May 18, 2016, at 01:28 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): Warning of a return to a full-scale war in Syria, an international group of diplomats reaffirmed its determination to bolster a fragile ceasefire, ensure aid reach those in need, and make progress toward a peaceful political transition, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
EU has largely ‘abandoned’ Greece to deal with migrant crisis on its own, UN expert warns
May 18, 2016, at 01:26 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): The suffering of migrants in Greece is the result of a complete absence of long-term vision and the clear lack of political will of the European Union (EU), a United Nations human rights expert said on Tuesday, warning that Greece, already struggling to cope with fiscal challenges, has been abandoned by the EU to deal with a crisis that requires a response from all countries in the region.
Iraq: UN envoy condemns string of terrorist bombings targeting crowded Baghdad markets
May 18, 2016, at 01:25 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Envoy for Iraq has strongly condemns a series of terrorist suicide bombings on Tuesday that targeted busy markets in Baghdad’s northeastern Shaab neighbourhood, Sadr City and the southern neighbourhood of Al-Rasheed, killing or wounding many civilians, including women and children.
International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia focuses on health, well-being of LGBTI people
May 18, 2016, at 01:20 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): Marking the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the United Nations on Tuesday called on the global community to take action to ensure that all people have an equal right to live healthy lives free from violence, persecution, stigma, and discrimination.
Colombia: UN chief welcomes agreement to separate children from FARC
May 18, 2016, at 01:19 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the announcement by the Colombian Government and a long-time opposition group Sunday of an agreement to separate and reintegrate children associated with the insurgent force.
May 18, 2016, at 01:18 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): Strong political commitment, action and well-functioning coordination mechanisms, fully supported by the countries of Asia and the Pacific, will be critical to ensure that “no one is left behind,†were spotlighted at the opening of the2016 session of the main United Nations policy forum in the region.
On World Telecommunication Day, UN hails role of IT in sustainable development
May 18, 2016, at 01:16 pm
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): The global sustainable development agenda recognizes the great potential of information and communication technology to accelerate human progress, bridge the digital divide and advance knowledge, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Unique education fund to be launched next week at UN World Humanitarian Summit
May 17, 2016, at 01:24 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News):At next week’s World Humanitarian Summit, more than 100 of the world’s leading countries, companies and philanthropists will join forces to create a “major breakthrough†in the effort to assist millions of children who’s education has been disrupted by conflicts and natural disasters, the United Nations envoy for education announced on Monday.
FEATURE: In Ukraine, a ‘Living Library’ helps ease tensions between displaced persons and hosts
May 17, 2016, at 01:23 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): Experiencing the story of a person displaced in Ukraine – the suffering, joys, feelings of alienation and social exclusion, but also the sense of belonging – is possible for communities hosting the displaced persons due to a United Nations project that has turned testimonies into “books†in a so-called Living Library. “People become becoming living books. They give all these stories and record them and bring them all together into a library that other people can consult,†explained Janthomas Hiemstra, Country Director in Ukraine for the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which supports the Living Library project. The project is run by a local non-government organization.
Kosovo still faces ‘hard-nosed realities,’ but is vital for European security – UN envoy
May 17, 2016, at 01:22 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): Unemployment, inequality, and the challenges of developing a productive economy to meet global development goals and overcome legacies of impunity, are among the “hard-nosed realities†facing Kosovo, the head of the United Nations political mission there said on Monday, calling for international involvement to help Kosovo’s institutions, and the wider region as a whole, overcome such obstacles.
Nearly one in five suicide bombers used by Boko Haram is now a child – UN
May 17, 2016, at 01:20 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The number of children used by Boko Haram as suicide bombers up tenfold over the past year, the United Nations humanitarian wing has reported, also warning that the group’s gunmen continue to carry out attacks on civilian and military targets despite the ramped up military operations in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Colombia: agreement to reintegrate children from FARC welcomed by UN envoy
May 17, 2016, at 01:19 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): A United Nations child rights envoy joined the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Havana, Cuba, yesterday to witness the signing of an agreement to separate and reintegrate children associated with the guerrilla force.
New guidelines on improving care for female genital mutilation issued by UN health agency
May 17, 2016, at 01:17 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News):The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday released new guidelines aimed at helping health workers provide better care to the more than 200 million girls and women worldwide living with female genital mutilation.
UN agricultural agency accord on illegal fishing set to enter into force
May 17, 2016, at 01:16 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The world’s first-ever international agreement specifically targeting illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing is set to enter into force next month, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported on Monday, highlighting the accord’s importance in efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries and responsible fish stock management globally.
UNICEF and EU launch #EmergencyLessons campaign on education in crisis zones
May 17, 2016, at 01:15 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the European Union (EU) on Monday announced the launch of a new social media-driven public awareness campaign aimed at reaching 20 million Europeans and highlighting the importance of education for children affected by emergencies.
One hundred babies born every day in areas worst hit by Ecuador quake – UNICEF
May 17, 2016, at 01:14 pm
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday reported that on average, up to 100 babies are born every day in Esmeraldas and ManabÃ, the provinces worst hit by the Ecuador earthquake.
Ban and African Union Commission welcome partial re-run of elections in Comoros
May 16, 2016, at 12:41 pm
New York, May 16 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the African Union Commission on Sunday welcomed the peaceful conduct of the partial re-run for the elections of President of Comoros and Governor of Anjouan.
Marking 'Day of Families,' Ban urges support during 'heavy toll' of crisis situations
May 16, 2016, at 12:40 pm
New York, May 16 (Just Earth News): The rise of violent extremism, the effects of forced displacement, extreme weather events and other challenges are taking a heavy toll on the health and integrity of families in crisis situations, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday, marking the International Day of Families with a call for Governments to support the crucial role of families in all their diverse forms.
UK: Controlled explosion carried out at Man U stadium, match called off
May 16, 2016, at 04:00 am
London, May 15 (IBNS): After finding a suspect package ahead of Manchester United's match against Bournemouth, controlled explosion was carried out at Old Trafford on Sunday, officials said.
Iraq: IS suicide bombers kill at least 14
May 15, 2016, at 10:38 pm
Baghdad, May 15 (IBNS) At least 14 people were killed by IS suicide bombers in an attack at a gas plant near Baghdad, according to reports.
Yemen: UN-mediated peace talks continue, with consensus on some issues
May 15, 2016, at 02:28 pm
New York, May 15 (Just Earth News):In his latest update on the Yemeni peace talks currently under way in Kuwait, the United Nations envoy for the conflict-torn country reported that the two delegations discussed proposals to bridge the gap between their respective visions, reaching consensus on some issues.
Security Council 'deeply disappointed' over failed election deadlines in Haiti
May 15, 2016, at 02:28 pm
New York, May 15 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council has expressed its deep disappointment that Haitian actors failed to meet the election and inauguration deadlines agreed upon in the February political accord, calling on all actors to ensure the prompt return to constitutional order.
Afghanistan: Four killed in suicide bombing
May 15, 2016, at 12:14 am
Kabul, May 14 (IBNS): At least four people were killed in a car suicide bombing on Afghan Local Police (ALP) academy at Nadali district of southern Helmand province in Afghanistan on Saturday, media reports said.
‘We have an agenda before us’ – UN officials reiterate need for measures against sexual abuse
May 14, 2016, at 01:56 pm
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Briefing the General Assembly on the challenges being faced and progress being made to end the exploitation and abuse by United Nations peacekeepers, senior UN officials on Friday indicated that immediate concerns have been focused on providing protection and support to the victims, and reiterated the need for collective efforts to put stronger measures in place to ensure prevention and greater accountability.
Wrapping up official visit to Portugal, Ban receives ‘Order of Liberty’ medal
May 14, 2016, at 01:54 pm
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): On the final day of his visit to Portugal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday received a medal in honour of his distinguished services to the cause of democracy and freedom.
‘Paramount importance’ for Lebanon to elect a president – UN envoy
May 14, 2016, at 01:53 pm
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS):A United Nations envoy for Lebanon reported to the Security Council on Friday on how the current political paralysis, including the two-year presidential vacuum, is negatively impacting the country’s ability to make vital decisions.
Security Council demands Boko Haram ‘immediately’ end all violence in Lake Chad Basin
May 14, 2016, at 01:51 pm
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Deeply concerned at the alarming scale of the humanitarian crisis caused by the activities of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin region, the United Nations Security Council demanded that the group “immediately and unequivocally cease all violence and all abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law.â€
Belarus: execution shows ‘callous disdain’ for international human rights law – UN experts
May 14, 2016, at 01:46 pm
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS):United Nations human rights experts on Friday condemned Belarus’ continued use of the death penalty following reports that a man whose complaint was before the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) had been executed, despite a specific request from the Committee for a stay of execution.
UN Economic and Social Council President urges coherent global action to address El Niño
May 14, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): On the heels of a United Nations special meeting on El Niño, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has emphasized the need to reduce the impact of the phenomenon by implementing agreed-upon international frameworks in a coherent manner and increasing resilience-building efforts for the development of holistic disaster risk management worldwide.
VIDEO: Sámi rapper SlinCraze encourages indigenous youth to celebrate culture
May 14, 2016, at 01:43 pm
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Rapper Nils Rune Utsi, known by his stage name SlinCraze, speaks an endangered language, lives in a tiny village on the Norwegian Arctic, and this week performed at the United Nations to draw attention to what it’s like to be a young indigenous man living in between two worlds.