Indonesia: UN rights chief urges region's 'most prolific executioner' to end practice
Jul 28, 2016, at 04:35 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday expressed alarm at reports that up to 14 people face imminent execution in Indonesia, most of them for drug-related offences, calling on the authorities of “the most prolific executioner†in Southeast Asia to immediately reinstate a moratorium on the death penalty.
FEATURE: 'We all have to do what we can' to prevent
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:48 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): The United Nations has a “zero tolerance†policy towards sexual abuse by anyone working under the blue flag.
Syria: UN envoy aims for peace talks to resume in late August
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:47 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy mediating a resolution to the five-year crisis in Syria said on Tuesday he aims to convene a new round of intra-Syrian peace talks towards the end of August, and expressed hope that the United States and Russia would make “concrete progress†in order to improve the atmosphere for the resumption of the discussions.
UN agency appeals for added funds for return of Somali refugees from Dadaab camp
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:46 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday appealed to donors for an additional $115.4 million to fund the voluntary return and reintegration of Somali refugees from Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp.
Temperature in Kuwait hits 54 Celsius, sets possible record amid Middle East heatwave – UN
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:44 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a United Nations specialized agency, will set up a committee to examine whether a 54 degrees Celsius temperature recently recorded in Kuwait, has set the new highest temperature for Asia, as well as for the entire Eastern hemisphere.
Gender equality, women's empowerment central to Colombian peace process – UN officials
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:42 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): Two senior United Nations officials on Tuesday underscored that the centrality of women to the Colombian peace process, as shown by the 'historic commitment' by the Government and Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) at the Havana Peace Talks Table, must be reinforced in the final agreement and, more importantly, during the implementation phase.
Recent attacks on hospitals in Aleppo 'can amount to war crimes' – UNICEF
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:41 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reiterated on Tuesday that attacks on health facilities are a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and can amount to war crimes, in response to the recent airstrikes on four hospitals and a blood bank in eastern Aleppo city in Syria.
On first International Day, UNESCO calls for protection of mangrove ecosystems
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:40 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): Mangroves are rare and vital ecosystems that help to protect coastlines and mitigate the effects of climate change, but their survival is being jeopardized, the United Nations cultural agency said on Tuesday, calling for greater preservation efforts as the international community marks the first ever International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
Security Council extends UN Central African Republic Mission through 2017
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:38 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News):The Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic (CAR) until 15 November 2017, keeping an authorized troop ceiling of 10,750 military personnel intact and providing time for the mission to assess the post-transition process in the country.
Security Council extends UN mission in Cyprus for six months
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:37 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for six months, until 31 January 2017, and welcomed the progress of the negotiations between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to reach a comprehensive settlement.
Thailand: UN rights expert warns against curbs on free speech ahead of major vote
Jul 27, 2016, at 11:35 am
New York, July 27 (Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights expert on freedom of opinion and expression has condemned recent Government clampdown over public and social media expressions in Thailand ahead of a constitutional referendum scheduled for 7 August.
Executions in Indonesia will put Jokowi on the wrong side of history: Amnesty International
Jul 27, 2016, at 04:09 am
Jakarta, July 26 (IBNS): Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as 'Jokowi' will be putting his government on the wrong side of history if he proceeds with a fresh round of executions, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.
Some 4,000 South Sudanese fleeing into Uganda daily – UN warns
Jul 27, 2016, at 02:51 am
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): Recent fighting in South Sudan has forced 37,491 people to flee to Uganda in the past three weeks, averaging more than 4,000 a day in the past week, the United Nations refugee agency warned on Tuesday.
Somalia: UN envoy strongly condemns terrorist attack near Mogadishu airport
Jul 27, 2016, at 02:50 am
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Somalia has strongly condemned on Tuesday's terrorist attack in the vicinity of Mogadishu International Airport that killed at least a dozen people.
Doctor killed by patient in Germany hospital
Jul 27, 2016, at 02:36 am
Berlin, July 26 (IBNS): A patient allegedly killed his doctor at the Benjamin Franklin hospital in Germany's Berlin city on Tuesday, media reports said.
ISIS claims responsibility for French church attack
Jul 26, 2016, at 11:17 pm
Pairs, July 26 (IBNS): Militant group ISIS on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the attack carried out at a church in France.
Mogadishu: Airport blasts kill over 10
Jul 26, 2016, at 09:23 pm
Mogadishu, July 26 (IBNS): Two car bomb attacks close to the airport in Mogadishu city of Somalia have killed more than 10 people, media reports said.
One hostage killed in France church attack, two attackers shot dead
Jul 26, 2016, at 09:02 pm
Paris, July 26 (IBNS) One hostage was killed and two men armed with blades were shot dead by French police after they took several people hostage in a church in northern France on Tuesday, media reports said.
France: Hostage-takers at church killed
Jul 26, 2016, at 08:34 pm
Paris, July 26 (IBNS): Two gunmen, who had taken hostages at a church close to Rouen in northern France on Tuesday, have been killed, media reports said.
Knife -wielding attacker kills 19 in Japan's mental health care facility
Jul 26, 2016, at 08:31 pm
Tokyo, July 26 (IBNS): At least 19 people were killed as a knife-wielding man attacked a a residential mental health care facility in Kanagawa Prefecture west of Japan's Tokyo city on Tuesday, media reports said.
Jul 26, 2016, at 03:18 pm
Tokyo, July 26 (IBNS): At least 19 people have been killed in a knife attack in Kanagawa Prefecture west of Japan's Tokyo city on Tuesday, media reports said.
Syria: UN aid chief calls for weekly, 48-hour humanitarian truce in Aleppo
Jul 26, 2016, at 02:09 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): Citing the alarming humanitarian conditions across Syria, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator on Monday urged fresh momentum and action to protect civilians and ensure sustained aid access “before it's too late,†including through the establishment of a weekly, 48-hour pause of the fighting in eastern Aleppo, where food supplies are expected to run out next month.
As Rio Games approach, UN calls for cessation of hostilities during 'Olympic Truce'
Jul 26, 2016, at 02:05 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): Ahead of next month's start of the Olympics in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for a worldwide cessation of hostilities and the of the President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, appealed to all UN Member States to observe the historic 'Olympic Truce' during the Games.
In Skype video chat, Ban applauds Solar Impulse pilot on remarkable journey
Jul 26, 2016, at 02:02 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Monday hailed the determination and courage of the Solar Impulse flight team as the aircraft completes its around-the-world, solar-powered journey.
UN health agency to launch new hepatitis testing guidelines ahead of World Day
Jul 26, 2016, at 02:00 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): Ahead of World Hepatitis Day – observed annually on 28 July – the United Nations health agency has said it plans to release new testing guidelines for hepatitis B and C, among other action, in an attempt to encourage testing and reach the 95 per cent of people who are not aware they are infected with the disease.
General Assembly decision makes International Organization for Migration part of UN system
Jul 26, 2016, at 01:58 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations General Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution approving an agreement to make the International Organization for Migration (IOM) part of the UN system as a related organization.
UN agency condemns Israel's closures in Hebron as 'collective punishment'
Jul 26, 2016, at 01:56 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations relief agency charged with the well-being of Palestinian refugees has said that a closure imposed by Israeli authorities in Hebron district is creating serious challenges for humanitarian access, including the delivery of medical supplies, the removal of refuse, and the daily movement of the agency's staff working inside refugee camp.
Security Council extends mandate of UN Iraq Mission for one year
Jul 26, 2016, at 01:54 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for another year, until 31 July 2017.
UN Assembly adopts resolution proclaiming Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa
Jul 26, 2016, at 01:51 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): Underlining the need for the sustainable industrialization of Africa, the United Nations General Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming the period 2016-2025 as the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa.
UN envoy condemns Israel's decision to continue settlement expansion in occupied West Bank
Jul 26, 2016, at 01:49 pm
New York, July 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations senior official coordinating efforts toward the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Monday strongly condemned the recent decision by Israeli authorities to advance plans to build some 770 housing units in the settlement of Gilo, located on occupied Palestinian land between Bethlehem and East Jerusalem.