China's Liu Zhenmin named new head of UN Economic and Social Affairs Department

Jun 09, 2017, at 01:20 pm

New York, June 9(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday appointed Liu Zhenmin of China as the next Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

Recent killings in western Mosul indicative of rising atrocities against civilians – UN rights arm

Jun 09, 2017, at 04:40 am

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Noting “credible” reports that Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) fighters killed more than 231 civilians, including women and children, attempting to flee western Mosul over the past two weeks, the United Nations human rights arm underscored that attacks on civilians could amount to war crimes.

Working together, ‘we can ensure that our oceans remain healthy as our blue home’ – UN chief

Jun 09, 2017, at 04:39 am

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): The future of the planet’s oceans is burdened by threats such as climate change, pollution and destructive fishing practices – and the lack of capacities to address these threats – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said, calling for joint global action to ensure “that our oceans are peaceful, safe and bountiful, and remain healthy as our blue home.”

Indigenous and environmental rights under attack in Brazil, UN rights experts warn

Jun 09, 2017, at 04:38 am

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Human rights experts from the United Nations and an inter-American organization have denounced attacks on indigenous and environmental rights in Brazil, expressing concern over a Congressional report that accuses the UN of being “a confederation of non-governmental organizations influencing Brazilian policy.”

Rising shipping costs set to lift the global food import bill to more than $1.3 trillion – UN agency

Jun 09, 2017, at 04:37 am

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Despite balanced global food commodity markets, shipping costs and import volumes will lift worldwide import costs to over $1.3 trillion this year, according to the latest report from the United Nations agriculture agency.

UK goes to poll on Thursday, results expected on Friday

Jun 08, 2017, at 06:55 pm

London, Jun 8 (IBNS): Polling for the United Kingdom General Election began on Thursday morning amid tight security, according to media reports.

Record 'green' energy capacity added in 2016 as cost for renewables plunges – UN-backed report

Jun 08, 2017, at 05:16 pm

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): The world is now adding more green energy capacity each year than it adds in new capacity from all fossil fuels combined, a United Nations-backed report revealed on Wednesday, showing that the “renewables train has already left the station” and those who ignore this will be left behind.

Musician Cody Simpson to be named 'Ocean Advocate' for UN development agency

Jun 08, 2017, at 05:15 pm

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): To mark World Oceans Day, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will name Australian musician Cody Simpson as its first-ever Ocean Advocate to help raise awareness of the crucial role the ocean plays in the health of the planet and people.

Bodies, wreckage of Myanmar military plane found

Jun 08, 2017, at 05:06 pm

Yangon, Myanmar, June 8 (IBNS) : Wreckage and bodies from a Myanmar military plane that went missing on Wednesday afternoon have been found in the Andaman Sea, CNN reported quoting military sources.

Musician Cody Simpson to be named 'Ocean Advocate' for UN development agency

Jun 08, 2017, at 01:35 pm

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): To mark World Oceans Day, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will name Australian musician Cody Simpson as its first-ever Ocean Advocate to help raise awareness of the crucial role the ocean plays in the health of the planet and people.

UN chief, Security Council strongly condemn deadly terrorist attacks in Tehran

Jun 08, 2017, at 01:31 pm

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres and the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday separately offered their condolences to the Iranian Government and families of the people killed in the attacks in the country's capital, Tehran.

Desire for secure and peaceful future remains strong in Libya, Security Council told

Jun 08, 2017, at 01:30 pm

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Noting positive changes in the situation on the ground in Libya as a result of the Libyan Political Agreement, the United Nations envoy for the country highlighted that despite challenges, the desire for peace, security and a better future remain strong among the people and urged sustained international support for national efforts.

Gender-based killings, domestic violence forms of 'arbitrary execution' – UN rights expert

Jun 08, 2017, at 01:26 pm

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): A United Nations-appointed human rights expert on Wednesday said that gender-related killings and domestic murders or intimate partner violence should be understood as forms of arbitrary execution and thus violates the right to life.

As booming digital economy sprints past poor countries, UN report urges closing investment divide

Jun 08, 2017, at 01:24 pm

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Even though digital multinational enterprises – Internet and e-commerce platforms such as Uber, Instagram and Facebook – witnessed “dramatic” growth over the past few years, more than 60 of the top 100 such ventures were concentrated in three countries (the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany), leaving much room to grow elsewhere, a new, ground-breaking United Nations report has revealed.

UN Africa forum launches high-level migration panel to help create political momentum for change

Jun 08, 2017, at 01:23 pm

New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Amid growing concern for the safety of migrants, particularly in Africa, as they undertake extreme risks in hopes of a better future or to escape violence and persecution, a high-level body established by the United Nations development arm in the continent has launched a process to help forge political consensus to address challenges and save lives.

FEATURE: Relationship with ocean vital part of Trinidad and Tobago culture

Jun 08, 2017, at 04:33 am

New York, June 7(Just Earth News): Oceans comprise roughly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface and play an essential role in human well-being, producing half the oxygen necessary for life on the planet. They also serve as the backdrop for another important component of a well-rounded life: recreation.

UN artificial intelligence summit aims to tackle poverty, humanity's 'grand challenges'

Jun 08, 2017, at 04:32 am

New York, June 7(Just Earth News): Artificial intelligence (AI) is responsible for self-driving cars and voice-recognition smart phones, but the United Nations this week is refocusing AI on sustainable development and assisting global efforts to eliminate poverty and hunger, and to protect the environment.

Myanmar military aircraft with 116 people goes missing

Jun 07, 2017, at 11:02 pm

Naypyidaw, June 7 (IBNS): A Myanmar military aircraft has gone missing on Wednesday, media reports said.

Sher Bahadur Deuba takes oath as Nepal PM

Jun 07, 2017, at 09:49 pm

Kathmandu, June 7 (IBNS): Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday took oath as the Prime Minister of Nepal.

ISIS claims responsibility for Iran Parliament, Khomeini shrine attacks

Jun 07, 2017, at 09:41 pm

Tehran, June 7 (IBNS): Militant group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Iran Parliament building and in the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini, media reports said.

One dead, several injured in twin attacks in Iran Parliament, Khomeini shrine

Jun 07, 2017, at 08:00 pm

Tehran, June 7 (IBNS) : Armed men carried out two attacks in Iran's capital, killing a guard at the parliament building and wounding several people in the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini, Aljazeera reported quoting state media.

Sher Bahadur Deuba to swear in as PM of Nepal for the fourth time

Jun 07, 2017, at 06:43 pm

Kathmandu, Jun 7 (IBNS): Sher Bahadur Deuba, 70, of the Nepali Congress (NC) will take oath, on Wednesday, as the country's 40th PM, according to media reports.

Mayor Tory voices concerns about Toronto Community Housing

Jun 07, 2017, at 06:22 pm

Toronto, June 7 (IBNS): In a letter sent to Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in Toronto, Mayor John Tory drew their attention to the social housing crisis in the city of Toronto, according to media reports.

Shooting inside Iranian Parliament, at least one injured

Jun 07, 2017, at 06:18 pm

Tehran, June 7 (IBNS) : Armed men opened fire inside the Iranian parliament and the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran on Wednesday, BBC reported.

Water is ‘catalyst’ for cooperation, not conflict, UN chief tells Security Council

Jun 07, 2017, at 02:32 pm

New York, June 7(Just Earth News): Stressing the importance of diplomacy to prevent and resolve trans-boundary disputes over water resources, Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday told the United Nations Security Council that water serves as “a catalyst” for cooperation among nations, even those that are not on good ter

Addressing Human Rights Council, UN rights chief decries some States’ lack of cooperation

Jun 07, 2017, at 02:30 pm

New York, June 7(Just Earth News): In a major address in Geneva, the United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday stressed that denying access or not cooperating with UN bodies would not diminish scrutiny of a Government’s human rights record.

At Ocean Conference, UN agencies commit to cutting harmful fishing subsidies

Jun 07, 2017, at 02:29 pm

New York, June 7(Just Earth News): As the international community focuses this week on preserving the health of global oceans and seas, the United Nations agencies on agriculture, environment and trade are committing to the sustainable trade of fisheries.

Updating essential drugs list, UN health agency aims to preserve potency of 'last resort' antibiotics

Jun 07, 2017, at 02:27 pm

New York, June 7(Just Earth News): As part of its effort to combat growing drug resistance, the United Nations health agency on Tuesday announced that it is classifying antibiotics into three categories and providing new advice on which to use for common infections and which to preserve for the most serious circumstances.

Super Dads: New UNICEF campaign spotlights fathers' critical role in children's early development

Jun 07, 2017, at 02:26 pm

New York, June 7(Just Earth News): As more than 90 countries prepare to mark Father's Day later this month, prominent figures in sports and entertainment have joined 'Super Dads,' a campaign launched on Tuesday by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that celebrates a father's essential role in a child's early cognitive development.

Nothing short of a 'sea change' will end years of gross neglect in mental health care – UN expert

Jun 07, 2017, at 02:24 pm

New York, June 7(Just Earth News): Citing decades of neglect in mental health care, a United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday denounced “biomedical gatekeepers” who perpetuate stigma and urged States and psychiatrists to act with courage to reform a “crisis-hit system built on outdated attitudes.”