Iraq: US airstrike begin on militants
Aug 09, 2014, at 02:08 am
Baghdad, Aug 8 (IBNS) In a significant development, the US on Friday said it has launched an air strike against militants in conflict-hit Iraq.
Hamas re-launching attacks, says Israel
Aug 08, 2014, at 11:31 pm
New Delhi, Aug 8 (IBNS) Israel alleged that early Friday morning, before the end of the 72 hours ceasefire and shortly before 04:30, two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip at them.
Obama authorises air strikes on Iraq to counter militants
Aug 08, 2014, at 02:58 pm
Washington, Aug 8 (IBNS): Amid ongoing conflict in Iraq, US President Barack Obama has authorised air strikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq to help Iraqi forces as well as to protect American personnel present in the country.
UN calls for urgent response to help thousands in northern Iraq displaced by militants' advance
Aug 08, 2014, at 02:12 pm
New York , Aug 8 (IBNS) As Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists continue to overrun areas of northern Iraq, the United Nations has begun coordinating humanitarian assistance for displaced vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities, while UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on the international community to support Iraq and help the Government alleviate the suffering of all those impacted by the spiralling violence.
Darfur: African Union-UN envoy urges Security Council to support Sudanese dialogue
Aug 08, 2014, at 02:09 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS) The challenge for the international community remains how best to impress upon all the parties involved in the Darfur conflict that a military solution and the status quo are untenable, the African Union-United Nations envoy on the region said on Thursday, urging the Security Council to play a more proactive role in supporting the holding of a successful national dialogue in Sudan.
UNESCO chief deplores killing of Russian journalist, urges full investigation
Aug 08, 2014, at 01:54 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS) The head of the UN agency mandated to defend press freedom on Thursday condemned the death of journalist Timur Kuashev in Russia and called for a thorough investigation.
DR Congo: Despite improved security, situation remains 'fragile,' UN envoys warn
Aug 08, 2014, at 01:51 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS) Two senior UN officials warned on Thursday that although the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has vastly improved since this time last year, it remains fragile and the gains are "not irreversible."
UN-backed tribunal sentences Khmer Rouge leaders to life in prison
Aug 08, 2014, at 01:49 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS) A United Nations-backed court has found the two most senior surviving leaders of Cambodia's brutal Khmer Rouge regime guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced them to life in prison.
UN flags at half-mast to honour staff killed in Gaza conflict
Aug 08, 2014, at 01:46 pm
New York, Aug 8 (IBNS) The United Nations flag is flying at half-mast on Thursdayat the world body's New York Headquarters in memory of the UN staff members killed since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza on 8 July, and in solidarity with the families and friends of those injured.
Russia extends Snowden's asylum for 3 years
Aug 08, 2014, at 04:41 am
Moscow, Aug 7 (IBNS): The Russian government has extended the temporary asylum for former National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden for three years starting from Aug 1, reports said on Thursday.
Ahead of constitutional deadline, UN envoy calls on Iraq to form new government
Aug 07, 2014, at 03:55 pm
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS) The top United Nations official in Iraq on Wednesday urged the country’s political leadership to set aside its difference and work together to form an inclusive government that could overcome "the grave challenges" faced.
South Sudan on brink of a 'humanitarian catastrophe,' warns senior UN peacekeeping official
Aug 07, 2014, at 03:54 pm
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS) A senior United Nations peacekeeping official on Wednesday warned that after just three years of independence, South Sudan is now on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe and a protracted internal conflict.
Briefing UN Assembly, Ban urges political talks to end 'senseless cycle of suffering' in Gaza
Aug 07, 2014, at 03:53 pm
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS) As the temporary ceasefire continues to hold in Gaza, senior United Nations officials on Wednesday urged Israelis and Palestinians to return to the negotiating table, and called on the 193 Member States to respond to calls for emergency humanitarian funding.
Ebola: emergency UN meeting underway as death toll surpasses 900
Aug 07, 2014, at 03:51 pm
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS) The UN health agency on Wednesday began an emergency meeting of international medical and health experts in Geneva to review the current Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa amid reports that new cases and deaths continue to be reported in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
Japan's stance on 'comfort women' issue violates victims' rights – UN official
Aug 07, 2014, at 03:49 pm
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday expressed profound regret that Japan has not provided effective redress to victims of wartime sexual slavery leading back to the end of the Second World War.
Tragic past of Hiroshima atomic bombing must inspire future free of nuclear weapons – Ban
Aug 07, 2014, at 03:46 pm
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS) Remembering all those who died in the bombing of Hiroshima and, later, Nagasaki, some 69 years ago, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday said that the atrocious memories of that tragedy must inspire new generations to work towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
Australia: Passengers join to tilt train, free man trapped against platform
Aug 07, 2014, at 02:02 am
Perth, Aug 6 (IBNS): In a show of unity, commuters on Wednesday helped to free a man after his leg was trapped between the platform and the train in western Australia.
Last group of Congolese refugees return to their homes in DR Congo:UN
Aug 06, 2014, at 06:43 pm
New York , Aug 6 (IBNS) A final group of Congolese refugees have returned to their homes in the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under a voluntary repatriation programme by the United Nations refugee agency.
Desperate Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram arriving on deserted island in Chad, UN warns
Aug 06, 2014, at 06:32 pm
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday sounded the alarm on behalf of the nearly 1,000 people who recently arrived in the uninhabited Chadian island of Choua after fleeing attacks by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria.
Iraq: UN expresses 'extreme concern' as Sinjar violence reportedly claims lives of 40 children
Aug 06, 2014, at 06:29 pm
Newe York, Aug 6 (IBNS) The United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) expressed "extreme concern" on Tuesday over reports that some 40 children from northern Iraq’s Yazidi minority group died as a result of the violence being carried out in the Sinjar region by militants belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other armed groups.
UN peacekeepers in South Sudan headed to site of deadly attacks on aid workers
Aug 06, 2014, at 06:25 pm
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS) A unit of United Nations peacekeepers is heading to South Sudan’s Maban County after at least five South Sudanese humanitarian workers were killed earlier on Tuesday by a community-based self defence militia calling itself the Mabanese Defence Forces.
Tens of thousands of besieged Syrians receive food aid for first time, UN reports
Aug 06, 2014, at 06:06 pm
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS) More people in besieged and difficult-to-reach areas of Syria are getting food due to a Security Council resolution approved last month that allows delivery trucks to more easily cross borders and conflict lines, the United Nations emergency food agency on Tuesday confirmed.
UN rights office urges probe of alleged torture of 'Red Shirt' activist
Aug 06, 2014, at 05:55 pm
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday called for an independent investigation into the alleged torture of Kritsuda Khunasen, a Thai student activist who was working for a key member of the “Red Shirts†group when she was detained and held in custody for nearly a month.
As Gaza ceasefire begins, UN Chief urges parties to commence peace talks in Cairo
Aug 06, 2014, at 04:33 pm
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS) Following the announcement on Monday of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged all parties to commence talks in Cairo for a durable peace.
Manchester:Military jets escort plane to airport
Aug 06, 2014, at 05:14 am
Manchester, Aug 5 (IBNS): The Greater Manchester Police on Tuesday arrested a man on suspicion of making a hoax bomb threat after Royal Air Force jets escorted a Qatar Airways plane to Manchester Airport here, the police said.
South Sudan: After killing of aid worker in Bunj, UN calls for militias to be reined in
Aug 05, 2014, at 04:22 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS) The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan on Monday strongly condemned the killing of a humanitarian worker, as peace talks to end fighting in the world’s newest country resumed in Addis Ababa.
Ban urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to observe ceasefire agreement
Aug 05, 2014, at 04:21 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday voiced his opposition to the renewed fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in the South Caucasus, urging the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides to respect a ceasefire agreement.
UNESCO chief denounces killing of Mexican journalist, urges investigation
Aug 05, 2014, at 04:20 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS) The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom on Monday denounced the killing of a Mexican television journalist in his hometown of Guadalupe, in the north-central part of the country.
Temporary ceasefire allows UN to restock water, food, following another school attack
Aug 05, 2014, at 04:17 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS) Amid a seven-hour ceasefire announced by Israel in Gaza, the Unite Nations and aid partners are restocking supplies in schools and other buildings being used as temporary shelters for the nearly 270,000 displaced people throughout the Gaza Strip.
Doctors, nurses and health staff urgently needed to combat ebola – UN health agency
Aug 05, 2014, at 04:06 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS) The United Nations health agency on Monday appealed for urgently needed contributions to combat the deadly Ebola disease in West Africa, saying hundreds of doctors, nurses, health staff and materials are needed in the region "as fast as possible."