Future of 24 million children in conflict zones under threat: UN report

Jan 13, 2016, at 02:49 pm

New York, Jan 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Nearly 24 million children living in crisis zones in 22 strife-torn countries are being deprived of a school education, threatening their own future and that of their societies, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Tuesday.

Five polio-free years in South-East Asia Region, announces WHO

Jan 13, 2016, at 02:47 pm

New York, Jan 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations health agency on Tuesday announced that the South-East Asia Region has completed five years without any case of wild poliovirus, a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and for which there is still no cure.

Draft UK surveillance law threatens freedom of expression: UN rights experts

Jan 13, 2016, at 02:45 pm

New York, Jan 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations human rights experts have called for a comprehensive review of the United Kingdom’s draft Investigatory Powers bill, warning that if adopted in its present form it could threaten the rights to freedoms of expression and association both inside and outside the country.

Iraq: UN envoy calls on all sides to shun cycle of reprisals following mosque attacks

Jan 13, 2016, at 02:44 pm

New York, Jan 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The top United Nations official in Iraq on Monday appealed to all parties in the strife torn-country to avoid being drawn into a vicious cycle or reprisal attacks following the "outrageous" bombing of six mosques in Muqdadiya in Diyala Province.

Yemen's war-weary children face 'new year of pain and suffering' – UNICEF official

Jan 13, 2016, at 02:42 pm

New York, Jan 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The ongoing deadly violence in Yemen has left nearly 10 million children facing threats of malnutrition and disease, lack of education, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative to the country warned today, calling for unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need and an end to the conflict.

UN condemns 'despicable' terrorist bombing in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet District

Jan 13, 2016, at 02:40 pm

New York, Jan 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday condemned the terrorist bombing in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, Turkey, calling it a "despicable crime targeting the heart of Istanbuls tourist district."

Syria: UN officials give first-hand accounts of horrible desperation in besieged towns

Jan 13, 2016, at 02:35 pm

New York, Jan 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As United Nations officials gave on-site accounts of the "horrible and terrible" situation in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya, from 400 critically ill people facing death without immediate medical care to a kilo of rice costing $300, the first emergency evacuation took place today – a five-year-old girl rushed through pro-Government roadblocks for urgent surgery in Damascus.

5.6 earthquake hits Afghanistan

Jan 13, 2016, at 02:28 pm

Kabul, Jan 13 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter Scale jolted Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials said.

Pakistan condemns Istanbul blast

Jan 13, 2016, at 01:35 am

Islamabad, Jan 12 (IBNS) Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the bomb blast in the Sultanahmet area of Turkey's Istanbul city, in which, according to initial reports, many precious lives have been lost and several are injured.

Mark Zuckerberg triggers vaccine debate

Jan 12, 2016, at 09:40 pm

New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has found himself in the mid of a debate since he posted a picture of himself taking his child to doctor to get immunization shots.

Turkey: Explosion in Istanbul kills 10

Jan 12, 2016, at 09:17 pm

Istanbul, Jan 12 (IBNS) An explosion in Turkish city Istanbul's Sultanahmet area has killed at least 10 people on Tuesday, media reports said.

Explosion hits central Istanbul

Jan 12, 2016, at 08:47 pm

Istanbul, Jan 12 (IBNS) Several people were expected to have been killed as an explosion rocked Turkey's Sultanahmet area in Istanbul on Tuesday, media reports said.

Turkey: Explosion rocks Istanbul

Jan 12, 2016, at 08:13 pm

Istanbul, Jan 12 (IBNS): An explosion rocked Sultanahmet area of Turkey's Istanbul city on Tuesday, media reports said.

Iraq: IS claims responsibility for mall attack

Jan 12, 2016, at 03:21 pm

Baghdad, Jan 12 (IBNS): Militant group IS has claimed responsibility for the attack on a shopping mall in Iraqi capital Baghdad on Monday which killed at least 18 people.

Ban condemns attack on Yemeni hospital supported by Médecins Sans Frontières

Jan 12, 2016, at 01:41 pm

New York, Jan 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Sunday’s attack on a hospital supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Sa’ada province, Yemen, which killed at least four people and injured many others.

UN experts urge US to close Guantánamo detention centre and end impunity for abuses

Jan 12, 2016, at 01:40 pm

New York, Jan 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Human rights experts from the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Monday called on the United States Government to promptly close the Guantánamo Bay detention facility and end impunity for abuses in the so-called 'global war on terror' such as 'enhanced interrogation techniques' and extraordinary rendition.

UN General Assembly – 'Parliament for all people' – celebrates 70th anniversary

Jan 12, 2016, at 01:38 pm

New York, Jan 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Marking the 70th anniversary of the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said the body has truly become the "Parliament for all people."

Syria: UN and partners get relief convoy into besieged town of Madaya

Jan 12, 2016, at 01:36 pm

New York, Jan 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A humanitarian convoy has finally reached the besieged Syrian town of Madaya with life-saving health and food supplies from the United Nations and its partners for the 42,000 desperate residents after reports of people starving to death under encirclement by pro-Government forces.

Ban calls on global community to stand with Haiti on eve of 6th anniversary of earthquake

Jan 12, 2016, at 01:34 pm

New York, Jan 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As the United Nations prepares to mark the sixth anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti and pay tribute to the more than 200,000 victims who perished, including 102 UN personnel, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on the international community to "stand with Haiti" as it moves forward to rebuild.

Challenges in Mali need to be 'urgently defeated' – UN peacekeeping chief

Jan 12, 2016, at 01:32 pm

New York, Jan 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Despite considerable progress in Mali, the United Nations peacekeeping chief on Monday warned that the peace process in the country remains fragile, and stressed the need to urgently defeat political, security and humanitarian challenges.

Baghdad: Gunmen take hostages in mall, 7 killed

Jan 12, 2016, at 04:37 am

Baghdad, Jan 11 (IBNS): Gunmen on Monday blew up a car bomb, resorted to gunfire in a crowded area and took hostages in a shopping mall in Iraqi capital Baghdad, killing at least seven people, media reports said.

Yemen: Doctors Without Borders Hospital bombed, 4 killed

Jan 11, 2016, at 01:59 pm

Sanaa, Jan 11 (IBNS) International medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders has said a projectile hit a hospital in northern Yemen which killed at least four people.

Saudi-Iran tensions will not hamper efforts to resolve Syria conflict: UN envoy

Jan 11, 2016, at 01:38 pm

New York, Jan 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, concluded on Sunday his regional consultations with meetings in Tehran, where he received assurances from his interlocutors that regional current tensions would not affect Iran's engagement in facilitating the holding of upcoming Geneva talks on ending the crisis in Syria.

Stockholm Skavsta Airport evacuated after traces of explosive powder found in luggage

Jan 11, 2016, at 02:34 am

Stockholm, Jan 10 (IBNS) Parts of Stockholm-Skavsta Airport in Sweden were evacuated after traces of explosive powder were found on a luggage on Sunday, reports said.

North Korea bomb test: South Korea, U.S. deploy B-52 strategic bomber over Korean Peninsula

Jan 11, 2016, at 01:06 am

Seoul, Jan 10 (IBNS) Days after North Korea said it has conducted a hydrogen bomb test, The United States' B-52 Strato fortress strategic bomber flew over South Korea, media reports said.

Afghanistan: Darqad district cleared from the Armed insurgents

Jan 11, 2016, at 12:08 am

Kabul, Jan 10 (IBNS): Afghan National Security Forces has cleared Darqad district of Afghanistan from the Taliban, officials said on Sunday.

Russia raids on Syria kills 57

Jan 10, 2016, at 03:13 pm

Beirut, Jan 10 (IBNS) At least 57 people were killed as Russian warplanes targeted with missiles the Administrative Court of Jabhat Al-Nusra in Syrian city Maarrat al-Nu’man, a monitor said on Sunday.

Nepal: UN political chief encourages dialogue among leaders to overcome differences on constitution

Jan 10, 2016, at 02:36 pm

New York, Jan 10 (IBNS) Expressing deep concern about current developments adversely affecting Nepal's humanitarian situation, economic performance and reconstruction efforts, the top United Nations political official today encouraged the country's leaders to overcome their differences on constitutional arrangements through inclusive dialogue and parliamentary process.

UN special envoy continues regional meetings ahead of 25 January intra-Syrian talks

Jan 10, 2016, at 02:29 pm

New York, Jan 10 (IBNS) Continuing his regional consultations ahead of United Nations-facilitated talks on resolving the crisis in Syria, UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura had a useful meeting today in Damascus with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic, Walid Mouallem.

Drug lord recaptured by Mexican authorities

Jan 10, 2016, at 04:39 am

Los Mochis, Jan 9 (IBNS): In a major victory for Mexican authorities, drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has been recaptured from Los Mochis on Friday.