DR Congo: UN officials hail landmark convictions, life sentences in Kavumu child rape cases
Dec 20, 2017, at 09:43 am
New York, Dec 20(Just Earth News): The United Nations envoys dealing with sexual violence in conflict and the head of the Organization’s peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have welcomed the conviction of 11 Congolese militia fighters for raping dozens of children – including an 18-month-old toddler – in the vast country’s restive east.
UNICEF says 2017 has been a ‘very difficult year’ for children in Central African Republic
Dec 20, 2017, at 09:42 am
New York, Dec 20(Just Earth News): For children and women in the Central African Republic, 2017 has been a very difficult year and sadly, the situation is not expected to improve in the coming months, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.i
Security Council renews Syrian cross-border relief convoys amid ongoing challenges for aid workers
Dec 20, 2017, at 09:41 am
New York, Dec 20(Just Earth News): The Security Council on Tuesday renewed the authorization for United Nations relief agencies and their partners to use routes across conflict lines and border crossings to deliver lifesaving assistance to millions in north-west and southern Syria through Turkey and Jordan.
Ukraine: UN agencies stepping up aid to most vulnerable as temperatures plummet
Dec 20, 2017, at 05:07 am
New York, Dec 19(Just Earth News): As temperatures plummet across Ukraine, the United Nations refugee and migration agencies said Tuesday that they are stepping up assistance to the most vulnerable people affected by the conflict in the country’s east.
UN rights chief calls for independent probe into Israeli forces ‘shocking’ shooting of amputee
Dec 20, 2017, at 05:06 am
New York, Dec 19(Just Earth News): Shocked at the “incomprehensible” killing of a wheelchair-bound amputee protester by Israeli security forces, the top United Nations human rights official has called on the country to open an independent and impartial investigation into the incident.
Attack on humanitarian convoy north-east Nigeria leaves four civilians dead – UN aid official
Dec 19, 2017, at 09:44 am
New York, Dec 19(Just Earth News): At least four civilians are reported to have been killed when an aid convoy transporting food supplies was ambushed by armed individuals in Nigeria’s strife-torn north-east region, the top United Nations humanitarian official in the country said.
UN envoy welcomes new Somali policy on role of youth in peacebuilding
Dec 19, 2017, at 09:43 am
New York, Dec 19(Just Earth News): Welcoming the launch of a national policy for young people in Somalia, the United Nations Youth Envoy expressed hope that with the new policy, young Somalis will be able to contribute to peacebuilding efforts in the country.
Middle East: Security Council fails to adopt resolution on Jerusalem
Dec 19, 2017, at 09:42 am
New York, Dec 19(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council on Monday failed to adopt the draft resolution that reflects regret among the body's members about “recent decisions regarding the status of Jerusalem,” with a negative vote by the United States.
UN urges international cooperation to make migration safer in a world on the move
Dec 19, 2017, at 04:48 am
New York, Dec 18(Just Earth News): On International Migrants Day, the United Nations is appealing for cooperation in managing migration to ensure that its benefits are most widely distributed, and that human rights of all concerned are protected – as recognized by the 2030 Agendafor Sustainable Development.
Sebastian Pinera to be sworn in as Chile's President
Dec 18, 2017, at 03:23 pm
Santiago, Dec 18 (IBNS): Conservative candidate Sebastian Pinera will be sworn in as Chile's President for the second time, reports said.
UN rights wing ‘appalled’ at mass execution in Iraq
Dec 16, 2017, at 05:32 pm
New York, Dec 16(Just Earth News): Expressing deep shock at a mass execution of 38 men at a prison in the Iraqi city of Nassiriya, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called on the country to establish an immediate moratorium and carry out an urgent and comprehensive review of its criminal justice system.
Dec 16, 2017, at 05:29 pm
New York, Dec 16(Just Earth News): Some 50 million children are on the move worldwide, and if countries follow best practices to ensure their safety and well-being, 2018 could be a landmark year for migrant children the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Friday.
At least two killed as quake strikes Indonesia
Dec 16, 2017, at 03:12 pm
Jakarta, Dec 16 (IBNS): At least two people were reported dead after a strong earthquake struck Indonesia late Friday, reports said.
UN rights office urges El Salvador to reform 'draconian' abortion laws
Dec 16, 2017, at 09:49 am
New York, Dec 16(Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights wing has called on the Latin American nation, El Salvador, to immediately halt the application of a law that unduly penalizes women for abortion-related offenses and to review all cases to ensure their compliance with international human rights standards.
‘American Dream’ quickly becoming an ‘illusion,’ says UN human rights expert
Dec 16, 2017, at 09:49 am
New York, Dec 16(Just Earth News): The number of Americans living in poverty and the already high income inequality could worsen further in the days to come, making the United States the most unequal society in the world, the United Nations expert on extreme poverty and human rights warned Friday.
Hostilities flare on Yemen’s west coast, sparking new displacement – UN refugee agency
Dec 16, 2017, at 09:47 am
New York, Dec 16(Just Earth News): As hostilities intensify in frontline areas on Yemen’s west coast, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday that it is bracing for further displacement and a spike in humanitarian needs.
Children are the face of conflict-fuelled humanitarian tragedy in South Sudan – UNICEF
Dec 16, 2017, at 04:50 am
New York, Dec 15(Just Earth News): South Sudan's children are facing a raft of daily horrors and deprivations and urgently require a peaceful, protective environment, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Friday, warning that “anything less, places children and women at even greater risk of grave violations and abuse.”
Security Council holds ministerial-level meeting on 'threats posed by DPR Korea'
Dec 16, 2017, at 04:50 am
New York, Dec 15(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council will on Friday hold a ministerial-level meeting on the threat and challenges posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to international peace and security.
UN chief stresses need to denuclearize Korean Peninsula, avoid ‘sleepwalking into war’
Dec 15, 2017, at 10:39 pm
New York, Dec 15(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres wrapped up a short visit to Tokyo on Thursday with an appeal to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and other countries to implement relevant Security Council resolutions to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
UN Security Council pledges support for regional push to revive South Sudan’s peace pact
Dec 15, 2017, at 10:34 pm
New York, Dec 15(Just Earth News): As the brutal conflict in South Sudan enters its fifth year, the United Nations Security Council on Thursday said it remains deeply concerned over the situation there, and expressed strong support for a regional initiative aimed at salvaging a 2015 peace deal.
Respiratory diseases linked to seasonal flu claim thousands of lives every year – UN health agency
Dec 15, 2017, at 10:31 pm
New York, Dec 15(Just Earth News): Respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza takes up to 650,000 lives annually, according to new estimates released Thursday by the United Nations health agency and global partners.
In Tanzania, UN peacekeeping chief pays tribute to ‘blue helmets’ killed in DR Congo
Dec 15, 2017, at 10:21 pm
New York, Dec 15(Just Earth News): The head of United Nations peacekeeping operations on Thursday attended a ceremony in the port city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in honour of the country’s peacekeepers recently killed during their mission in a neighbouring country.
'Golden opportunity' missed for progress on intra-Syrian talks, says UN envoy
Dec 15, 2017, at 10:15 pm
New York, Dec 15(Just Earth News): A “golden opportunity” has been missed to decide the future of Syria at the end of the latest round of United Nations-supported talks in Geneva, UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Thursday.
Yemen: At least 15, including rebels and civilians, killed in Saudi coalition airstrikes
Dec 15, 2017, at 04:39 pm
Sanaa, Dec 15 (IBNS): At least 15 people, including Houthi rebels and civilians, have been killed in airstrikes conducted by Saudi-led coalition in several parts of Yemen, reports said.
Four teenagers killed as school bus, train collide in France
Dec 15, 2017, at 04:31 pm
Perpignan, Dec 15 (IBNS): At least four teenagers were killed and 20 injured after a school bus and a train collided near Perpignan area of southern France's Pyrénées-Orientales, reports said.
UN forum sees ‘moderate’ recovery for Latin American and Caribbean economies in 2018
Dec 15, 2017, at 05:04 am
New York, Dec 14(Just Earth News): New economic projections for Latin America and the Caribbean show moderate recovery in 2018 and growth the following year – with favoured expansions in consumption and domestic investment, the United Nations reported Thursday.
In Japan, UN chief spotlights power of universal health coverage to unlock economic growth
Dec 15, 2017, at 05:02 am
New York, Dec 14(Just Earth News): Health is everyone's right and a driver of economic development, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stressed Thursday, expressing the UN's readiness to help countries move towards health coverage for all.
UN agency helps farmers in Latin America broaden their market horizons
Dec 14, 2017, at 05:24 pm
New York, Dec 14(Just Earth News): Improving market access, particularly beyond national borders, for family farmers and small and medium agriculture enterprises in the Latin America and Caribbean region can help boost rural development as well as spur inclusive trade, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has said.
Unified action needed in Central Africa to defuse regional tensions, Security Council told
Dec 14, 2017, at 05:23 pm
New York, Dec 14(Just Earth News): Despite some positive developments, the overall situation in Central Africa still requires concerted action at all levels to address sociopolitical tensions, economic difficulties and abuses by armed groups, a United Nations envoy for the region said Wednesday.
Electronic waste poses ‘growing risk’ to environment, human health, UN report warns
Dec 14, 2017, at 09:48 am
New York, Dec 14(Just Earth News): The growing volume of electronic waste, including discarded products with a battery or plug, such as mobile phones, laptops, televisions, refrigerators and electrical toys, poses a major threat to the environment and human health, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.