On International Day, UN spotlights role of midwives in achieving development targets
May 06, 2016, at 01:29 pm
New York, May 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Every year, some 300,000 women still die during pregnancy and childbirth and almost three million babies do not survive their first four weeks of life, yet a majority of these deaths could be averted by trained midwives, the United Nations said on Thursday as it marked the International Day of the Midwife with a call for strengthened skills and investments in midwifery.
SC rejects Jamaat-e-Islami Motiur Rahman Nizami's review plea
May 05, 2016, at 08:20 pm
Dhaka, May 5 (IBNS): The Bangladesh Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the final plea to review his death sentence handed to fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami Motiur Rahman Nizami.
May 05, 2016, at 01:48 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The top United Nations management official reported on Wednesday that the Organization’s financial situation is “sound and positive,†noting, however, that there is “some worry†regarding the areas of regular budget and reserves.
May 05, 2016, at 01:46 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The cessation of hostilities in Syria must be put back on track, the United Nations political chief on Wednesday told the Security Council, as the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator said “there can be no explanation or excuse†for waging war on civilians, in Aleppo or anywhere else in the crisis-riven country.
UNICEF calls for better protection of children under revised EU asylum rules
May 05, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS):As the European Union (EU) prepares for critical talks on the rules governing applications from people seeking protection in Europe, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for the interests and rights of children to be given greater priority.
UN officials urge innovation at session on integrating sustainability agenda
May 05, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Integration across sectors and disciplines, and between actors and institutions, is essential to drive forward and successfully implement the United Nations development agenda, the Vice-President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) emphasized at the conclusion of a three-day segment on promoting integration of the three pillars of sustainable development.
South Sudan: Security Council calls on transitional government to implement peace accord
May 05, 2016, at 01:42 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called on the newly formed transitional unity Government of South Sudan to end the cycles of violence and suffering and fully implement the peace agreement signed by warring parties in August 2015.
At regional session, UN agricultural agency urges sustainable development for better nutrition
May 05, 2016, at 01:41 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): While many countries in Europe and Central Asia have made progress in reducing the prevalence of hunger, other forms of malnutrition still exist in the region and can only be combated by prioritizing food security, agriculture and rural development, the head of the United Nation’s agricultural agency said on Wednesday
May 05, 2016, at 01:40 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A consequence of failing to fund the activities of the United Nations agency tasked with ensuring the wellbeing of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East would be an increased risk of extremism, more poverty, and a region even more riven by conflict, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Wednesday , urging donors to step up their financial support.
UN agencies boost partnership on visualization of food security data for Yemen
May 05, 2016, at 01:39 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are boosting wider understanding of how families in conflict-torn Yemen struggle with persistent food insecurity, through a new interactive visualization of data captured by mobile technology and shared on an open source platform.
UN sanctions: what they are, how they work, and who uses them
May 05, 2016, at 01:38 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Counter-terrorism and non-proliferation are on the agenda on Wednesday at the Security Council, where at least seven sanctions committees will brief the main United Nations body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. We’ve prepared a quick snapshot covering the basics of UN sanctions and how Sanctions Committees work.
Good governance of natural resources vital for post-conflict recovery – UN-backed study
May 05, 2016, at 01:36 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A new United Nations-backed study finds that meeting the essential needs of people after armed conflict while sustaining peace requires more than a forum for governing natural resources — it also requires good governance.
Nearly a quarter of the world’s school-age children live in crisis-hit countries – UNICEF
May 05, 2016, at 01:35 pm
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Almost one quarter of the world’s school-age children – 562 million – live in countries affected by humanitarian emergencies – a new report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners has revealed.
Raheel Sharif orders inquiry into MQM worker's custodial death
May 04, 2016, at 10:22 pm
Islamabad, May 4 (IBNS) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the death of Mutahida Qaumi Movement worker Aftab Ahmed .
Security Council demands protection for hospitals and health workers in conflict zones
May 04, 2016, at 01:51 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With increasing wartime assaults on and patterns of systematic destruction of health facilities in countries affected by conflict, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday to strengthen protection for health care workers, the sick and wounded, hospitals and clinics, in war zones.
Syrian refugee begins Olympic torch relay in Brasilia – UN agency
May 04, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Flanked by cheering crowds, a 12-year-old Syrian refugee girl ran with the Olympic flame through Brasilia on Tuesday, kicking off a relay across the host country ahead of the Olympic Games in August, the United Nations refugee agency announced.
Ban announces intention to appoint seasoned Mexican diplomat to head UN climate framework
May 04, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has started the process of consultation with the Conference of Parties through its Bureau, and has informed of his intention to appoint Patricia Espinosa Cantellano of Mexico as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Ban announces intention to appoint expericed Norwegian offical to head up UN environment office
May 04, 2016, at 01:43 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Following consultations with the chairpersons of the regional groups of Member States, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the General Assembly of his intention to appoint Erik Solheim of Norway as the new Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Ban welcomes launch of UN inspection to facilitate flow of commercial goods to Yemen
May 04, 2016, at 01:41 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed yesterday’s official launch of the operations of a UN inspection mechanism to facilitate the unimpeded flow of commercial goods and services to Yemen, while ensuring compliance with the arms embargo created by the Security Council, his spokesman said on Tuesday.
UN envoy ‘cautiously hopeful’ for re-launch of truce in Syria
May 04, 2016, at 01:39 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Following discussions in Moscow on the intra-Syria talks, the United Nations envoy facilitating the process has said that he is cautiously hopeful that the cessation of hostilities pact will be re-launched, “perhaps even later on Tuesday.â€
UN expert warns combat against violent extremism could be used as ‘excuse’ to curb free speech
May 04, 2016, at 01:38 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday signaled concern that efforts to counter “violent extremism†may be construed as the “perfect excuse†for democratic and authoritarian governments to restrict free expression and control access to information.
At high-level forum, UN spotlights power of information technology in advancing development
May 04, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have the power to help people around the world bridge the digital divide and accelerate innovation as world leaders continue to work towards implementing the United Nations development agenda, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underlined on Tuesday at the opening of a high-level forum of the ICT for development community.
May 04, 2016, at 01:35 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Speaking ahead of United States President Barack Obama’s visit to Flint, Michigan, three United Nations experts are calling for immediate action to address the serious human rights concerns related to the contamination of the city’s water supply and the devastating consequences for residents there, who have been dealing with water-related crises since April 2014.
Greater assistance needed to help tackle Iraq’s humanitarian crisis – UN refugee agency
May 04, 2016, at 01:34 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations refugee agency has reported that Iraq will continue to need greater humanitarian assistance as the country’s displacement crisis shows no sign of easing, with more than 3.4 million people displaced and ongoing conflict causing thousands more families to leave their homes in search of safety.
On World Day, UN highlights link between press freedom and development
May 04, 2016, at 01:33 pm
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Top United Nations officials on Tuesday highlighted the dependency of human rights, democratic societies and sustainable development on the free flow of information and press freedom, stressing that these fundamental rights are vital in providing information to citizens around the world and for progress itself.
-1462294909.jpg "If funding not arranged then Pakistan will get jets from elsewhere: Aziz")
If funding not arranged then Pakistan will get jets from elsewhere: Aziz
May 04, 2016, at 04:01 am
Islamabad, May 3 (IBNS): Clearing its stand, Sartaj Aziz, the Pakistani prime minister's adviser on foreign affairs, said the Asian country will acquire jets from elsewhere in case the United States (US) does not arrange funding for a previously agreed upon F-16 fighter jet sale.
Kenya building collapse: Baby girl rescued from debris
May 03, 2016, at 10:56 pm
Nairobi, May 3 (IBNS): Days after a building collapsed in Kenya's capital Nairobi, a seven-month-old girl was rescued from the debris of the collapsed structure, media reports said on Tuesday.
Singapore detains eight suspected Bangladeshi militants
May 03, 2016, at 09:44 pm
Singapore, May 3 (IBNS) The Singapore government on Tuesday said it had detained eight suspected Bangladeshi militants in April.
UN refugee agency appoints Cate Blanchett as global Goodwill Ambassador
May 03, 2016, at 01:03 pm
New York, May 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Monday announced the appointment of Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett as a global Goodwill Ambassador.
Deputy UN chief pledges to spotlight situation of quake-affected Nepal at World Humanitarian Summit
May 03, 2016, at 01:02 pm
New York, May 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Just three weeks away from the World Humanitarian Summit in Turkey, the United Nations deputy chief on Monday ended a three-day mission to Nepal after meeting with people affected by the 2015 earthquake as well as with senior government officials.