UN envoy condemns latest spate of attacks in Nigeria
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:33 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS) The United Nations’ top official in West Africa has strongly condemned a series of attacks in north-eastern Nigeria which reportedly left over 30 people dead and resulted in the abduction of some 200 others.
UN expert group on arbitrary detention welcomes the release of detainees in Cuba, US
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:30 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS)The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on Thursday welcomed the recent release of a number of detainees in Cuba and the United States, some of whose cases have been followed by the expert group.
Amid heightened tensions, Security Council extends UN mission in Golan
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:29 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council this morning extended the mandate of its mission in the Golan until 30 June 2015, as it condemned recent fighting in the area and stressed that both Israel and Syria must “scrupulously†abide by the terms of the disengagement accord to prevent any breaches of the ceasefire.
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:29 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS) Continuing steady growth in 2013 for the fourth consecutive year, global wood production has fully recovered from the economic downturn of 2008-2009, though production of pulp and paper stagnated largely due to a decline in consumption in China, data released by the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Agency (FAO) revealed on Thursday.
Asia-Pacific report: World's most disaster prone region experiences three-fold rise in deaths
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:28 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS) Asia and the Pacific is the world's most natural disaster-prone area and accounts for more than 60 per cent of the world’s hungry people, but continues to drive the global economic recovery, according to the United Nations Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2014, released on Thursday.
Afghanistan: UN officials urge reforms, fight against drug trade to ensure country’s security
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:27 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS) As Afghanistan builds upon recent political developments, including the formation of a unity government, the country's authorities and the international community must not ignore the immense challenges that lie ahead, from simmering insecurity to an escalating drug crisis, two senior United Nations officials declared on Thursday during their briefing to the Security Council.
UN rights chief welcomes conviction of Congolese army officer for crimes against humanity
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:26 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS) The top United Nations official on human rights issues has welcomed the recent conviction and sentencing of a senior army officer in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for crimes against humanity, adding that the move would help garner momentum for other similar cases currently underway in the country.
UN launches appeal for life-saving aid to millions of Syrians, support to host communities
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:22 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS) As Syria's war rages on into its fifth year, the needs for food, shelter and medicine are astronomical, several United Nations agencies said on Thursday as they launched a major appeal, requesting over $8.4 billion to help nearly 18 million people in Syria and throughout the region.
On International Day, UN chief urges greater attention to 'precarious' situation of migrants
Dec 19, 2014, at 03:21 pm
New York, Dec 19 (IBNS)Far too many migrants still live and work in precarious and unjust conditions, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has said on Thursday in a message to mark International Migrants Day.
Boston: Uber driver charged with kidnapping, rape
Dec 19, 2014, at 04:57 am
Boston, Dec 18 (IBNS): A driver belonging to ride-sharing company Uber has been charged with raped and kidnapped a young woman earlier this month at Boston city int he US.
Boko Haram militants kill 32, abduct scores in Nigeria: Report
Dec 19, 2014, at 02:30 am
Maidugura, Dec 18 (IBNS): In a gruesome attack, suspected Boko Haram gunmen have killed at least 32 people and kidnapped almost 200 others, including women and children during a raid on Nigeria's north-east village, media reports said on Thursday.
Ban strongly condemns deadly Yemen bomb attacks
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:22 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-mon has strongly condemned the bomb attacks in Radaa in Yemen’s Al Bayda province on Tuesday , which killed more than 25 people, including at least 15 schoolchildren.
Central African Republic: UNICEF warns two out of five children without vital aid
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:21 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) Two out of five children urgently needing humanitarian aid in Central African Republic are without it, thanks to a critical lack of funding and continued conflict, a year after extreme violence tore through the country, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) hassaid on Wednesday.
During Ukraine visit, senior UN official pledges broad support for Government
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) The top United Nations political official on Wednesday voiced the Organization’s "unwavering commitment" in helping Ukraine address the range of political, humanitarian, security and development challenges it continues to face amid ongoing fighting in the country’s east.
Ebola: UN Secretary-General will visit West Africa to 'show solidarity with those affected'
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced he will leave on Wednesday for the countries hardest hit by the Ebola outbreak "to show my solidarity with those affected and urge even greater global action" to fight the epidemic, which two United Nations food agencies said could push the number of people facing food insecurity to more than one million by next spring.
Security Council renews cross-border aid delivery to Syria for a year
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:19 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council has on Wednesday renewed for 12 months the use of routes across conflict lines and several border crossings in Syria so that humanitarian assistance can reach communities in need, as it expressed outrage at the escalating violence that has killed nearly 200,000 people.
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:18 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) A sweet new partnership between the United Nations, the Colombian and Austrian Governments and a renowned chocolate manufacturer is slated to bring free-trade practices and a critical source of income to Colombian farmers who have long relied on revenues from illicit drug crops, the Organization’s Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has announced.
Donors pledge over $400 million for 2015 UN rapid humanitarian response fund
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:18 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) International donors have pledged $418.6 million for a United Nations fund aimed at enabling the speedy delivery of humanitarian aid into the epicentres of crisis zones around the world, falling short of a broader appeal made by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Organization’s top relief official.
Libya: UN mission encouraged by "step in the right direction" towards dialogue
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:17 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said on Wednesday that it is encouraged by the positive response it has received to its invitation for a UN-convened Libyan political dialogue.
Ban Ki-moon hails decision by US, Cuba to normalize relations
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:16 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the "very important step" taken by the leaders of the United States and Cuba towards normalizing relations between the two countries.
UN capacities 'pushed to the limit' in 2014, Ban says in year-end wrap-up
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:15 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) After a year of "discord, disease and disruption" that saw peace operations, diplomacy and humanitarian capacities "pushed to the limit" responding to West Africa's Ebola outbreak, terrorist groups and ongoing conflicts in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed reporters on Wednesday at United Nations Headquarters, where he summed up the year and looked ahead to 2015.
World Bank safeguards 'go out of their way' to avoid references to human rights – UN expert
Dec 18, 2014, at 03:14 pm
New York, Dec 18 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, on Wednesday urged the World Bank to recognize the central importance of human rights to its draft environmental and social policies, also known as safeguard policies, which apply to its investment project financing.
Pakistan lifts moratorium on death penalty
Dec 18, 2014, at 02:22 am
Peshawar, Dec 17 (IBNS): A day after Pakistan witnessed a deadly attack at a school which killed 141 people, including 132 school children dead, country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday approved the removal of moratorium on death penalty.
No difference between good and bad Taliban: Sharif
Dec 18, 2014, at 12:39 am
Peshawar, Dec 17 (IBNS) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday sent out a strong message to terrorists and said his country will like to see a complete elimination of terrorism from the nation.
Pakistan army chief visits Kabul
Dec 17, 2014, at 11:37 pm
Kabul, Dec 17 (IBNS): Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif visited Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Wednesday.
Two explosions outside Pakistan college: TV report
Dec 17, 2014, at 10:44 pm
Peshawar, Dec 17 (IBNS) Two explosion occurred outside a girls' college close to Pakistan's Peshawar city on Wednesday, TV report said.
10 killed in Afghanistan militant attack
Dec 17, 2014, at 10:33 pm
Kabul, Dec 17 (IBNS): At least 10 people, including four militants, were killed as terrorists stormed into the New Kabul Bank branch in Afghanistan's Lashkargah area on Wednesday, media reports said.
Australia: Man arrested for allegedly making threat call to Auburn mosque
Dec 17, 2014, at 10:12 pm
Sydney, Dec 17 (IBNS): The Australian Police on Wednesday said they have arrested a man for allegedly making a threatening phone call to a mosque in Auburn in western Sydney on Tuesday.
Sharif vows to continue fight against terrorism
Dec 17, 2014, at 09:40 pm
Peshawar, Dec 17 (IBNS) A day after the school horror that claimed 132 lives of children besides others in a Taliban attack in Peshawar, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said his government will combat the terrorists.
In Nepal, UN meeting seeks to boost development ranking of Asia-Pacific's poorest nations
Dec 17, 2014, at 03:10 pm
New York, Dec 17 (IBNS) A United Nations-backed meeting focusing on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of Asia and the Pacific kicked off on Tuesday as international delegates, UN officials and Government ministers embarked on discussions over how to help the region's poorest nations "graduate" to a higher level of development.