Senior UN official points to science as 'vital' in managing disaster risk, promoting development
Jan 27, 2016, at 02:14 pm
New York, Jan 27 (Just Earth News/IBNS): On the eve of the first-ever gathering of scientists to discuss disaster risk management, the head of the United Nations office tasked with synergizing disaster reduction activities emphasized on Tuesdaythe importance of government leaders and decision makers’ attention to the role of science in lowering the exposure to extreme disaster events and promoting sustainable development.
UNICEF launches $2.8 billion humanitarian appeal for children
Jan 27, 2016, at 02:08 pm
New York, Jan 27 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesdayannounced the launch of a $2.8 billion appeal to reach 43 million children in humanitarian emergencies worldwide, with for the first time ever the largest portion of the appeal – 25 per cent – going towards their education.
As refugee and migrant flood into Europe continues, UN and partners seek $550 million for 2016
Jan 27, 2016, at 02:05 pm
New York, Jan 27 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With no let-up in the flood of people pouring into Europe as they flee conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere, the United Nations refugee agency and its partners are appealing to donors for $550 million to support the ongoing humanitarian response for 2016.
Sexual harassment suit: Yoga guru fined $924,500
Jan 26, 2016, at 10:15 pm
Los Angeles, Jan 26 (IBNS) Bikram Choudhury has been directed by a Los Angeles jury to pay about $924,500 to a lawyer who has alleged that the Yoga teacher had sexually harassed her while she used to work for him.
At least 25 killed in suicide attack in North Cameroon
Jan 26, 2016, at 05:38 pm
Yaounde, Jan 26 (IBNS) At least 25 people were killed and another 62 injured in a suicide attack on Monday in the northern part of Cameroon.
UN Security Council approves mission to monitor peace deal between Colombia and FARC
Jan 26, 2016, at 02:59 pm
New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Security Council on Monday moved to set up a United Nations political mission in Colombia, approving a team of international observers to monitor disarmament should the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) reach a final agreement to end Latin America’s longest armed conflict.
Delayed intra-Syrian talks, brokered by UN, to begin on Friday in 'uphill' bid for ceasefire
Jan 26, 2016, at 02:44 pm
New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Intra-Syrian talks that were scheduled to begin in Geneva on Monday under United Nations sponsorship will now start on Friday, with the first priority being a broad ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and halting the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
In breakthrough, UN agency delivers supplies to besieged districts inside Yemen's Taiz city
Jan 26, 2016, at 02:41 pm
New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has managed to send food supplies inside areas under siege in the central Yemeni city of Taiz where residents have been suffering in dire conditions with very little food.
As deadline slips in South Sudan, UN chief urges African partners to revive peace process
Jan 26, 2016, at 02:32 pm
New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With South Sudan’s parties missing last week’s deadline to set up the Transitional Government of National Unity amid deadlock over establishing 28 states, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on the war-torn country’s African partners to save the peace process.
Jan 26, 2016, at 02:23 pm
New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Against the backdrop of renewed military confrontation, the political process to resolve the conflict in Darfur through dialogue remains fragmented with limited progress, the United Nations peacekeeping chief on Monday informed the UN Security Council.
Jan 26, 2016, at 02:14 pm
New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Wrapping up visit to Mal, the United Nations Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Toby Lanzer, said that he had seen both progress and challenges on security and access to basic services for crisis-affected communities, while underscoring the importance of full commitment – from national authorities and the international community – to move the country forward.
Confronting bitter winter, UN agency steps up food aid in conflict-affected eastern Ukraine
Jan 26, 2016, at 02:11 pm
New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With food security expected to worsen in conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine during the cold winter months, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday that it would extend its emergency operation to help feed more than 260,000 people until the end of June.
UN agency and partners seek $500 million for Nigeria and Central African Republic refugee crises
Jan 26, 2016, at 02:05 pm
New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners on Monday called on donor nations for more than half-a-billion dollars this year to help hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee conflicts in Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR), and for the host communities providing them with shelter and other basic services.
Europol unveils European Counter Terrorism Centre
Jan 26, 2016, at 03:02 am
The Hague, Jan 25(Just Earth News/IBNS) The Europol has unveiled its European Counter Terrorism Centre on Monday.
New figures show twice as many Muslim soldiers supported the Allies in World War I
Jan 26, 2016, at 01:02 am
London, Jan 25 (IBNS) More than twice as many Muslim soldiers supported Allied forces in World War One than was previously thought, according to new research into the Islamic contribution to the conflict.
IS releases video on Paris attackers
Jan 25, 2016, at 02:27 pm
New York, Jan 25 (IBNS): Militant group Islamic State on Sunday released a video purporting to show nine terrorists who were involved in the attack on French city Paris in November.
WHO urges vigilance in South-East Asia after case of MERS confirmed in Thailand
Jan 25, 2016, at 02:15 pm
New York, Jan 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations health agency cautioned South-East Asia States on Monday to remain vigilant against the continuing risks of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV) after Thailand confirmed the sometimes fatal disease in a traveller, its second case in seven months.
Syrian army seizes rebel stronghold
Jan 25, 2016, at 02:15 am
Beirut, Jan 24 (IBNS): The Syrian regime forces on Sunday overran the Lattakia province in Syria, reports said.
Technological advances challenge individuals to retain humanity: Scientists at WEF
Jan 24, 2016, at 07:38 pm
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, Jan 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As the world surges into the Fourth Industrial Revolution- a new age of interactive technologies, artificial intelligence and automation-a key challenge for individuals will be to understand and retain their very essence, their humanity, leading scientists and thought leaders on society and law said in the closing panel session of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2016.
Redefine future by using technology to create opportunities and bridge gaps: Leaders at WEF
Jan 24, 2016, at 05:25 pm
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, Jan 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS): CEOs have to turn away from short-term thinking and narrow concern for shareholders and instead take bold steps to improve workers’ conditions, promote diversity and take a wider stakeholder perspective. That was the consensus among business, labour and academic leaders in a session on the last day of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2016 that focused on the challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the wave of rapid advances across technologies that are changing all aspects of life and work.
World Economic Forum announces new board of trustees
Jan 24, 2016, at 04:28 pm
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum has elected Jim Yong Kim, President, The World Bank, Washington DC; and Marc R. Benioff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Salesforce, USA, as its new members.
Jan 24, 2016, at 02:55 pm
New York, Jan 24 (JEN/IBNS) Senior United Nations humanitarian officials today called on the authorities and various factions in war-torn Yemen to allow sustained access into the besieged central city of Taiz after seeing first-hand the desperate state of its inhabitants, who lack critical medical supplies, food and other basic needs for survival.
Haiti: UN chief concerned at postponement of polls; calls on all sides to refrain from violence
Jan 24, 2016, at 02:54 pm
New York, Jan 24 (IBNS) Voicing concern at the postponement of tomorrow's already delayed presidential elections in Haiti, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called on all political actors to refrain from violence and complete the electoral process peacefully without further delay.
4 killed in Canada school shooting
Jan 23, 2016, at 03:33 pm
Toronto, Jan 23 (IBNS) At least four people were killed in a shooting at Saskatchewan province in Canada on Friday, media reports said.
El Niño threatens at least 60 million people in high-risk countries: UN agency
Jan 23, 2016, at 02:26 pm
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): El Niño threatens at least 60 million people in high-risk developing countries – UN agency The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners announced today they predict a major global increase in health consequences of emergencies this year due to El Niño.
Imperative to pursue criminal accountability of the DPR Korea leadership: UN expert
Jan 23, 2016, at 02:23 pm
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday called on the international community to further all efforts to improve the human rights situation in the country.
UN Economic and Social Council marks 70th anniversary
Jan 23, 2016, at 02:22 pm
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), its current President on Friday highlighted the organ’s central role in realizing the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change over the next 15 years.
Security Council delegation visits Burundi in diplomatic push to end tension
Jan 23, 2016, at 02:21 pm
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Diplomats from the United Nations Security Council are wrapping up a visit to crisis-torn Burundi, after meetings with top Government officials in the capital, Bujumbura, where they encouraged all parties to pursue an inclusive dialogue process that would help end months of political turmoil.
Twenty countries in the Americas reporting cases of Zika virus: WHO
Jan 23, 2016, at 02:19 pm
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Twenty countries in the Americas and about 10 in Africa, Asia and the Pacific have reported cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus infection according to information delivered on Friday by the UN World Health Organization (WHO).
Incitement to anti-gay killings in Malawi draws concern of UN human rights office
Jan 23, 2016, at 02:18 pm
New York, Jan 21 (Just Eath News/IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Friday expressed concern over recent developments in Malawi, after the spokesperson of one of the country’s main political parties recently called for gay and lesbian people to be killed, describing them as "worse than dogs."