Jun 16, 2016, at 01:06 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Despite commitments of the international community, inconsistent levels of political will, resourcing, accountability and gender expertise often hinder the full and meaningful inclusion of women in efforts to prevent conflict, the Security Council said on Wednesday.
Security Council urges political solution to Guinea-Bissau crisis
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:04 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Following a briefing yesterday by the head of the United Nations peacebuilding office in Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council has encouraged national actors to abide by the constitution and rule of law, while striving to find a political solution to the crisis in the country.
In Brussels, Ban urges EU Member States to meet development assistance targets
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:03 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):On the second day of his visit to Brussels, Belgium, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the opening ceremony of the European Development Days forum and participated in a commemoration for the victims of the March airport bombing attacks in the city.
Colombia: UN experts urge protection of Afro-Colombian communities against elevating violence
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:01 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News): Distressed over reports of violence against people of African descent in Colombia, a United Nations expert panel has called on the authorities to take concrete and urgent measures to protect the country’s Afro-Colombian communities.
UN Women announces Anne Hathaway as Goodwill Ambassador
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:00 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News): The United Nations entity tasked with promoting gender equality on Wednesday announced the appointment of Academy Award-winning American actor Anne Hathaway as global Goodwill Ambassador.
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:56 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):The United Nations and its partners in Haiti have on Wednesday expressed concern that as the provisional president's agreed 120-day mandate has come to end, “no measures have been taken to ensure institutional continuity†in the island nation, where several key deadlines regarding the political transition process have been missed.
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:54 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):The United Nations is concerned about the impact of Uganda’s potential withdrawal from military operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in the Central African Republic, the Secretary-General’s envoy for the region said on Wednesday, stressing that a departure of Ugandan troops must be well-coordinated.
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:52 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Deeply concerned by reports of fighting on 12 and 13 June on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is on an official visit to Belgium, met in Brussels on Wednesday with top officials from both the African countries, with the parties calling for maximum restraint.
UN health agency group finds coffee poses no cancer risk; issues warning on ‘very hot’ drinks
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:50 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):An international working group of scientists convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that coffee should no longer be considered a carcinogen, although it found limited evidence that drinking very hot beverages can cause oesophageal cancer.
On World Day, Ban calls for ending elder abuse as a pathway towards Global Goals
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:55 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday emphasized that ending neglect, abuse and violence against older people is crucial as the international community continues to work together towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and fulfil their underlying pledge to leave no one behind.
States must do more to safeguard adolescent health rights – UN expert
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:54 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):A United Nations human rights expert on Wednesday called on States to remove all legal barriers to access health facilities, goods and services interfering with the rights of adolescents to be heard and taken seriously, and that limit their right to make autonomous decisions.
UN food relief agency to double aid to Niger’s conflict-torn Diffa region
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:51 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Faced with a new wave of displacement following recent Boko Haram attacks in Niger’s south-eastern Diffa region and with needs on the rise, the United Nations food relief agency plans to double its food and nutrition assistance, aiming to gradually increase its life-saving support to more than 250,000 people in Niger’s embattled southern region.
South Sudan: UN relief wing reports increase in violence against aid workers
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:50 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):While thousands of vulnerable people in South Sudan have been reached with assistance and protection in recent months, violent incidents against aid workers increased during the month of May, the United Nations humanitarian wing reported on Wednesday.
First-ever UN forum on albinism in Africa to focus on 'less talk, more action'
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:48 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):The first-ever United Nations-sponsored regional forum for Action on Albinism in Africa will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 17 to 19 June to develop specific measures to tackle the attacks and discrimination faced by persons with albinism in several countries in the region.
Obama, Clinton tear into Trump for anti-Muslim comments
Jun 15, 2016, at 10:53 pm
Washington, June 15 (IBNS) President Barack Obama and Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Wednesday conducted a joint attack on Donald Trump, the presumptive nominee of Republican Party, for his comments on Muslims, media reports said.
Alligator may have dragged away child at a Disney hotel
Jun 15, 2016, at 10:21 pm
Orlando (Florida), Jun 15 (IBNS): Police and other rescue personnel are looking hard for a two-year old kid who has been reportedly attacked and dragged away by an alligator into a lagoon at a Disney hotel near Orlando on Tuesday night, according to media reports.
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:26 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Marking the 10th anniversary of a United Nations treaty that protects the rights of persons with disabilities, senior UN officials on Tuesday highlighted the critical role people with disabilities play as invaluable partners to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Prolonged political crisis could erode Guinea Bissau’s development gains, UN envoy warns
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:25 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):The longer the political crisis continues in Guinea Bissau, the more likely the country could see setbacks to its development and economic gains, warned the head of the United Nations peacebuilding office there, urging the Security Council to pay greater attention to the situation.
UN rights office urges Libyan authorities to investigate death of 12 victims of torture
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:24 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News): The UN human rights office on Tuesday urged the Libyan authorities to undertake an effective, thorough and impartial investigation to bring perpetrators of torture to justice, after 12 people were found dead last Friday.
UN health agency panel sees 'very low' risk of Zika spread from Olympics
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:22 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):An expert panel of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday concluded that while the Zika virus and its associated disorders continue to be a public health emergency of international concern, there is a “very low†risk of further international spread of the virus as a result of the upcoming Olympic Games.
'Little progress' made on finding viable solution to Darfur conflict – UN peacekeeping chief
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:21 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Given the unchanged nature of the conflict in Darfur, Sudan, the mandate of the African Union-United Nations mission there should be extended for another year, without changes to its priorities or its authorized troop and police ceiling, the top UN peacekeeping official said on Tuesday.
In Brussels, Ban urges joint efforts against terrorism and in addressing displacement
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:20 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):In Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday, ahead of the start of a forum by the European Commission, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with several European officials, discussing such issues as the need for stronger international cooperation in the face of emerging challenges related to terrorism, and also visited with refugees and volunteers working at a soup kitchen
In Op-Ed, UN chief says global community 'must work in new ways to help people in crisis'
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:18 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):In an opinion piece published on Tuesday by The Guardian, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the outcome of the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, held in Istanbul, Turkey, last month.
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:17 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday authorizing Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations, to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya they believe are carrying illicit weapons.
New UN study identifies small fish with 'big role' to play feeding Africa's drylands
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:15 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Small, fast growing wild fish could be crucial allies in the race to end hunger in some of the world's most chronically poor and underfed regions, according to a new report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on fisheries in the drylands of sub-Saharan Africa.
UNESCO and ICC join forces to end impunity for destruction of cultural heritage
Jun 15, 2016, at 03:35 am
New York, June 14 (Just Earth News):The United Nations cultural agency and International Criminal Court (ICC) are working together in the fight against impunity for deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, which could constitute a war crime.
On World Day, UN health agency calls for rapid increase in voluntary blood donations
Jun 15, 2016, at 03:34 am
New York, June 14 (Just Earth News): On World Blood Donor Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for a rapid increase in voluntary blood donations in more than half of the countries globally in order to ensure a reliable supply of safe blood for patients whose lives depend on it.
UNICEF warns of growing exploitation risk for refugee and migrant children arriving in Europe
Jun 15, 2016, at 03:33 am
New York, June 14 (Just Earth News):More than nine out of 10 refugee and migrant children arriving in Europe this year through Italy are unaccompanied, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported on Tuesday, warning of the growing threats of abuse, exploitation and death that such children are facing.
In wake of mass shooting, UN rights chief urges US to consider robust gun control
Jun 15, 2016, at 03:31 am
New York, June 14 (Just Earth News):In the wake of the mass killing of 49 people by a sole gunman in a gay nightclub in Florida, the United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday urged the leadership of the United States to live up to its obligations to protect its citizens from the “horrifyingly commonplace but preventable violent attacks that are the direct result of insufficient gun control.â€
USA unable to confirm reports of Islamic State leader's death
Jun 15, 2016, at 03:22 am
Washington, June 14 (IBNS): Amid reports, the US on Tuesday could not confirm the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during a US airstrike.