Venezuela: At least three killed as police, protesters face-off in Caracas

Jul 21, 2017, at 05:03 pm

Caracas, Jul 21 (IBNS): At least three people have died and another 300 have been arrested as police and protesters engaged in a deadly clash in the national capital on Thursday, reports said.

In Nigeria, UN deputy chief says 'messages of women' vital to sustainable peace, development

Jul 21, 2017, at 09:58 am

New York, July 21(Just Earth News): Urgent action is needed now towards the meaningful participation of women in peace processes, as well ensuring their voices are heard in all aspects of society, the United Nations deputy chief told reporters in Abuja on Thursday as part of a first-ever UN-African Union trip focused on women, peace and security.

'A healthy planet' is birthday wish for UN development agency advocate and 'Game of Thrones' star

Jul 21, 2017, at 09:57 am

New York, July 21(Just Earth News): As part of his 47th birthday celebrations, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador and the actor playing the role of Jaime Lannister in the HBO series Game of Thrones, is calling on his friends, family and fans to help him raise funds to support UN climate action programmes.

UN envoy calls for de-escalation of tensions and violence in Jerusalem

Jul 21, 2017, at 05:05 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): Expressing deep concern over a surge in tensions and violence around the holy esplanade of Jerusalem's Old City, the United Nations envoy on Middle East peace Thursday called for de-escalation of the situation.

AIDS-related deaths decline; 19.5 million people on life-saving treatment – UN report

Jul 21, 2017, at 04:58 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): The scales have tipped for the first time in the fight against AIDS as more than half of all people living with the HIV virus now have access to treatment, while AIDS-related deaths have nearly halved since 2005, according to a new United Nations report.

Drought in DPR Korea threatens food supply during ongoing lean season

Jul 21, 2017, at 04:57 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): Amid the worst drought in nearly two decades in the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United Nations agricultural agency is calling for emergency food assistance, as well as irrigation and farming equipment, to help farmers get through the lean season.

South Sudan: UN agency scales up cholera response with 500,000 doses of oral vaccine

Jul 21, 2017, at 04:56 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): The United Nations health agency is scaling up cholera response in South Sudan, where 17,785 cases, including 320 deaths, have been reported since the outbreak in June 2106.

Cost of feeding hungry world surging due to conflicts and instability – UN agency

Jul 21, 2017, at 04:55 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): Improved aid access, strengthened resilience and advances in food system networks could provide as much as $3.5 billion in annual cost savings at a time when humanitarian needs are skyrocketing in multiple complex emergencies across the globe, a new United Nations study has found.

Blacks in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) identify them only by their skin tone: Study

Jul 20, 2017, at 05:42 pm

Toronto, July 20 (IBNS): A major study to explore the experiences of Black people staying in GTA (Greater Toronto Area) found that a majority of the blacks identified themselves by their skin colour instead of heritage or origin, media reports said.

More flexibility and mobility for UN peacekeepers in DR Congo – senior official says

Jul 20, 2017, at 06:27 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is changing how it operates to become more flexible and mobile, the head of that mission on Wednesday said, by focusing on rapid deployment of troops and air surveillance instead of fixed bases.

UN reports more people warned against tobacco use, but industry interference continues

Jul 20, 2017, at 06:26 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): Despite measures protecting a majority of people from tobacco-related illness and death, the tobacco industry continues to hamper Government efforts to fully implement life and cost-saving interventions, the United Nations health agency on Wednesday reported.

UN chief welcomes Seoul’s proposal to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang

Jul 20, 2017, at 06:25 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday welcomed the move by the Republic of Korea to lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula, his spokesperson said.

International community needs to 'change narrative' about Africa – UN chief Guterres

Jul 20, 2017, at 06:24 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): Briefing the Security Council on their strengthened collaboration, top officials from the African Union (AU) and the United Nations on Wednesday highlighted their joint work on peace and security in the Gambia, Somalia and South Sudan, as well as other African countries, and urged adequate, timely and predictable funding.

UN refugee agency 'shocked' by reported airstrike and casualties in Yemen

Jul 20, 2017, at 06:23 am

New York, July 20(Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency on Wednesday said that it is “deeply shocked and saddened” at reports of the deaths and injuries of internally displaced persons in an aerial attack on the embattled Mawza district in Yemen's Taizz governorate.

New assessment identifies global hotspots for water conflict, finds study

Jul 20, 2017, at 02:04 am

New York, July 19 (IBNS): More than 1,400 new dams or water diversion projects are planned or already under construction and many of them are on rivers flowing through multiple nations, fueling the potential for increased water conflict between some countries.

Woman arrested for wearing 'immodest' clothes in Saudi Arabia

Jul 19, 2017, at 07:53 pm

Riyadh, July 19 (IBNS): Saudi police arrested a woman for wearing 'immodest' clothes in public and taking a tour of a historic fort in the national capital, reports said.

Italy: Two die trying to rescue victims

Jul 19, 2017, at 04:34 pm

Brindisi, Jul 19 (IBNS): Two persons, a Briton and an Italian died at an Italian beach while trying to rescue the former's daughter and father from a strong current, reports said.

UN rights expert warns torture routinely used against Sri Lankan security suspects

Jul 19, 2017, at 10:07 am

New York, July 19(Just Earth News): Concluding a five-day visit to Sri Lanka, a United Nations independent human right expert on Tuesday noted “routine and endemic” use of torture against people detained on national security grounds.

On Nelson Mandela Day, UN celebrates South African leader’s service to humanity

Jul 19, 2017, at 10:06 am

New York, July 19(Just Earth News): Marking what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 99th birthday, the United Nations on Tuesday honoured his lifetime of service and dedication to justice and equality.

Libya: UN rights arm sounds alarm for safety of prisoners at imminent risk of torture

Jul 19, 2017, at 10:05 am

New York, July 19(Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights arm on Tuesday voiced deep concern for the safety of individuals taken prisoner by members of the Libyan army after recent fighting in Benghazi, noting that they may be at imminent risk of torture and even summary execution.

UNESCO chief calls for probe into killing of Honduran video journalist in Mexico

Jul 19, 2017, at 10:05 am

New York, July 19(Just Earth News): The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom on Tuesday called for an investigation into the recent murder of a Honduran journalist in Mexico.

Not the time for a 'blame game,' urges UN Special Advisor on Cyprus

Jul 19, 2017, at 10:04 am

New York, July 19(Just Earth News): Speaking to the media following his briefing to the United Nations Security Council, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, urged all sides to work collectively and to build on the achievements thus far.

UN deputy chief highlights importance of public institutions in reaching development goals

Jul 19, 2017, at 10:03 am

New York, July 19(Just Earth News): United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Tuesday urged public institutions to embrace the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, reduce inequality and end tackle climate change.

UN and partners call for nearly $24 million in emergency aid for the Congo's Pool region

Jul 19, 2017, at 10:02 am

New York, July 19(Just Earth News): United Nations, the Republic of Congo's Government and humanitarian partners on Tuesday appealed for $23.7 million to aid Congolese in the area of southern Brazzaville known as “the Pool”, where fighting and insecurity has displaced one out of every three people.

Children increasingly targeted for murder, rape in Central African Republic – UNICEF

Jul 19, 2017, at 04:16 am

New York, July 18(Just Earth News): Renewed fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) is increasingly targeting children, while there are concerns that the humanitarian needs in the country could escalate to levels not seen since the crisis four years ago, United Nations humanitarian officials on Wednesday said.

Japanese YouTube star Piko Taro makes first UN appearance, promotes Global Goals

Jul 19, 2017, at 04:15 am

New York, July 18(Just Earth News): Japanese entertainer Piko Taro, famous for his “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” (PPAP) viral music video, has joined the ranks of celebrities who promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on behalf of Governments, the United Nations, civil society and other actors in the global development community.

Despite some improvements, food security remains dire in Syria – UN agencies

Jul 19, 2017, at 04:15 am

New York, July 18(Just Earth News): In spite of improvements in wheat production in war-torn Syria – about 12 per cent more than last year's record low – the overall food security situation remains far worse than before the conflict, the United Nations food security and emergency food relief agencies have said.

As ‘drivers’ of innovation, youth need skills and capacity – UN General Assembly President

Jul 18, 2017, at 01:43 pm

New York, July 18(Just Earth News): Underscoring the importance of well trained and capable youth to realize the opportunities offered by advances in technology and innovation, the President of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday called for building their capacities to ensure that they can fulfil their potential as well as support sustainable development.

Global problems need global solutions, UN officials tell ministers at development forum

Jul 18, 2017, at 01:42 pm

New York, July 18(Just Earth News): Opening the high-level segment of the annual forum designed to discuss implementation of the anti-poverty agenda, top United Nations officials on Monday stressed the importance of multilateralism to address global problems.

UN rights group concludes evaluation of Palestinians living under occupation

Jul 18, 2017, at 01:39 pm

New York, July 18(Just Earth News): A committee of United Nations experts has completed its annual evaluation of the situation of people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, hearing serious concerns about Israel’s human rights record, including the deteriorating situation in Gaza, inadequate protection for detained children and increasing obstacles being faced by human rights defenders and journalists.