United Nations General Assembly

June 20 marks the World Refugee Day. Events are being held across the world to raise awareness of those millions who continue escaping war-torn regions in search of shelter.

By a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, the World Refugee Day was first observed in 2001. The day marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Russia has criticized Thursday's UN General Assembly resolution on the Crimean referendum, calling it a "counterproductive initiative".

United Nations General Assembly has condemned Crimea's incorporation into the Russian Federation.

A US and EU-backed resolution, which was proposed by Ukraine, was approved with an overwhelming majority of 100 votes, the New York Times reported.

Only 11 voted against, but a considerable number of states, as many as 58, abstained.