Green transformation 'unstoppable' as countries agree to curb powerful greenhouse gases – UN
Oct 16, 2016, at 04:41 am
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have welcomed the landmark deal struck on Saturday by nearly 200 countries to reduce the emissions of potent chemicals used in air conditioners and refrigerators – a move that could prevent up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming by the end of this century.
The pedestrian countdown law in Toronto
Oct 16, 2016, at 01:29 am
Toronto, Oct 15 (IBNS): The Highway Traffic Act states that it is against the law to start crossing when the hand is flashing, which is when the countdown starts.
Afghanistan to open Consulate in Hyderabad
Oct 15, 2016, at 06:00 pm
Kabul/New Delhi, Oct 15 (IBNS): Bolstering their bilateral ties with India, Afghanistan will open another Consulate in the city of Hyderabad, reports said.
Burundi: Security Council hopes for ‘swift solution’ between government and human rights bodies
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): Expressing “deep concern†over the political situation in Burundi, the United Nations Security Council reiterated its demand that all stakeholders to refrain from any action that could threaten peace and stability in the country or undermine the East African Community-led inter-Burundian dialogue.
UN deputy chief briefs Member States on new UN approach to cholera outbreak in Haiti
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:42 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said on Friday that the first track of the new United Nations approach to tackling cholera involves intensifying efforts to treat and eliminate the disease and boost access to clean water and sanitation; and the second track aims to develop a framework proposal to Member States for material assistance to those Haitians most affected by cholera after the 2010 outbreak.
Concerned by recent violence in Myanmar, UN aid chief calls for stronger humanitarian action
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:40 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): Concluding a three-day mission to Myanmar on Friday , the top United Nations aid official called on all sides to find peaceful ways to resolve their differences and urged strengthened humanitarian action to support the people affected by violence in the Southeast Asian country.
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:39 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): A major global conference, aiming to set a ‘New Urban Agenda,’ which, in the words of the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will “help us to rethink how we plan, manage and live in cities,†begins this weekend, in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito.
New UN report urges Liberia to act on rape – ‘legacy’ of impunity from 14-year civil conflict
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:38 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): A United Nations report released on Friday documents the high incidence of rape in Liberia and the widespread impunity enjoyed by perpetrators, and provides a number of recommendations to the Government, other national and international stakeholders, including the UN, to urgently combat the scourge.
Proper handwashing may save the lives of 800 children a day worldwide – UNICEF
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): On the eve of Global Handwashing Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that more than 300,000 children under the age of five died last year due to diarrhoeal infections linked to a lack of safe drinking water and sanitation – a rate of 800 per day that could have been prevented by proper handwashing.
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:36 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): To tackle illicit financial flows, a United Nations human rights expert has urged Secretary-General-designate António Guterres, as well as the UN General Assembly, to consider as a priority abolishing tax havens and convening a world conference on the issue, while safeguarding effective protection of whistle-blowers.
Ban welcomes reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:34 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday welcomed the reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls, who were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgent group more than two years ago, while expressing deep concern about the safety and well-being of the remaining schoolgirls and other victims still in captivity.
Haiti: UN supporting government to provide emergency food assistance to 750,000 people
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:33 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): United Nations relief agencies are continuing work on the ground to assist Haiti in the aftermath of powerful Hurricane Matthew with the World Food Program (WFP) on Friday helping to provide supplies for some 750,000 people, while the UN health agency and its regional partner have appealed to donors for $9 million for emergency health operations.
Central African Republic: UN rights office urges all parties to exercise ‘utmost restraint’
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:32 pm
New York, Oct 15 (Just Earth News): In the wake of a number of killings and attacks on civilians in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called on all actors in the country to exercise restraint and prevent any further escalation in violence.
Only one out of six children under the age of two worldwide receives adequate nutrition – UNICEF
Oct 15, 2016, at 03:49 am
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a new report on Friday with the alarming statistic that five out of six children worldwide under two years old are not receiving adequate nutrition for growth and brain development.
UN refugee agency welcomes France’s decision to close Calais ‘jungle’ camp
Oct 15, 2016, at 03:43 am
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency on Friday welcomed the announcement by President François Hollande earlier this month that France will close the informal camp for refugees and migrants in the northern port town of Calais, stressing the vital importance of finding proper alternative accommodation for the thousands of people there.
UN human rights chief expresses concern about Viet Nam's crackdown on blogger
Oct 15, 2016, at 03:42 am
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights chief on Friday expressed concern about a growing crackdown by the Government of Viet Nam on human rights defenders, including the arrest this week of popular blogger and Government critic Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, known online as Mother Mushroom.
Afghanistan road mishap kills 2
Oct 15, 2016, at 01:02 am
Kabul, Oct 14 (IBNS): A collision on on Kabul-Jalalabad highway killed at least two people on Thursday, media reports said on Friday.
Bangladesh PM calls her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping 'fruitful'
Oct 15, 2016, at 12:23 am
Dhaka, Oct 14 (IBNS): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was 'fruitful'.
Thailand prepares to bid final goodbye to King Bhumibol
Oct 14, 2016, at 07:34 pm
New Delhi/Bangkok, Oct 14 (IBNS): President of India Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, a message from the President's Secretariat said on Friday.
New Zealand Prime Minister mourns death of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Oct 14, 2016, at 03:39 pm
Wellington, Oct 14 (IBNS): New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Friday mourned the death of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Oct 14, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): Briefing the Security Council on Thursday, the top United Nations political official said that while the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) and its affiliates have continued to face military setbacks, they nevertheless continue to pose a significant and diversified threat.
Security Council dispatches UN special envoy to Burundi for talks on political crisis
Oct 14, 2016, at 01:36 pm
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): The Security Council will dispatch a senior United Nations envoy to consult with officials in Burundi to “find a way forward on all issues related to peace and security and UN activities in the country,†after the Government earlier rejected a Council resolution on establishing a police officers’ component there and amid reports that it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Oct 14, 2016, at 01:35 pm
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): Highlighting “considerable†inequalities among countries when it comes to enabling people with tuberculosis to access cost-effective diagnosis and treatment, a new United Nations health report has called for political commitment and increased funding to prevent, detect and treat the disease if global targets are to be met.
UN receives ‘partial’ approval from Syrian government on October aid deliveries, envoy reports
Oct 14, 2016, at 01:34 pm
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): Unless the deadly violence in Aleppo subsides, the United Nations will be unable to carry out its humanitarian responsibilities to victims of bombardments, shelling and attacks against civilians, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy stressed on Thursday.
Security Council extends UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti for six months
Oct 14, 2016, at 01:32 pm
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): Accepting Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s recommendation, the Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti for six months at the current force and police strength.
Pivotal role midwives play in keeping mothers and newborns alive must be recognized – UN
Oct 14, 2016, at 01:21 pm
New York, Oct 14 (Just Earth News): The first global survey of midwifery personnel has revealed that too often, midwives face cultural isolation, unsafe accommodation, and low salaries, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday, calling for an end to the discrimination and lack of respect that hinder their ability to provide quality care to women and newborns.
UN warns of humanitarian crisis as 7,400 cross Afghan border each day
Oct 14, 2016, at 04:18 am
New York, Oct 13 (Just Earth News): Every day, some 7,400 Afghan returnees cross the border from Pakistan to Afghanistan, prompting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to warn of an escalating humanitarian crisis.
UN health teams in Haiti to respond to cholera outbreaks, prevent possible epidemic
Oct 14, 2016, at 04:16 am
New York, Oct 13 (Just Earth News): With scattered outbreaks of cholera reported in the wake of the devastation wrecked by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, the United Nations health agency has deployed field teams in the island to respond to the health situation and to prevent it from taking epidemic proportions.
UN refugee agency condemns rising violence against civilians in Central African Republic
Oct 14, 2016, at 04:15 am
New York, Oct 13 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency on Thursday condemned attacks on civilians in the Central African Republic (CAR), where clashes between rival groups have forced thousands of people to flee their homes and disrupted vital humanitarian aid operations.
António Guterres appointed next UN Secretary-General by acclamation
Oct 14, 2016, at 04:14 am
New York, Oct 13 (Just Earth News): The General Assembly on Thursday appointed by acclamation the former Prime Minister of Portugal, António Guterres, as the next United Nations Secretary-General, to succeed Ban Ki-moon when he steps down on 31 December.