Nigeria: Several killed in gas plant explosion
Nnewi , Dec 25 (IBNS): A blast at a gas plant in south-eastern Nigeria has left several people dead, media reports said on Friday.
Central African Republic polls now scheduled for 30 December, UN reports
New York, Dec 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The presidential and legislative elections that had been scheduled to take place this Sunday in the Central African Republic (CAR) will now be held on 30 December 2015, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country reported today.
Syria: UN condemns archaeological destruction at major World Heritage site of Bosra
New York, Dec 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday condemned the destruction of parts of the ancient Syrian city of Bosra in fighting two days ago, alerting the world art market to potential trafficking in artefacts from the World Heritage site.
UN refugee agency seeks to protect displaced gays, lesbians as they face prejudice, violence
New York, Dec 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) With lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons in forced displacement facing discrimination, prejudice, violence and other hurdles as they seek asylum, the United Nations refugee agency has rolled out the most comprehensive training package of its kind globally to enhance their protection.
As Libya marks 64th independence anniversary, UN envoy urges unity behind new Government
New York, Dec 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) A week after brokering an accord for a national unity government in strife-torn Libya, the top United Nations envoy for the country urged all Libyans to use today’s 64th independence anniversary to put their differences behind them and unite behind the new inclusive institutions.
Hailing political accord, Security Council urges international aid against terrorist groups in Libya
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Welcoming the newly signed United Nations-brokered accord for a national unity government in Libya, the Security Council on Wednesday urged the parties to implement its terwithin the 30-day time limit, and called on the world community to provide all necessary aid to defeat terrorist groups.
New appointments announced for UN missions in Mali and Kosovo
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday appointed Mahamat Saleh Annadif of Chad as the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, and Christopher Coleman of the United States as the deputy head of the world body’s mission in Kosovo.
Yemen: Security Council deeply concerned by cessation of hostilities' violations
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The Security Council on Wednesday expressed "deep concern" over the number of violations of Yemen’s cessation of hostilities agreement and urged all parties to adhere to the accord and exercise maximum restraint following the adjournment of peace talks until January 2016.
Burundi should allow in investigators, says UN adviser on preventing genocide
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, has called on the Government of Burundi to allow an independent team to investigate "seriously" whether external elements are involved in alleged atrocities in the central African nation, saying "it is key that impunity no longer prevails in Burundi."
World Tsunami Awareness Day welcome boost for disaster risk reduction - UN official
New York, Dec 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS)The head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction on Wednesday welcomed the resolution adopted by the General Assembly recognizing 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day.
UN Year in Review 2015 looks back at 'pivotal year' for international community
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
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
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
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
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.