UN Latin America commission forecasts low but positive growth for region in 2017

Aug 05, 2017, at 09:44 am

New York, Aug 5(Just Earth News): With better commodity export prices and an improved international context, the Latin America and the Caribbean region will record a small positive growth rate this year – with the exception of Venezuela and two Caribbean countries, according to a new report of the UN Latin America commission.

Syria: UN study finds foreign fighters return 'disillusioned' by groups they joined

Aug 05, 2017, at 09:40 am

New York, Aug 5(Just Earth News): A number of “disillusioned and disappointed” foreign terrorist fighters left Syria and returned to their countries of origin when they found these groups hardly make good on their promises, except promise of death and destruction, according to a report issued by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).

Study says large commercial players dominating Airbnb; online room renting service dismisses

Aug 05, 2017, at 07:09 am

Toronto, Aug 4 (IBNS): A recent study has revealed that large commercial players are becoming dominants in the Airbnb market in three major cities of Canada though the leading online room renting service has dismissed the report, media reports said.

DR Congo: UN report indicates Government participation in ethnic massacres in Kasai

Aug 05, 2017, at 04:51 am

New York, Aug 4(Just Earth News): Violence in the Kasai provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) appears to be taking on an increasingly disturbing ethnic dimension, a United Nations human rights wing has warned, citing testimonies that Government forces have led ethnicity-based attacks.

UN, Government join forces to boost Somalia's drought response capacity

Aug 05, 2017, at 04:49 am

New York, Aug 4(Just Earth News): In the wake of a severe drought in Somalia that has displaced more than 800,000 people, the United Nations migration and development entities are helping the Horn of Africa country enhance its national drought response capacity.

Afghanistan: One foreign soldier killed in suicide attack

Aug 04, 2017, at 09:34 pm

Kabul, Aug 4 (IBNS): At least one foreign soldier was killed and five others were injured when a suicide blast hit Qarabagh district of Kabul province, media reports said on Friday.

Suicide attack in Kabul leaves NATO soldier dead, six wounded

Aug 04, 2017, at 07:19 pm

Kabul, Aug 4 (IBNS) : A suicide bomber targeted the convoy of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Kabul province late on Thursday evening, Afghanistan's state-run Khaama Press reported.

Fire rips through Dubai skyscraper, no injuries reported

Aug 04, 2017, at 05:05 pm

Dubai, Aug 4 (IBNS): A residential skyscraper in Dubai was engulfed in fire, for the second time in two years, reports said.

UN sanctions 'formidable instrument for global peace and security,' Security Council told

Aug 04, 2017, at 09:47 am

New York, Aug 4(Just Earth News): United Nations Security Council sanctions are “a formidable instrument for global peace and security,” a senior UN political official said on Thursday, stressing that these measures, when implemented effectively, can contribute to preventing conflict, countering terrorism and constraining the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Organizational reform moves ahead as Guterres receives proposals on a strengthened UN-Habitat

Aug 04, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Aug 4(Just Earth News): An independent panel reviewing the effectiveness of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has proposed the programme be recast as the Organization's 'urban champion,' including through the establishment of a coordinating mechanism to complement the its work and convene all UN agencies and partners on urban sustainability.

ISIL's 'genocide' against Yazidis is ongoing, UN rights panel says, calling for international action

Aug 04, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Aug 4(Just Earth News): Marking three years since the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) attacked the Yazidis in Syria, a United Nations-mandated inquiry has called for justice and rescue plans.

Home prices, sales in Toronto record consecutive third month-to-month drop in July

Aug 04, 2017, at 07:31 am

Toronto, Aug 4 (IBNS): The prices and the sales of Toronto houses recorded the third consecutive month-to-month reduction in July, media reports said.

UN Standing Police Capacity fills critical need in peace operations, underscores outgoing chief

Aug 04, 2017, at 04:40 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): Over the past 10 years, the United Nations Standing Police Capacity has filled a critical need in global peace operations by providing them with readily available police expertise, according to the outgoing head of the unit, who says she is proud to have played a part in putting the SPC “on the map,” while also highlighting the need to recruit more women officers to carry out this important work.

Mauritania: UN rights office voices concern about unrest ahead of constitutional referendum

Aug 04, 2017, at 04:39 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights office on Thursday expressed concern about the ongoing unrest in Mauritania, ahead of the constitutional referendum scheduled for Saturday, particularly the apparent suppression of dissenting voices and the reported use of excessive force by the authorities against protest leaders.

Food prices surge in July; UN agriculture agency cites cereals, sugar and dairy as main drivers

Aug 04, 2017, at 04:38 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): Driven mainly by higher cereal, sugar and dairy quotations, global food prices rose for the third consecutive month in July, according to the United Nations agriculture agency.

Australia: University of Sydney hit by racist graffiti

Aug 03, 2017, at 06:39 pm

Sydney, Aug 3 (IBNS): Officials at the University of Sydney were left embarrassed and apologised after racist graffiti emerged in at least two places on Wednesday, reports said.

Canada: QEW HOT lanes pilot project saves driving time

Aug 03, 2017, at 06:16 pm

Toronto, Aug 3 (IBNS): Applications for the next round of permits and renewals for Canada's first High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes -- which provide another commuter option and help manage congestion -- are open until Aug. 31, 2017, and valid from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2017, according to a news release.

China extends hold on terror tag for Jaish chief Masood Azhar

Aug 03, 2017, at 05:54 pm

United Nations, Aug 3 (IBNS) : Maintaining its earlier stand that comes significant in the light of the worsening relationship with India, China has extended its hold on the pending application in the UN to designate Pakistan-based JeM terror group leader Masood Azhar as a terrorist.

Herat mosque bombing: ISIS claims responsibility, identifies suicide bombers

Aug 03, 2017, at 05:05 pm

Kabul, Aug 3 (IBNS): The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for carrying out the suicide attack near a mosque in Herat province of Afghanistan on Tuesday evening, reports said.

Amid 'political impasse' in Burundi, Security Council urges all parties to cease violence

Aug 03, 2017, at 09:50 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council today expressed “deep concern” over the political situation in Burundi – including increasing numbers of refugees and reports of torture, forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings – and strongly urged the Government and all parties to immediately cease and reject such violence.

Adopting new resolution, UN Security Council moves to thwart terrorists' access to weapons

Aug 03, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution aimed at preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons, particularly small arms and light weapons, the “destabilizing accumulation and misuse” of which the 15-member body said “continue to pose threats to international peace and security and cause significant loss of life.”

In South Sudan, UN peacekeeping chief says regional engagement 'good thing' for peace process

Aug 03, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations peacekeeping chief said today the involvement of eastern African countries in revitalizing the peace process in South Sudan was among the main topics he discussed with that nation's President, describing such regional engagement “a good thing.”

DR Congo: UN envoy expresses concern over arbitrary arrests, urges restraint

Aug 03, 2017, at 09:47 am

New York, Aug 3(Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today expressed his concern over arbitrary arrests and detentions across the country, following civil society's call for the holding of elections before year-end and their peaceful protests against delays in the publication of the electoral calendar.

Montreal celebrates 375th anniversary of its rich history

Aug 03, 2017, at 07:43 am

Montreal, Aug 2 (IBNS): Montreal, the largest city in Canada's Quebec province, is celebrating its 375th anniversary this year with a host of colourful events that showcase its rich history and culture as well as its iconic places and neighbourhoods.

If you are lone, you are not alone in Canada

Aug 03, 2017, at 07:13 am

Ottawa, Aug 2 (IBNS): If you are lone in Canada, then it is sure you are not the only one, at least Census 2016 hinted that.

Afghanistan: UN condemns killing of civilians in Herat mosque attack

Aug 03, 2017, at 04:16 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN political mission in Afghanistan have denounced last night's attack against worshippers gathered in a mosque in the city of Herat which killed at least 31 civilians and injured many more.

Conflict-affected rural families in Iraq to benefit from mobile cash-transfer technology – UN

Aug 03, 2017, at 04:15 am

New York, Aug 2(Just Earth News): Many vulnerable rural families in Iraq will now be able to safely receive income thanks to a newly adopted mobile money transfer technology that is part of a cash-for-work programme to rehabilitate farming infrastructure, according to the United Nations agriculture agency.

Afghanistan: Terrorist attack NATO convoy, foreign soldier's feared killed

Aug 02, 2017, at 11:42 pm

Kabul, Aug 2 (IBNS): Several foreign soldiers are feared to have been killed as a car-suicide bombing hit a NATO convoy in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province on Wednesday, media reports said.

Herat mosque bombing: Taliban denies role, casualties climb to 93

Aug 02, 2017, at 05:54 pm

Kabul, Aug 2 (IBNS): The Taliban has refuted allegations that the group was behind the suicide attack in a mosque in Herat province of Afghanistan, local Khaama Press reported.

Afghanistan: At least two die in Paktia explosion

Aug 02, 2017, at 05:36 pm

Kabul, Aug 2 (IBNS): At least two people have reportedly died in an explosion in Afghanistan's Paktia province, local Khaama Press reported.