UN aid officials urge Security Council to push for greater humanitarian access in Syria

Jan 27, 2017, at 01:54 pm

New York, Jan 27 (Just Earth News): Senior United Nations relief officials on Thursday urged the Security Council to do more to ensure the support of the Syrian Government to deliver life-saving aid, warning that aid workers are “blocked at every turn” while some 4.6 million people live in hard-to-reach areas across the war-ravaged country.

Amid hate speech, negative media spin ‘real stories’ of refugees and migrants must be told – UN official

Jan 27, 2017, at 01:53 pm

New York, Jan 27 (Just Earth News): With hate speech and rhetoric against migrants and refugees on the rise in various parts of the world, and the increased role of media in shaping perceptions towards them, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Thursday co-sponsored with the European Union (EU) a symposium drawing attention to this growing challenge and explore efforts to combat it.

UN-backed measles vaccination campaign to reach 4.7 million children in north-east Nigeri

Jan 27, 2017, at 01:52 pm

New York, Jan 27 (Just Earth News): A major vaccination campaign against a measles outbreak in northeast Nigeria is reaching 4.7 million children, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Security Council approves six-month extension of UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus

Jan 27, 2017, at 04:49 am

New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News): Welcoming the progress thus far in negotiations led by Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders, as well as ongoing efforts, the United Nations Security Council on Thursday encouraged the sides to “grasp the current opportunity with determination” to secure a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

Global Goals on poverty and hunger require $265 billion annually – UN conference told

Jan 27, 2017, at 04:48 am

New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News): The world must take urgent action to mobilise the estimated $265 billion a year needed to achieve the first two Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty and hunger by 2030, the head of the United Nations agency for financing rural development projects has told an international conference.

Somalia: Militants attack hotel in capital Mogadishu, over 20 feared dead

Jan 26, 2017, at 08:36 pm

Mogadishu, Jan 26 (IBNS): Militants attacked a hotel in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, and killed over 20 people, according to media reports on Thursday.

Billions needed to eradicate poverty and hunger: IFAD

Jan 26, 2017, at 08:21 pm

Rome, Jan 26 (IBNS) The world needs to take urgent action to mobilise the estimated US$265 billion a year needed to achieve the first two Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty and hunger by 2030, said Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the opening of a conference focused on finding innovative ways to finance rural development.

Trump says he believes torture works

Jan 26, 2017, at 07:02 pm

Washington, Jan 26 (IBNS) : President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he 'absolutely' believes torture works and will take advice on whether to use the technique from the Home department and CIA in dealing with Islamic terrorism, media reports said.

Donald Trump signs executive order for construction of Mexico border wall

Jan 26, 2017, at 06:15 pm

Washington, Jan 26 (IBNS) Following up with his electoral pledge US President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order to build a border wall with Mexico to prevent flow of illegal immigration, The Washington Post reported.

Latin America and the Caribbean can make hunger history – UN agricultural agency

Jan 26, 2017, at 01:41 pm

New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News): With continued and strengthened implementation of a regional food security plan, Latin America and the Caribbean could become the first developing region to completely eradicate hunger, the head of United Nations agricultural agency said on Wednesday.

Sustainable agriculture, better-managed water supplies, vital to tackling water-food nexus – UN

Jan 26, 2017, at 01:40 pm

New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News): Highlighting the challenges associated with the inextricable links between water and food – the so-called ‘water-food nexus’ – for food security, as well as for sustainable development, the United Nations agricultural agency on Wednesday outlined steps that can be taken to improve water sustainability for current and future needs.

Enhancing regional partnerships among top priorities for UN Peacebuilding Commission in 201

Jan 26, 2017, at 01:39 pm

New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News): Strengthening the United Nation’s partnerships with the African Union, empowering women and youth, and greater cooperation with the World Bank will be among the key priorities this year for the UN Peacebuilding Commission, its new chair on Wednesday said.

UN, NYC Mayor’s office team up to promote Global Goals’ mental health targets

Jan 26, 2017, at 01:38 pm

New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News): Addressing an event on mental health, a special advisor to the President of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday stressed the importance of mental health for all actions to be taken to achieve sustainable development goals.

Somalia: UN mission condemns Al-Shabaab attack on popular Mogadishu hotel

Jan 26, 2017, at 01:37 pm

New York, Jan 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) has condemned the coordinated suicide bombing attack earlier on Wednesday at a hotel in Mogadishu for which Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility and which reportedly killed dozens of people.

Fighting impunity is the best way to protect Mexico’s human rights defenders – UN expert

Jan 26, 2017, at 05:44 am

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): A United Nations rights expert expressed concern on Wednesday about widespread impunity for crimes against human rights defenders in Mexico, noting that the situation is inducing more violations.

Keyword: UN, calm amid fears, violence, Central African Republic town

Jan 26, 2017, at 05:41 am

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): Two United Nations human rights experts on Wednesday called on the Government of Cambodia for the immediate release of five human rights defenders detained in May 2016 on charges, which they see as politically motivated.

UN relief official urges calm amid fears of flare-up of violence in Central African Republic town

Jan 26, 2017, at 05:22 am

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): Amid rising tensions in Central African Republic’s Ouaka prefecture and in and around its town of Bambari, a senior UN humanitarian official in the country has appealed for calm and refraining from any act that could further increase the fragility of an already vulnerable population.

Toronto hairdresser killed in Los Angeles

Jan 26, 2017, at 04:55 am

Toronto, Jan 25 (IBNS): Internationally-renowned hairdresser and beauty executive Fabio Sementilli from Toronto died after paramedics found him stabbed and beaten outside a Los Angeles home Monday, media reports said.

Toronto: CMHA launches online mental health training program for justice sector employees

Jan 26, 2017, at 04:06 am

Toronto, Jan. 25 (IBNS): Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)'s Toronto branch has officially launched a new online mental health training program at an event on Tuesday at Old City Hall to educate employees in the justice sector, media reports said.

Bald eagle escapes from Ontario zoo

Jan 26, 2017, at 04:05 am

Toronto, Jan 25 (IBNS): A bald eagle escaped from an Ontario zoo in Canada after someone broke in and cut a large hole in a fence, media reports said.

President Trump allows Keystone XL Pipeline construction, Canada happy

Jan 25, 2017, at 10:21 pm

Calgary Jan 25 (IBNS): The Canadian government has welcomed the US President Donald Trump's move to revive the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project, according to media reports.

Australia: Man set on fire following argument over dog

Jan 25, 2017, at 04:39 pm

Sydney, Jan 25 (IBNS): An Australian man was allegedly set alight and is presently fighting for his life after an argument over a dog went wrong, BBC reported.

Trump warns Chicago; promises to build the wall

Jan 25, 2017, at 04:13 pm

Washington, Jan 25 (IBNS): In just his fourth day at the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump has issued a warning against Chicago, asking the state to mend its ways and curb violence.

UN rights expert ‘deeply concerned’ about reprisals against those she met on official visit to Myanmar

Jan 25, 2017, at 01:15 pm

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): A United Nations expert warned on Tuesday about possible reprisals against the people she met during her recent visit to the country, noting that she was particularly struck by the fear of some she spoke to “who were afraid of what would happen to them after talking to me.”

UN rights chief urges probe into Askarov case despite Kyrgyz decision to uphold life sentence

Jan 25, 2017, at 01:13 pm

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday voiced deep concern about a decision by a Kyrgyz court to uphold a life sentence against human rights defender Azimjan Askarov, saying it highlights “serious shortcomings” in the country’s judicial system.

Mali: UN mission condemns attack on Kidal base that kills one ‘blue helmet’

Jan 25, 2017, at 01:12 pm

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on Tuesday condemned the attack on its camp in the country’s restive northern region of Kidal, which left one ‘blue helmet’ dead and two others seriously wounded.

Responses to global ills must integrate peace and sustainable development, UN Member States told

Jan 25, 2017, at 01:12 pm

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday highlighted the importance of recognizing the links between sustainable development and sustaining peace amid such intertwined global challenges as rising inequality, protracted conflicts and climate change.

With international agreement on ceasefire monitoring, UN envoy praises Syrian delegations in Astana

Jan 25, 2017, at 01:11 pm

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): The talks to strengthen the ceasefire in war-torn Syria ended on Tuesday in Astana, Kazakhstan, with agreement on how to monitor the effort started last month and praise from the United Nations Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura.

UN chief Guterres pledges commitment to achieving world free of nuclear weapons

Jan 25, 2017, at 01:09 pm

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): Disarmament can play an important role in ending existing conflicts and preventing the outbreak of new strife, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, pledging to actively pursue the abolition of all weapons of mass destruction and the strict regulation of conventional weapons.

In Helsinki, UN appeals for nearly $5B to help Syrians and host communities

Jan 25, 2017, at 04:20 am

New York, Jan 24 (Just Earth News): The United Nations and partners on Tuesday appealed at an aid conference in Finland for $4.63 billion to help people inside Syria, those who fled and the communities hosting them.