Famine looms for millions; UN Member States urged to 'dig deep into reserves of common humanity'
Apr 14, 2017, at 02:36 pm
New York, Apr 14(Just Earth News): Senior United Nations officials on Thursday refocused the spotlight on Secretary-General António Guterres’ mid-February 'call to action' on behalf of some 20 million people across four countries that now face the risk of famine.
Apr 14, 2017, at 02:29 pm
New York, Apr 14(Just Earth News): The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa, François Louncény Fall, urged on ThursdayCameroonian authorities to examine with diligence the difficulties of the populations and entrepreneurs of the English-speaking regions of the north-west and south-west, which have been deprived of Internet since mid-January 2017.
Apr 14, 2017, at 02:27 pm
New York, Apr 14(Just Earth News): Ahead of this Sunday’s plebiscite on proposed constitutional amendments in Turkey that would, among other things, empower the President alone to declare states of emergency and determine the measures to be taken, a group of United Nations human rights experts have reiterated that even under such circumstances, protection of human rights must not be compromised.
Iraq: UN assessment reveals extensive destruction in western Mosul
Apr 14, 2017, at 05:56 am
New York, Apr 14(Just Earth News): Using satellite imagery and local researches, the most recent evaluation confirms that western Mosul has undergone extensive destruction, “far greater than in the east,†according to a senior United Nations aid official in the country.
Apr 14, 2017, at 05:55 am
New York, Apr 14 (Just Earth News): Recognizing the “major milestone†Haiti has achieved toward stabilization following recent elections, the Security Council on Thursday extended mandate of the United Nations mission in the island nation for a final six-month period and authorized a smaller successor peacekeeping mission.
'Radical' investments needed to meet global water and sanitation targets – UN report
Apr 14, 2017, at 05:54 am
New York, Apr 14 (Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of almost two billion people around the world relying on sources of drinking-water contaminated with faeces, the United Nations has called on countries to “radically†increase investments in water and sanitation infrastructure not only to protect their populations from deadly diseases but also to ensure that they are able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UN chief announces senior appointments; sets up independent panel on Human Settlements Programme
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:57 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday announced the appointment of senior officials as his envoys dealing with prevention of sexual violence in conflict and for protection of children during such crisis, respectively.
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:56 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): Accessible social and health services, with dedicated human and financial resources must be addressed and made available for persons with disabilities in the new global framework on refugees and migrants, a group of United Nations human rights experts have urged, as UN-led intergovernmental talks on the issue are set to launch consultation in 2018.
Russia blocks Security Council action on reported use of chemical weapons in Syria’s Khan Shaykhun
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:55 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): With a ‘no’ vote from permanent member Russia, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday failed to adopt a resolution that would have condemned the reported use of chemical weapons in Syria and called on the Government to cooperate with an investigation into the incident.
UN agencies welcome EU policy to protect migrant and refugee children
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:55 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): New policy guidance from the European Commission aimed at improving the protection of migrant and refugee children has been welcomed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN refugee agency.
‘Moment of crisis’ in Syria calls for serious search for political solution – UN envoy
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:54 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): In the wake of yet another dire turn in the Syrian crisis, the United States and the Russian Federation “must find a way to work together†to stabilize the situation and support the political process, the United Nations envoy for the war-torn country told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:53 pm
New York, Apr 13(Just Earth News): A push to establish internationally-agreed standards to keep illegally caught fish off store-shelves and consumers' plates has taken an important step forward, the United Nations agricultural agency, said on Wednesday as a measure aiming to create a “gold standard†for catch documentation nears the finish line.
Illegal armed groups pose 'persistent threat' to Africa's Great Lakes region – UN envoy
Apr 13, 2017, at 01:53 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Africa's Great Lakes region encouraged on Wednesday the countries of the region, and the UN Security Council, to help strengthen the fight against illegal armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its neighbours, particularly as elements of the former M23 rebel group have resurfaced.
Millions in Yemen on brink of famine, situation ‘close to a breaking point,’ warns UN a
Apr 13, 2017, at 04:38 am
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up its emergency operations in war-torn Yemen to provide urgently needed food assistance to some nine million people, the agency said on Wednesday.
Apr 13, 2017, at 04:37 am
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): While forecasting that growth in the volume of global merchandise trade is expected to rebound this year from its weak performance in 2016, the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Wednesday cautioned that “deep uncertainty†about near-term economic and policy developments in some countries raise the risk that trade activity could be stifled.
On International Day, UN celebrates historic event that opened doors to outer space
Apr 13, 2017, at 04:35 am
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): The United Nations on Wednesday commemorated the International Day of Human Space Flight to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the first human space flight, which ushered in the beginning of the space era for mankind.
'Alarming' rise in use of children in 'suicide' attacks by Boko Haram in Lake Chad region – UNICEF
Apr 13, 2017, at 04:34 am
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): The use of children, particularly girls, by the Boko Haram terrorist group in violent attacks in the Lake Chad region has seen an “alarming†surge in 2017, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported.
North Korea is looking for trouble, says Trump
Apr 12, 2017, at 06:11 pm
Washington, Apr 12 (IBNS): As tension between the US and North Korea escalates over a possible nuclear attack from the latter to the former, US President Donald Trump has warned the Kin Jong-un led nation of retaliation.
UN calls for urgent access to reach some 400,000 civilians trapped in Syria’s Ghouta
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:38 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): Voicing concern over the impact of deteriorating security and humanitarian situation on the lives some 400,000 people trapped in eastern Ghouta in Syria, a United Nations spokesperson on Tuesday underlined the need to ensure that humanitarians have unrestricted access to the affected areas.
UN announces first-ever World Ocean Festival
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:37 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): With global leaders heading to the United Nations for a major conference in June on the protection and sustainable use of the planet’s oceans, the UN on Tuesday announced that the inaugural World Ocean Festival will kick off the week-long event, with activists and enthusiasts taking to the streets – and waterways – of New York City to raise their voices to reverse the declining health of our oceans.
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:36 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): Despite long-standing humanitarian access restrictions in Yemen, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the country reported that he has been able to enter Taiz City where, amid some gains, he observed setbacks, particularly as regards the health sector.
INTERVIEW: In new UN role, Malala Yousafzai seeks to inspire girls to stand up, speak out for rights
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:25 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): In 2012, Malala Yousafzai made headlines all over the world when she was shot by the Taliban for speaking out on the right of education for girls. But instead of silencing her, the brutal attack only served to embolden the Pakistani teenager, who has used her voice to promote the right of every child to safe, free and quality primary and secondary education.
Lake Chad Basin crisis is both humanitarian and ecological – UN agriculture agency
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:07 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): Critical investments in agriculture and climate change relief are needed to address the crisis in Africa’s strife-torn Lake Chad Basin, where hunger, poverty and a lack of rural development prevail, the United Nations food security agency said on Tuesday.
Haiti: Recent political advances set stage to address pressing challenges, says UN envoy
Apr 12, 2017, at 03:04 pm
New York, Apr 12(Just Earth News): Highlighting improvements in Haiti’s political situation, including the recent elections and opportunities to address longstanding disputes, the senior United Nations official in the island nation has urged the international community to continue its partnership with Haiti and its people to help consolidate the gains achieved.
African migrants reportedly being sold in ‘slave markets’ in Libya, UN agency warns
Apr 12, 2017, at 05:03 am
New York, Apr 11(Just Earth News): Hundreds of migrants along North African migrant routes are being bought and sold openly in modern day ‘slave markets’ in Libya, survivors have told the United Nations migration agency, which warned that these reports “can be added to a long list of outrages†in the country.
Millions across Africa, Yemen could be at risk of death from starvation – UN agency
Apr 12, 2017, at 05:02 am
New York, Apr 11(Just Earth News): Warning of increasing risk of mass deaths from starvation in many countries in Africa and in Yemen due to worsening drought and conflict, the United Nations refugee agency has called for international support to prevent the repeat of the 2011 tragedy in the Horn of Africa that claimed more than 260,000 lives.
San Bernardino shooting: Three killed
Apr 11, 2017, at 03:16 pm
Washington, 11 (IBNS): Two child a child were killed in a shooting incident at a classroom in California's North Park Elementary School.
Security Council condemns ‘barbaric and cowardly’ terrorist attack in Stockholm
Apr 11, 2017, at 02:13 pm
New York, Apr 11(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the “barbaric and cowardly†terrorist attack which took place in Stockholm on 7 April, and during which at least four people, including a child, were killed and over a dozen injured.
Money migrants send home a ‘critical lifeline’ for one in seven people worldwide
Apr 11, 2017, at 02:12 pm
New York, Apr 11(Just Earth News): Despite the political fire drawn by the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe and beyond, a senior official from the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Monday highlighted the vital development benefit of the nearly half a trillion dollars that migrants send home each year to poor families and countries.
Malala Yousafzai designated youngest-ever UN Messenger of Peace
Apr 11, 2017, at 02:11 pm
New York, Apr 11(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday designated children’s rights activist and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai as a UN Messenger of Peace with a special focus on girls’ education.