UN Year in Review 2015 looks back at 'pivotal year' for international community
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:09 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS)The year 2015, in which the United Nations celebrated its 70th anniversary, was "pivotal" – in the words of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon – marked by major achievements, including the adoption of a long-term global sustainable development agenda and crowned by the UN climate conference which committed every nation on Earth to do its part in combatting global warming.
Conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon worsen considerably, UN reports
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Some 70 per cent of the over 1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon now live below the Lebanese extreme poverty line, a big rise over 2014, and food insecurity is mounting, the United Nations reported on Wednesday , calling for greater access to the domestic labour market to mitigate the crisis.
Central African Republic: ICC Prosecutor warns against election-related violence, atrocity crimes
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) As the Central African Republic (CAR) prepares for general elections, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said on Wednesday that her Office will record any instance of violence and that anyone committing atrocity crimes will be held accountable.
Cambodia: UN agency urges dialogue to resolve labour dispute in Special Economic Zones
Dec 24, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) on Wednesday called on Cambodian workers, trade unions, Government and employers to engage in dialogue to resolve a confrontation in the Special Economic Zones in Bavet City and enable a return to work.
Ban extends condolences to people, Government of China in wake of devastating landslide
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesdayextended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating landslide in Shenzhen and expressed his solidarity with the people and Government of China.
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Adopting a new resolution today, the Security Council welcomed the completion of judicial work of the United Nations tribunal set up in the wake of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, following delivery of the court’s last judgment on 14 December and its impending closure, set for 31 December 2015.
Security Council strongly condemns deadly terrorist attack near Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack in Afghanistan that killed at least six United States service members, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility, saying "no violent or terrorist acts can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability."
With parties 'deeply divided over path to peace,' Yemen faces Balkanization, Security Council warned
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The Security Council must act now to end the fighting in Yemen or face the irreversible Balkanization of the country, creating safe havens for terrorists and potentially shattering regional stability, the United Nations human rights chief warned on Tuesday.
Security Council approves six-month extension of UN observer force on Golan Heights
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The Security Council on Tuesdayextended the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for six months, until 30 June 2016, underscoring the need for the Force to have at its disposal all necessary means to carry out its mandate safely and securely, “including technology and equipment to enhance its observation of the area of separation and the ceasefire line, and to improve force protection, as appropriate.
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:02 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) World Food Programme (WFP) trucks have begun distributing 1,300 tons of food to Libyans in dire need of assistance, but with nine days left in the year, the United Nations aid plan for more than 2.4 million people for 2016 has received zero funding, the top UN humanitarian official in the strife-torn country said on Tuesday.
Ban, concerned over political uncertainty in Haiti, urges transfer of power through polls
Dec 23, 2015, at 02:00 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his concern on Tuesdayover growing political uncertainty in Haiti and urged the two candidates in the presidential run-off there to help the electoral process move forward while preserving the country’s democratic gains.
Syria: Security Council demands immediate humanitarian access across battle lines
Dec 23, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) In its first resolution on Syria since granting the United Nations an enhanced role in seeking to end the five-year-long war, the Security Council on Tuesdaydemanded that all parties, particularly the Syrian authorities, immediately open routes across conflict lines and borders to let in vital humanitarian aid.
Refugees and migrants fleeing to Europe in 2015 top unprecedented one million- UN
Dec 23, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The number of refugees and migrants fleeing to Europe in 2015 has topped an unprecedented one million – at least 3,600 died or went missing in the crossings – the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported today, calling for much more to be done to receive and aid those uprooted by persecution, conflict and poverty.
Nigeria's Boko Haram insurgency forces one million children from school - UNICEF
Dec 23, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Dec 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Violence and attacks against civilian populations in northeastern Nigeria and its neighbouring countries have forced “a staggering†one million children out of school in a conflict that has dealt “a huge blow for education in the region,†the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Tuesday.
Malaysia gets its first Sharia compliant airline
Dec 22, 2015, at 06:05 pm
Kuala Lumpur, Dec 22 (IBNS) Malaysia's Rayani Air who started operations on Sunday, has become the first Sharia compliant airline in the country.
Amid dire humanitarian situation, some 2.5 million now internally displaced in Yemen - UN
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:27 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The situation in Yemen has substantially deteriorated since the conflict broke out in early 2015, with a nine per cent increase in the internally displaced persons (IDPs), which have reached 2.5 million, according to a recent United Nations-backed report on the issue.
Syria: Senior UN officials paint grim picture as Government, allies reportedly attack hospitals
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:26 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS)Hospitals, markets and bakeries have been hit, scores of civilians are killed and injured almost daily, and doctors themselves have become targets in escalating fighting and airstrikes in Syria, reportedly by the Government and its allies, a senior United Nations relief official reported on Monday, voicing outrage.
Lebanon: Ban condemns rocket fire towards Israel as 'serious ceasefire violation,' urges restraint
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced great concern on Monday over yesterday's firing of rockets from South Lebanon towards Israel, calling it "a serious violation" of the ceasefire, noted Israel's retaliatory mortar attack, and urged maximum restraint.
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:23 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) At the end of the first year of its transformation decade, the Afghan National Unity Government is struggling to project national unity, security has deteriorated as it grapples with intensified fighting with much less international support, and the economy remains a matter of concern, the top United Nations official in the country warned on Monday.
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:22 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency, together with two European partners, urged Hungary on Monday to refrain from policies and practices that promote intolerance, fear and fuel xenophobia against refugees and migrants, including a campaign running through Christmas and into the New Year.
Syrian journalist's murder denounced by UNESCO chief
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:20 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations agency responsible for defending the freedom of the media on Monday denounced the murder of a Syrian journalist from an organization reporting on human rights abuses in the area of the country controlled by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
UN agencies collaborate to help Sudan mitigate climate change while combatting hunger
Dec 22, 2015, at 03:18 pm
New York, Dec 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Two United Nations entities on Monday announced a cooperation agreement to help Sudan manage its natural resources in a way that is compatible with combatting hunger and improving livelihoods while at the same time mitigating the effects of climate change.
Afghanistan: 6 NATO soldiers killed in Bagram suicide car bomb attack
Dec 22, 2015, at 04:13 am
Bagram, Dec 21 (IBNS): At least six service members of the NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission were killed as a suicide car bomb attack occurred in northern Parwan province of Afghanistan, media reports said.
Miss Philippines wins Miss Universe title, hosts apologizes for wrong announcement
Dec 21, 2015, at 10:13 pm
Las Vegas, Dec 21 (IBNS): Hosts of the Miss Universe contest have apologized for a mistake by the anchor during a love broadcast when Miss Colombia was initially announced as the winner of the title on Sunday.
Yemen: UN envoy adjourns peace talks till January pending enforcement of a proper ceasefire
Dec 21, 2015, at 03:30 pm
New York, Dec 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS) In the face of numerous violations of the cessation of hostilities in Yemen, the Special United Nations Envoy on Sunday decided to adjourn peace talks in Switzerland for a month to allow for bi-lateral in-country and regional consultations to achieve a ceasefire.
Spirit of solidarity 'must inspire our collective response' to world's major challenges,says Ban
Dec 21, 2015, at 03:26 pm
New York, Dec 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS) On International Human Solidarity Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pointed to the newly-adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and called for joint action to implement its targets and create a better future for all.
Lebanon: UN reports rocket fire from south towards Israel and Israeli mortar retaliation
Dec 21, 2015, at 03:11 pm
New York, Dec 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Three rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel today, and Israel retaliated with some eight rounds of 120mm mortar, but no casualties have so far been reported from either side, according to United Nations peacekeepers.
Air France flight makes emergency landing in Kenya over bomb scare
Dec 20, 2015, at 07:28 pm
Nairobi, Dec 20 (IBNS): An Air France flight from Mauritius to Paris was forced to land in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa following a bomb scare, media reports said on Sunday.
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Pakistan: 11 killed in road mishap
Dec 20, 2015, at 04:19 am
Quetta, Dec 19 (IBNS): At least 11 people were killed as a Karachi bound passenger coach collided with a tanker in Pakistan's Balochistan area on Saturday, media reports said.
Yemen: UN-sponsored talks continue amid 'alarming' reports of ceasefire violations
Dec 19, 2015, at 03:39 pm
New York, Dec 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS) As United Nations-sponsored consultations on Yemen continued today, the UN envoy facilitating the talks expressed deep concern at numerous reports of violations of the three-day-old ceasefire and urged the parties to respect that agreement and allow access to the country’s most-affected districts.