With more people sedentary, UN health agency urges everyone to get moving

Feb 02, 2017, at 01:46 pm

New York, Feb 2 (Just Earth News): Not enough exercise contributes to cancer, diabetes, depression and other non-communicable diseases, according to the United Nations health agency, which is urging people to get up and get active.

Expressing concern about planned Israeli settlements, UN urges return to negotiations

Feb 02, 2017, at 05:01 am

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): The recent announcement by the Israeli Government to advance 5,000 settlement units in the occupied West Bank could be an “obstacle” to peace, the spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General on Wednesday said.

US travel ban a 'significant setback' for those needing international protection – UN rights experts

Feb 02, 2017, at 05:00 am

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): Expressing concern that a new Executive Order by the United States President Donald Trump is in breach of the country's human rights commitments, a group of United Nations rights experts have called on the US to live up to its human rights obligations and provide protection for those fleeing persecution and conflicts.

UN agency creates tool box of new technologies, good practices to help keep food safe

Feb 02, 2017, at 04:59 am

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): From avian flu to locusts and E. coli bacteria, food is contaminated every day by diseases and pests, leading the United Nations agricultural agency to create a set of emergency prevention tools to save lives and improve food safety and security.

Pakistan: Minor raped, murdered in Karachi

Feb 02, 2017, at 04:24 am

Karachi, Feb 1 (IBNS): A minor was raped and then murdered in Pakistan's Karachi city of Pakistan, media reports said.

NATO extends support to Libya in its fight against ISIL

Feb 02, 2017, at 02:14 am

Brussels, Feb 1 (IBNS): NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj on Wednesday for talks on the security situation in Libya.

UN fund allocates $6 million to help thousands in violence-hit parts of Central African Republic

Feb 01, 2017, at 02:09 pm

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): The top United Nations relief official on Tuesday approved an allocation from the Organization’s humanitarian emergency response fund to assist the response to new emergencies triggered by a surge of violence in the Central African Republic’s Kaga Bandoro, Bambari and Bria areas.

Ukraine: UN ‘gravely concerned’ by deteriorating situation as violence flares in Donetsk

Feb 01, 2017, at 02:08 pm

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): Amid outburst of violence in Ukraine, the United Nations Security Council and the top humanitarian official there expressed grave concern on Tuesday about the “dangerous deterioration” of the situation in the country’s eastern region and its severe impact on the local civilian population.

Syria: UN-supported talks delayed until 20 February to give opposition time to unite

Feb 01, 2017, at 02:07 pm

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Syria on Tuesday said that he asked the Security Council to postpone the UN facilitated talks that had been scheduled for 8 February in Geneva until 20 February, in order to give the war-torn country’s opposition time to unite and participate as one group.

Founders of ‘Lonely Planet’ awarded UN agency’s lifetime achievement award

Feb 01, 2017, at 02:06 pm

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): Hailing the impact of the popular ‘Lonely Planet’ travel guidebook series on global tourism, the United Nations tourism agency on Tuesday awarded its founders with its 13th Lifetime Achievement Award.

Managing national borders ‘cannot be based on any form of discrimination’ – UN chief Guterres

Feb 01, 2017, at 02:05 pm

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): Refugees fleeing conflict and persecution are entitled to protection, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, expressing concern at decisions around the world that have undermined the integrity of the international refugee protection regime.

Cut off by fighting, thousands of Yemenis urgently need aid and protection – UN official says

Feb 01, 2017, at 02:04 pm

New York, Feb 1 (Just Earth News): The senior United Nations humanitarian official in Yemen voiced extreme concern on Tuesday about the safety and well-being of citizens in the south-eastern part of the country, where military operations are cutting off services and causing harm to civilians.

Canada: Mourners hold vigil at scene of Quebec mosque attack

Feb 01, 2017, at 05:02 am

Toronto, Jan. 31 (IBNS): Several mourners gathered at the Quebec mosque attack spot in Canada on Tuesday after the deadly strike on Sunday left six Muslim men killed while injuring 19 others, media reports said.

Banks, UN set standards on channelling investments for sustainable development

Feb 01, 2017, at 04:49 am

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): Nearly 20 leading global banks and investors, totalling $6.6 trillion in assets, have launched a United Nations-backed global framework aimed at channelling the money they manage towards clean, low carbon and inclusive projects.

UNICEF launches $3.3 billion appeal to assist millions of children affected by conflict, disasters

Feb 01, 2017, at 04:46 am

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of ever increasing number of children driven from their homes due to conflict, disasters and climate change, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday launched a $3.3 billion appeal to provide emergency assistance in 48 countries around the globe.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne visits Mosque in Toronto to comfort Muslims

Feb 01, 2017, at 01:41 am

Toronto, Jan 31 (IBNS): Calling the Quebec City attack a “cowardly act of terror,” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne visited on Monday a downtown Toronto mosque to tell the Muslim community that "the only antidote to hatred is love," media reports said.

Peshawar: Blast leaves 9 injured

Feb 01, 2017, at 12:06 am

Peshawar, Jan 31 (IBNS): Blast in Peshawar city of Pakistan left at least nine people injured on Tuesday, media reports said.

Demonstrators at U.S. Embassy in Ottawa protest against Trump's travel ban

Jan 31, 2017, at 11:45 pm

Toronto, Jan 31 (IBNS): More than a thousand demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa to protest an executive order signed on Friday by U.S. President Donald Trump, which banned citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

Move against Hafiz Saeed is policy decision, says DG ISPR

Jan 31, 2017, at 10:56 pm

Islamabad, Jan 31 (IBNS): Director General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed has been kept under house arrest due to policy decision.

Moussa Faki Mahamat elected as incoming Chair of the African Union Commission

Jan 31, 2017, at 09:05 pm

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan 30 (IBNS): Chadian Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat has been elected incoming Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission by AU heads of State and Government, who form the Assembly of the African Union.

Will create environment for small business: Trump

Jan 31, 2017, at 03:34 pm

Washington, Jan 31 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his government is going to create 'environment' for small business in the country.

Trump fires acting Attorney General

Jan 31, 2017, at 03:03 pm

Washington, Jan 31 (IBNS): After acting Attorney General Sally Yates questioned the legality of US President Donald Trump's immigration ban, she has been fired from the post on Monday, media reports said.

Pakistan: Hafiz Muhammad Saeed placed under house arrest

Jan 31, 2017, at 02:44 pm

Lahore, Jan 31 (IBNS): Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has been put under 'house arrest' by Pakistani authorities, country's media reported quoting sources within Punjab Home Department.

Yemen: UN envoy condemns attack on building used to monitor cessation of hostilities

Jan 31, 2017, at 01:53 pm

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Yemen strongly condemned on Monday the attack on the De-escalation and Coordination Committee building, which regularly houses UN Staff, in Dhahran Al-Janoub, which is in Saudi Arabia near the Yemeni border.

World must implement pledges on women’s empowerment and rights – UN Women deputy chief

Jan 31, 2017, at 01:52 pm

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): Speaking at a consultation in preparation for the Commission on Status of Women, a body exclusively dedicated to promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment, a senior United Nations official on Monday called for sustained commitment and leadership to ensure a successful outcome of the Commission.

UN agency ‘alarmed’ by uncertainty facing refugees in the process of being resettled in US

Jan 31, 2017, at 01:51 pm

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): The head of the United Nations refugee agency on Monday said he is “deeply worried” by the uncertainty facing thousands of refugees around the world who are in the process of being resettled to the United States after the country suspended its refugee programme last week.

UN mission in South Sudan ‘deeply concerned’ by clashes between Government and opposition forces

Jan 31, 2017, at 01:50 pm

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): Amid an outbreak of violence in the South Sudanese city of Malakal, the United Nations mission in the country on Monday called on the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA in Opposition to silence the guns.

At Youth Forum, UN calls on young people to help realize a better future for all

Jan 31, 2017, at 01:49 pm

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): Drawing attention challenges such as climate change, unemployment and inequality, confronting young people around the world, including in places where peace prevails, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called for the youth to speak up and share their stories.

Myanmar: UN rights expert condemns killing of prominent Muslim lawyer

Jan 31, 2017, at 01:47 pm

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): A United Nations human rights expert on Monday strongly condemned the brutal murder of a respected Muslim lawyer and constitutional law expert in Myanmar, who was also the legal adviser to the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD).

At African Union Summit, UN chief Guterres spotlights need to strengthen cooperation

Jan 31, 2017, at 01:46 pm

New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News): In his first address to the African Union since taking office, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday underscored the importance of a strategic AU-UN partnership for building sustainable development and advancing peace and security on the continent.