Torture and illegal detention on the rise in Burundi – UN rights chief

Apr 19, 2016, at 02:06 pm

New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Monday warned of a “sharp increase in the use of torture and ill-treatment in Burundi” and voiced concerns about worrying reports of the existence of illegal detention facilities, both in Bujumbura and in the countryside.

Two-state solution in Middle East ‘tragically more distant’ than ever, Ban tells Security Council

Apr 19, 2016, at 02:05 pm

New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Monday that a two-state solution, which envisages peaceful co-existence of Palestine and Israel, seems more distant than it has for many decades, citing the ongoing violence, Israel’s settlement activity and demolitions of Palestinian homes, and the absence of Palestinian unity.

UN urges ‘tangible actions’ from world leaders to finance sustainable development for all

Apr 19, 2016, at 02:03 pm

New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Hailing 2015 as a year of “crucial milestones” for development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said world leaders must now meet the agreed financing targets to ensure implementation of the numerous landmark agreements on eradicating poverty, building resilient societies and addressing climate change in order to put the world on a sustainable development path.

UN food relief agency to assist one million Haitians hit by three-year drought

Apr 19, 2016, at 02:01 pm

New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday it will launch an emergency operation in Haiti to assist one million people devastated by three years of prolonged drought exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Afghanistan: children increasingly struggle to access health care and education, UN reports

Apr 19, 2016, at 01:59 pm

New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Conflict-related violence in Afghanistan has harmed health and education personnel, reduced the availability of health care and limited children’s access to essential health and education services, the United Nations said in a new report released on Monday.

FEATURE:UN Envoy in Haiti discusses upcoming elections and UN’s transitioning role

Apr 19, 2016, at 01:57 pm

New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Sandra Honoré is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the country (MINUSTAH). A post she has held since 15 July 2013.

Following earthquake in Japan, UN stands ready to provide assistance

Apr 19, 2016, at 01:56 pm

New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations stands ready to provide assistance to Japan following powerful earthquakes that struck Kumamoto province last Thursday and Saturday, killing over 40 people and displacing some 110,000 from their homes.

UN supporting authorities in Ecuador following strongest earthquake in decades

Apr 19, 2016, at 01:54 pm

New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): While the Government of Ecuador is leading the response to continue helping people and communities affected by Saturday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the United Nations announced it has deployed relief teams to provide additional support.

Pakistan: 144 militants surrender

Apr 19, 2016, at 04:40 am

Quetta, Apr 18 (IBNS): 144 militants, including four commanders, have surrendered arms to Pakistani authorities on Monday, media reports said.

NATO Deputy Secretary General to meet Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Apr 19, 2016, at 12:09 am

New York, Apr 18 (IBNS) NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow will meet with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko on Tuesday, officials said.

General Jens Stoltenberg to attend Foreign Affairs Council

Apr 18, 2016, at 09:01 pm

New York, Apr 18 (IBNS) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will attend the Foreign Affairs Council on Apr 19 in Luxembourg.

China's fighter jet makes first public landing on disputed island

Apr 18, 2016, at 04:42 pm

Beijing, Apr 18 (IBNS) A Chinese military aircraft has for the first time publicly landed at a new airport on an island China has built in the disputed South China Sea, state media said on Monday.

Ecuador earthquake toll rises to 246

Apr 18, 2016, at 02:10 pm

Quito, Ecuador, Apr 18 (IBNS): As a strong earthquake rocked western Ecuador on Saturday, the death toll has touched 246, reports said on Monday.

Gambia: Ban calls for release of detained protesters after death of opposition members

Apr 18, 2016, at 12:35 pm

New York, Apr 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Concerned about the apparent use of excessive force on peaceful demonstrators in Gambia after at least three people died in State custody, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday called on authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested during Thursday's protest.

77 dead after 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Ecuador

Apr 17, 2016, at 07:58 pm

Quito, Ecuador, Apr 17 (IBNS): The death toll in the powerful earthquake that hit western Ecuador on Saturday rose to 77, media reports said.

7.8 magnitude quake hits Ecuador, kills 41

Apr 17, 2016, at 04:51 pm

Quito, Ecuador, Apr 17 (IBNS): At least 41 people have been killed as a powerful earthquake hit western Ecuador on Saturday, media reports said.

In Washington, Ban urges multilateral action to aid refugees, close infrastructure gaps

Apr 17, 2016, at 12:34 pm

New York, Apr 17 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Addressing the global challenge of forced displacement and fostering greater investment in infrastructure were the main topics of discussion on Saturday as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke to leaders in Washington, D.C., at the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.

Civilians in embattled Yarmouk facing 'starvation and dehydration', UN agency warns

Apr 17, 2016, at 12:32 pm

New York, Apr 17 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Up to 10,000 civilians in Yarmouk camp in Damascus, Syria, have gone without food and water for more than a week due to ongoing fighting, on Saturday warned the United Nations relief agency charged with the well-being of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.

Yemen at ‘critical crossroads,’ Security Council told ahead of face-to-face peace talks

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:51 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Yemen is now at a critical crossroads, the United Nations Security Council heard on Friday from the UN special envoy for the country, with one path leading to peace while the other can only worsen the security and humanitarian situation.

‘Refugees have a right to asylum – not bias and barbed wire,’ Ban says in Washington

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:49 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As the world faces the biggest refugee and displacement crisis of our time, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday reiterated a call to leaders across Europe and throughout the world to show greater solidarity as they strive to combat the deeper roots of conflict and continue to work towards securing human rights for all.

The next UN Secretary-General: Assembly President says ‘new standard of transparency’ established

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:48 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Three days of informal briefings came to an end yesterday, after nine candidates for the position of the next United Nations Secretary-General answered all together some 800 questions from the UN membership and the public on how, if selected, they would lead the world body.

Central African Republic passes 'critical milestone' towards lasting peace – UN peacekeeping chief

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:46 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Expectations are high for the Central African Republic's new Government to restore durable peace and improve people's living conditions, the United Nations peacekeeping chief said on Friday, stressing that the first hundred days will be decisive.

Zika: UN health agency launches database on worldwide virus research

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:44 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have launched a new Zika Research Projects List, a database that lists and categorizes all scientific studies on the Zika virus worldwide.

UN agency and Google collaborate on satellite data tools to manage natural resources

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:42 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Google on Friday announced plans to work together to make high-resolution satellite data a common tool in managing the world’s natural resources, ultimately boosting efforts towards the pursuit of sustainable development.

UN report urges rights-based approach to reduce HIV infections among drug users

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:41 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Ahead of next week’s General Assembly special session on drugs, the United Nations agency leading the world’s HIV/AIDS response has released a new report, which warns that many countries are failing to reduce new HIV infections due to the absence of health- and rights-based approaches, particularly as regards drug use.

Rights experts urge UN to compensate displaced Roma poisoned in camps in Kosovo

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:38 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Two United Nations independent experts on Friday called on the world body to hold the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) accountable for leaving Roma families exposed to lead poisoning in camps for those internally displaced in the territory.

UNICEF, World Bank urge greater investment in early childhood development

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:37 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The heads of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank Group are jointly urging global and national leaders to step up action and investments in nutrition and early childhood development programmes as a critical foundation for equitable development and economic growth.

UN agency boosts efforts to detect and prevent spread of damaging wheat rusts

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:35 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Friday it is expanding a partnership to inhibit the ongoing spread of wheat rusts, a group of fungal plant diseases that block the production of the staple grain and other crops, which is raising concern in Central Asia and the Middle East.

Security Council strongly condemns firing of ballistic missile by DPR Korea

Apr 16, 2016, at 01:34 pm

New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the firing of a ballistic missile earlier on Friday by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and urged the country to refrain from further actions.

NATO Deputy Secretary General to attend GLOBSEC 2016 Global Security Forum

Apr 15, 2016, at 10:04 pm

NATO Deputy Secretary General to attend GLOBSEC 2016 Global Security Forum