New UN-backed survey reveals ‘alarming’ damage to world’s high seas and marine ecosystems

Jul 15, 2016, at 04:00 am

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): More than half of the world’s fragile coral reefs are under threat and most of our major fish stocks are now overexploited, according to the latest global assessments on the state of world’s high seas and large marine ecosystems launched on Thursday by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

UN report finds impunity for killings ‘remains rampant’ in Ukraine conflict

Jul 15, 2016, at 03:57 am

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): A new report by the United Nations human rights office released on Thursday describes widespread killings that have taken place in Ukraine since January 2014, concluding that very limited accountability has taken place.

South Sudan: UNICEF delivers life-saving aid to civilians displaced by fighting in Juba

Jul 15, 2016, at 03:55 am

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and partners are providing urgent life-saving assistance to thousands of people displaced by last weekend's heavy fighting in Juba, South Sudan, which reportedly killed some 272 people, including 33 civilians, and displaced at least 36,000 civilians.

UN mission deplores violence, loss of life following protests in Mali’s northern city of Gao

Jul 14, 2016, at 12:53 pm

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): Deploring the outbreak of violence that occurred yesterday in Gao, following a demonstration that turned violent, leaving four dead and many injured, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali is encouraging Government-led initiatives to better familiarize the population with the recently agreed peace deal.

Mali site added to List of World Heritage in Danger – UNESCO

Jul 14, 2016, at 12:51 pm

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): The Committee that establishes the locations that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, has on Wednesday added the Old Towns of Djenné in Mali to the List of World Heritage in Danger, due to insecurity, which is affecting the area and preventing the implementation of protective measures for the site.

Ban condemns assassination of former Burundian minister Mossi

Jul 14, 2016, at 12:50 pm

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the assassination earlier on Wednesday of Hafsa Mossi, former Burundian Minister for East African Community Affairs and Member of the East African Legislative Assembly, in the capital, Bujumbura.

South Sudan: Amid fears of renewed fighting, UN peacekeeping chief calls for Security Council action

Jul 14, 2016, at 12:48 pm

New York, July 14 (Just Earth News):Given the unstable security situation in South Sudan following clashes between Government and opposition forces which left some 272 people, including 33 civilians, dead, the United Nations peacekeeping chief on Wednesday proposed that the UN Mission there be extended until the end of August to allow a rapid assessment on the need for a stronger mandate.

Syria: deploring hostilities spreading across Aleppo, UN urges end to indiscriminate attacks

Jul 14, 2016, at 04:27 am

New York, July 13 (Just Earth News): Deploring the spread of hostilities throughout the Syrian city of Aleppo, senior United Nations officials on Wednesday called on all parties to the conflict to end indiscriminate attacks on civilians and fully respect international humanitarian law.

Serving as PM was the greatest honour: David Cameron

Jul 14, 2016, at 04:06 am

London, July 13 (IBNS): As he prepared to formally submit his resignation, David Cameron on Wednesday said serving as the British Prime Minister was the "greatest honour" of his life.

State Bank of Pakistan to issue special Edhi coin

Jul 14, 2016, at 02:42 am

Islamabad, July 13 (IBNS): In an attempt to honour humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to issue a special coin.

I believe our sorrow can make us a better country: Obama says at Dallas Memorial service

Jul 13, 2016, at 06:46 pm

Dallas, July 13 (IBNS): Speaking at the Dallas Memorial Service on Tuesday, US President Barack Obama urged his countrymen to put together their sorrows and channel it positively.

Bangladesh: Police must establish fate and whereabouts of disappeared Dhaka attack hostage

Jul 13, 2016, at 03:02 pm

Dhaka, July 13 (IBNS) Bangladeshi authorities must immediately establish the fate and whereabouts of a surviving hostage from the recent Dhaka restaurant attack who has been missing since taken by police for questioning 10 days ago, Amnesty International said today.

FEATURE: Eradication of Yaws, disease that ‘begins where roads end,’ is within sight, says WHO doctor in new film

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:26 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): When Dr. Oriol Mitjà, a Spanish technical adviser for the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), arrived in Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea, he expected to stay only a month. But after meeting hundreds of children covered in debilitating lesions, he stayed on, found a cure for their ailment, and spurred an international campaign that, if successful, will lead to the eradication of only the second disease in history.

Côte d'Ivoire: UN report finds 'some progress' in fight against rape but stresses more must be done

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:24 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): In a new joint report, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have called for strengthening rape prevention efforts and to improve the fight against impunity for sexual violence in the West African nation.

UN-backed partnership, support fund launched to end violence against children

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:21 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): A United Nations-backed partnership and fund were launched on Wednesday to make achieving the new global target to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children a public priority and a collective responsibility.

Human rights are not ‘abstract ideas,’ must be main tool in meeting development targets – Ban

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:19 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): Far greater emphasis must be placed on human rights as the international community continues to work towards implementing the agreed-upon sustainable development agenda, because it is the most powerful driver of peace and development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday.

Selecting the next Secretary-General: UN to hold townhall meeting with candidates

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:17 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): Continuing a series of ‘firsts’ regarding the selection of the next United Nations Secretary-General, candidates for the world’s top diplomatic post will this evening participate in a globally televised and webcast event in the UN General Assembly Hall, where they will take questions from diplomats and the public at large.

Warning of stalled progress against HIV infections, new UN report urges stepped-up prevention efforts

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:16 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): Globally, new HIV infections among adults and children have been reduced by 40 per cent since the peak in 1997, but the decline among adults has stalled for at least five years, according to a new report from the United Nations agency leading the world’s HIV/AIDS response.

Thousands of civilians in Aleppo city at risk, says UN humanitarian wing

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:15 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Wednesday that the lives of thousands of civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo are at risk following spread of hostilities and reports of continued aerial bombardment and shelling on civilian locations in both western and eastern parts of the city.

South Sudan ceasefire ‘largely holding;’ UN urges safe passage for fleeing civilians

Jul 13, 2016, at 02:13 pm

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reported that the ceasefire in the crisis-gripped country appears to be “largely holding, barring sporadic gunfire,” while the UN refugee agency has urged countries to keep their borders open for people fleeing tensions in Juba, where the human rights wing has warned the situation is “deteriorating rapidly.”

Warning against ‘cherry-picking’ among Global Goals, UN experts say human rights cannot be ignored

Jul 13, 2016, at 05:03 am

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): The largest group of rights experts in the United Nations system stressed on Tuesday that focus on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development should in no way become “the perfect excuse” for Member States to give less priority to their binding human rights obligations, or to ignore the comprehensive protection that is at the core of international human rights instruments.

At Security Council, Ban urges Israel-Palestine talks to overcome ‘political paralysis’

Jul 13, 2016, at 05:01 am

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to immediately begin discussions on implementing the recommendations made in a recent report published by the diplomatic partners mediating the peace process as efforts continue to restore hope for a lasting political solution.

UN agency urges implementation of accord to tackle illegal fishing

Jul 13, 2016, at 05:00 am

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): An international agreement aimed at tackling illegal fishing “marks the dawn of a new era,” but rapid action is needed to ensure that its implementation is effective, the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has said.

'Alarming' levels of malnutrition and famine-like conditions in northeast Nigeria – UN

Jul 13, 2016, at 04:59 am

New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): Humanitarian convoys have uncovered emergency levels of severe acute malnutrition and famine-like conditions in Nigeria's Borno State, particularly in 15 satellite camps, where some 275,000 people are living, the United Nations relief aid wing has warned.

South China Sea: Pakistan reiterates its support to Beijing

Jul 13, 2016, at 01:15 am

Islamabad, July 12 (IBNS): Pakistan on Tuesday reiterate its support to China on 'South China Sea' issue.

Italy: Train crash kills 20

Jul 13, 2016, at 01:03 am

Milan, July 12 (IBNS): At least 20 people have died after two passenger trains collided in Italy on Tuesday, media reports said.

I have not gotten married: Imran Khan

Jul 13, 2016, at 12:24 am

Islamabad, July 12 (IBNS): Former Pakistani cricket skipper-turned-politician Imran Khan has rejected reports that he has married for the third time.

China refuses South China Sea arbitration award

Jul 12, 2016, at 11:25 pm

Beijing, July 12 (IBNS): In a significant move China on Tuesday said it is neither accepting nor recognising the award of an arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration, media reports said.

International tribunal rules China has no historic title over South China Sea

Jul 12, 2016, at 09:36 pm

The Hague (Netherlands), Jul 12 (IBNS): The international tribunal at The Hague, on Tuesday, ruled that China has no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea, according to media reports.

Mastermind of Pakistan's Army Public School massacre killed in drone strike

Jul 12, 2016, at 03:01 pm

Islamabad, July 12 (IBNS): The mastermind of Pakistan's Army Public School massacre, which had left the entire nation shocked in 2014, was killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan, Pakistan's media reports said.