Massive fire breaks out at London high rise

Jun 14, 2017, at 02:53 pm

London, June 14 (IBNS): A massive fire broke out at a tower block in London on Wednesday, officials said.

Experts urge support for most marginalized persons with disabilities, as UN forum begins

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:44 pm

New York, June 14(Just Earth News): As the largest and most diverse international disability meeting in the world kicks off at the United Nations in New York, leading experts in the field are calling for greater recognition of a range of human rights and fundamental freedoms for persons with disabilities while focusing on helping the most vulnerable among them.

'Unprecedented' conference on rights of persons with disabilities gets under way at UN

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:43 pm

New York, June 14(Just Earth News): A major intergovernmental meeting got underway at the United Nations on Tuesday, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of a landmark treaty on the rights of persons with disabilities.

'Security vacuum' in Central Africa may be exploited by armed groups – UN envoy

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:41 pm

New York, June 14(Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Central Africa on Tuesday expressed his concern that the withdrawal of troops from the regional force by some contributing countries would create a security vacuum that may be exploited by an armed group.

Mine action vital to success of UN peace mandates, Security Council told

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:41 pm

New York, June 14(Just Earth News): The mitigation of the threats posed by landmines and other explosive remnants of war is vital to the success of United Nations peacekeeping and special political missions, as well as to the delivery of humanitarian assistance, the return of displaced persons, and sustainable development, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Tuesday.

At EXPO 2017, UN agencies highlight benefits of clean energy for all

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:40 pm

New York, June 14(Just Earth News): Showcasing the centrality of the energy sector to address global sustainable development challenges, United Nations agencies in Kazakhstan at EXPO 2017 have urged the global community for new momentum to ongoing efforts towards transition to clean energy.

Not only strong, but smart policies needed to combat terrorism – UN chief

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:39 pm

New York, June 14(Just Earth News): Efforts and policies to prevent extremism must encompass all segments of the society, in particular those who have suffered structural discrimination and marginalization, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, warning that measures which fail to do so could end up effectively “driving” people into the hands of terrorists.

Protection of migrant and refugee children must be at core of new global compacts – UN agency

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:38 pm

New York, June 14(Just Earth News): Amid ongoing discussions towards the first-ever global compacts on refugees and migration, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) joined other United Nations agencies meeting in Berlin on Tuesday stressing that all parties involved in these talks must work together to address the needs of migrant children, consistent with their human rights.

Polluted environments kill 1.4 million in Europe annually; UN agencies urge stepped-up action

Jun 14, 2017, at 04:28 am

New York, June 13(Just Earth News): As some 1.4 million people in Europe and Central Asia die prematurely each year from polluted environments, United Nations agency heads at high-level meeting call for regional leaders to scale up action to stem environmental deaths and diseases.

Conflict in Ukraine enters fourth year 'with no end in sight' – UN report

Jun 14, 2017, at 04:27 am

New York, June 13(Just Earth News): Warring parties in eastern Ukraine have repeatedly failed to implement ceasefire agreements, allowing hostilities to escalate and the cumulative death toll to exceed 10,000 as the conflict entered its fourth year, a new United Nations report reveals.

Joint African action crucial to protect persons with albinism from violence, highlights UN expert

Jun 14, 2017, at 04:25 am

New York, June 13(Just Earth News): Highlighting the importance of cooperation among countries to overcome the violence and discrimination faced by persons with albinism, a United Nations rights expert has urged African nations to fully implement a regional action plan on ending attacks on persons with albinism.

North Korea frees US national Otto Warmbier

Jun 14, 2017, at 02:42 am

Washington, June 13 (IBNS): An US national, who was jailed in North Korea, has been released, media reports said on Tuesday.

China denies rumour of rift with Pakistan

Jun 14, 2017, at 02:08 am

Beijing, June 13 (IBNS): China has denied rumours on possible rift with Pakistan and called reports related to it as 'baseless'.

IS asks followers to launch attacks in America, Australia, Europe, and Russia

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:38 am

London, June 13 (IBNS): An audio message purportedly released by militant group Islamic State, the group's spokesperson has directed followers to launch attacks in America, Australia, Europe, and Russia in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Displaced people's camp near Mosul hit by food poisoning

Jun 14, 2017, at 01:32 am

Mosul, June 13 (IBNS): A displaced people's camp near Mosul in Iraq was recently hit by suspected food poisoning, making 100 people ill and costing a child life, according to BBC News.

Theresa May hold talks with DUP to form government

Jun 14, 2017, at 12:42 am

London, June 13 (IBNS): British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday held talks with leaders of Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to form the minority Tory government, according to BBC News.

Police officer, others injured in Munich subway shooting

Jun 13, 2017, at 08:13 pm

Munich, June 13 (IBNS) : A policewoman was injured in a shooting at a railway station in a Munich suburb by an assailant who reportedly grabbed her gun.

Guterres expresses support for UN agency's work assisting Palestine refugees in Middle East

Jun 13, 2017, at 11:40 am

New York, June 13 (Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday expressed concerns over recent public criticism of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the integrity of its operations, and called on all Member States to continue to support the agency in discharging its important humanitarian mandate. According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, the UN chief also expressed his support and admiration for UNRWA's role in delivering essential services and protecting the rights of millions of Palestine refugees across the Middle East. “UNRWA operates in the front lines of difficult conflict situations and provides education for half a million refugee girls and boys, teaching them human rights and tolerance. Its education and relief activities contribute critically to stability in the region,” read the statement.

Central African Republic: UN mission determined to fulfil mandate despite attacks on peacekeepers

Jun 13, 2017, at 11:39 am

New York, June 13 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the Central African Republic on Monday warned against increasing attacks on civilians and peacekeeping personnel while stressing the need to reenergize the political process to achieve sustainable peace in the conflict-torn country.

Angola: Funds urgently needed as Congolese refugee influx overwhelms services, warns UN agency

Jun 13, 2017, at 05:00 am

New York, June 12(Just Earth News): As refugees fleeing violence and communal tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to arrive in neighbouring Angola, the United Nations refugee agency has appealed for more resources to cope with the influx and to provide those coming with the support they urgently need.

UN agency chief urges world to 'step up' as refugee numbers outpace resettlement spots

Jun 13, 2017, at 04:59 am

New York, June 12(Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of increasing refugee numbers around the globe, fuelled by crisis and insecurity, and an ever widening gap in places to resettle them, the top United Nations official dealing with refugee issues has called on governments to “step up” and deliver places for refugees in line with the commitments they have made.

Protect children in conflicts and disasters from forced labour, underscores UN on World Day

Jun 13, 2017, at 04:56 am

New York, June 12(Just Earth News): Children in areas affected by conflict and disasters are among the most vulnerable, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) in warning on the World Day Against Child Labour, making a strong call for an end to the scourge, especially as children trapped in crisis risk falling prey to trafficking or being forced into hazardous work.

Addressing Board, UN atomic energy chief takes up DPR Korea safeguards issue

Jun 13, 2017, at 04:51 am

New York, June 12(Just Earth News): The head of the United Nations atomic energy agency today briefed its governing board on its activities, including nuclear safeguards issues with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran, and nuclear technology's contributions to countries' development.

Jeremy Corbyn welcomes cancellation of Trump's visit to UK

Jun 13, 2017, at 04:43 am

London, June 12 (IBNS): Citing the reasons of attacking the London Mayor and withdrawal from the Paris Accord, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has welcomed the cancellation of the US President Donald Trump's visit to the United Kingdom.

French parliamentary elections: Macron set for huge win

Jun 12, 2017, at 05:09 pm

Paris, Jun 12 (IBNS): Following a win in the French presidential polls, President Emmanual Macron and his party is on path for a huge win in the parliamentary elections, reports said.

China Eastern plane makes emergency landing at Sydney airport following technical snag

Jun 12, 2017, at 04:33 pm

Sydney, Jun 12 (IBNS): A China Eastern Airlines flight made an emergency landing at the Sydney airport after developing a technical snag, reports said.

In Kyrgyzstan, UN chief Guterres highlights importance of governance for sustainable development

Jun 12, 2017, at 01:08 pm

New York, June 12 (Just Earth News): Underscoring the importance of accountable and inclusive governance and institutions for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday called for public services to be more responsive, efficient and collaborative.

Catastrophe of Aral Sea shows 'men can destroy the planet', warns UN chief Guterres

Jun 11, 2017, at 02:08 pm

New York, June 11(Just Earth News): Continuing his visit to Central Asia, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday visited the Aral Sea – once the world's fourth largest inland sea, that has now shrunk to about a quarter of its original size due to human mismanagement – where he urged the world to take lesson from the catastrophe and to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.

UN chief Guterres highlights importance of sustainable energy in message to EXPO 2017

Jun 11, 2017, at 04:47 am

New York, June 10(Just Earth News): Underlining the importance of energy, in particular for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action to ensure that everyone has access to clean, affordable and efficient energy so that they can rise to their full potential.

London attackers eyed a 7.5 tonne truck initially: reports

Jun 10, 2017, at 04:15 pm

London, Jun 10 (IBNS): The London Bridge attack could have been far more ghastly if the three attackers had stuck to their original plan of using a seven and a half tonne truck, reports said.