Apr 01, 2017, at 01:22 pm
New York, Apr 1(Just Earth News): The Paris Agreement on climate change remains a momentous diplomatic success, universally supported by all countries when it was adopted in 2015 at a United Nations conference, and as of on Friday, it has been ratified by 141 nations, surpassing the threshold for its entry into force.
INTERVIEW: Mark Bowden on his time in Afghanistan and on revamping international aid
Apr 01, 2017, at 01:20 pm
New York, Apr 1 (Just Earth News): The conflict in Afghanistan is “partially forgotten,†the former United Nations Deputy Special Representative for the country has warned, calling for more aid for displaced families and a greater focus on bridging the poverty gaps.
DR Congo: Security Council extends peacekeeping mandate, but reduces troop strength
Apr 01, 2017, at 01:19 pm
New York, Mar 31 (Just Earth News): The Security Council on Friday extended the mandate of the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for another year but reduced the number of troops.
Incremental progress but ‘we’re not yet there,’ UN mediator on Syria reports
Apr 01, 2017, at 01:17 pm
New York, Apr 1 (Just Earth News): The latest round of the United Nations-facilitated intra-Syrian talks concluded on Friday in Geneva where UN envoy Staffan de Mistura told journalists the discussions had been serious and the parties engaged, but “we’re not yet there.â€
Approval of Somalia’s new cabinet a ‘green light for action,’ says UN envoy
Apr 01, 2017, at 01:15 pm
New York, Apr 1 (Just Earth News): Welcoming the Somali Federal Parliament’s approval of a new cabinet, the United Nations envoy for the country expressed hope that the new Government will be able to address the challenges confronting the Horn of Africa nation.
UNESCO award for Dawit Isaak 'sign of hope' to free imprisoned Eritrean journalist
Apr 01, 2017, at 01:14 pm
New York, Apr 1 (Just Earth News): An imprisoned Eritrean-Swedish journalist who was arrested in a crackdown on the media in September 2001 and was known for his critical and insightful reporting has won a prestigious United Nations prize dedicated to promoting press freedom.
Canada govt to invest 1.9 billion in GO train transit, Ontario welcomes decision
Apr 01, 2017, at 07:08 am
Toronto, Mar 31 (IBNS) The Federal Government in Canada will invest roughly $1.9 billion in the GO RER (Regional Express Railway) project thus upgrading the GO Transit train service, a move welcomed by Ontario.
UN, partners warn 108 million people face severe food insecurity worldwide
Apr 01, 2017, at 05:59 am
New York, Apr 1(Just Earth News): Despite international efforts to address food insecurity, around 108 million people worldwide were severely food insecure in 2016, a dramatic increase compared with 80 million in 2015, according to a United Nations-backed report on food crises that offers benchmark for action needed to avoid catastrophe.
Some 300 million people suffer from depression, UN warns ahead of World Health Day
Apr 01, 2017, at 05:57 am
New York, Apr 1(Just Earth News): More than 300 million people are now living with depression, which is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, according to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) released ahead of World Health Day.
Guterres voices 'disappointment and alarm' after latest Israeli settlement announcement
Apr 01, 2017, at 05:56 am
New York, Apr 1(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, voicing concern about the latest decision to build a new settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In Iraq, UN chief Guterres urges more support for those who have 'suffered enormously'
Apr 01, 2017, at 05:55 am
New York, Apr 1 (Just Earth News): Highlighting the lack of resources for United Nations programmes assisting those displaced by the fighting in Iraq's Mosul Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to do more to help the people who have “suffered enormously and go on suffering.
Pakistan: Blast outside imambargah kills 22
Mar 31, 2017, at 10:02 pm
Peshawar, Mar 31 (IBNS): A blast outside an imambargah at a market in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province killed at least 22 people on Friday, media reports said.
South Korea: Park Geun-hye arrested, faces 13 charges
Mar 31, 2017, at 02:56 pm
Seoul, Mar 31 (IBNS): Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been arrested on Friday morning, local The Chosunilbo reported.
Trump warns US companies against job loss, ahead of China meeting
Mar 31, 2017, at 02:46 pm
Washington, Mar 31 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump has urged American companies to look for other alternatives and has warned against any further job losses, ahead of next week's meeting with China.
Colombia: UN receives 7,000 weapons from FARC-EP as hunt for hidden caches continues
Mar 31, 2017, at 12:56 pm
New York, Mar 31 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Mission in Colombia is set to register some 7,000 weapons this weekend, but the search for other caches of weapons hidden by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) continues, the Mission’s chief has said.
Conflict now eroding food security in 'stable' areas of South Sudan – UN Mission
Mar 31, 2017, at 12:56 pm
New York, Mar 31 (Just Earth News): The ongoing conflict in South Sudan is affecting food security in some of the country's more “stable†states, the head of United Nations peacekeeping operation there has said.
More must be done to place Syrian refugees; conflict sees worst violence in months – UN
Mar 31, 2017, at 12:55 pm
New York, Mar 31 (Just Earth News): The world’s attention has moved away from Syria following the battle for Aleppo, despite the fact that the last few months have been “some of the worst†for civilians, the United Nations humanitarian chief on Thursday told the Security Council, reiterating calls for an end to the six year conflict.
In Baghdad, UN chief Guterres pledges solidarity with Iraqi government and people
Mar 31, 2017, at 12:54 pm
New York, Mar 31 (Just Earth News): On what he called a “visit of solidarity†with Iraq, Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday welcomed the commitment of the country’s leaders to civilian protection and national dialogue, and pledged the ongoing support of the United Nations as the Government seeks to bolster aid delivery to needy populations and rebuild Iraq institutions.
UN agriculture agency takes step to help rice farmers bolster production
Mar 31, 2017, at 12:52 pm
New York, Mar 31 (Just Earth News): Concerned about global rice production and eradicating hunger around the world, the United Nations agricultural agency on Thursday announced that it has teamed up with an international research institute to enhance rice farming and make it more adaptable to climate change.
As famine looms, malnutrition and disease rise sharply among Somali children – UNICEF
Mar 31, 2017, at 04:55 am
New York, Mar 30 (Just Earth News): As the spectre of famine hangs once again over Somalia, early numbers show an increasing number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and cholera or acute watery diarrhoea – a combination that killed many children in the famine of 2011, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday.
Civilian protection, aid access at risk as violence flares in Central African Republic – UN
Mar 31, 2017, at 04:54 am
New York, Mar 30 (Just Earth News): With a new outbreak of violence erupting in the Central African Republic (CAR), a senior United Nations humanitarian official on Thursday urged warring parties to protect vulnerable civilian populations as a matter of priority and ensure free movements of relief aid workers.
Toronto named one of Canada's best diversity employers
Mar 31, 2017, at 04:53 am
Toronto, Mar 30 (IBNS): Mediacorp Canada Inc. announced that City of Toronto has been named one of Canada's best diversity employers for the second consecutive year for its workplace diversity and inclusion programs among the 100 winners of 2017 best diversity employers in a Globe and Mail magazine.
UN refugee agency stresses importance of search missions after latest shipwreck in Europe
Mar 31, 2017, at 04:52 am
New York, Mar 30 (Just Earth News): With nearly 150 people dead or missing in another shipwreck off the Mediterranean coast, the United Nations refugee agency on Thursday stressed the importance of saving lives at sea.
Yemen: UN envoy urges Security Council to put pressure on warring parties to discuss his proposal
Mar 31, 2017, at 04:51 am
New York, Mar 30 (Just Earth News): United Nations envoy for Yemen has urged the members of the Security Council to put pressure on the warring parties in that country to engage constructively in discussing the peace process framework he had presented.
Canada: CIBC Toronto staff lose jobs to workers in India
Mar 31, 2017, at 04:48 am
Toronto, Mar 30 (IBNS): CIBC's decision to eliminate up to 130 jobs in its Toronto finance department and outsourcing the work to India has caused great concern among the employees losing their jobs, media reports said.
US President Trump thanks veterans on National Vietnam War Veterans Day
Mar 30, 2017, at 03:45 pm
Washington, Mar 30 (IBNS): Signing a new order, S. 305 into law, US President Donald Trump thanks veterans on the first ever National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Pro-poor urbanization, sustainable infrastructure can unlock Asia-Pacific's prosperity – UN
Mar 30, 2017, at 01:50 pm
New York, Mar 30 (Just Earth News): Some 400 million people in Asia and the Pacific still confront poverty as part of their daily lives due to widening income inequality, despite the region's impressive gains in reducing poverty in recent decades, a United Nations-backed report has found.
UN health agency highlights importance of measles vaccine amid Europe outbreak
Mar 30, 2017, at 01:49 pm
New York, Mar 30 (Just Earth News): Hundreds of measles cases have been reported in Europe – where the disease was believed to be nearing elimination – leading the United Nations health agency to urge families to vaccinate their children and for national authorities to take urgent measures to stop transmission at the borders.
In special address, Chile's President spotlights efficacy of UN Human Rights Council
Mar 30, 2017, at 01:49 pm
New York, Mar 30 (Just Earth News): Addressing a special meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Chilean President on Wednesday stressed the importance of multilateralism and the work of the 47-member body.
Medicines should help, not harm, says UN health agency launching global patient safety 'challenge'
Mar 30, 2017, at 01:48 pm
New York, Mar 30 (Just Earth News): Medicines should help, not harm, says UN health agency launching new global patient safety 'challenge'