Stop targeted repression and double standards, UN rights experts tell DR Congo authorities

Dec 20, 2016, at 03:14 pm

New York, Dec 20 (Just Earth News):Raising alarm over “double standards” applied by the authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – allowing pro-government youths to conduct public political activities while repressing dissenting voices – a group of United Nations rights experts on Monday called on the Government to end the “targeted repression” and to guarantee conditions that allow fundamental rights and freedoms to be exercised peacefully.

Security Council approves UN monitors for Aleppo evacuations

Dec 20, 2016, at 03:08 pm

New York, Dec 20 (Just Earth News):Alarmed at the “devastating” humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, where perhaps thousands of civilians remain trapped, the Security Council on Monday requested the United Nations and other relevant institutions to carry out “adequate, neutral monitoring and direct observation on evacuations from the eastern districts” of the war-battered city.

Lebanon: UN chief welcomes new Government led by Saad Hariri

Dec 20, 2016, at 03:02 pm

New York, Dec 20 (Just Earth News): Welcoming the announcement of new Cabinet members in Lebanon, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed hope that the new Government will ensure that the country's forthcoming parliamentary election is successfully conducted within the timeframe set by the constitution, according to his spokesman.

Berlin: Truck rams crowd in Christmas market, 12 killed

Dec 20, 2016, at 02:38 pm

Berlin, Dec 20 (IBNS): A truck ploughed into a Christmas market at Berlin city in Germany on Monday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 50 others, media reports said.

Ankara: Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead

Dec 20, 2016, at 02:22 pm

Ankara, Dec 20 (IBNS): Apparently protesting against the Russia's involvement in Aleppo, the Russia's Ambassador to Turkey has been shot dead, media reports said.

Russian envoy to Turkey killed in gun attack in Ankara

Dec 20, 2016, at 05:04 am

Ankara, Dec 19 (IBNS): Russian Ambassador to Ankara in Turkey was on Monday shot dead in a gun attack at an art gallery in the capital city, media reports said.

New stories of football in World War One brought to light ahead of Christmas Truce anniversary

Dec 19, 2016, at 11:59 pm

London, Dec 19 (IBNS): New stories of Muslim and Indian soldiers playing football during World War One are being shared ahead of the 102nd anniversary of 1914’s iconic Christmas Truce match.

Myanmar: Security forces target Rohingya during vicious Rakhine Scorched-Earth campaign, says Amnesty

Dec 19, 2016, at 10:35 pm

New York, Dec 19 (IBNS): The Myanmar security forces are responsible for unlawful killings, multiple rapes and the burning down of houses and entire villages in a campaign of violence against Rohingya people that may amount to crimes against humanity, Amnesty International reveals in a new report on Monday.

Russian plane crashes in Siberia, 16 reportedly injured

Dec 19, 2016, at 06:08 pm

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IBNS) : An aeroplane belonging to the Russian defence ministry crashed on Monday in Yakutia in Siberia with 39 people on board, BBC reported.

At least 14 killed in Jordan seize

Dec 19, 2016, at 04:52 pm

Amman, Dec 19 (IBNS): At least 14 people, including four terrorists were killed in an operation in the southern city of Karak, local Jordan Times reported.

'Every migrant is a human being with human rights,' says UN chief on International Day

Dec 19, 2016, at 05:23 am

New York, Dec 18 (Just Earth News): Despite appearances and media spin, "migration does not have to be chaotic or seem like an invasion," and as yet another turbulent year for millions of people on the move comes to an end, the United Nations is marking International Migrants Day with a worldwide call for more cooperation and a resolute rejection of intolerance and policies driven by xenophobic rhetoric.

Syria: Militants attack evacuation buses

Dec 19, 2016, at 03:23 am

Idlib, Dec 18 (IBNS): Terrorists attacked several buses that were going to towns of Kefraya and al-Fouaa to evacuate sick and wounded people from the area in Syria, media reports said.

Jordan: Gunmen attack leaves five killed

Dec 19, 2016, at 02:57 am

Amman, Dec 18 (IBNS): Gun attack in Jordanian city of Karak has left five people killed, media reports said.

Yemen attack: ISIS claims responsibility

Dec 19, 2016, at 02:45 am

Aden, Dec 18 (IBNS): Militant group Islamic State on Sunday claimed responsibility for the suicide attack in Aden city in Yemen.

Yemen: 30 soldiers killed in suicide attack

Dec 18, 2016, at 09:55 pm

Aden, Dec 18 (IBNS): At least 30 soldiers were killed as suicide bomber hit Aden city in Yemen on Sunday, media reports said.

Silencing opposition is 'not the solution,' UN rights chief says as Internet blackout looms in DR Congo

Dec 18, 2016, at 01:43 pm

New York, Dec 18 (Just Earth News):The United Nations human rights chief on Saturday said he is “deeply alarmed” at a planned Government shutdown of social media in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from Sunday evening, ahead of the end of President Joseph Kabila's mandate, coupled with a continuing ban on demonstrations by civil society and the opposition.

Political accord's slow implementation has not brought peace and stability Libyans deserve – Ban

Dec 18, 2016, at 01:29 pm

New York, Dec 18 (Just Earth News): Marking the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Libyan Political Agreement, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended all Libyans who engaged in the “milestone” process, but cautioned that while much progress has been made, “the road to peace is long” and the Libyan people have not yet achieved the stability and security they deserve.

Ban Ki-moon hints at running for S.Korean Presidency

Dec 17, 2016, at 05:05 pm

Seoul/New York, Dec 17 (IBNS): UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has hinted at running for South Korea's presidency, media reports said.

Security Council adjusts mandate of UN mission in South Sudan to deter sexual violence, monitor hate speech

Dec 17, 2016, at 02:17 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):Approving a one-year extension of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the Security Council on Fridaydemanded an end to the fighting in the war-riven country, and decided that the mission, known as UNMISS, shall “use all necessary means” to “deter and prevent” sexual violence within its capacity, and “monitor, investigate and report incidents of hate speech.”

Ban condemns deadly attack on military post in northern Burkina Faso

Dec 17, 2016, at 02:12 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today's attack against a military post in Nassoumbou, province of Soum in the north of Burkina Faso, in which Burkinabè soldiers were killed and injured.

Philippines: UN expert rejects Government-imposed conditions on fact-finding mission

Dec 17, 2016, at 02:06 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):The United Nations Special Rapporteur on summary executions urged the Government of the Philippines to lift a series of preconditions it has imposed on her planned visit to investigate the alleged extra-judicial killings of suspected drug dealers, since President Rodrigo Duterte took office.

Possibility of genocide in South Sudan is ‘all too real,’ Ban warns in opinion piece

Dec 17, 2016, at 01:53 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):Given the scale of the disaster in South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council, regional organizations and the international community must step up to their responsibility to the help the country’s people, who have suffered through three years of bloody conflict, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Fridayin an opinion piece published by Newsweek.

UN refugee agency chief launches appeal to support thousands displaced in Lake Chad Basin

Dec 17, 2016, at 01:48 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, launched on Fridaya multi-million dollar inter-agency appeal to provide support to nearly 500,000 people who have been affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, including those in Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, as well as Nigerian refugees.

UN rights chief urges Gambian leader to respect results of presidential election

Dec 17, 2016, at 01:44 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):The increased military presence deployed across Gambia since President Yayha Jammeh rejected the election result risks heightening the current climate of intimidation and harassment in the country, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warned on Friday.

Israelis and Palestinians must ‘rebuild trust in each other,’ Ban tells Security Council

Dec 17, 2016, at 01:39 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):While the international community must spare no effort revive waning support for the long-sought two-state solution for Middle East peace, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the United Nations Security Council on Fridaythat “ultimately, it is up to the Israelis and the Palestinians to make peace,” and called on the two sides to “rebuild trust in each other.”

‘Aleppo now synonym for hell,’ Ban warns in final press conference as UN chief

Dec 17, 2016, at 01:32 pm

New York, Dec 17 (Just Earth News):In his last press conference as United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Fridaydelivered stark warnings on two issues at the forefront of international concern: that “the carnage in Syria remains a gaping hole in the global conscience;” and that South Sudan faces a risk of genocide as the country leaders have “squandered a peace agreement.”

General Assembly calls on Member States to support new UN approach to cholera in Haiti

Dec 17, 2016, at 04:58 am

New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News): Recognizing the moral responsibility of the United Nations to the victims of the cholera epidemic in Haiti, the General Assembly on Fridaywelcomed the new UN approach to tackling the disease – formally launched earlier this month by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon – and called on all 193 of the world body’s Members States to provide the two-track plan their full support.

Gender equality is ‘critical ingredient’ in fight against poverty and hunger – UN agriculture chief

Dec 17, 2016, at 04:53 am

New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News): The fight against extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition is not possible without gender equality and women empowerment, José Graziano da Silva, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said on Fridayin Rome, where he called for more efforts to ensure that rural women, “the backbone of our work in agriculture,” enjoy a level playing field.

Iraq: UN refugee agency steps up response as Mosul conflict displaces nearly 100,000

Dec 17, 2016, at 04:44 am

New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News): With the number of people displaced from Mosul approaching 100,000 since the military operation to oust terrorists from the Iraqi city began three months ago, the United Nations refugee agency is bolstering its capacity to host and support civilians fleeing the fighting.

Myanmar's handling of northern Rakhine lesson in how to make 'bad situation worse' – UN rights chief

Dec 17, 2016, at 04:41 am

New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News): Expressing concern over the situation in Myanmar's northern Rakhine, the top United Nations human rights official warned that the Government's “short-sighted, counterproductive, even callous” approach to the handling of the crisis could have grave long-term repercussions for the country and the region.