Sport plays essential role in advancing 2030 development agenda – UN

Apr 07, 2016, at 01:24 pm

New York, Apr 7 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Sport has an essential role to play in supporting the achievement of the post-2015 development goals, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as he observed the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

Fiji: UN warns of flooding as cyclone-battered country braces for another storm

Apr 07, 2016, at 01:22 pm

New York, Apr 7 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Less than two months after Tropical Cyclone Winston cut a path of destruction across Fiji, the country is bracing for the impact of another storm, the United Nations relief aid office said on Wednesday.

World military spending resumes upward course, says SIPRI

Apr 06, 2016, at 09:26 pm

Stockholm, Apr 6 (IBNS) World military expenditure totalled almost $1.7 trillion in 2015, an increase of 1 per cent in real terms from 2014, according to new figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Pakistan: 6 militants killed during police shootout

Apr 06, 2016, at 09:00 pm

Lahore, Apr 6 (IBNS) During a police shootout, at least six people have been killed in Saggian Bridge area of Lahore on Wednesday, media reports said.

Afghanistan: Gunmen attack vehicle, 1 killed

Apr 06, 2016, at 08:47 pm

Kabul, Apr 6 (IBNS): At least one person was killed as gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, media reports said on Wednesday.

UN to enforce ‘zero tolerance’ policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, senior official tells Member States

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:20 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Briefing the General Assembly on recent disturbing allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Chef de Cabinet reaffirmed the Organization’s determination to tackle the issue head on and indicated that such violations, if verified, would trigger a decision by Ban to repatriate the units in question.

People-focused urban planning is key to sustainable future, Pritzker Prize winning architect says at UN

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:18 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The role that architecture can play in creating cities that are more sustainable and liveable – a vital element of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, in which economic inclusion, social development and environmental protection converge in a universal roadmap for global action – was in the spotlight at UN Headquarters on Tuesday as this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate discussed his work and the road to a more inclusive future.

Delays in implementing Mali peace deal mean gains for terrorists – UN peacekeeping chief

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:15 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Every day lost in the implementation of Mali’s peace agreement is a day gained for extremist and terrorist groups that have bet heavily that the process will fail, the top United Nations peacekeeping official told the Security Council on Tuesday, stressing that the Government and the armed groups who signed the deal must establish a timeline to resolve all pending issues.

UN deputy chief calls for greater investment and attention on peacebuilding, statebuilding

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:13 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Addressing an international forum on peacebuilding and statebuilding, the United Nations deputy chief on Tuesday highlighted the need for a greater investment in those activities and the importance of taking more preventive measures to reduce humanitarian needs.

UN agency to train dozens of experts on nuclear-related techniques to identify Zika

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:11 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations atomic energy agency plans to train dozens of participants this month from mostly Latin America and Caribbean countries on how to use nuclear-derived techniques to detect the Zika virus in as short a time as three hours.

Rwanda: chronic malnutrition rates drop but remain ‘stubbornly high,’ UN-backed study reveals

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:10 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Chronic malnutrition in Rwanda have fallen significantly in the last three years, but still remain stubbornly high, especially in rural areas, finds a new study conducted over three years by the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture with support from the World Food Programme (WFP).

Surge in mob killings in Malawi draws serious concern of UN human rights office

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:07 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday expressed concern over the increased number of mob attacks in Malawi since the beginning of the year, in 2016 and called for Government agencies to support police and for the strengthening of the rule of law in the country to combat such violence.

UN refugee agency warns of spike in asylum-seekers fleeing violence in Central America

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:06 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The number of people fleeing violence in Central America has surged to levels not seen since the region was wracked by armed conflicts in the 1980s, the UN refugee agency warned on Tuesday, urging action to ensure that unaccompanied children and others receive the protection which they are entitled to.

WHO and partners appeal for $2.2 billion with humanitarian health needs at ‘all-time high’

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:03 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Ongoing turmoil in Syria and the impact of drought in Ethiopia are among the diverse and pressing crises cited by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) as the agency and its partners appealed for some $2.2 billion to provide lifesaving health services to more than 79 million people in more than 30 countries facing protracted emergencies this year.

Food gap widens in conflict-stricken South Sudan – UN assessment

Apr 06, 2016, at 01:01 pm

New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Civil strife and unfavorable rains have further reduced crop production in South Sudan, contributing to a cereal deficit of 381,000 metric tons – 53 per cent greater than in 2015 – and aggravating the already severe food shortages, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday.

Panama leak: Iceland PM resigns

Apr 06, 2016, at 03:22 am

Reykjavik, Apr 5 (IBNS): In a significant development since the Panama Papers leaks surfaced, Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson resigned on Tuesday.

7 killed in Afghanistan suicide attack

Apr 05, 2016, at 10:41 pm

Kabul, Apr 5 (IBNS) A suicide attack in Siah Gird district of central Parwan province of Afghanistan has killed at least seven people on Tuesday, media reports said.

NZ nominates former PM Helen Clark for United Nations secretary-general

Apr 05, 2016, at 03:21 pm

Hamilton, Apr 4 (IBNS): New Zealand government has nominated country's ex-Prime Minister Helen Clark for the position of United Nations secretary-general.

UN sexual misconduct investigation in DR Congo finds violations and cases of abuse

Apr 05, 2016, at 01:29 pm

New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Findings of a United Nations Response Team tasked with investigating sexual abuse allegations committed by UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) indicate sex with minors along with paternity claims.

First-ever World Humanitarian Summit must usher in new era of global solidarity – UN chief

Apr 05, 2016, at 01:27 pm

New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Briefing Member States on preparations for the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on Heads of State and Government to come to the event and deliver a strong message that “we will not accept the erosion of humanity which we see in the world on Monday.”

Disarmament Commission has ‘considerable potential’ to produce solid results – senior UN official

Apr 05, 2016, at 01:26 pm

New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Despite a “deepening paralysis and divisions within multilateral disarmament bodies,” and the fact that many are looking outside traditional United Nations forums for progress, the top official on the issue stressed on Monday that the UN Disarmament Commission has considerable potential to demonstrate that the existing disarmament machinery can produce results.

UN agency launches school meals programme for Lebanese and Syrian children

Apr 05, 2016, at 01:24 pm

New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A carton of milk or juice, locally-baked snacks and a piece of fruit are included in a school lunch that some children in Lebanon are receiving, as part of a meals programme launched by the United Nations food relief agency.

New UN Decade aims to eradicate hunger, prevent malnutrition

Apr 05, 2016, at 01:22 pm

New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Calling attention to the nearly 800 million chronically undernourished people and over two billion with micronutrient deficiencies, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2015 the start of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition.

Mine action an ‘investment in humanity,’ says Ban, calling for a world free of explosive remnants of war

Apr 05, 2016, at 01:20 pm

New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki moon on Monday called for a world free of the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war, stressing that those hazards prevent aid from reaching those in need, and endanger the lives of the displaced persons returning home and children going to school.

Israel halts cement deliveries into Gaza following allegations of diversion; UN envoy urges rapid resolution

Apr 05, 2016, at 01:16 pm

New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Middle East envoy on Monday the UN is working closely with Palestinian and Israeli authorities following Israel’s suspension of cement deliveries to private companies in the Gaza Strip “following allegations that a substantial amount had been diverted from its intended legitimate beneficiaries.”

Two years of conflict leaves 1.5 million people hungry in eastern Ukraine – UN agency

Apr 05, 2016, at 01:15 pm

New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The two-year long conflict in eastern Ukraine has left around 1.5 million people hungry, including almost 300,000 people who are severely food insecure and in need of immediate food assistance, the United Nations food relief agency said on Monday.

Imran Khan slams Nawaz Sharif over Panama leak

Apr 04, 2016, at 10:28 pm

Islamabad, Apr 4 (IBNS): Pakistani politician Imran Khan on Monday slammed country's PM Nawaz Sharif over the Panama papers leak.

Australia: Ex-Olympian charged over deaths of horses

Apr 04, 2016, at 08:54 pm

Melbourne, Apr 4 (IBNS): A former Australian Olympian wrestler has been charged with 92 animal cruelty offences after 22 horses were found dead on his Victorian property in Australia, media reports said on Sunday.

Heavy rains kill 57 in NW Pakistan, PoK

Apr 04, 2016, at 03:01 pm

Peshawar, Apr 4 (IBNS): Torrential rains which has hit Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan areas left at least 57 people dead.

Brussels airport reopens

Apr 04, 2016, at 01:52 am

Brussels, Apr 3 (IBNS): Days after militants attacked Brussels, the airport, which was one of the targets, reopened on Sunday.