Top UN officials call for more efforts to fight desertification

UN chief calls for ‘maximum restraint’ as Indian security forces kill civilian 30 protesters in Kashmir

UNITED NATIONS, June 18 (APP): Top UN officials on Friday called for stepped up efforts to combat desertification and restore land resources as nearly 800 million people are chronically undernourished as a direct consequence of land degradation, declining soil, fertility, unsustainable water use, drought and biodiversity loss. The desertification requires solutions to helping communities increase resilience to climate change,… Continue reading Top UN officials call for more efforts to fight desertification

Senior UN official gravely concerned by islamophobia that followed Orlando attack

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 18 (APP): A senior United Nations human rights advisor has condemned Sunday’s attack at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in which 49 people were killed and 53 injured, and expressed grave concern at the outpouring of hatred, homophobia and Islamophobia that followed the incident, which targeted the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. “At a… Continue reading Senior UN official gravely concerned by islamophobia that followed Orlando attack

Additional Pakistani army units ready for deployment to U.N. peacekeeping missions: Maleeha

Pakistan ratifies Paris Climate Change accord at UN ceremony

UNITED NATIONS, June 18 (APP): Pakistan Friday called for making arrangements for swift deployment of additional Pakistani army units and equipment that a special United Nations team had picked for service in the U.N. peacekeeping missions around the world, while reaffirming its commitment to the world body’s flagship activity. “We strongly recommend that the UN support mechanism… Continue reading Additional Pakistani army units ready for deployment to U.N. peacekeeping missions: Maleeha

UN chief voices concern over border clashes between Pakistan, Afghanistan; calls for restraint

UN chief calls for ‘maximum restraint’ as Indian security forces kill civilian 30 protesters in Kashmir

UNITED NATIONS, June 17 (APP): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday expressed serious concern over the recent clashes at the Torkham crossing point between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and appealed to the two countries to resolve their differences through dialogue. Responding to a question at the regular noon briefing in New York, the secretary-generals spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said… Continue reading UN chief voices concern over border clashes between Pakistan, Afghanistan; calls for restraint

Over 50 US diplomats urge Obama to hit Syria in internal memo

NEW YORK, June 17 (APP): More than 50 US diplomats signed an internal memo urging the Obama administration to approve military airstrikes against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported Friday. In the memo obtained by The New York Times, the diplomats say that American policy has been “overwhelmed” by… Continue reading Over 50 US diplomats urge Obama to hit Syria in internal memo

US-based organization condemns US Drone Attacks in Pakistan

WASHINGTON, June 17 (APP): Pakistan American Democratic Forum (PADF), a US-based organization has condemned the US drone attacks in Pakistan, saying the act will set a dangerous precedent for the nations to intrude and violate the territorial integrity of the countries. The PADF Chairman Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Toor called on fellow Americans and Pakistani expatiates to condemn… Continue reading US-based organization condemns US Drone Attacks in Pakistan

Some 13 million Yemenis need immediate help amid bleak conditions: senior UN official

UNITED NATIONS, June 17 (APP): More that more than 13 million Yemenis are in need of immediate life-saving assistance as a result of a bleak humanitarian situation in the country that continues to worsen, according to the top United Nations relief official for Yemen. “The humanitarian situation in Yemen is among the world’s worst crises. The scale… Continue reading Some 13 million Yemenis need immediate help amid bleak conditions: senior UN official

US House of Representative rejects two amendments seeking cut in CSF for Pakistan

WASHINGTON, June 17 (APP): The US House of Representative on Thursday rejected two amendments seeking cut in Coalition Support Fund for Pakistan in the proposed Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017. The US House of Representatives had in May approved $ 900 million CSF outlay for Pakistan as part of the annual Defense Authorization Bill. The CSF… Continue reading US House of Representative rejects two amendments seeking cut in CSF for Pakistan

Pakistan’s desire to get NSG membership stands on solid grounds: Ambassador Jilani

Experience Pakistan project being launched in United States: Ambassador Jilani

WASHINGTON, June 16 (APP): Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani met US Senator Ed Markey at the Capitol Hill and discussed Pakistan’s application for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Discussing matters relating to global nuclear non proliferation, the Ambassador highlighted Pakistan’s credentials for the NSG membership and briefed Senator Markey on… Continue reading Pakistan’s desire to get NSG membership stands on solid grounds: Ambassador Jilani

Conflict prevention efforts more effective when women participate: UNSC

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UNITED NATIONS, June 16 (APP): Despite commitments of the international community, inconsistent levels of political will, resourcing, accountability and gender expertise often hinder the full and meaningful inclusion of women in efforts to prevent conflict, the UN Security Council has said. Adopting a Presidential Statement during a formal meeting on Wednesday, the 15-nation body welcomed the adoption of regional… Continue reading Conflict prevention efforts more effective when women participate: UNSC

UN rights experts urge India to repeal law restricting civil society access to foreign funding

UNITED NATIONS, June 16 (APP): Three United Nations human rights experts Thursday called on the Indian government to repeal a regulation that has been increasingly used to obstruct civil society’s access to foreign funding. The experts’ call comes as the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs suspended for six months the registration of the non governmental… Continue reading UN rights experts urge India to repeal law restricting civil society access to foreign funding

US expresses concern over border clashes between Pakistan, Afghanistan

Mutual expulsion of diplomats by Pakistan, India should not lead to escalation: US

WASHINGTON, June 16 (APP): The United Sates on Wednesday expressed concern over border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan and said good relations between the two neighbors were key to stability in the region. At a briefing at the US State Department, Spokesman John Kirby said the United States was concerned over the recent clashes at the Torkham crossing… Continue reading US expresses concern over border clashes between Pakistan, Afghanistan

UN health agency finds coffee poses no cancer risk; warns about ‘very hot’ drinks

UNITED NATIONS, June 15 (APP): An international working group of scientists convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that coffee should no longer be considered a carcinogen, although it found limited evidence that drinking very hot beverages can cause oesophageal cancer. A summary of the final evaluations by the working group ‘which was… Continue reading UN health agency finds coffee poses no cancer risk; warns about ‘very hot’ drinks

US calls on Afghanistan, Pakistan to peacefully resolve tension after border clashes

Mutual expulsion of diplomats by Pakistan, India should not lead to escalation: US

WASHINGTON, June 15 (APP): The United States on Tuesday called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to peacefully resolve their tension, after a Pakistani military officer was killed in firing by Afghan forces during a clash on Torkham border. “We are all watching the tensions very closely,” US State Department spokesman John Kirby said at a regular briefing and… Continue reading US calls on Afghanistan, Pakistan to peacefully resolve tension after border clashes

US Senate passes defense authorization bill, proposes new reimbursement mechanism for Pakistan

WASHINGTON, June 15 (APP): The US Senate on Tuesday passed a $602 billion defense authorization bill, which has also proposed a new reimbursement mechanism for Pakistan to expedite security enhancement activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the FATA region. The provision pertaining to Pakistan is called “Pakistan Security Enhancement Authorization” and authorizes $800 million for the country. It also… Continue reading US Senate passes defense authorization bill, proposes new reimbursement mechanism for Pakistan

UN Women announces Hollywood star Anne Hathaway as Goodwill Ambassador

UNITED NATIONS, June 15 (APP): UN Women, the world body’s organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, Wednesday announced the appointment of American award winning actress Anne Hathaway as global Goodwill Ambassador. A long standing supporter of women’s and girls’ rights, Hathaway will put the spotlight on the issue of the unequal… Continue reading UN Women announces Hollywood star Anne Hathaway as Goodwill Ambassador

UNSC authorizes high seas inspections off Libya’s coast to stem illegal arms flow

UNITED NATIONS, June 15 (APP): The United Nations Security Council unanimously has adopted a resolution authorizing member states, acting nationally or through regional organizations, to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya they believe are carrying illicit weapons. Condemning the flow of arms and related materiel into the North African country, including to terrorist… Continue reading UNSC authorizes high seas inspections off Libya’s coast to stem illegal arms flow

“Disability is not inability,” says UN chief, urging equal rights for all

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 15 (APP): Marking the 10th anniversary of a United Nations treaty that protects the rights of persons with disabilities, senior UN officials have highlighted the critical role, people with disabilities play as invaluable partners to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “Through the power of music and the arts, these talented women and men… Continue reading “Disability is not inability,” says UN chief, urging equal rights for all

Book on Sikh heritage in Pakistan launched in Chicago

CHICAGO, June 14 (APP): A book on the Sikh heritage in Pakistan has been launched in Chicago, highlighting the legacy of the community that was left behind following the partition. The 500-page book “Lost Heritage, The Sikh Legacy of Pakistan”, by financial services executive-turned author Amardeep Singh, is his personal journey in search of his… Continue reading Book on Sikh heritage in Pakistan launched in Chicago

UN rights chief urges US to consider robust gun control while slamming Orlando killing

UNITED NATIONS, June 14 (APP): In the wake of the mass killing of 49 people by a sole gunman in a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the United Nations human rights chief Tuesday urged the U.S. leadership to live up to its obligations to protect its citizens from the “horrifyingly commonplace but preventable violent attacks that… Continue reading UN rights chief urges US to consider robust gun control while slamming Orlando killing

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