Ban expresses deep concern over the continuing political uncertainty in Haiti
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:51 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):Concerned that the prevailing uncertainty in Haiti is further compounding the numerous political and socio-economic challenges facing the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that further delays in completing the electoral process can potentially affect stability in the country, as well as international support to it.
UN health agency expresses concern over disease outbreaks in besieged city of Fallujah
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:49 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The low level of immunity coupled with poor hygiene conditions raises the risk of disease outbreaks, such as measles, in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, where more than 42,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of military operations in May. New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The low level of immunity coupled with poor hygiene conditions raises the risk of disease outbreaks, such as measles, in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, where more than 42,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of military operations in May.
Some 13 million Yemenis need immediate help amid bleak conditions – senior UN relief official
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:48 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The top United Nations relief official for Yemen has reported that more than 13 million Yemenis are in need of immediate life-saving assistance as a result of a bleak humanitarian situation in the country that continues to worsen.
Malian parties must make peace and reconciliation ‘a reality,’ UN envoy tells Security Council
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:46 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):Despite some progress, key challenges to implementing Mali’s peace and reconciliation agreement remained, one year after the Government and armed groups signed the accord, the United Nations envoy in the West African country told the Security Council on Thursday.
Ban dismayed at actions aimed at restricting political opposition in Bahrain
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:45 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):Concerned at recent reports in Bahrain of intimidation of human rights defenders and activists for peacefully promoting human rights, as well as for legitimately exercising their rights to freedoms of expression and association, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday said that such actions by the State authorities could potentially damage the human rights situation in the country.
In Russia, Ban spotlights leadership and shared input in advancing global commitments
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:43 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News): Participating in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the importance of translating the various landmark agreements made by the international community during the past year into action as soon as possible.
Ahead of World Refugee Day, UN agency launches ‘Stand #WithRefugees’ initiative
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:40 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):Ahead of the World Refugee Day on 20 June, more than 60 film, TV and music stars have joined refugees, faith leaders and the United Nations refugee agency staff to back a petition highlighting the plight of forcibly displaced people.
UN human rights panel concludes ISIL is committing genocide against Yazidis
Jun 17, 2016, at 12:38 pm
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) [also known as ISIL and Da'esh] is committing genocide against Yazidis that amounts to crimes against humanity and war crimes, a United Nations-mandated human rights inquiry reported on Thursday.
British Labour lawmaker Jo Cox stabbed to death in Yorkshire
Jun 17, 2016, at 05:11 am
Birstall, Jun 16 (IBNS): British MP Jo Cox has died after being attacked in her constituency in Yorkshire in England on Thursday, reports said.
Diver's find body of kid attacked by alligator
Jun 16, 2016, at 06:31 pm
Orlando, Jun 16 (IBNS): Police recovered the body of the two-year old kid who was dragged away by an alligator from a Disney resort, according to media reports late on Wednesday.
UN humanitarian coordinator reports more than 26,000 people affected by Myanmar floods
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:07 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Heavy monsoon rains since the beginning of June have caused flooding in five states and regions of Myanmar, resulting in 14 deaths and affecting at least 26,000 people, a United Nations humanitarian coordinator reported on Wednesday.
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:06 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Despite commitments of the international community, inconsistent levels of political will, resourcing, accountability and gender expertise often hinder the full and meaningful inclusion of women in efforts to prevent conflict, the Security Council said on Wednesday.
Security Council urges political solution to Guinea-Bissau crisis
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:04 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Following a briefing yesterday by the head of the United Nations peacebuilding office in Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council has encouraged national actors to abide by the constitution and rule of law, while striving to find a political solution to the crisis in the country.
In Brussels, Ban urges EU Member States to meet development assistance targets
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:03 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):On the second day of his visit to Brussels, Belgium, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the opening ceremony of the European Development Days forum and participated in a commemoration for the victims of the March airport bombing attacks in the city.
Colombia: UN experts urge protection of Afro-Colombian communities against elevating violence
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:01 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News): Distressed over reports of violence against people of African descent in Colombia, a United Nations expert panel has called on the authorities to take concrete and urgent measures to protect the country’s Afro-Colombian communities.
UN Women announces Anne Hathaway as Goodwill Ambassador
Jun 16, 2016, at 01:00 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News): The United Nations entity tasked with promoting gender equality on Wednesday announced the appointment of Academy Award-winning American actor Anne Hathaway as global Goodwill Ambassador.
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:56 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):The United Nations and its partners in Haiti have on Wednesday expressed concern that as the provisional president's agreed 120-day mandate has come to end, “no measures have been taken to ensure institutional continuity†in the island nation, where several key deadlines regarding the political transition process have been missed.
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:54 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):The United Nations is concerned about the impact of Uganda’s potential withdrawal from military operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in the Central African Republic, the Secretary-General’s envoy for the region said on Wednesday, stressing that a departure of Ugandan troops must be well-coordinated.
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:52 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):Deeply concerned by reports of fighting on 12 and 13 June on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is on an official visit to Belgium, met in Brussels on Wednesday with top officials from both the African countries, with the parties calling for maximum restraint.
UN health agency group finds coffee poses no cancer risk; issues warning on ‘very hot’ drinks
Jun 16, 2016, at 12:50 pm
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):An international working group of scientists convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that coffee should no longer be considered a carcinogen, although it found limited evidence that drinking very hot beverages can cause oesophageal cancer.
On World Day, Ban calls for ending elder abuse as a pathway towards Global Goals
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:55 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday emphasized that ending neglect, abuse and violence against older people is crucial as the international community continues to work together towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and fulfil their underlying pledge to leave no one behind.
States must do more to safeguard adolescent health rights – UN expert
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:54 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):A United Nations human rights expert on Wednesday called on States to remove all legal barriers to access health facilities, goods and services interfering with the rights of adolescents to be heard and taken seriously, and that limit their right to make autonomous decisions.
UN food relief agency to double aid to Niger’s conflict-torn Diffa region
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:51 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Faced with a new wave of displacement following recent Boko Haram attacks in Niger’s south-eastern Diffa region and with needs on the rise, the United Nations food relief agency plans to double its food and nutrition assistance, aiming to gradually increase its life-saving support to more than 250,000 people in Niger’s embattled southern region.
South Sudan: UN relief wing reports increase in violence against aid workers
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:50 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):While thousands of vulnerable people in South Sudan have been reached with assistance and protection in recent months, violent incidents against aid workers increased during the month of May, the United Nations humanitarian wing reported on Wednesday.
First-ever UN forum on albinism in Africa to focus on 'less talk, more action'
Jun 16, 2016, at 04:48 am
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):The first-ever United Nations-sponsored regional forum for Action on Albinism in Africa will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 17 to 19 June to develop specific measures to tackle the attacks and discrimination faced by persons with albinism in several countries in the region.
Obama, Clinton tear into Trump for anti-Muslim comments
Jun 15, 2016, at 10:53 pm
Washington, June 15 (IBNS) President Barack Obama and Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Wednesday conducted a joint attack on Donald Trump, the presumptive nominee of Republican Party, for his comments on Muslims, media reports said.
Alligator may have dragged away child at a Disney hotel
Jun 15, 2016, at 10:21 pm
Orlando (Florida), Jun 15 (IBNS): Police and other rescue personnel are looking hard for a two-year old kid who has been reportedly attacked and dragged away by an alligator into a lagoon at a Disney hotel near Orlando on Tuesday night, according to media reports.
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:26 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):Marking the 10th anniversary of a United Nations treaty that protects the rights of persons with disabilities, senior UN officials on Tuesday highlighted the critical role people with disabilities play as invaluable partners to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Prolonged political crisis could erode Guinea Bissau’s development gains, UN envoy warns
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:25 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News):The longer the political crisis continues in Guinea Bissau, the more likely the country could see setbacks to its development and economic gains, warned the head of the United Nations peacebuilding office there, urging the Security Council to pay greater attention to the situation.
UN rights office urges Libyan authorities to investigate death of 12 victims of torture
Jun 15, 2016, at 01:24 pm
New York, June 15 (Just Earth News): The UN human rights office on Tuesday urged the Libyan authorities to undertake an effective, thorough and impartial investigation to bring perpetrators of torture to justice, after 12 people were found dead last Friday.