Burundi: UN urges immediate action to stop 'senseless' violence
New York, Dec 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Amid the “deadly escalation†of violence in Burundi, the United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday sounded the alarm at the unfolding crisis in the country and urged all actors in the current crisis to take every step possible to stop the growing violence and engage in a meaningful and inclusive dialogue.
Los Angeles schools closed over 'threat': Report
Los Angeles, Dec 15 (IBNS) All Los Angeles Unified School District campuses have been closed down by officials following threats of violence, media reports said on Tuesday.
New York, Dec 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Ten years after the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society, delegates from Member States and observer entities are meeting at UN Headquarters starting on Mondayto identify emerging trends, fresh priorities and innovations for advancing information and communications technologies.
Referendum held in much of Central African Republic despite disruptions - UN peacekeeping chief
New York, Dec 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A constitutional referendum meant to help stabilize the Central African Republic (CAR) amid conflict between Muslim and Christian factions took place successfully in the majority of the country yesterday, but violent “spoilers†disrupted the process in some areas, the top United Nations peacekeeping official reported on Monday.
Two billion move out of extreme poverty over 25 years – UN flagship development report
New York, Dec 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Some two billion people have moved out of low human development levels in the last 25 years but in order to secure these gains and galvanize progress, a stronger focus to “act now†to provide decent work is needed, according to the new United Nations Human Development Report released on Monday.
New York, Dec 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Speaking from Damascus today, the top United Nations relief official said the situation in Syria is "unacceptable," with nearly 13.5 million Syrians in need of some form of assistance, and he urged the international community to generously support the UN's $3.2 billion humanitarian operations plan for the war-torn country.
UN agencies relaunch winter aid programme to support vulnerable Syrian children in Jordan
New York, Dec 15 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As the harsh winter approaches Jordan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) launched the winter cash assistance programme again, that will allow vulnerable Syrian families in Za'atari and Azraq camps to buy warm winter clothing for all their children.
After Zuckerberg, Pichai extends support towards Muslims in US
California, Dec 12 (IBNS) A day after Mark Zuckerberg took a swipe at Donald Trump for suggesting a ban on Muslims' entry to the US, another tech giant, Sundar Pichai echoed the same sentiments.
Saudi women get to cast ballot for the first time
Riyadh, Dec 12 (IBNS) In an unprecedented move, Saudi Arabia has officially allowed its women to cast their votes for the first time, according to media reports.
Viet Nam: UN rights office alarmed at series of attacks against human rights defenders
New York, Dec 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Alarmed by the recent spate of violent attacks on human rights defenders in Viet Nam, the United Nations rights agency on Friday expressed concern at the "apparent failure" of the Vietnamese authorities to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators and urged the Government to take measures to ensure security of all human rights defenders.
As Central Africa prepares to vote, UN rights chief warns of inter-communal strife
New York, Dec 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS0: On the eve of a constitutional referendum meant to help stabilize the Central African Republic (CAR) amid conflict between Muslims and Christians, the United Nations human rights chief on Friday voiced deep concern at mounting sectarian language, warning of possible "dramatic consequences" given the highly volatile pre-election atmosphere.
International Mountain Day: UN study reveals hunger trends in highland areas
New York, Dec 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): While global hunger figures are declining, the number of food insecure people in mountain areas rose 30 per cent over 12 years to nearly 330 million, according to a study released on Friday by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and a partner agency on International Mountain Day.
Ukraine could again slip into cycle of calm giving way to savage fighting: UN official
New York, Dec 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A senior United Nations human rights official warned on Friday that the fighting in Ukraine, which has recently decreased, could erupt again with a massive civilian toll in a conflict that has already left over 9,000 people dead and nearly 21,000 injured over the past two years.
Ceasefire in Homs shows a nationwide truce in Syria is possible: UN envoy
New York, Dec 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations in Syria and its partners have evacuated more than 300 fighters along with their families from the last rebel-held neighbourhood of the western city of Homs, as part of a local truce the UN Special Envoy for Syria has described as having "great value" toward demonstrating that a nationwide ceasefire is "doable."
Burundi: Ban condemns attacks on military camps
New York, Dec 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Friday condemned the attacks by groups of unidentified assailants on military camps in Bujumbura early this morning and said that such acts of violence can lead to a further destabilization of the situation in crisis-torn Burundi.