Starvation 'as a weapon' is a war crime, Ban warns parties to conflict in Syria
New York, Jan 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With United Nations humanitarian teams witnessing scenes in Syria that "haunt the soul," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday said the situation is "utterly unconscionable," and warned that the use of starvation as a weapon during conflict is a war crime.
UN calls for regional coordination to aid refugees fleeing Central American violence
New York, Jan 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Thursday called for urgent regional coordination to help people fleeing deadly violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in the light of plans by the United States to expand its resettlement programme to benefit them.
Terrorism remains major threat in West Africa despite electoral progress: UN official
New York, Jan 15 ( Just Earth News/IBNS) While peaceful and credible elections were held in several countries in West Africa in the past six months, violent extremism continues to pose a serious threat throughout the area, the top United Nations official for the region warned on Thursday.
Reviving domestic demand key to sustainable growth in Asia-Pacific : UN report
New York, Jan 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, reinvigorating domestic and intra-regional demand plays a crucial role in reviving economies in Asia and the Pacific, according to a newly released-United Nations report, which also recommends a proactive fiscal policy emphasising productivity and addressing inequalities in the region.
Islamic State claims responsibility of Jakarta attacks
Jakarta, Jan 14 (IBNS) The Islamic State on Thursday officially claimed responsibility for the gun and bomb assault in the heart of Indonesia's capital Jakarta in which seven people were killed.
NATO Deputy Secretary General to attend the Snow Meeting in Lithuania
New York, Jan 14 (IBNS) NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow will attend the Snow Meeting in Lithuania on 14 and 15 January 2016.
Six dead in Jakarta terror attack, four attackers killed
Jakarta, Jan 14 (IBNS) At least six people were killed in a gun and bomb assault in the heart of Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Thursday, reports said.
Six killed in Indonesia terror attack
Jakarta, Jan 14 (IBNS) At least six people were killed in multiple blasts on Thursday in the heart of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, which president Joko Widodo a terror act.
Mali: UN Security Council calls on all parties to fully implement the peace agreement
New York, Jan 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Following a briefing on Monday on the situation in Mali by UN peacekeeping chief Hervé Ladsous, the Security Council has stressed that all parties signatory to June’s peace agreement bear the primary responsibility for achieving lasting peace in the country.
UN funds seek to aid 1.7 million Africans uprooted by Boko Haram violence
New York, Jan 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With the Lake Chad Basin now the fastest-growing displacement crisis in Africa as 2.7 million people, 1.5 million of them children, have been uprooted by Boko Haram terrorists, the United Nations emergency fund has announced new grants of $31 million to four countries in the region.
'No-one left behind' is ethical imperative of development agenda: UN deputy chief
New York, Jan 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The universal inclusiveness of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an ethical imperative, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told a forum for UN Member States on Wednesday on ethics for development.
Donor support helps UN agency continue Humanitarian Air Service across Sudan
New York, Jan 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday welcomed significant contributions from donors towards the operation in Sudan last year of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which serves as a vital aid link in the country.
Final provisional results for legislative polls in Central Africa announced: UN mission
New York, Jan 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on Wednesday reported that the final provisional results for the legislative elections have been announced by the Autorité Nationale des Elections (ANE), with 21 candidates, including three women, being elected by an absolute majority during the first round.
West Africa set to be declared free of Ebola virus transmission, Ban calls for vigilance
New York, Jan 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): On the eve of West Africa being declared free of Ebola virus transmission, top United Nations officials on Wednesday highlighted the "extraordinary" global cooperation mustered to tackle an epidemic that killed over 11,300 people, at the same time calling for vigilance against future flare-ups.
UN chief condemns deadly suicide bombing at mosque in Cameroon
New York, Jan 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday condemned a deadly suicide bombing in the village of Kouyape, in the Far North region of Cameroon, during morning prayer at a mosque.