Amid battle for Mosul, ISIL forcing civilians ‘squarely in harm’s way,’ UN rights wing warns

Nov 30, 2016, at 05:27 am

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): As the Iraqi military intensifies its operations to wrest Mosul from terrorists, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday warned that it continues to receive reports of “serious breaches” of international human rights and humanitarian law by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) in and around the war-torn city.

‘Urgent steps’ needed to revive two-state solution, Ban says on Day of Solidarity with Palestinian people

Nov 30, 2016, at 05:26 am

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the world to reaffirm commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and working to build a future of peace, justice, security and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Syria: Amid ‘chilling’ situation in Aleppo, 16,000 flee intense fighting, UN aid chief warns

Nov 30, 2016, at 05:25 am

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): Citing preliminary reports that that up to 16,000 people have fled fighting in the eastern neighbourhoods of Syria’s Aleppo city, the United Nations humanitarian chief on Tuesday warned that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should the attacks spread and escalate over the coming days.

Ban voices deep concerns over renewed violence in the Central African Republic

Nov 30, 2016, at 05:24 am

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): Expressing deep concerns over last week's renewed violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) that has reportedly claimed dozens of lives and displaced more than 11,000 persons – many civilians – United Nations Secretary-General has called on the armed groups to immediately and to “genuinely” commit to peace.

Plane carrying Brazilian football club team crashes in Bolivia

Nov 29, 2016, at 05:32 pm

Bogota, Nov 29 (IBNS) : A plane carrying 72 people, including the members of a Brazilian football team, , has crashed in Colombia, reports said.

‘Hang on to every little glimmer of hope,’ says UN envoy for South Sudan

Nov 29, 2016, at 12:56 pm

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): All people in South Sudan, regardless of their ethnic affiliation, must unite towards creating a national identify, the head of the United Nations mission there urged on Monday, underscoring the potential of the resource-rich African country to prosper despite its ongoing challenges.

Central African Republic: Half the population needs humanitarian support, says UN

Nov 29, 2016, at 12:55 pm

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): With nearly half the population in the Central African Republic (CAR) in need of humanitarian assistance, some $400 million is required over the coming year to shore up relief efforts that will be critical “to save the lives of people who are among the poorest and most forgotten on this planet,” a senior United Nations official said on Monday.

UN committee on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage opens session in Ethiopia

Nov 29, 2016, at 12:54 pm

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): More than 300 artists and performers showcased the wealth of Ethiopia’s intangible cultural heritage in Addis Ababa on Sunday ahead of on Monday’s opening of the 11th session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

‘Massive efforts’ under way in flood-hit northern DPRK require additional support – UN

Nov 29, 2016, at 12:53 pm

New York, Nov 29 (Just Earth News): While nearly 12,000 families in northern Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) have moved into new houses three months after devastating Typhoon Lionrock destroyed their homes, the United Nations is reporting that this “massive effort” still needs additional support so damaged water networks can be repaired and essential medicines and nutritious foods can be provided.

UN agencies scaling up emergency health services as Mosul is made accessible

Nov 29, 2016, at 05:06 am

New York, Nov 28 (Just Earth News): United Nations agencies are rapidly scaling up efforts in eastern Mosul to ensure that more than 60,000 people living near the frontlines of the current military operations have access to life-saving care.

Refugees in Chad facing continued food insecurity, joint UN agency assessment reveals

Nov 29, 2016, at 05:04 am

New York, Nov 28 (Just Earth News): A joint assessment by the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), has revealed that 43 per cent of refugees who have been living in Chad for more than 10 years continue to face a precarious food security situation and require assistance.

With 500,000 children living under siege in Syria, UNICEF calls for humanitarian access

Nov 29, 2016, at 05:02 am

New York, Nov 28 (Just Earth News): As the number of children living under siege has doubled in less than one year to nearly 500,000 amid escalating violence across Syria, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for lifting sieges and allowing immediate humanitarian access.

UNESCO to host international conference on Great migratory movements in history: the case Asia Minor

Nov 29, 2016, at 03:32 am

Paris, Nov 28 (IBNS): UNESCO will host an international conference on 'Great Migrations in Ancient Asia Minor: Circulation, Exchange and Social Transformation' at its Headquarters in Paris, from Nov 29 to 30.

Paul Nuttall appointed as UKIP leader

Nov 29, 2016, at 01:35 am

London, Nov 28 (IBNS): British political party United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) on Monday named Member of European Parliament Paul Nuttall as its new leader.

UN conference examines sustainable transport financing for developing countries

Nov 28, 2016, at 04:32 am

New York, Nov 27 (Just Earth News): The first-ever United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference wrapped up on Sunday in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, with participants deliberating the needs of countries in special situations – mostly least developed countries – and avenues for financing sustainable transport.

As Cuba mourns passing of former President Fidel Castro, Ban offers condolences, UN support

Nov 27, 2016, at 06:41 am

New York, Nov 27 (Just Earth News): Speaking on behalf of the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this morning extended condolences to the Cuban people and to the family of former President Fidel Castro Ruz, who passed away overnight at the age of 90.

'The answer to global transportation challenges is not less transport – it is sustainable transport' – UN chief

Nov 27, 2016, at 06:40 am

New York, Nov 27 (Just Earth News): Opening the first-ever Global Sustainable Transport Conference, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told delegations gathered in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, that the world has the resolve, commitment, imagination and creativity “to transform our transport systems in a sustainable manner that will improve human wellbeing, enhance social progress and protect our planet.”

Somalia: At least 11 dead in car bomb blast in Mogadishu market

Nov 27, 2016, at 03:50 am

Mogadishu, Nov 26 (IBNS): At least 11 people have died and 16 sustained injuries following a car bomb blast in a market in Mogadishu, reports said.

Iran: Two trains collide, 45 killed

Nov 26, 2016, at 09:42 pm

Tehran, Nov 26 (IBNS): At least 45 people were killed as two trains collided in Iran on Friday, media reports said on Saturday.

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro dies, aged 90

Nov 26, 2016, at 05:34 pm

Havana, Nov 26 (IBNS): Former Cuban President and communism poster boy for decades, Fidel Castro breathed his last on Saturday, according to Cuban state TV.

UN, global community back efforts of Somalia’s electoral bodies to ensure credible, legitimate polls

Nov 26, 2016, at 12:53 pm

New York, Nov 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations and other members of the international community have commended the efforts of Somalia’s electoral bodies to ensure a credible and legitimate electoral process and supported the bodies’ decisions to disqualify candidates who engaged in corruption, intimidation and manipulation in the ongoing parliamentary elections.

Violence against women ‘serious obstacle’ to sustainable development, Ban says on World Day

Nov 26, 2016, at 12:52 pm

New York, Nov 26 (Just Earth News): Underlining that violence against women and girls is not only a human rights violation but also a serious obstacle to sustainable development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for “meaningful” action to prevent and respond to such violence.

DR Congo: UN envoy calls on political stakeholders to show flexibility to aid election process

Nov 26, 2016, at 12:51 pm

New York, Nov 26 (Just Earth News): Wrapping up a visit to Africa’s Great Lakes region, a United Nations envoy on Friday urged stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) electoral process to do more to help ensure the country is able to hold peaceful elections.

UN conference to address way forward on global sustainable transport challenges

Nov 26, 2016, at 12:49 pm

New York, Nov 26 (Just Earth News): The first-ever global conference on sustainable transport takes place this weekend in Turkmenistan, bringing together representatives from the United Nations, governments, the private sector and civil society to set new directions for global transport efforts.

More than 729,000 Haitians vaccinated against cholera in UN-supported campaign

Nov 26, 2016, at 12:48 pm

New York, Nov 26 (Just Earth News): A Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/ United Nations World Health Organization (WHO)-backed vaccination campaign has reached more than 729,000 people in Haiti’s areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew, which hit the country last month, the health agencies said.

DPR Korea: With victims’ suffering ‘enormous,’ urgent solution needed –UN rights expert

Nov 26, 2016, at 12:47 pm

New York, Nov 26 (Just Earth News): Wrapping up a 10-day visit to Northeast Asia, a United Nations human rights expert on Friday called for a multi-faceted and people-centred approach to improve the “extremely complex” situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

UN refugee agency steps up support as winter bites for displaced in Iraq and Syria

Nov 26, 2016, at 12:46 pm

New York, Nov 26 (Just Earth News): With winter approaching and temperatures falling, the United Nations refugee agency is preparing to open more camps and increase life-saving assistance to support the nearly 15 million people displaced by fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Central African Republic: UN envoy calls for protecting civilians as scores killed in ethnic violence

Nov 26, 2016, at 12:45 pm

New York, Nov 26 (Just Earth News): Condemning the recent outbreak of ethnic violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) that has killed scores of people, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide has called for an immediate end to the hostilities and urged the authorities to take urgent measures to protect the population from further violence, regardless of their ethnicity or political affiliation.

Fundamentalism and populism pose deepening threat to women human rights defenders, UN experts warn

Nov 26, 2016, at 03:01 am

New York, Nov 25 (Just Earth News): Women who step up to defend human rights are facing worsening obstacles amid a global trend of fundamentalism and populism, a group of United Nations experts has warned.

UN chief welcomes new peace deal between Colombian Government and FARC-EP

Nov 25, 2016, at 01:55 pm

New York, Nov 25 (Just Earth News): Welcoming the signing on Thursday of the new peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed the hope that Colombians will "come together at this time to move the peace process forward."