As temperatures soar and taps run dry in war-ravaged Aleppo, UN warns of looming ‘catastrophe’

Aug 10, 2016, at 01:27 pm

New York, Aug 10 (Just Earth News): As the United Nations relief wing warned on Tuesday that soaring temperatures and dwindling medical supplies are deepening the woes of some two million people trapped by fighting in and around Aleppo, the world body kept up its call for an immediate halt to the hostilities and, at a minimum, a two-day weekly humanitarian pause so the city’s heavily damaged water and electrical systems can be repaired.

INTERVIEW: UN summit to provide blueprint for better response to large movements of refugees and migrants, says senior advisor

Aug 10, 2016, at 04:04 am

New York, Aug 9 (Just Earth News): On 2 August, following five months of negotiations, Member States of the United Nations agreed by consensus upon a political declaration that will serve as the basis for discussions and the outcome of the first-ever UN Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants which will be held, on 19 September, at UN Headquarters in New York.

UN rights chief urges Maldives to retain decades-long death penalty moratorium

Aug 10, 2016, at 04:02 am

New York, Aug 9 (Just Earth News): Voicing concern over a number of worrying developments regarding capital punishment in the Maldives, the United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday called on the Government to refrain from carrying out planned executions and to uphold the de facto moratorium that has been in place in the country for over six decades.

Urgent farming support needed amid rampant food insecurity in parts of north-east Nigeria – UN agency

Aug 10, 2016, at 04:00 am

New York, Aug 9 (Just Earth News): As more areas previously controlled by Boko Haram become accessible to humanitarian assistance, a critical opportunity has arisen to tackle “alarming levels” of food insecurity in north-east Nigeria, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said on Tuesday.

On International Day, UN spotlights indigenous peoples' right to education

Aug 10, 2016, at 03:58 am

New York, Aug 9 (Just Earth News): To mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, senior United Nations officials are calling on Governments to improve access to education and ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind as the journey to achieve the new UN Sustainable Development Goals gets under way.

President of India’s message on the eve of National Day of Ecuador

Aug 09, 2016, at 10:33 pm

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IBNS): President of India Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Ecuador on the eve of their National Day (August 10, 2016).

Nagasaki Day in Japan : Mayor urges world leaders to follow examples of Obama

Aug 09, 2016, at 07:07 pm

Nagasaki, Aug 9 (IBNS) : The Nagasaki mayor on Tuesday urged leaders of nuclear powers to follow the example of U.S. President Barack Obama and learn for themselves the horrific effects of nuclear weapons, Asahi Shimbun reported.

Nagasaki Day in Japan : Mayor urges world leaders to follow examples Obama

Aug 09, 2016, at 06:48 pm

Nagasaki, Aug 9 (IBNS) : The Nagasaki mayor on Tuesday urged leaders of nuclear powers to follow the example of U.S. President Barack Obama and learn for themselves the horrific effects of nuclear weapons, Asahi Shimbun reported.

Glitz and glamour marked Toronto’s India Day celebration

Aug 09, 2016, at 06:00 pm

Toronto, Aug 9 (IBNS): People of Indian origin in Canada, observed India’s 70th Independence Day, a week in advance, at the India Day festival organised by Panaroma India in association with the Indian Consulate Toronto and CIBC Bank, on Monday, at the Yonge Dundas Square of Toronto.

Afghanistan: At least 37 Taliban militants killed during operations

Aug 09, 2016, at 05:32 pm

Kabul, Aug 9 (IBNS): At least 37 Taliban militants were killed and several others injured, following operations by the Afghan military forces, reports said.

China to run world's fastest train at 380 kmph from next month

Aug 09, 2016, at 05:23 pm

Beijing, Aug 9 (IBNS) : China will run the world's fastest high-speed train with the maximum operating speed of 380 km per hour from next month.

Go Goa in Toronto

Aug 09, 2016, at 05:04 pm

Toronto, Aug 9 (IBNS): The Goan Overseas Association (GOA), a non-profit organisation, recently organised a two-day Viva Goa festival at Toronto's Father Kamber Croatian Recreational Park on Mississauga Road to highlight the unique culture of the Indian state.

IS claims responsibility for Pakistan blast

Aug 09, 2016, at 03:10 pm

Quetta, Aug 9 (IBNS): Militant group ISIS has cliamed responsibility for the blast in Pakistan's Quetta area on Monday which claimed at least 70 lives.

US condemns Quetta hospital blast in Pakistan

Aug 09, 2016, at 02:37 pm

Washington/Islamabad, Aug 9 (IBNS): The United States on Tuesday condemned the attack on a hospital in Pakistan which killed at least 70 people on Monday.

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.”

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

Aug 09, 2016, at 04:19 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.

Pakistan: Quetta blast kills 64

Aug 08, 2016, at 10:49 pm

Quetta, Aug 8 (IBNS): A powerful blast hit Quetta’s Civil Hospital on Monday which left at least 64 people killed and making country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemn the attack.

Two Pakistani journalists killed in Quetta blast

Aug 08, 2016, at 10:37 pm

Quetta, Aug 8 (IBNS): Two Pakistani journalists were killed in blast which hit a hospital in Pakistan's Quetta area on Monday.

Seven passengers, including newborn, feared dead in Nepal helicopter crash

Aug 08, 2016, at 09:15 pm

Kathmandu, Aug 8 (IBNS) : All seven people, including a newborn, on board the Fishtail Air helicopter were presumed dead after it crashed at Nepal's Bhatine Danda in Nuwakot on Monday, The Kathmandu Post said quoting the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan).

Quetta hospital blast: At least 53 casualties reported

Aug 08, 2016, at 08:14 pm

Quetta, Pakistan, Aug 8 (IBNS): The casualties in the Quetta civil hospital explosion have risen to 53, while 57 others are reportedly injured, media reports said.

Afghanistan: 12 ISIS loyalists killed in clean-up operations

Aug 08, 2016, at 08:10 pm

Kabul, Aug 8 (IBNS): At least 12 ISIS militants were killed and 19 others injured in a clean-up operation by the Afghan military forces, reports said.

RAW behind Quetta blast: Balochistan CM

Aug 08, 2016, at 07:36 pm

Quetta, Pakistan, Aug 8 (IBNS): Following the explosion in Pakistan's Quetta city, the capital of Balochistan, Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri said that Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is behind the ghastly attack, reports said.

Quetta Civil hospital explosion: At least 35 killed, over 30 others injured

Aug 08, 2016, at 07:02 pm

Quetta, Pakistan, Aug 8 (IBNS): At least 35 people were killed and over 30 others sustained injuries, following a massive explosion in Pakistan's Quetta city, media reports said.

At least 25 killed in blast in Pakistan's Quetta civil hospital

Aug 08, 2016, at 06:13 pm

Quetta, Pakistan, Aug 8 (IBNS) : At least 25 people were killed and 35 others injured in a massive bomb blast in a Quetta hospital in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Monday morning, Geo News reports said.