As water and basic supplies run out in Aleppo, UN urges truce to provide humanitarian assistance

Aug 09, 2016, at 01:28 pm

New York, Aug 9 (Just Earth News): With more than two million people impacted by the fighting in and around war-ravaged Aleppo, where wide swaths of the area are now without power and water supplies are dwindling, the United Nations on Monday urgently called for a humanitarian pause in the hostilities to enable immediate access to repair the electricity and water networks, and provide assistance to people in need.

Ban hails Argentina’s commitment to UN values as illustrated by its actions

Aug 09, 2016, at 01:26 pm

New York, Aug 9 (Just Earth News): On a visit to Argentina, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon applauded the South American on Monday country for its strong partnership with the UN and its cooperation with and support to other countries.

Perpetrators of sexual violence in South Sudan 'will be held accountable' – UN envoy

Aug 09, 2016, at 01:25 pm

New York, Aug 9 (Just Earth News): Vowing to “fight” to the end to see that all perpetrators of rape and violence against women and girls in crisis-torn South Sudan are held to account, the United Nations envoy on sexual violence in conflict on Monday said it is extremely important for the Government to take all necessary action to put an end to such crimes.

FEATURE SERIES: Mali and the UN Peacebuilding Fund

Aug 09, 2016, at 01:23 pm

New York, Aug 9 (Just Earth News): “In the talk about peacebuilding and reconciliation, we sometimes forget that it’s about how local communities come back together,” said the United Nations Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, discussing the UN’s Peacebuilding Fund – which supports millions of people in 27 countries.

Pakistan: Ban condemns ‘appalling’ terrorist attack at hospital in Quetta

Aug 09, 2016, at 04:32 am

New York, Aug 8 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned on Monday’s terrorist bombing at the Civil Hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, underscoring that the targeting of mourners at a civilian hospital made the attack “particularly appalling.”

UN rights experts ‘gravely concerned’ by reports of reprisals against Burundian lawyers

Aug 09, 2016, at 04:17 am

New York, Aug 8 (Just Earth News): Gravely concerned by reports that four Burundian lawyers who provided information to the United Nations Committee on Torture (CAT) are being subjected to reprisals, the body said on Monday that it has sent a letter to the Ambassador of Burundi to the United Nations in Geneva seeking assurances that no member of Burundian civils society would be subjected to such treatment for cooperating with the CAT.

Mali: Ban condemns attack that kills UN peacekeeper in Kidal

Aug 09, 2016, at 04:14 am

New York, Aug 8 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned an attack in Mali on a convoy of the UN mission in the country that resulted in the death of a peacekeeper.

UN chief welcomes South Sudan's acceptance of African-led regional protection force

Aug 08, 2016, at 01:17 pm

New York, Aug 8 (Just Earth News): Welcoming the Government of South Sudan's acceptance of a regional protection force to help quell the ongoing violence in the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday called on all South Sudanese parties to uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and to demonstrate their commitment to a peace agreement, “the only viable path” out of the crisis.

Treason: Iranian scientist executed?

Aug 08, 2016, at 05:11 am

Tehran, Aug 7 (IBNS): An Iranian scientist has been hanged on charges of treason, media reports said.

Belgium attack: ISIS claims responsibility

Aug 08, 2016, at 02:59 am

Brussels, Aug 7 (IBNS): Militant group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the machete attack in Charleroi, Belgium.

Macedonia flood kills 20

Aug 08, 2016, at 01:32 am

Skopje, Aug 7 (IBNS): Storm, which caused flash floods in Macedonia capital Skopje, has killed at least 20 people, media reports said on Sunday.

Afghanistan: Air strike kills 6 ISIS loyalists

Aug 08, 2016, at 01:00 am

Kabul, Aug 7 (IBNS): At least six ISIS loyalists were killed during airstrike in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province.

Injured Oscar Pistorius treated in hospital

Aug 07, 2016, at 10:14 pm

Johannesburg, Aug 7 (IBNS): Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, who was jailed recently, was treated in a hospital, media reports said.

Yemeni peace talks enter 'new phase,' as UN envoy announces month-long pause for consultations

Aug 07, 2016, at 01:24 pm

New York, Aug 7 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy facilitating peace talks on Yemen announced on Saturday that as the discussions wind down for a one-month break, the process will enter a “new phase,” during which “the focus will be on working with each side separately to crystalize precise technical details.”

Blast heard close to Rio Olympics Cycling Track, no injury

Aug 07, 2016, at 04:51 am

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 6 (IBNS): A small blast occurred close to the finish line of the men's cycling road race event of the Rio Olympics on Saturday, media reports said.

On anniversary of Hiroshima bombing, Ban urges all States to 'galvanize global will for disarmament'

Aug 07, 2016, at 03:56 am

New York, Aug 6 (Just Earth News): With global tensions rising and progress on nuclear disarmament hard to find, “the world needs the Hibakusha spirit more than ever,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Saturday, citing the determination and perseverance of those survivors of the 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb attacks as an example for championing peace and a seeking a better future for all.

France bar fire leaves 13 killed

Aug 06, 2016, at 03:20 pm

Rouen, Aug 6 (IBNS): Fire at a bar in French city of Rouen killed at least 13 people on Friday, media reports said.

South Sudan: UNICEF sounds alarm on ‘catastrophic’ food insecurity in country

Aug 06, 2016, at 12:42 pm

New York, Aug 6 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday that it is responding to a growing food security emergency causing malnutrition in children in both rural and urban areas of crisis-gripped South Sudan.

UN chief takes part in Olympic Torch relay as global Games kick off in Rio

Aug 06, 2016, at 12:41 pm

New York, Aug 6 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon participated in the Olympic Torch Relay in Rio de Janeiro this morning as the historic torch, after having made its journey from Greece, is just hours away from lighting the Olympic Flame.

UN team in Jordan uses cranes to hoist relief aid to Syrian refugees at sealed border

Aug 06, 2016, at 05:16 am

New York, Aug 5 (Just Earth News): Syrians stranded at a sealed border with Jordan have received life-saving food and other supplies from the United Nations in a unique operation that saw aid hoisted by crane and monitored by drones across the closed frontier.

Ban hails EU donation to African-led Lake Chad Basin task force combating Boko Haram

Aug 06, 2016, at 05:14 am

New York, Aug 5 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended the European Union (EU) Commission for its 50 million euro contribution to the multinational task force, created by Lake Chad Basin countries – Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria – and Benin to combat Boko Haram insurgents in the sub-region.

UN human rights chief deplores mass executions in Iran

Aug 06, 2016, at 05:13 am

New York, Aug 5 (Just Earth News) The United Nations human rights chief on Fridaydeplored the execution of 20 people in Iran this week for purported terrorism-related offences.

In Brazil, UN chief encourages Olympic Refugee Team to ‘show strength,’ inspire the world

Aug 05, 2016, at 12:09 pm

New York, Aug 5 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday paid a visit to the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he encouraged refugee athletes to show the world their strengths.

Rights experts ‘deeply disturbed’ at erosion of media freedom in Venezuela – UN human rights office

Aug 05, 2016, at 12:07 pm

New York, Aug 5 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, and the Inter-American Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Edison Lanza, expressed concern at the eroding media freedom in Venezuela, citing a number of reported incidents of harassments of journalists and media groups.

UN experts urge China to stop ill-treatment of imprisoned hunger striker UN experts urge China to stop ill-treatment of imprisoned hunger striker

Aug 05, 2016, at 12:06 pm

New York, Aug 5 (Just Earth News): Expressing deep concern about the critical health condition of a prisoner on hunger strike for three months, a group of United Nations independent human rights experts on Thursday called on the Government of China to stop all forms of ill-treatment and urgently provide him with specialized medical care, based on his full and informed consent.

Aid agencies ready to help ease suffering in 'iconic' Aleppo, once truce is secured – UN envoy

Aug 05, 2016, at 12:04 pm

New York, Aug 5 (Just Earth News): As fighting in and around battle-scarred Aleppo intensifies, along with diplomatic efforts to secure a truce, United Nations agencies and their partners are “ready, willing and able” to rush aid to the desperate people trapped there, a senior UN envoy said on Thursday, stressing that a humanitarian pause is critical, both to allow relief workers to enter the area, and for civilians to leave voluntary.

UN agency welcomes ‘landmark step’ by North and Central American countries to protect refugees

Aug 05, 2016, at 12:03 pm

New York, Aug 5 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency on Thursday welcomed a joint commitment by nine North and Central American countries acknowledging the need for stronger protection of asylum-seekers, refugees and internally displaced people in the region, where crime and gang violence have driven thousands of people from their homes.

Global food prices down slightly in July – UN agency

Aug 05, 2016, at 04:08 am

New York, Aug 4 (Just Earth News): The international prices for major food commodities saw a modest decline in July, following five consecutive months of increases, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

South Sudan's government forces committed widespread violations in July fighting – UN

Aug 05, 2016, at 04:06 am

New York, Aug 4 (Just Earth News): Preliminary United Nations investigations into the recent fighting in South Sudan reveal Government security forces carried out killings and rapes, and looted and destroyed properties, the UN human rights chief said on Thursday, calling on the Security Council to take stronger action.

Syria: Militant attack kills 8

Aug 04, 2016, at 04:33 pm

Damascus, Aug 4 (IBNS): Rocket shells fired terrorists of “Jaish al-Islam” in Syria's Damascus area has killed one people killed, media reports said.