UNESCO deplores damage to Aleppo National Museum; warns five Heritage Sites in Libya are in danger
New York, July 15 (Just Earth News): The head of the United Nations cultural agency on Thursday deplored the recent shelling at the National Museum of Aleppo, located on the edge of the war-torn ancient city in northern Syria, calling once again for the destruction of cultural property to stop.
New UN-backed survey reveals ‘alarming’ damage to world’s high seas and marine ecosystems
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
I believe our sorrow can make us a better country: Obama says at Dallas Memorial service
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.
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
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
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
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.