Statement by the NATO Secretary General on Mullah Akhtar Mansur
May 23, 2016, at 07:00 pm
Brussels, May 23 (IBNS) The Government of Afghanistan and the US Government have confirmed that an operation by US forces resulted in the death of Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansur.
At least 17 killed in Thailand school dormitory fire
May 23, 2016, at 04:41 pm
Chiang Rai, Thailand, May 23 (IBNS) At least 17 girl students were killed in a Thailand school dormitory on Sunday evening, as fire devoured the facility, according to reports.
May 23, 2016, at 12:51 pm
New York, May 23 (Just Earth News): Just hours away from the opening of the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), United Nations senior officials on Sunday highlighted that the global event is to serve as a wake-up call for action in the service of common humanity, providing a launch pad for new initiatives.
WHS: at screening of new Sean Penn film, Ban says movie industry can spotlight humanitarian work
May 23, 2016, at 12:49 pm
New York, May 23 (Just Earth News): Spotlighting a new film by director Sean Penn, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday underlined the importance of the entertainment industry to help raise awareness about the state of humanitarian affairs worldwide.
On International Day, UN highlights biodiversity's role in underpinning development
May 23, 2016, at 12:48 pm
New York, May 23 (Just Earth News): Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it supports are the foundations for life on Earth and the livelihoods and well-being of people everywhere, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday on the International Day for Biological Diversity, as he urged the international community to preserve and sustainably manage the variety of life on the planet.
'Together, we can move from aspiration to action,' Ban tells global, regional leaders in Qatar
May 22, 2016, at 01:16 pm
New York, May 22 (Just Earth News):With the Doha Forum meeting “at a time of fragility and vulnerability,†United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday that while progress on the UN's 2030 Agenda is crucial to usher in sustainability and equity, more must be done now to end conflict and suffering.
In Cairo, UN Security Council consults with Arab League on regional, global issues
May 22, 2016, at 01:14 pm
New York, May 22 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council on Saturday held an unprecedented consultative meeting in Cairo with delegations of member States of the League of Arab States, discussing, among others, developments of the Palestinian issue, the Middle East peace process, updates on the situation in both Libya and Somalia.
Venezuelan Government and opposition should address challenges through dialogue – Ban
May 22, 2016, at 01:13 pm
New York, May 22 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon continues to follow events in Venezuela and is encouraged by the ongoing initiatives by former Heads of State and Government to promote dialogue between the Government of Venezuela and the opposition, under the auspices of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
On World Day, UN hails potential of cultural diversity to boost development
May 22, 2016, at 01:11 pm
New York, May 22 (Just Earth News):Cultural diversity is an outstanding source of exchange, innovation and creativity, and has the enormous potential to accelerate sustainable development, the United Nations cultural agency declared on Saturday.
VIDEO: Afghan cyclists bring message of peace to UN Headquarters
May 21, 2016, at 01:56 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):On a round-the-world trip to promote peace that included cycling 7,000 miles from Istanbul, an Afghan father and son arrived Friday morning at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the final destination of the first leg of this epic journey.
Ban urges UN system to bolster support for indigenous peoples, as annual forum concludes
May 21, 2016, at 01:54 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):Much has been achieved to improve the rights of indigenous peoples, but conflicts on their lands and territories, and the lack of inclusion of their voices in peace processes, remain a challenge, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday at the closing of a two-week forum.
On Day of Vesak, UN chief says Buddhism can help enlighten world about pressing issues
May 21, 2016, at 01:51 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):Observing the Day of Vesak, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted how the teachings of Buddhism can help the international community tackle pressing challenges, including mass population movements, violent conflicts, atrocious human rights abuses and hateful rhetoric aimed at dividing communities.
May 21, 2016, at 01:50 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):One of the expected outcomes of the first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), which will take place next week in Istanbul, Turkey, is a commitment from the international community to dedicate more resources to prevent and reduce human suffering.
Ban ‘saddened’ by EgyptAir flight crash
May 21, 2016, at 01:47 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is “deeply saddened†by the crash of EgyptAir’s flight MS804 yesterday, his spokesman said on Friday in a statement.
UN conference spotlights role of tourism in fighting poverty and building peace
May 21, 2016, at 01:46 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):Tourism plays a crucial role in lifting people out of poverty and building peace, participants from more than 100 countries gathered at a United Nations conference in Beijing, China, this week have said, calling for greater efforts to step up international cooperation in that regard.
Zika ‘on doorstep of Africa,’ UN health agency warns after virus confirmed in Cabo Verde
May 21, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News): The United Nations health agency on Friday confirmed that the Zika virus strain circulating in Cabo Verde, an island nation off the northwest coast of Africa, is the same as the one responsible for the outbreaks linked to neurological disorders and microcephaly in South America.
With hottest April on record, streak of above-average global temperatures continues – UN
May 21, 2016, at 01:43 pm
New York, May 21 (Just Earth News):Global temperature records were broken yet again in April for the 12th consecutive month, the longest such streak since global record-taking began in 1880, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported on Friday.
Refugee children are five times more likely to be out of school than others – UN report
May 21, 2016, at 01:42 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News): Just 50 percent of refugee children are in primary school and 25 per cent of refugee adolescents are in secondary school, a new policy paper released on Friday by two United Nations agencies has found.
UN rights office ‘appalled’ by Iran’s sentencing of anti-death penalty campaigner
May 21, 2016, at 01:40 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):The United Nations human rights arm on Friday denounced Iran’s sentencing of an already-imprisoned human right defender, Nargis Mohammadi, to 16 years in prison, calling for the immediate release of her and all those detained for merely exercising their human rights.
Ecuador: month after quake, humanitarian needs acute; many without roof over heads – UN
May 21, 2016, at 01:39 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News): One month after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that claimed the lives of over 650 people in north-western Ecuador, humanitarian needs remain acute there, as 73,000 people have been displaced, 15,000 people have lost their identity documents, and 17,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly from Colombia, who lived in the stricken areas were also affected, the United Nations refugee agency said on Friday.
UN rights office urges Mexican authorities to pursue investigation into extrajudicial killings
May 21, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):The United Nations human rights office on Friday reiterated a call for the Government of Mexico to ensure a prompt and thorough investigation into a series of alleged summary executions and human rights violations committed by authorities almost two years ago.
EgyptAir crash: Passengers' belongings found, search on for black box
May 21, 2016, at 05:19 am
Cairo, May 20 (IBNS): The Egyptian Navy on Friday informed that more parts of the crashed EgyptAir plane with 66 people onboard have been found, media reports said.
EgyptAir wreckage found in Mediterranean
May 20, 2016, at 09:04 pm
Debris from the missing EgyptAir plane has been found in the Mediterranean sea, 180 miles north of the coastal city of Alexandria, media reports quoted the Egyptian military as saying on Friday.
Ahead of end of UN forum, participation of indigenous people in development targets urged
May 20, 2016, at 12:34 pm
New York, May 20(Just Earth News): As the 2016 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues prepares to close on Friday, three participants in the session on Thursday underscored the importance of solidifying the participation of indigenous people in UN mechanisms to ensure that they are not left behind in the achievement of sustainable development targets.
Syria: credibility of peace talks at risk without renewed truce, aid access, UN envoy warns
May 20, 2016, at 12:33 pm
New York, May 20(Just Earth News): Without improved humanitarian access and a restoration of Syria’s cessation of hostilities, the credibility of the next round of peace talks would be in question, the United Nations envoy mediating the talks said on Thursday, vowing to take the "last resort" option of air drops if there is no improvement in access to besieged areas by the first of June.
World Humanitarian Summit can build support for disability-inclusive aid responses – UN expert
May 20, 2016, at 12:31 pm
New York, May 20(Just Earth News): Speaking ahead of the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit taking place in Istanbul next week, a United Nations human rights expert has urged all countries to take into account the rights and needs of persons with disabilities in their humanitarian responses.’
Security Council concludes visit to Somalia; urges swift approval of electoral model
May 20, 2016, at 12:30 pm
New York, May 20(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council concluded a one-day visit to Somalia on Thursday by reaffirming its solidarity with the country’s people and Government and reiterating its calls to the federal parliament to legalize the 2016 electoral model as soon as possible.
UN study urges governments to develop guidelines that promote ‘win-win’ diets
May 20, 2016, at 12:28 pm
New York, May 20(Just Earth News): Only a handful of governments have issued guidelines promoting “win-win†diets that can help tackle two of the most urgent challenges of on Thursday: securing good nutrition for all and protecting the environment, according to a new study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) published on Thursday.
May 20, 2016, at 12:27 pm
New York, May 20(Just Earth News): On 31 May 1994, as Rwanda was descending into chaos, Captain Mbaye Diagne, a military observer at the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMIR), was in the capital, Kigali, driving back to the base when a mortar fell near his vehicle. Just 12 days from finishing up his service, he died instantly.
Four schools or hospitals in crisis zones attacked or occupied every day – UNICEF
May 20, 2016, at 12:26 pm
New York, May 20(Just Earth News): An average of four schools or hospitals are attacked or occupied by armed forces and groups every day, according to analysis released on Thursday by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit.