Taliban base attack kills at least 70 soldiers

Apr 22, 2017, at 04:01 pm

Kabul, Apr 22 (IBNS): An attack at an army base in Afghanistan's Balkh province accounted for at least 70 soldiers as militants targeted those leaving Friday prayers at the base's mosque, media reports said.

Taliban attack kills eight Afghan soldiers

Apr 22, 2017, at 03:58 pm

Kabul, Apr 22 (IBNS): At least eight Afghan soldiers were killed in a suicide attack carried out by militants, local Khaama Press reported.

Addressing ‘fragility’ of societies key to preventing conflicts, stresses UN chief

Apr 22, 2017, at 12:58 pm

New York, Apr 22(Just Earth News): Noting that a key trigger common to nearly all conflicts is the element of fragility – fragility of States, of institutions, or of societies – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for increasing investments in preventative measures that address the problem of fragility before it turns into conflict.

UN envoy welcomes restored Internet service in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions

Apr 22, 2017, at 12:58 pm

New York, Apr 22(Just Earth News): The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa was relieved to learn that Cameroon President Paul Biya instructed that full internet services be restored in the North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon.

UN food relief agency air-lifts food, medical supplies to 31,000 famine-stricken Somalis

Apr 22, 2017, at 12:57 pm

New York, Apr 22(Just Earth News): As the drought intensifies in south and north-eastern Somalia, the United Nations emergency food relief agency on Friday airlifted to Mogadishu enough high-energy biscuits to assist 31,000 people for three days.

Global CEOs call for greater disclosure of climate risks

Apr 22, 2017, at 12:56 pm

Geneva, Switzerland, Apr 22(Just Earth News): The heads of major global businesses are urging G20 governments to formally accept that companies should disclose climate-related financial risks.

Cuba needs new laws and stronger action targeting human trafficking – UN rights expert

Apr 22, 2017, at 05:41 am

New York, Apr 22(Just Earth News): A United Nations human rights expert has urged Cuba to consider introducing new legislation to ensure that everyone who falls victim to trafficking in persons can be identified and helped, and the authorities can take action against offenders.

‘Large majority’ of millions living with hepatitis have no access to testing or treatment – UN agency

Apr 22, 2017, at 05:40 am

New York, Apr 22(Just Earth News): New data published by the United Nations health agency has revealed that a vast majority of the estimated 325 million people living with chronic hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection lack access to life-saving testing and treatment, placing them at a great risk of chronic liver disease, cancer, and even death.

Spread of literacy among women highlighted in UNESCO anniversary global review

Apr 22, 2017, at 05:39 am

New York, Apr 22(Just Earth News): The increase in reading and writing proficiency among women is a result of the significant up tic in their enrolment and completion of primary education over the last five decades, even as overall funding for adult literacy has remained low, a recently-launched study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has found.

UN refugee agency sending urgent relief items for Congolese civilians fleeing to Angola

Apr 22, 2017, at 05:38 am

New York, Apr 22(Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency is shipping tents, mosquito nets and other essential relief items to Angola, where some 9,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have fled this month alone.

UNICEF calls for action to prevent more deaths in Central Mediterranean as attempted crossings spike

Apr 22, 2017, at 05:37 am

New York, Apr 22(Just Earth News): Noting increases in number of migrants, including children, attempting to reach European shores using the Central Mediterranean route, and consequent rise in number of deaths, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for safe and legal pathways for those who are fleeing conflict, poverty and depravation.

'Alberta hires Albertan first' getting popular among locals

Apr 21, 2017, at 06:12 pm

Calgary, Apr 20 (IBNS): The pilot project initiated by the provincial government in Alberta to encourage employers to hire Albertans on a priority basis has garnered much praise from the local populace, reports said.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister to visit Delhi next week

Apr 21, 2017, at 06:07 pm

Colombo, Apr 21 (IBNS): Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe is scheduled to visit India in the last week of April to strengthen the economic corporation between the two countries.

Paris attacker was on police watch-list, say reports

Apr 21, 2017, at 04:55 pm

Paris, Apr 21 (IBNS): The Islamic State jihadist, who killed at least one police officer and injured two others by firing on a bus in Paris on Thursday, was already on police watch-list, reports said.

Paris shooting kills one, IS claims attack

Apr 21, 2017, at 03:01 pm

Paris, Apr 21 (IBNS): At least one policeman was killed and two others injured in a 'terror attack' in central Paris, media reports said.

UN seeks more ‘cost-effective’ flight logistics in peacekeeping, political missions

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:54 pm

New York, Apr 21(Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday launched an initiative to boost efficiency of United Nations planes and flights, as it was revealed that the Organization spent close to $750 million from 2115 to 2116 on air assets in its peacekeeping and political missions.

All sides in Syria crisis felt impact of ‘horrific’ weekend attack on evacuee convoy, says UN envoy

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:54 pm

New York, Apr 21(Just Earth News): Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Humanitarian Taskforce (HTF), Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, stated that the horrific attack on a convoy of evacuees this past weekend had impacted everyone at on Thursday’s talks.

INTERVIEW: ‘Act now,’ or by 2130, millions could be graduating from schools without even basic education, warns UN envoy

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:53 pm

New York, Apr 21(Just Earth News): The ground-breaking, United Nations-backed International Finance Facility for Education is vital to ensure that half of the world’s children don’t miss out on the basic schooling needed to meet the 2130 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Security Council condemns latest ‘highly destabilizing’ DPRK ballistic missile test

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:52 pm

New York, Apr 21(Just Earth News): Strongly condemning the 15 April ballistic-missile launch conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United Nations Security Council on Thursday demanded that the country immediately cease further actions in violation of the UN body’s relevant resolutions and comply fully with its obligations under these resolutions.

UN expert body urges accountability for attacks against children in crisis-torn Syria

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:51 pm

New York, Apr 21(Just Earth News): In the wake of the recent attack on an evacuation convoy near Aleppo, Syria, and the purported use of chemical weapons in southern Idlib, the United Nations child rights body on Thursday called for investigations into all attacks on children in the country and for bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Middle East engulfed by ‘perfect storm’ – one that threatens international peace, warns UN envoy

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:50 pm

New York, Apr 21(Just Earth News): Reporting on the dire situation across the Middle East region, marked by the largest refugee crisis since the Second World War, fractured societies, proliferation of non-State actors and unbelievable human suffering, a United Nations envoy on Thursday reiterated the need for a surge in diplomacy for peace to ease the suffering of innocent civilians.

UN global assessment on higher education reveals disturbing disparities

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:49 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News): Noting the lack of sufficient institutions to cater to the growing demand for higher education as well as increasing disparities in its access, the United Nations educational and scientific agency has presented a series of steps to make such education more equitable and affordable.

UN agency uses satellite data to aid farmers in Africa, Middle East boost water efficiency

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:48 pm

New York, Apr 20(Just Earth News): The United Nations agricultural agency created an online database that uses satellite data and Google Earth images to figure out how much water is being used to irrigate crops, focusing on parts of Africa and the Middle East that are facing water scarcity.

Venezuela: UN urges all efforts be made to lower tensions in Venezuel

Apr 21, 2017, at 12:47 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News): The United Nations on Thursday expressed concern about the latest developments in Venezuela, calling on the Government and the opposition to address the country’s challenges for the benefit of the people.

Canada: Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne introduces Fair Housing Plan

Apr 21, 2017, at 06:59 am

Toronto, Apr 20 (IBNS): Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne on Thursday introduced Fair Housing Plan (FHP) to make housing more affordable for home buyers and help renters market, a recent news release said.

Ontario roads safest in country, why drivers pay the highest premiums? asks new report

Apr 21, 2017, at 05:20 am

Toronto, Apr 20 (IBNS): A recent report by David Marshall, CEO of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board released on April 11, said Ontario drivers paid the highest premiums in the country even though the roads were considered safest in North America, media reports said.

Panama verdict : Pakistan Supreme Court orders formation of JIT to probe PM Nawaz Sharif

Apr 20, 2017, at 08:30 pm

Islamabad, Apr 20 (IBNS) : In a temporary relief for Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the country's Supreme Court on Thursday ordered further investigation into the Panama Papers Leak case that implicated the leader and his family in a money trail regarding Qatari investment, Daily Pakistan said.

Pakistan : Supreme Court to give verdict on Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers case

Apr 20, 2017, at 06:49 pm

New Delhi/ Islamabad, Apr 20 (IBNS) : The Supreme Court in Pakistan will deliver its verdict on Thursday in the Panama Papers leaks case involving the country’s Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif and his family, media reports said.

Canada: Three levels of government trying to rein in the soaring Toronto housing market

Apr 20, 2017, at 06:31 pm

Toronto, Apr 20 (IBNS): Charles Sousa, the Ontario Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, his Federal counterpart, and the mayor of Toronto, John Tory, met earlier this week to discuss on measures to rein in the red hot property market of Toronto, Canada.

Political momentum must be renewed if Libya’s challenges are to be addressed – UN envoy

Apr 20, 2017, at 12:51 pm

New York, Apr 20(Just Earth News): It is more important than ever to forge unity within Libya, the United Nations envoy for the country told the Security Council today, while he called on Libyan stakeholders to regain the optimism generated by the 2015 Political Agreement, which has faded and is being replaced by “frustration and disappointment.”