Yemen: UN envoy calls on Security Council to support efforts towards cessation of hostilities
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) A deep divide between the warring parties in Yemen, following the collapse of a truce, is forestalling the next round of peace talks, the United Nations envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday as he depicted a tragic picture of the political situation there.
UN and partners to closely coordinate efforts ahead of DR Congo elections
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations and its international partner organizations said they are closely following the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in view of the upcoming elections in the country.
Life-saving humanitarian aid reaches five besieged towns in Syria – UN
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) As United Nations relief wing convoys reached five besieged towns in Syria with aid today, the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the country announced that a task force will meet for a second time tomorrow to discuss humanitarian access issues.
Guinea-Bissau’s political stalemate taking toll on development - UN envoy
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The political impasse in Guinea-Bissau could delay implementation of critical reforms and erode progress in the West African country’s development, the United Nations envoy there warned the Security Council today.
New trust fund launched by UN and Colombian Government for peacebuilding needs
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations and the Government of Colombia on Wednesday announced the launch of a new multi-partner trust fund in the country’s capital, Bogotá, to respond to stabilization and peacebuilding needs.
'Our task is not over,' says Ban, urging action on Paris climate pledges ahead of signing ceremony
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) While the international community has provided a solid foundation for the world’s response to climate change by adopting the Paris Agreement this past December, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday that it is now necessary to build on that momentum in order to secure a safer and healthier future for all.
Darfur: amid fresh violence, thousands of displaced people now gathering near UN mission base
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The number of civilians fleeing the recent conflict in the Jebel Marra area in Sudan’s Darfur region has jumped to 73,000 from 38,000, according to United Nations estimates, as some 30,000 people flocked to Sortony, where the displaced have been gathering next to a base operated by the African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Australia violated the rights of David Hicks by keeping him in jail, as evidence shows that he was forced to accept a plea bargain with United States authorities as a condition for his return, United Nations human rights experts have said.
UN and partner agency inaugurate first child-friendly spaces in West Bank refugee camp
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The first ever child-friendly spaces – a football pitch and a playground – were inaugurated on Wednesday in Aida refugee camp in the West Bank’s town of Bethlehem by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the Lajee Center, a community-based grassroots creative cultural centre.
Senior UN relief official calls on Israel to halt demolitions in West Bank immediately
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) A senior United Nations humanitarian official on Wednesday called for an immediate halt to the destruction of Palestinian-owned property in the occupied West Bank and for respect for international law.
Malnutrition mounts in eastern and southern Africa as El Nino takes hold - UNICEF
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Across eastern and southern Africa, millions of children are at risk from malnutrition, hunger, water shortages and disease, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned today, citing two years of erratic rain and drought combined with one of the most powerful El Niño events in the past 50 years.
Ankara, Feb 18 (IBNS): At least 28 people were killed in a bomb attack in Turkey's Ankara city on Wednesday, media reports said.
ISIS beheads man for 'corrupting earth'
Al-Raqqah, Feb 17 (IBNS) The Islamic State beheaded a man on Tuesday on grounds of 'corrupting earth' charges, according to reports.
ISIL 'losing appeal' in Iraq, but threat should not be underestimated – UN envoy
New York, Feb 17 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Iraq has been steadily gaining ground against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), which is gradually losing its appeal to the disenfranchised population, the United Nations envoy for that country told the Security Council today, as he also warned that its threat should not be underestimated.
Peacekeeping 'a tool to advance political, not military, solutions' - UN deputy chief
New York, Feb 17 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations peacekeeping is “a tool to advance political, not military solutions to conflict,†Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations today, as the General Assembly subsidiary body opened its 2016 session.