'Essential shifts' needed for UN to tackle new peacekeeping challenges, report reveals
Jun 17, 2015, at 10:04 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Focus on political solutions, responsive and flexible operations, stronger partnerships and field-focused and people-centered mandates; these are the essential shifts the United Nations must urgently address as it faces challenging new landscapes in peacekeeping and conflict prevention, the chair of a high-level expert panel said on Wednesday, introducing a long-awaited report at the world body’s New York Headquarters.
Latest UN humanitarian report reveals surge in financing needs for relief efforts
Jun 17, 2015, at 09:40 pm
New York, June 17 (IBNS): Amid a widespread diffusion of conflicts and crises across the globe, an increasing amount of funding is now required to respond to the world’s growing humanitarian calamities, according to the latest report released today by the United Nations’ relief arm.
In interview, senior UN official says accountability key to preventing child deaths in conflict
Jun 17, 2015, at 09:17 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Ensuring that Member States and their military commanders on the ground remain accountable for any violent actions targeting children is key to preventing atrocities against minors affected by armed conflict, the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, has affirmed.
South Sudan: amid 'intensifying' crisis, UN and European Union mobilize $275 million in aid
Jun 17, 2015, at 09:12 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): To tackle the humanitarian impact of the "relentlessly deteriorating" crisis in South Sudan, the European Union and the United Nations on Tuesday announced that more than $275 million has been pledged in support of the victims in the country and the wider region.
Thousands flee Syria for Turkey, escaping aggression between rival military forces UN refugee agency
Jun 17, 2015, at 09:06 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): New fighting in northern Syria has forced 23,135 refugees – some 70 per cent of whom are women and children to flee across the border into Turkey's Sanliurfa province, the United Nations refugee agency reported on Tuesday.
Greek islands under 'tremendous strain' as hundreds of refugees arrive daily-UN
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:59 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): More than 55,000 refugees have arrived in the Greek islands so far this year, with hundreds arriving every day in inflatable dinghies and wooden boats, putting a “tremendous strain†on the communities that receive them and worsening conditions for the new arrivals, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.
Europe should make 'mobility' central in migration policy, UN rights expert says
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:54 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): The ability of migrants to reach European soil despite a huge investment in securing international borders shows that sealing them is impossible, and only serves to empower people traffickers in the Mediterranean, a United Nations independent expert said on Tuesday.
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Pakistan forces kill 25 militants
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:52 pm
Rawalpindi, June 17 (IBNS): Security forces have killed 25 militants during clashes in Pakistan's North Waziristan area on Wednesday, media reports said.
In Geneva, UN rights chief calls for 'urgent measures' in promoting girls' education
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:34 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Although the empowerment of women has been among the most significant achievements of the past century, the international community must "push further" in its struggle to ensure the right to education for all girls, the top UN human rights official declared today.
Yemen: UN reports uptick in civilian deaths as fighting in country continues
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:28 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS) The civilian cost of the Yemen crisis continues to grow amid the country’s ongoing hostilities, according to the latest figures released today by the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR).
Afghanistan: Mine blast kills 3
Jun 17, 2015, at 12:05 am
Kabul, June 16 (IBNS): At least three people were killed and 16 others were injured in a mine blast in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province on Tuesday, media reports said.
New UN guidebook seeks to prevent child labour practices in agriculture
Jun 16, 2015, at 02:00 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): A new handbook issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will seek to establish guidelines intended to prevent the use of child labour across the world's agricultural communities in an effort to tackle a problem that affects some one hundred million children globally, the United Nations agency announced on Monday.
UN chief shines spotlight on once-taboo topic of elder abuse
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNs): The distressing crime of elder abuse often occurs in quiet, private settings, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, as he reminded people around the world of the importance of making “a vocal, public response†to support the rights of older persons to a life free of violence and abuse.
Geneva: Ban says international community has ‘obligation to act’ for Yemen peace
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The international community has not a moment to lose if it is to help end the fighting in Yemen and broker a lasting peace for the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today as he urged stakeholders to “make the most of the momentum of opportunity.â€
UN official urges action to bolster protections and end abuses
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): While 70 years of work by the United Nations has helped build a formidable system of rights protections, the nagging persistence of “everything else†– wars and ongoing deprivation – is deeply worrying, the top UN human rights official declared on Monday, urging renewed action to promote economic and social rights for all and tackle pervasive discrimination and repression.
South Sudanese refugee influx in Sudan an emergency within an emergency: UN
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:55 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency reported on Monday that some 14,000 South Sudanese – mainly women and children – have fled into Sudan over the weekend, describing the situation as “an emergency within an emergency.â€
UN encourages cradle-to-grave plans for using spent fuel and radioactive waste
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): Projecting that the use of nuclear power will continue to grow in the coming decades, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday urged countries with nuclear energy programmes to share their spent fuel and radioactive waste management know-how with less-experienced countries.
UN chief condemns deadly Boko Haram attack in Chad
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned a series of deadly bombings in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena which reportedly killed more than 25 people and injured dozens of others, according to a spokesperson for the United Nations.
Remittances from Europe provide 'lifeline' to millions worldwide: UN agency
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): According to a report released on Monday by the Rome-based United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), migrant workers living in Europe last year provided a lifeline to more than 150 million people around the world by sending home $109.4 billion in remittances.
General Assembly elects former Danish Minister as President of 70th session
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:50 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly has elected by acclamation Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark as President of its upcoming 70th session.
Syria: UN special envoy arrives in Damascus for talks with Government officials
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:48 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura has begun a visit to the capital, Damascus, following an invitation by the Government to visit the country, according to a spokesman for the Organization.
Libya: UN official calls for release of abducted Tunisian diplomatic staff
Jun 15, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Jun 15 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Libya has strongly condemned an attack on the Tunisian consulate in the Libyan capital of Tripoli which resulted in the capture of ten consulate staff members.New York, Jun 15 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Libya has strongly condemned an attack on the Tunisian consulate in the Libyan capital of Tripoli which resulted in the capture of ten consulate staff members.
Increase in voluntary blood donors can save millions of lives: WHO
Jun 15, 2015, at 02:20 pm
New York, Jun 15 (IBNS): On World Blood Donor Day, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for increased regular blood donations from voluntary, unpaid donors in order to save millions of lives globally each year.
Georgia: Flood hits Tbilisi, animals escape from zoo
Jun 15, 2015, at 01:53 am
Tbilisi, June 14(IBNS) At least eight people have died as heavy flood hit Georgian capital Tbilisi, media reports said on Sunday.
North Korea fires 3 short-range missiles?
Jun 15, 2015, at 12:08 am
Seoul, June 14 (IBNS): South Korea on Sunday claimed that North Korea has fired three short-range missiles into the East Sea,media reports said.
20 Afghan police officers killed in an attack plotted by Taliban
Jun 13, 2015, at 07:53 pm
Kabul, June 13 (IBNS): At least 20 police officers have been killed in a Taliban attack in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province, officials said on Saturday.
World Day: UN launches education appeal in fight against child labour
Jun 13, 2015, at 03:42 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): The United Nations has announced it is marking the 2015 edition of the World Day Against Child Labour with a call for the international community to invest in quality education as a key step in the fight against child employment – a scourge that consumes over one hundred million children worldwide.
Western Balkans experiencing surge in migrant, refugee crossings: UN agency
Jun 13, 2015, at 03:40 pm
New York, Jun 13: Southern Europe’s migrant and refugee crisis has reached the Western Balkans where an increasing number of asylum-seekers are using the region’s migration routes to flee their home countries, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has confirmed.
Yemen: UNESCO deplores destruction of Sana'a heritage site
Jun 13, 2015, at 03:37 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) condemned the early morning bombing raid on Friday on the Old City of the Yemeni capital Sana'a, saying "this heritage bears the soul of the Yemeni people, it is a symbol of a millennia history of knowledge and it belongs to all humankind."
Kenya: Funding shortage forces UN to temporarily cut food aid to 500,000 refugees
Jun 13, 2015, at 03:36 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that starting next Monday, half a million refugees in two sprawling refugee camps in Kenya will receive 30 per cent less food due to shortage of funds for relief operations.