Iraq: security reform, State control of armed groups priorities at ‘critical junction,’ UN envoy says

Jul 16, 2016, at 12:51 pm

New York, July 16 (Just Earth News): Recent victories against ISIL show that Iraqis are capable of defeating the extremist group, but sustainable peace and security in Iraq can only be achieved through historic reconciliation, the United Nations envoy for the country on Friday said, calling also on the international community for greater support for Iraq and its people.

Some 1,400 stuck at Hungarian-Serbian border amid dire conditions, UN refugee agency warns

Jul 16, 2016, at 12:49 pm

New York, July 16 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency on Friday expressed deep concern about a new restrictive law at the Hungarian-Serbian border, and urged Hungarian authorities to investigate reports of abuse and violence in transit zones and bitten by unleashed police dogs.

Majority oppose female genital mutilation in countries where practice persists – UN agency

Jul 16, 2016, at 12:47 pm

New York, July 16 (Just Earth News): New data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals that about two-thirds of men, women, boys and girls in countries where female genital mutilation is common say they want the practice to end.

UN rights chief warns at least 200,000 civilians surrounded; calls Syria ‘gigantic, devastated graveyard’

Jul 16, 2016, at 12:46 pm

New York, July 16 (Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights chief on Friday urged the forces advancing on Aleppo and two other cities in Syria to not harm the hundreds of thousands of civilians surrounded by fighting between the Government forces and the opposition.

Security Council expresses “deep concern” at political restrictions in the DR Congo

Jul 16, 2016, at 12:44 pm

New York, July 16 (Just Earth News):Security Council expresses “deep concern” at political restrictions in the DR Congo. In the lead up to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) scheduled presidential election in November, the Security Council on Friday expressed concern at the recent arrests and detention of members of political opposition and of the civil society.

UNESCO adds four new sites to World Heritage List

Jul 16, 2016, at 04:18 am

New York, July 15 (Just Earth News): From rock art to an ancient water management system, the United Nations cultural agency on Friday inscribed four new sites in China, India, Iran and Micronesia on its World Heritage List.

France: UN condemns terrorist attack on crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice

Jul 16, 2016, at 04:17 am

New York, July 15 (Just Earth News): Senior officials from across the United Nations family on Friday condemned the deadly attack in Nice, France, calling for stepped up efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism.

On Youth Skills Day, Ban urges more investment to assist the 'working poor' and jobless

Jul 16, 2016, at 04:14 am

New York, July 15 (Just Earth News): With so many youth either jobless or “working poor,” more investment is needed to empower them through skills development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on World Youth Skills Day on Friday.

New UN study estimates 263 million childrenand youth now out of school

Jul 16, 2016, at 04:12 am

New York, July 15 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported on Friday that some 263 million children and youth, equivalent to about a quarter of the population of Europe, are out of school from primary to upper secondary levels with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest rates of exclusion.

Nice attack: Truck driver identified as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel

Jul 16, 2016, at 02:38 am

Paris, July 15 (IBNS): French officials have identified the man who was behind the truck, which was involved in the attack on Nice city that left 84 people dead, as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel.

US President condemns France terror attack

Jul 15, 2016, at 03:25 pm

Washington, July 15 (IBNS): US President Barack Obama on Friday condemned the terror attack in France which killed at least 80 people.

Lorry ploughs into Bastille Day celebration in France killing over 70 people

Jul 15, 2016, at 02:49 pm

Nice, Jul 15 (IBNS): A lorry drove into a crowd in the southern French city of Nice, killing more than 75 people and injuring dozens, during the Bastille Day celebrations on July 14, the media reported on Friday.

Selecting the next UN Secretary-General: Informal briefings reopen

Jul 15, 2016, at 12:10 pm

New York, July 15 (Just Earth News): The latest candidate for the position of the next United Nations Secretary-General was heard on Thursday, answering questions on how she would promote sustainable development, improve efforts to create peace, protect human rights, and deal with huge humanitarian catastrophes should they be selected to lead the 193-member Organization.

UNESCO deplores damage to Aleppo National Museum; warns five Heritage Sites in Libya are in danger

Jul 15, 2016, at 12:06 pm

New York, July 15 (Just Earth News): The head of the United Nations cultural agency on Thursday deplored the recent shelling at the National Museum of Aleppo, located on the edge of the war-torn ancient city in northern Syria, calling once again for the destruction of cultural property to stop.

Yaws and maternal and neonatal tetanus eliminated from India – UN health agency

Jul 15, 2016, at 12:05 pm

New York, July 15 (Just Earth News): The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday announced the elimination of yaws, and maternal and neonatal tetanus, to India and hailed its public health achievements as examples to other countries.

New UN-backed survey reveals ‘alarming’ damage to world’s high seas and marine ecosystems

Jul 15, 2016, at 04:00 am

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): More than half of the world’s fragile coral reefs are under threat and most of our major fish stocks are now overexploited, according to the latest global assessments on the state of world’s high seas and large marine ecosystems launched on Thursday by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

UN report finds impunity for killings ‘remains rampant’ in Ukraine conflict

Jul 15, 2016, at 03:57 am

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): A new report by the United Nations human rights office released on Thursday describes widespread killings that have taken place in Ukraine since January 2014, concluding that very limited accountability has taken place.

South Sudan: UNICEF delivers life-saving aid to civilians displaced by fighting in Juba

Jul 15, 2016, at 03:55 am

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and partners are providing urgent life-saving assistance to thousands of people displaced by last weekend's heavy fighting in Juba, South Sudan, which reportedly killed some 272 people, including 33 civilians, and displaced at least 36,000 civilians.

UN mission deplores violence, loss of life following protests in Mali’s northern city of Gao

Jul 14, 2016, at 12:53 pm

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): Deploring the outbreak of violence that occurred yesterday in Gao, following a demonstration that turned violent, leaving four dead and many injured, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali is encouraging Government-led initiatives to better familiarize the population with the recently agreed peace deal.

Mali site added to List of World Heritage in Danger – UNESCO

Jul 14, 2016, at 12:51 pm

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): The Committee that establishes the locations that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, has on Wednesday added the Old Towns of Djenné in Mali to the List of World Heritage in Danger, due to insecurity, which is affecting the area and preventing the implementation of protective measures for the site.

Ban condemns assassination of former Burundian minister Mossi

Jul 14, 2016, at 12:50 pm

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the assassination earlier on Wednesday of Hafsa Mossi, former Burundian Minister for East African Community Affairs and Member of the East African Legislative Assembly, in the capital, Bujumbura.

South Sudan: Amid fears of renewed fighting, UN peacekeeping chief calls for Security Council action

Jul 14, 2016, at 12:48 pm

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News):Given the unstable security situation in South Sudan following clashes between Government and opposition forces which left some 272 people, including 33 civilians, dead, the United Nations peacekeeping chief on Wednesday proposed that the UN Mission there be extended until the end of August to allow a rapid assessment on the need for a stronger mandate.

Syria: deploring hostilities spreading across Aleppo, UN urges end to indiscriminate attacks

Jul 14, 2016, at 04:27 am

New York, July 13 (Just Earth News): Deploring the spread of hostilities throughout the Syrian city of Aleppo, senior United Nations officials on Wednesday called on all parties to the conflict to end indiscriminate attacks on civilians and fully respect international humanitarian law.

Serving as PM was the greatest honour: David Cameron

Jul 14, 2016, at 04:06 am

London, July 13 (IBNS): As he prepared to formally submit his resignation, David Cameron on Wednesday said serving as the British Prime Minister was the "greatest honour" of his life.

State Bank of Pakistan to issue special Edhi coin

Jul 14, 2016, at 02:42 am

Islamabad, July 13 (IBNS): In an attempt to honour humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to issue a special coin.

I believe our sorrow can make us a better country: Obama says at Dallas Memorial service

Jul 13, 2016, at 06:46 pm

Dallas, July 13 (IBNS): Speaking at the Dallas Memorial Service on Tuesday, US President Barack Obama urged his countrymen to put together their sorrows and channel it positively.

Bangladesh: Police must establish fate and whereabouts of disappeared Dhaka attack hostage

Jul 13, 2016, at 03:02 pm

Dhaka, July 13 (IBNS) Bangladeshi authorities must immediately establish the fate and whereabouts of a surviving hostage from the recent Dhaka restaurant attack who has been missing since taken by police for questioning 10 days ago, Amnesty International said today.

FEATURE: Eradication of Yaws, disease that ‘begins where roads end,’ is within sight, says WHO doctor in new film

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:26 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): When Dr. Oriol Mitjà, a Spanish technical adviser for the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), arrived in Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea, he expected to stay only a month. But after meeting hundreds of children covered in debilitating lesions, he stayed on, found a cure for their ailment, and spurred an international campaign that, if successful, will lead to the eradication of only the second disease in history.

Côte d'Ivoire: UN report finds 'some progress' in fight against rape but stresses more must be done

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:24 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): In a new joint report, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have called for strengthening rape prevention efforts and to improve the fight against impunity for sexual violence in the West African nation.

UN-backed partnership, support fund launched to end violence against children

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:21 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): A United Nations-backed partnership and fund were launched on Wednesday to make achieving the new global target to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children a public priority and a collective responsibility.