Jailing teen blogger in Singapore sends wrong message on free expression–UN expert
Oct 05, 2016, at 02:13 pm
New York, Oct 5(Just Earth News): After a Singaporean teenage blogger was sentenced to jail for his social media posts, a United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday warned that it is “exactly the wrong kind of message that any government should be sending to anybody, but especially to young people.â€
UN peacekeeping chief urges follow-up action to consolidate peace in Darfur
Oct 05, 2016, at 02:07 pm
New York, Oct 5(Just Earth News): The security situation in Darfur, Sudan, remains volatile and the humanitarian impact of the conflict significant, the top United Nations peacekeeping official said on Tuesday, calling on the Government of Sudan and the international community at large to address the current challenges in the country.
‘The best humanitarian relief is to end the conflict,’ UN aid chief says in war-torn Yemen
Oct 05, 2016, at 02:06 pm
New York, Oct 5 (Just Earth News): Concluding a three-day mission to Yemen, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator on Tuesday called on all warring parties to grant humanitarian access and uphold their responsibilities to protect civilians in a conflict that has injured and killed thousands of innocent civilians, and displaced some three million people.
Oct 05, 2016, at 02:05 pm
New York, Oct 5(Just Earth News): Welcoming on Tuesday’s decision to postpone Palestinian municipal elections, the United Nations senior official coordinating efforts towards the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict called on all Palestinians to work together to resolve differences.
Yemen: UN says shelling in Taiz leaves dozens of civilian casualties
Oct 05, 2016, at 02:04 pm
New York, Oct 5 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) is reporting that casualties continue to mount in war-torn Yemen, including after an incident yesterday evening in the central city of Taiz, where artillery fire on a busy street next to a market in Bir Basha, Al Mudhaffar district, left six children dead, six wounded and more than a dozen other casualties.
Oct 05, 2016, at 04:59 am
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): The human rights calamity unfolding in Syria’s eastern Aleppo city demands bold new initiatives, including proposals to “limit the use of the veto†by the permanent members of the Security Council, the top United Nations human rights official declared on Tuesday.
FEATURE: Political differences, a dozen peacekeepers and two new wells in northern Haiti
Oct 05, 2016, at 04:58 am
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): Residents in Pilate, a remote town of some 40,000 inhabitants located on a mountain in northern Haiti, were treated to an unusual site recently: uniformed, foreign men hard at work laying concrete foundations for a well near the local hospital and school.
UN chief urges European Parliament to approve process on Paris Agreement ratification
Oct 05, 2016, at 04:55 am
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): Addressing the plenary of the European Parliament, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called its members to approve a speedy ratification by the European Union (EU) of the Paris Agreement on climate change and to help lead the world to a better future.
Some 385 million children live in extreme poverty, World Bank-UNICEF study reveals
Oct 05, 2016, at 04:54 am
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): Children are more than twice as likely as adults to live in extreme poverty, with nearly 385 million children worldwide experiencing that condition, according to a new analysis from the World Bank Group and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Ban condemns attacks against UN mission in Mali
Oct 05, 2016, at 04:53 am
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned yesterday's series of attacks against the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
Two former Birmingham scientists awarded Nobel Prize for Physics
Oct 05, 2016, at 01:30 am
London, Oct 4 (IBNS): Two former University of Birmingham academics, Professor David Thouless and Professor Mike Kosterlitz, have been recognised by the award of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics for their work into the discoveries of the properties of matter.
In Geneva, Ban reiterates call to end Syrian conflict; reflects on tenure as UN chief
Oct 04, 2016, at 01:49 pm
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): Speaking at a press conference in the United Nations Office in Geneva on Monday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon once again called for the political will to end the Syrian conflict, while also sharing his reflections on the nearly 10 years he spent as the top UN official.
Inequalities exacerbate climate impacts on poor and vulnerable people – new UN report
Oct 04, 2016, at 01:47 pm
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): Evidence is increasing that climate change is taking the largest toll on poor and vulnerable people, and these impacts are largely caused by inequalities that increase the risks from climate hazards, according to a new report launched by the United Nations on Monday.
‘Bunker-buster’ bombs in eastern Aleppo mean children not even safe underground, UN experts warn
Oct 04, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): The killing and maiming of children in eastern Aleppo by the Syrian Government and its allies is not only a brutal abdication of international human rights obligations, it will have a long-lasting impact on the young victims for generations to come, United Nations child rights experts warned on Monday.
Selecting the next UN Secretary-General: Informal briefings reopen
Oct 04, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): The latest candidate for the position of the next United Nations Secretary-General was heard by UN Member States on Monday, answering questions on how she would promote sustainable development, improve efforts to create peace, protect human rights, and deal with huge humanitarian catastrophes should they be selected to lead the 193-member Organization.
As Colombian voters reject peace deal, Ban pledges UN support as country seeks way forward
Oct 04, 2016, at 01:43 pm
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): In the wake of a referendum that defeated the peace accord signed by the President of Colombia and the country’s largest rebel group just days ago, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commended the parties for their determination, saying he believed peace could still be achieved and that all Colombians who had committed to ending the 50-year conflict should not be discouraged.
Ban appoints Hubert Price of US as head of the UN support office in Somalia
Oct 04, 2016, at 01:42 pm
New York, Oct 4(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday announced the appointment of Hubert Price of the United States as Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
UN torture prevention body urges Kazakhstan to enhance prisoner rehabilitation
Oct 04, 2016, at 05:17 am
New York, Oct 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations’ torture prevention body has urged Kazakhstan to focus more on the rehabilitation of prisoners rather than punishment, as part of efforts to ensure that people deprived of their liberty are protected against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
UN agriculture agency stresses role of trade in food security and climate change adaptation
Oct 04, 2016, at 05:16 am
New York, Oct 3(Just Earth News): Declining prices could thwart international efforts to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty unless steps are taken to guarantee decent incomes and livelihoods for small-scale producers, the United Nations agriculture agency said on Monday.
On World Habitat Day, UN calls for putting adequate housing at centre of urban policy
Oct 04, 2016, at 05:05 am
New York, Oct 3(Just Earth News): Adequate housing is a universal human right and should be at the centre of the urban policy and in the physical centre of the city, senior United Nations officials said on Monday, marking the 2016 edition of World Habitat Day.
Oct 03, 2016, at 02:44 pm
Addis Ababa, Oct 3 (IBNS): At least 50 people were killed during a protest at a religious festival in Ethiopia's Oromia region, media reports said.
Syria: Time running out to protect those trapped in eastern Aleppo, UN aid chief warns
Oct 03, 2016, at 01:31 pm
New York, Oct 3 (Just Earth News): Warning of an urgent humanitarian situation in Syria's eastern Aleppo city, the United Nations humanitarian chief today reiterated a call for a cessation of violence, medical evacuation of hundreds of patients in critical conditions, as well as safe, full, regular and unimpeded humanitarian access.
On Non-Violence Day, Ban highlights link between peace and nature
Oct 03, 2016, at 04:10 am
New York, Oct 2(Just Earth News): United Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday stressed the link between non-violence, peace and nature as he observed the International Day of Non-Violence.
'Take a stand against ageism,' says UN on International Day of Older Persons
Oct 02, 2016, at 03:56 am
New York, Oct 1(Just Earth News): The United Nations is marking the International Day of Older Persons by encouraging countries to draw attention to and challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older persons and ageing, and to enable older persons to realize their potential to build a life of dignity and human rights.
UN adviser on preventing genocide alarmed over ‘disrespectful’ comments by Philippines President
Oct 01, 2016, at 01:47 pm
New York, Oct 1(Just Earth News): The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, expressed alarm on Friday at public comments by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, in which he reinforced a campaign to kill millions of drug addicts in the Philippines and compared it to the massacre of millions of Jews by Hitler during the Holocaust in Nazi Germany during the Second World War.
Iraq: UNICEF launches back-to-school campaign to help millions missing out on education
Oct 01, 2016, at 01:46 pm
New York, Oct 1(Just Earth News): Iraq: UNICEF launches back-to-school campaign to help millions missing out on education Several weeks before of the start of the new school year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), together with the Iraqi Ministry of Education, launched a nationwide ‘Back to School’ campaign in 10 governorates.
UN refugee agency, African host countries agree on final steps on Rwandan refugees
Oct 01, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, Oct 1(Just Earth News): The UN refugee agency and delegations from African countries as well as the African Union (AU) agreed on Friday on final steps to end the protracted Rwandan refugee situation after seven years of negotiations.
Fewer than 30 doctors left in war-torn Aleppo, UN health agency warns
Oct 01, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, Oct 1(Just Earth News): There are now less than 30 doctors working in Aleppo city, down from 35 several days ago, a senior official of the United Nations health agency said on Friday, highlighting the deteriorating healthcare capacity in the war-battered area.
Colombia: UN mission begins working to verify compliance with historic peace deal
Oct 01, 2016, at 01:43 pm
New York, Oct 1(Just Earth News): Nine representatives of the Government of Colombia, as well as nine members from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People's Army (FARC-EP) and 18 international observers from the UN mission in the country have started working together at the joint Monitoring and Verification Mechanism headquarters in Bogota.
UN health agency calls for stronger measures against Zika as Thailand confirms disease-related cases
Oct 01, 2016, at 01:41 pm
New York, Oct 1(Just Earth News): The United Nations health agency on Friday urged countries across the South-East Asia region to continue to take decisive action to prevent, detect and respond to Zika virus, following news that Thailand has confirmed two cases of Zika-related microcephaly.