UAE President orders release of 803 prisoners

Aug 28, 2017, at 10:03 pm

Dubai, Aug 28 (IBNS): In a major development, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has ordered the release of 803 prisoners.

Guterres 'shocked' by Guatemala's decision to expel UN anti-corruption official

Aug 28, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Aug 28(Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres is shocked to learn that the President of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales, has issued a statement declaring 'persona non grata' the head of a United Nations-backed independent anti-corruption commission, according to the UN Spokesman.

In Kuwait, UN chief Guterres lauds country's humanitarian leadership, regional diplomacy

Aug 28, 2017, at 05:00 am

New York, Aug 27(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on an official visit to Kuwait, expressed gratitude to not only the Gulf country's leadership in humanitarian action, but the “dialogue […] and promotion of understanding Kuwait has shown in relation to all conflicts in the region.”

Buckingham Palace suspect was brandishing sword: Police

Aug 27, 2017, at 02:30 am

London, Aug 26 (IBNS): The Metropolitan Police on Saturday said a man who was arrested outside the Buckingham Palace was brandishing a sword.

US President Trump signs memo to ban Obama-era plan to recruit transgenders in the military

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:17 pm

Washington, Aug 26 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump signed a memo directing the US military not to accept transgender men and women as recruits, according to media reports on Saturday.

Man shot dead in Brussels after he attacks soldiers with knife, shouts Allahu Akbar

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:56 am

Brussels, Aug 26 (IBNS) A man who attacked two soldiers in Brussels city centre in the capital of Belgium with a knife shouting "Allahu Akbar" was shot dead on Friday, said officials.

Syria: UNICEF cites conflict's 'staggering' impact on children; calls for urgent protection

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:43 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): Six and a half years of war in Syria has inflicted untold suffering on the country's children, a senior United Nations official said on Friday, urging parties to the conflict to stop the violence and live up to their legal obligations to children.

On first visit to Somalia since elections, UN political chief lauds progress

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:42 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): The head of the United Nations political office visited Somalia this week, where he praised the “real forward momentum” in the country's political development, and reiterated UN support as the Horn of Africa country tackles its challenges, such as the fight against the group Al Shabaab.

Top UN officials strongly condemn attacks on Myanmar security forces in Rakhine state

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:41 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-general António Guterres on Friday strongly condemned the attacks carried out against the Myanmar security forces in northern areas of Rakhine State, expressing concern about escalating tensions in the region.

Cambodia: UN human rights wing concerned by media, civil society curbs

Aug 26, 2017, at 09:40 am

New York, Aug 26(Just Earth News): Measures in Cambodia, which left radio programmes and licences suspended, have sparked the United Nations human rights wing to call on the Government for political and civil rights guarantees.

Climate change threatens agricultural trade in Pacific Rim economies, UN agency warns

Aug 26, 2017, at 04:19 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): With global warming expected to significantly impact future yields in countries located closer to the equator, the United Nations agriculture agency is calling on Asia-Pacific economies to take a leading role in adaptation and mitigation.

UN rights office gathering info on air strikes in Yemen; urges protection of civilians

Aug 26, 2017, at 04:18 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): Reiterating that attacks targeting civilians are prohibited under international law, the United Nations human rights office on Friday confirmed dozens of casualties in airstrikes on villages near the capital, Sana'a.

South Sudan's leaders bear 'direct responsibility' for conflict, UN Security Council told

Aug 25, 2017, at 09:51 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): A senior United Nations peacekeeping official On Thursday called on the leaders of South Sudan to show genuine political will to achieve sustainable peace in the strife-riven country, stressing that those whose long-time rivalry sparked the ongoing conflict can be the ones to resolve it.

Flow of refugees, migrants to Europe slows but sea journey remains deadly – UN

Aug 25, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): Fewer refugees and migrants arrived in Europe in the first half of this year, but the likelihood of dying among people seeking to reach Europe is still “alarmingly high,” the United Nations refugee agency On Thursday reported, calling for renewed commitments to protect people.

Time for action to support and protect small-scale fisheries – UN agriculture agency

Aug 25, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Aug 25(Just Earth News): Small-scale fisheries, which catch two-thirds of the fish consumed by humans, often struggle with regulatory frameworks tailored to large commercial fleets, according to a new UN agriculture agency book urging policy coherence.

UN releases $2.5 million from pooled fund to tackle energy crisis in Gaza

Aug 25, 2017, at 04:38 am

New York, Aug 24(Just Earth News): With Gaza entering its fourth month of a serious energy crisis, the United Nations on Thursday released a further $2.5 million from a pooled humanitarian fund to cover urgent needs in the Palestinian enclave.

China: User outrage over 'sex slaves' stickers on social media network QZone

Aug 24, 2017, at 06:07 pm

Beijing, Aug 24 (IBNS): Social networking site QZone received a lot of flak from users in mainland China, who protested against 'sex-slaves' stickers, which were meant to be 'funny'.

At least ten dead, dozens missing in Brazil boat disaster

Aug 24, 2017, at 05:47 pm

Brasilia, Aug 24 (IBNS) : A boat carrying 70 people sank in a major river in the Amazon region of Brazil, leaving at least 10 dead and dozens missing, media reports said quoting authorities.

Australian Jane Connors appointed first UN rights advocate for victims of sexual exploitation

Aug 24, 2017, at 09:39 am

New York, Aug 24(Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Jane Connors, Australian law professional and long-time human rights advocate, as the first United Nations advocate for the rights of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Emigration and food insecurity in Central American 'dry corridor' focus of new UN-backed study

Aug 24, 2017, at 09:39 am

New York, Aug 24(Just Earth News): A new inter-agency study released on Wednesday found a correlation between prolonged droughts in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras – exacerbated by El Niño phenomenon from 2014 to 2016 – and the increase in irregular migration from these countries to the United States, the United Nations food relief agency reported.

On Day of Remembrance, UN says history of slave trade can help combat social injustice

Aug 24, 2017, at 04:42 am

New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): Remembering the universal demand for freedom that led to the 1791 insurrection by slaves in what is now Haiti, the head of the United Nations cultural and educational agency on Wednesday marked the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition by underscoring the importance of teaching this history to young people.

UN rights experts criticize US failure to unequivocally reject racist violent events

Aug 24, 2017, at 04:41 am

New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): The United Nations body monitoring implementation of the global convention on prohibiting racial discrimination has called on high-level politicians and public officials of the United States to unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech and crimes in Charlottesville and throughout the country.

Syria: UN relief officials condemn targeting of civilians, infrastructure as airstrikes hit Raqqa

Aug 23, 2017, at 09:42 am

New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): Senior United Nations humanitarian officials for Syria on Tuesday expressed deep concern over many civilians reportedly killed in airstrikes and other attacks in the last few days in Raqqa city, where coalition forces are fighting Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists.

Worldwide remembrance of the slave trade 'a tribute to every victim' – senior UNESCO official

Aug 23, 2017, at 09:41 am

New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): While the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is a tribute to every victim and their resistance against slavery, it is also a reminder of the importance of teaching history, a senior United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural (UNESCO) has stressed.

UNICEF warns use of children as 'human bombs' is on the rise in north-east Nigeria

Aug 23, 2017, at 09:40 am

New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): The United Nations children agency on Tuesday expressed extreme concern at the appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as “human bombs” in north-east Nigeria.

Senior UN political official concerned by recent incidents that undermine Middle East peace process

Aug 23, 2017, at 09:39 am

New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): A senior United Nations political affairs official on Tuesday voiced concerns over recent developments that undermine efforts to end the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Israel's move to amend a law to cement its control over East Jerusalem.

UN human rights chief welcomes rape law reform in Lebanon, Tunisia, Jordan

Aug 23, 2017, at 04:22 am

New York, Aug 22(Just Earth News): Today, the top United Nations human rights official welcomed the repeal of laws in Lebanon, Tunisia and Jordan that allow rapists to avoid criminal prosecution by marrying their victi

UN aid workers urge safe passage for civilians fleeing northern Iraq ahead of battle

Aug 23, 2017, at 04:21 am

New York, Aug 22(Just Earth News): Warning of harassment, revenge attacks and abuse of civilians displaced from the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar, United Nations refugee and migration agencies on Tuesdaycalled for people trying to flee the city ahead of military operations to have safe passage.

Justice vital to help Iraqi victims of ISIL's sexual violence rebuild lives – UN report

Aug 23, 2017, at 04:20 am

New York, Aug 22(Just Earth News): The Iraqi Government must ensure that the thousands of women and girls who survived sexual violence by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist fighters receive care, protection and justice, and that children born because of such violence do not face a life of discrimination and abuse, a United Nations report published on Tuesdaysays.

Barcelona van attacker shot dead by police

Aug 22, 2017, at 05:44 pm

Barcelona, Aug 22 (IBNS): The prime suspect in Barcelona attack which claimed at least 13 lives and injured 100 others, has been shot dead by police, reports said.