South Sudan: Security Council condemns outburst of deadly violence, urges peace

Nov 06, 2014, at 07:13 pm

New York, Nov 6 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council this evening voiced alarm and outrage at the eruption of hostilities in South Sudan over the past week which left numerous civilians dead and injured and placed increasing pressure on the country’s already overwhelming humanitarian crisis.

Schoolbus tanker collision leaves 18 dead in Egypt

Nov 05, 2014, at 10:20 pm

Cairo, Nov 5 (IBNS): At least 18 people, mostly school children died when their schoolbus collided with a oil tanker in northern Egypt on Wednesday, media reported.

Kenya: UN agency voices alarm over refugee camp safety following deadly clashes

Nov 05, 2014, at 03:21 pm

New York, Nov 5 (IBNS) Following a spate of deadly violence at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday voiced concern about the security situation in the overcrowded settlement, urging a return to calm for all the communities sheltered there.

After 65 years, plight of Palestine refugees must be fully addressed, UN agency chief says

Nov 05, 2014, at 03:20 pm

New York, Nov 5 (IBNS) Political action on the part of the international community is urgently required to tackle the fundamental issues that would determine the fate and plight of more than 5.1 million Palestinian refugees, the head of the United Nations relief agency tasked with their assistance said on Tuesday.

Burkina Faso: UN-African Union mission encouraged by commitment to restore order

Nov 05, 2014, at 03:20 pm

New York, Nov 5 (IBNS) Reiterating his great concern for the current crisis in Burkina Faso and its impact on national and regional stability, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said the joint United Nations and African diplomatic mission sent to the conflict-ridden country last week has returned to the capital city of Ouagadougou to continue its engagements with all parties, with the objective of reaching an agreement that restores constitutional order through democratic elections.

Middle East: backed by UN-supported plan, Gaza reconstruction effort moves forward

Nov 05, 2014, at 03:19 pm

New York, Nov 5 (IBNS) The United Nations-backed mechanism designed to provide war-ravaged Gaza with reconstruction materials for urgent shelter repairs has commenced its operations, a senior UN official in the region has announced.

Iraq: as cold weather hits displaced persons, UN steps up humanitarian appeal

Nov 05, 2014, at 03:13 pm

New York, Nov 5 (IBNS): As temperatures plummet across Iraq amid a steadily advancing cold season, humanitarian resources are urgently required in order to satisfy the needs of over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) scattered across the country, a senior United Nations official in Iraq warned on Tuesday.

UN refugee agency launches campaign to eliminate statelessness within 10 years

Nov 05, 2014, at 03:12 pm

New York, Nov 5 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday launched a global campaign aimed at ending within a decade the problem of statelessness – a legal limbo for the more than 10 million people worldwide who lack a nationality and the human rights protections that go with it.

Pakistan: Christian couple beaten, burnt to death for alleged blasphemy

Nov 05, 2014, at 03:34 am

Lahore, Nov 4 (IBNS) A couple was beaten to death and then their bodies were burnt by an enraged mob for allegedly desecrating pages of the Holy Quran close to Pakistan's Lahore city, media reports said on Tuesday.

Pakistan: Christian couple beaten, burnt to death for alleged blasphemy

Nov 05, 2014, at 03:06 am

Lahore, Nov 4 (IBNS) A couple was beaten to death and then their bodies were burnt by an enraged mob for allegedly desecrating pages of the Holy Quran close to Pakistan's Lahore city, media reports said on Tuesday.

Pakistan using militant proxy against India, says Pentagon report

Nov 04, 2014, at 09:41 pm

New Delhi, Nov 4 (IBNS): A recent pentagon assessment has accepted the fact that Pakistan is resorting to proxy war to counter India’s superior military might, media reported.

Syria: UN envoy proposes new plan to 'freeze' conflict, promote political solution

Nov 04, 2014, at 07:03 pm

New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The war in Syria must be "frozen locally" on the ground so that the growing threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) may be fully confronted, a United Nations envoy said on Monday, suggesting that a peace introduced in increments would also provide all stakeholders with a better understanding of how to bring the three-year conflict to a definitive conclusion.

UN chief hails Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst's 'powerful message'

Nov 04, 2014, at 06:58 pm

New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) As part of a visit to mark the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna International Centre on Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was among those treated to a performance by Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst, calling her win earlier this year an "electrifying moment of human rights education."

In Darfur, UN mission voices concern over possible security raid on camps for displaced

Nov 04, 2014, at 06:44 pm

New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The United Nations mission in Darfur expressed concern on Monday over the Government of Sudan’s alleged intentions to conduct a security search operation in a camp for internally displaced people (IDP), cautioning that such an act might increase tensions among the camp’s civilian population.

In Iraq, UNESCO chief says education, culture key to country's future peace and stability

Nov 04, 2014, at 06:37 pm

New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The future of Iraq hinges on the education of its youth and the preservation of its cultural heritage, the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) affirmed during an official trip to the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

UN rights expert urges ratification of treaty against torture, ahead of 30th anniversary

Nov 04, 2014, at 06:33 pm

New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) As the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of an international legal framework to prevent torture and other types of inhumane treatment or punishment approaches, a United Nations rights expert urged the committee charged with monitoring its implementation to use the momentum garnered in the celebrations to accelerate efforts to move towards universal ratification of the treaty.

Ban strongly condemns terrorist attack at India-Pakistan border

Nov 04, 2014, at 06:31 pm

New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) Strongly condemning the terrorist attack that took place on Sunday on the Pakistani side of the Wagah border with India, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon On Monday urged the authorities in Pakistan to bring those responsible to justice.

At UN conference, top officials urge greater development assistance for landlocked countries

Nov 04, 2014, at 06:25 pm

New York, Nov 4 (IBNS) The international community must aid the world’s landlocked developing countries (LLDC) in pursuing their goals for greater economic development to transition from being landlocked to “landlinked,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon advised on Monday, noting that only through comprehensive improvements in trade would such nations be best prepared to tackle the post-2015 agenda.

Boat capsizes off Istanbul, 24 killed

Nov 04, 2014, at 12:05 am

Istanbul, Nov 3 (IBNS): At least 24 people were killed and several others are missing after a boat, reported to be carrying migrants, sank off the north coast of Istanbul.

Bangladesh SC upholds death penalty for Jamaat leader Kamaruzzaman

Nov 03, 2014, at 09:39 pm

Dhaka, Nov 3 (IBNS): Bangladesh Supreme Court on Monday upheld the death sentence of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mohammad Kamaruzzaman for committing mass murder and crimes against humanity during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan, media reported.

1971 crimes: Bangladesh Supreme Court upholds Kamaruzzaman death penalty

Nov 03, 2014, at 09:32 pm

Dhaka, Nov 3 (IBNS): Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Monday upheld the death penalty awarded to 1971 war criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Muhammad Kamaruzzaman.

Pakistan: Above 50 killed in Wagah blast

Nov 03, 2014, at 04:56 am

Islamabad,Nov 2 (IBNS): More than 50 people have lost their lives and several others were injured in a blast close to the Wagah border in Pakistan on Sunday, media reports said.

1971 crimes: Quasem gets death sentence

Nov 03, 2014, at 04:14 am

Dhaka, Nov 2 (IBNS): A special tribunal handed death penalty to senior leader of fundamentalist Jamaat- e-Islami party and Bangladeshi media tycoon Mir Quasem Ali here on Sunday, media reports said.

'Stand up for justice', UN urges on first Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

Nov 03, 2014, at 02:30 am

New York, Nov 2 (IBNS) Protecting the safety of journalists and ensuring that crimes committed against them don't go unpunished is ever-more important in on Sunday's changing times in order to build transparent societies and keep citizens around the world informed, the United Nations said on Sunday marking the first-ever International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

Blast in Pakistan kills 48

Nov 03, 2014, at 01:56 am

Islamabad, Nov 2 (IBNS) At least 48 people were killed in a blast which occurred close to the Wagah border in Pakistan on Sunday, media reports said.

Pakistan explosion kills 37

Nov 03, 2014, at 01:44 am

Islamabad, Nov 2 (IBNS) At least 37 people have been killed in an explosion near the Wagah border in Pakistan on Sunday, media reports said.

Pakistan: Explosion kills 30 near Wagah border

Nov 03, 2014, at 01:43 am

Islamabad, Nov 2 (IBNS): An explosion close to the Wagah border in Pakistan has left 30 people dead, media reports said.

Massive power blackout hits Bangladesh

Nov 02, 2014, at 01:29 am

Dhaka, Nov 1 (IBNS) Disrupting normal life in the country,the collapse of the national grid left Bangladesh facing a massive blackout on Saturday.

Virgin Spaceflight crash kills 1, Branson vows to continue mission

Nov 02, 2014, at 12:59 am

California, Nov 1 (IBNS) A pilot was killed as Virgin's tourist-carrying Galactic rocket ship crashed on a test flight at California's Mojave Desert in the US on Friday.

10 including a Russian killed in Nepal accident

Nov 01, 2014, at 06:50 pm

Kathmandu, Nov 1 (IBNS): At least 10 people, including a Russian national were killed and 30 others injured when two buses collided head-on in central Nepal, media reported.