 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): The African Sahel region needs more resources, more joint action and faster ways to deal with the structural challenges, like climate change, and successes on peace processes in Darfur, northern Mali and Libya, a senior United Nations humanitarian Friday said.
Madagascar: Ban urges respect of democratic institutions as former president returns
Oct 17, 2014, at 09:25 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday rejected remarks made by former President of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, challenging the legitimacy of his country's democratic institutions.
DR Congo: head of UN mission condemns deadly rebel attacks in eastern territory
Oct 17, 2014, at 09:21 pm
New York, Oct 17 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Friday condemned a recent upsurge in deadly attacks in the eastern territories linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group.
Somalia: UN condemns second deadly terrorist attack in less than a week
Oct 17, 2014, at 04:59 am
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS) The top United Nations official in Somalia on Thursday condemned the latest terrorist attack to hit the African country's capital city of Mogadishu leaving a number of people dead and many more injured.
UN General Assembly voting to elect non-permanent Security Council members
Oct 17, 2014, at 04:23 am
New Delhi, Oct 16 (IBNS) With one round of voting complete, the United Nations General Assembly has just elected Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand and Venezuela to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2015.
On World Food Day, UN lauds role of family farmers in ending global hunger
Oct 17, 2014, at 04:22 am
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS) With over 800 million people worldwide still lacking access to healthy, nutritious food, family farmers must play an increasingly vital role in the global war on hunger, United Nations officials affirmed today, adding that the strong participation of the world’s family farmers can help "turn the tide" in shaping a new agenda for a sustainable future.
UN envoy condemns killing of Iraqi politician as violence in country spikes
Oct 16, 2014, at 06:17 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS) The United Nations envoy for Iraq, Nickolay Mladenov, on Wednesday voiced condemnation for the killing of an Iraqi politician amid an increase of violence in the Middle Eastern country.
DR Congo: UN report spotlights human rights violations amid wider calls for security reform
Oct 16, 2014, at 06:12 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS) The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) must accelerate security sector reform and punish those who violate human rights in the name of the law, top United Nations officials declared on Wednesday, amid reports of serious human rights violations in the African country.
At UN-backed forum, Latin American, Caribbean nations pledge robust efforts against child labour
Oct 16, 2014, at 06:07 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS) At a United Nations-backed regional conference held in Lima, Peru, 25 Latin American and Caribbean countries on Wednesday announced the launch of an initiative that bolsters efforts to combat child labour, and achieve the goal of total eradication by 2020.
At UN-backed forum, Latin American, Caribbean nations pledge robust efforts against child labour
Oct 16, 2014, at 06:06 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS) At a United Nations-backed regional conference held in Lima, Peru, 25 Latin American and Caribbean countries on Wednesday announced the launch of an initiative that bolsters efforts to combat child labour, and achieve the goal of total eradication by 2020.
Marking World Day, UN spotlights rural women as 'force' that can drive global progress
Oct 16, 2014, at 06:03 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS) Rural women are key agents for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development, the United Nations declared ahead of the International Day commemorated as an opportunity to promote their empowerment.
Japan Airlines flight returns to Honolulu after sexual assault incident aboard
Oct 15, 2014, at 04:59 pm
Honolulu, Oct 15 (IBNS): A Japan Airlines flight had to return to Honolulu after a male passenger allegedly sexually assaulted a female co-passenger in the airplane's lavatory, the FBI said.
Security Council extends UN peacekeeping force in Abyei through February 2015
Oct 15, 2014, at 04:49 pm
New York, Oct 15 (IBNS) The Security Council on Tuesday extended the United Nations peacekeeping force in Abyei a resource-rich area contested by Sudan and South Sudan as part of the Organization's ongoing efforts to maintain peace and protect civilians there.