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.

Security Council condemns ISIL's murder of Sunni tribesmen in Anbar

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:18 pm

New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) The Security Council this evening strongly condemned the kidnapping and murder by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists of "scores" of Sunni tribesmen whose bodies were found in mass graves in Anbar province, and once again urged the world to unite in a "common effort" to defeat the group and "stamp out" the violence and hatred it espouses.

Syria: 'Outraged' Security Council condemns ongoing violence targeting civilians

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:16 pm

New York , Nov 1 (IBNS) Outraged by the violence directed against civilians in Syria, including the reported dropping of barrel bombs on a displaced persons camp in the war-torn country’s northern region, which killed dozens of people, the Security Council this evening strongly condemned such acts, and reminded all the parties of their international legal obligations to protect civilians.

UN Mission extracts 30 civilians from airstrip in South Sudan as violence continues

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:15 pm

New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) extracted 30 civilians from the Rubkona airstrip on Thursday and brought them to the Protection of Civilians site in the UN compound, the Secretary-General said Friday.

Wrapping up Kenya visit, UN chief says technology can change future of Africa

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:14 pm

New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) Technology can help fuel Africa's development, facilitate peace and secure the continent's future, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday, as he wrapped up his trip to Kenya with a visit to a technology hub in the country's capital of Nairobi.

Burkina Faso: Ban notes resignation of President, as envoy arrives in crisis-gripped capital

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:12 pm

New York, Nov 1 (IBNS): As his special envoy arrived in Burkina Faso this morning following the country's deteriorating security situation, the Secretary-General noted on Friday the resignation of President Blaise Compaore and continues to follow events there with great concern.

Secretary-General establishes eminent panel to review UN peace operations

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:11 pm

New York, Nov 1 (IBNS): The world is changing and United Nations peace operations must change with it if they are to remain an indispensable and effective tool in promoting international peace and security, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday, announcing a new blue ribbon panel to assess the current and future needs of the Organization’s peacekeeping architecture.

Central African Republic: As violence flares, UN warns of worsening humanitarian conditions

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:10 pm

New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) Fresh fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) has aggravated the humanitarian situation across the country, UN humanitarian officials warned today, adding that amid the upsurge in violence, aid workers were now facing unprecedented attacks.

Singapore edict criminalizing same-sex relations 'missed opportunity' – UN rights office

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:09 pm

New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday expressed regret over a recent Singapore Supreme Court ruling to uphold a law criminalizing consensual same-sex relations between adult men, calling the directive a "missed opportunity" to strike down the law.

UN agency accelerates efforts on Nigerian refugee transfer as border insecurity surges

Nov 01, 2014, at 03:08 pm

New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) Despite mounting insecurity in border areas between Cameroon and Nigeria, where thousands of Nigerian refugees have sought refuge in the past weeks after fleeing from insurgent attacks, the UN refugee agency said it was stepping up efforts to continue to expedite their transfer.