UN-African Union mission peacekeepers attacked in spate of violence
Jan 07, 2015, at 03:35 pm
New York, Jan 7 (IBNS) The Joint United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur has reported that its peacekeepers came under two separate attacks on Tuesday while on patrol, both times by unidentified gunmen.
New Year offers little chance for children's education in Syria, warns UNICEF
Jan 07, 2015, at 03:31 pm
New York, Jan 7 (IBNS) Recent school closures in Raqqa and Deir-ez-Zour governorates and parts of rural Aleppo in Syria have disrupted the education of some 670,000 children of primary and lower-high school age, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported today.
Wilfried Lemke reappointed as UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development, Peace
Jan 07, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, Jan 7 (IBNS) The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, stressed that he would continue striving to raise awareness and promote the use of sport as a tool for development and peace as his appointment to the position was extended for another year today.
With no rebel surrender, UN mission in DR Congo readies military operations
Jan 06, 2015, at 08:03 pm
New York, Jan 6 (IBNS) With the deadline for the unconditional surrender of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) having passed on 2 January, and no significant additional surrenders of FDLR combatants registered since June, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is working to address the situation, a UN spokesperson said today.
Mali: UN Mission condemns attack that wounded 8 peacekeepers
Jan 06, 2015, at 08:00 pm
New York, Jan 6 (IBNS) The United Nations stabilization mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has condemned the attack that wounded eight peacekeepers – three seriously – on Sunday, in the Gao region.
UN agency calls on global clothing brands to help Cambodian manufacturers absorb wage hike
Jan 06, 2015, at 07:56 pm
New York, Jan 6 (IBNS) With the introduction of a new minimum wage for workers in the garment and footwear industry in Cambodia, United Nations experts have called on global brands that source their products from the country to play a part in helping the industry to absorb the cost increases.
AirAsia QZ 8501 wasn't licensed for route on Sunday: Report
Jan 04, 2015, at 07:08 pm
Jakarta, Jan 4 (IBNS): As rescue agencies search for more wreckage and bodies of the ill-fated AirAsia Flight QZ 8501, new reports have emerged that the AirAsia Indonesia did not have a license to fly the Surabaya-to-Singapore route on Sunday, said reports.
Bad weather caused AirAsia crash: Indonesia met agency
Jan 04, 2015, at 05:42 pm
Jakarta, Jan 4 (IBNS): The Indonesian meteorological agency has said that bad weather have probably caused the fatal crash of AirAsia Flight QZ 8501, reports said.
Burundi: UN Chief welcomes launch of electoral monitoring mission
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:25 pm
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the launch of the United Nations Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi, which officially started its work on 1 January 2015 as mandated by Security Council resolution 2137 (2014).
Senior UN official condemns recent attempt to seize power in The Gambia
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:24 pm
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) The top United Nations official in West Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, on Friday condemned the recent attempt to seize power through unconstitutional means in The Gambia.
Ban congratulates Somalia's new Prime Minister, urges creation of inclusive Government
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:22 pm
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called the new Prime Minister of Somalia, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, to congratulate him on his recent appointment, expressing hope that he will move quickly to form an inclusive Government, with the full participation of women.
2014 one of Iraq's bloodiest years as casualty rates soar, UN mission reports
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:19 pm
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) Casualty figures for Iraq in 2014 were at their highest in over five years amid a spate of deadly violence which has been convulsing the country, the United Nations mission in the country reported on Friday.
Mandate of UN-backed tribunal for Lebanon extended for three more years
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:19 pm
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has extended the mandate of the United Nations-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), which was set up to try those responsible for the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others, for a period of three years from 1 March 2015.
UN: Palestine moves to join International Criminal Court, numerous global treaties
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:18 pm
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) Palestinian Authority officials on Friday presented to the United Nations documents for accession to 16 international conventions and treaties, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the world body has confirmed.
In call with Republic of Korea leader, Ban reaffirms support for peace on Korean Peninsula
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:17 pm
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Park Geun-hye, discussed the country’s continued support for the work of the United Nations amid wider efforts to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula in a phone call on New Year's Day.
DR Congo: as deadline for surrender passes, UN and partners urge action against rebels
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:17 pm
New York , Jan 3 (IBNS) On Friday, as the six-month grace period for the full and unconditional surrender of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) armed group expires, the United Nations and its partners urged that “all necessary measures†be taken to disarm the rebels, who have had a long history of heinous crimes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Latest incidents at sea show need for action to protect migrants, stress UN officials
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:16 pm
New York Jan 3 (IBNS) Senior United Nations officials on Friday stressed the need for urgent action to protect migrants at sea following recent incidents in the Mediterranean involving hundreds of people stranded while attempting to reach Europe.
UNESCO chief deplores killing of broadcaster in DR Congo
Jan 03, 2015, at 10:10 pm
New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) The head of the United Nations agency mandated to defend freedom of expression and press freedom on Friday deplored the killing of journalist Robert Chamwami Shalubuto in Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Sony cyber attack: US imposes new sanctions on North Korea
Jan 03, 2015, at 06:28 pm
Washington, Jan 3 (IBNS) Reacting to the cyber attack against US company Sony Pictures Entertainment, the United States imposed fresh sanctions on North Korea, holding that they believed the Asian country was behind it.
UN chief conveys condolences after crash of Indonesian airliner
Jan 02, 2015, at 04:05 pm
New York, Jan 2 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his "sincerest condolences" to the families of the crew members and passengers of downed AirAsia flight QZ8501 as recovery efforts continue amid harsh conditions in the Java Sea.
UN investigates civilian obstruction of peacekeepers in southern Lebanon
Jan 01, 2015, at 08:28 pm
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS) The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reported that a patrol of peacekeepers was obstructed on Tuesday afternoon by a group of civilians who used motor vehicles to block a road near the village of Ramyah.
Expulsion of UN officials will constitute 'serious loss' for Sudan, warns Ban
Jan 01, 2015, at 08:23 pm
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reiterated his strong opposition to Sudan’s decision to expel from the country two senior UN officials, calling on the Government to reconsider the ruling and allow for essential work to be carried out.
Ukraine: UN kicks-off campaign to reach displaced persons with humanitarian aid
Jan 01, 2015, at 08:20 pm
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS) Amid continuing fighting and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday announced it is launching an initiative aimed at ferrying aid to the country’s internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as other vulnerable citizens trapped by the ongoing hostilities.
UN requests appointment of panel to probe new information on Dag Hammarskjöld death
Jan 01, 2015, at 08:14 pm
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS) The United Nations General Assembly approved by consensus a resolution that requested Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to appoint an independent panel of experts to examine new information that has emerged on the death of former UN chief Dag Hammarskjöld.
Jan 01, 2015, at 08:08 pm
Beijing, Jan 1 (IBNS): At least 35 people were killed in a stampede in China's Shanghai city on Wednesday, media reports said on Thursday.
The Gambia: UN chief urges respect for rule of law amid reports of coup attempt
Jan 01, 2015, at 08:06 pm
New York, Jan 1 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reiterated his "principled condemnation" of all attempts to seize power through unconstitutional means following reports of an attempted coup in The Gambia.
UN Security Council action on Palestinian statehood blocked
Dec 31, 2014, at 06:50 pm
New York, Dec 31(IBNS) Falling short of the required number of positive votes and faced with a veto from one of its permanent members, the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt a draft resolution that would have affirmed the "urgent need" to reach within 12 months a peaceful solution to the situation in the Middle East and would have paved the way to a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Senior UN envoy 'hopeful' over prospects for peace in Central African Republic
Dec 31, 2014, at 06:48 pm
New York, Dec 31 (IBNS) Strife-torn Central African Republic is showing signs of moving towards broad national dialogue – a direction prescribed by the Security Council as critical to ensure lasting peace – the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the country has said on Tuesday.
South Sudan conflict 'devastating' for country's children – UN report
Dec 31, 2014, at 06:48 pm
New York, Dec 31(IBNS) The conflict in South Sudan has seriously hampered the protection of children, increasing their vulnerability dramatically, says a new report published this week by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Libya: UN mission condemns terrorist bombing against Parliament amid uptick in violence
Dec 31, 2014, at 06:47 pm
New York, Dec 31 (IBNS) The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has strongly deplored a terrorist attack against a hotel in the city of Tobruk where the country’s House of Representatives was in session just days after the Mission had warned that further violence risked plunging the country into "all-out war."