Nigeria: Several killed in gas plant explosion
Dec 25, 2015, at 10:39 pm
Nnewi , Dec 25 (IBNS): A blast at a gas plant in south-eastern Nigeria has left several people dead, media reports said on Friday.
Central African Republic polls now scheduled for 30 December, UN reports
Dec 25, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Dec 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The presidential and legislative elections that had been scheduled to take place this Sunday in the Central African Republic (CAR) will now be held on 30 December 2015, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country reported today.
Syria: UN condemns archaeological destruction at major World Heritage site of Bosra
Dec 25, 2015, at 02:22 pm
New York, Dec 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday condemned the destruction of parts of the ancient Syrian city of Bosra in fighting two days ago, alerting the world art market to potential trafficking in artefacts from the World Heritage site.
UN refugee agency seeks to protect displaced gays, lesbians as they face prejudice, violence
Dec 25, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Dec 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) With lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons in forced displacement facing discrimination, prejudice, violence and other hurdles as they seek asylum, the United Nations refugee agency has rolled out the most comprehensive training package of its kind globally to enhance their protection.
As Libya marks 64th independence anniversary, UN envoy urges unity behind new Government
Dec 25, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Dec 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) A week after brokering an accord for a national unity government in strife-torn Libya, the top United Nations envoy for the country urged all Libyans to use today’s 64th independence anniversary to put their differences behind them and unite behind the new inclusive institutions.
Hailing political accord, Security Council urges international aid against terrorist groups in Libya
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Welcoming the newly signed United Nations-brokered accord for a national unity government in Libya, the Security Council on Wednesday urged the parties to implement its terwithin the 30-day time limit, and called on the world community to provide all necessary aid to defeat terrorist groups.
New appointments announced for UN missions in Mali and Kosovo
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday appointed Mahamat Saleh Annadif of Chad as the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, and Christopher Coleman of the United States as the deputy head of the world body’s mission in Kosovo.
Yemen: Security Council deeply concerned by cessation of hostilities' violations
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The Security Council on Wednesday expressed "deep concern" over the number of violations of Yemen’s cessation of hostilities agreement and urged all parties to adhere to the accord and exercise maximum restraint following the adjournment of peace talks until January 2016.
Burundi should allow in investigators, says UN adviser on preventing genocide
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:11 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, has called on the Government of Burundi to allow an independent team to investigate "seriously" whether external elements are involved in alleged atrocities in the central African nation, saying "it is key that impunity no longer prevails in Burundi."
World Tsunami Awareness Day welcome boost for disaster risk reduction - UN official
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS)The head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction on Wednesday welcomed the resolution adopted by the General Assembly recognizing 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day.
UN Year in Review 2015 looks back at 'pivotal year' for international community
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:09 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS)The year 2015, in which the United Nations celebrated its 70th anniversary, was "pivotal" – in the words of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon – marked by major achievements, including the adoption of a long-term global sustainable development agenda and crowned by the UN climate conference which committed every nation on Earth to do its part in combatting global warming.
Conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon worsen considerably, UN reports
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Some 70 per cent of the over 1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon now live below the Lebanese extreme poverty line, a big rise over 2014, and food insecurity is mounting, the United Nations reported on Wednesday , calling for greater access to the domestic labour market to mitigate the crisis.
Central African Republic: ICC Prosecutor warns against election-related violence, atrocity crimes
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) As the Central African Republic (CAR) prepares for general elections, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said on Wednesday that her Office will record any instance of violence and that anyone committing atrocity crimes will be held accountable.
Cambodia: UN agency urges dialogue to resolve labour dispute in Special Economic Zones
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) on Wednesday called on Cambodian workers, trade unions, Government and employers to engage in dialogue to resolve a confrontation in the Special Economic Zones in Bavet City and enable a return to work.
Ban extends condolences to people, Government of China in wake of devastating landslide
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesdayextended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating landslide in Shenzhen and expressed his solidarity with the people and Government of China.
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Adopting a new resolution today, the Security Council welcomed the completion of judicial work of the United Nations tribunal set up in the wake of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, following delivery of the court’s last judgment on 14 December and its impending closure, set for 31 December 2015.
With parties 'deeply divided over path to peace,' Yemen faces Balkanization, Security Council warned
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The Security Council must act now to end the fighting in Yemen or face the irreversible Balkanization of the country, creating safe havens for terrorists and potentially shattering regional stability, the United Nations human rights chief warned on Tuesday.
Security Council approves six-month extension of UN observer force on Golan Heights
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The Security Council on Tuesdayextended the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for six months, until 30 June 2016, underscoring the need for the Force to have at its disposal all necessary means to carry out its mandate safely and securely, “including technology and equipment to enhance its observation of the area of separation and the ceasefire line, and to improve force protection, as appropriate.
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:02 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) World Food Programme (WFP) trucks have begun distributing 1,300 tons of food to Libyans in dire need of assistance, but with nine days left in the year, the United Nations aid plan for more than 2.4 million people for 2016 has received zero funding, the top UN humanitarian official in the strife-torn country said on Tuesday.
Ban, concerned over political uncertainty in Haiti, urges transfer of power through polls
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:00 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his concern on Tuesdayover growing political uncertainty in Haiti and urged the two candidates in the presidential run-off there to help the electoral process move forward while preserving the country’s democratic gains.
Syria: Security Council demands immediate humanitarian access across battle lines
Dec 23, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) In its first resolution on Syria since granting the United Nations an enhanced role in seeking to end the five-year-long war, the Security Council on Tuesdaydemanded that all parties, particularly the Syrian authorities, immediately open routes across conflict lines and borders to let in vital humanitarian aid.
Refugees and migrants fleeing to Europe in 2015 top unprecedented one million- UN
Dec 23, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The number of refugees and migrants fleeing to Europe in 2015 has topped an unprecedented one million – at least 3,600 died or went missing in the crossings – the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported today, calling for much more to be done to receive and aid those uprooted by persecution, conflict and poverty.
Nigeria's Boko Haram insurgency forces one million children from school - UNICEF
Dec 23, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Violence and attacks against civilian populations in northeastern Nigeria and its neighbouring countries have forced “a staggering†one million children out of school in a conflict that has dealt “a huge blow for education in the region,†the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Tuesday.
Malaysia gets its first Sharia compliant airline
Dec 22, 2015, at 06:05 pm
Kuala Lumpur, Dec 22 (IBNS) Malaysia's Rayani Air who started operations on Sunday, has become the first Sharia compliant airline in the country.
Amid dire humanitarian situation, some 2.5 million now internally displaced in Yemen - UN
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:27 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The situation in Yemen has substantially deteriorated since the conflict broke out in early 2015, with a nine per cent increase in the internally displaced persons (IDPs), which have reached 2.5 million, according to a recent United Nations-backed report on the issue.
Syria: Senior UN officials paint grim picture as Government, allies reportedly attack hospitals
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:26 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS)Hospitals, markets and bakeries have been hit, scores of civilians are killed and injured almost daily, and doctors themselves have become targets in escalating fighting and airstrikes in Syria, reportedly by the Government and its allies, a senior United Nations relief official reported on Monday, voicing outrage.
Lebanon: Ban condemns rocket fire towards Israel as 'serious ceasefire violation,' urges restraint
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced great concern on Monday over yesterday's firing of rockets from South Lebanon towards Israel, calling it "a serious violation" of the ceasefire, noted Israel's retaliatory mortar attack, and urged maximum restraint.
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:22 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency, together with two European partners, urged Hungary on Monday to refrain from policies and practices that promote intolerance, fear and fuel xenophobia against refugees and migrants, including a campaign running through Christmas and into the New Year.
Syrian journalist's murder denounced by UNESCO chief
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:20 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations agency responsible for defending the freedom of the media on Monday denounced the murder of a Syrian journalist from an organization reporting on human rights abuses in the area of the country controlled by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
UN agencies collaborate to help Sudan mitigate climate change while combatting hunger
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:18 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Two United Nations entities on Monday announced a cooperation agreement to help Sudan manage its natural resources in a way that is compatible with combatting hunger and improving livelihoods while at the same time mitigating the effects of climate change.