‘Stand up against intolerance and eliminate discrimination,’ says UN chief Guterres

Mar 22, 2017, at 01:57 pm

New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of rising discrimination and violence against those perceived as different, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday urged the world to stand up against intolerance and build communities that recognize diversity not as a source of weakness, but a source of strength and richness.

UN approves $22 million loan to boost agricultural work to prevent famine in Somalia

Mar 22, 2017, at 01:56 pm

New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): The United Nations agricultural agency will be further scaling up its activities in drought-hit regions of Somalia thanks to a $22 million loan approved this week by the UN emergency response fund.

Deteriorating security situation in DR Congo 'a source of major concern,' warns UN envoy

Mar 22, 2017, at 01:55 pm

New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday stressed the need for both the Government and the opposition groups there to show the same level of commitment and compromise which led to the signing on 31 December of an agreement on the electoral process, while also citing the UN peacekeeping mission's readiness to adapt to the deteriorating security situation.

UN agency voices concern about forced return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon

Mar 22, 2017, at 05:17 am

New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday expressed concern that forced returns of refugees from Cameroon’s far north region to crisis-gripped north-eastern Nigeria are continuing despite the recent signing of a tripartite agreement aimed at ensuring the voluntary nature of returns.

Warming earth threatens to release huge amounts of carbon – UN agency

Mar 22, 2017, at 05:16 am

New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News): Rising temperatures could release massive amounts of carbon trapped in the Earth's soil, the United Nations agricultural agency on Tuesday reported, warning that soil management could make or break climate change response efforts.

Poetry gives us hope to scale and climb 'cloudy summits of our time' – UN cultural agency

Mar 22, 2017, at 05:14 am

New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News): Poetry gives us hope, the United Nations cultural agency on Tuesday said, lauding verse's ability to shake us from everyday life and remind us of the surrounding beauty and the resilience of the shared human spirit.

Nowruz a reminder that heritage helps make resilient, sustainable societies – UN cultural agency

Mar 22, 2017, at 05:13 am

New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News): In a message on the occasion of Nowruz – the day that celebrates the arrival of the spring season – the head of the United Nations cultural agency urged everyone to embrace the day's values and be inspired by its universal message of peace and solidarity.

US bans electronics on flights from 10 nations

Mar 22, 2017, at 03:07 am

Washington,Mar 21 (IBNS): The US on Tuesday announced banning on carrying large electronic devices from cabin baggage on passenger flights from ten nations.

Bimstec security chiefs meet to discuss security threats

Mar 21, 2017, at 06:52 pm

New Delhi, Mar 21 (IBNS) : The national security chiefs of the Bimstec countries held their first meeting in the national capital on Tuesday with the objective of strengthening cooperation and tackling security challenges.

Afghanistan bolsters defence, adds four-new light attack aircraft

Mar 21, 2017, at 06:39 pm

Kabul, Mar 21 (IBNS): Bolstering its defence, the Afghan Air Force has added four new light-attack aircraft in its armour, local Khaama Press reported.

US to ban electronics on flights from eight nations

Mar 21, 2017, at 04:41 pm

Washington, Mar 21 (IBNS): The United States will ban laptops and tablets from cabin baggage on flights from eight nations, a BBC report read.

South Korea: Former President might face corruption charges

Mar 21, 2017, at 03:57 pm

Seoul, Mar 21 (IBNS): Impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye might face corruption charges, media reports said.

Canada Minister McKenna discusses environmental issues with USA

Mar 21, 2017, at 02:34 pm

Toronto, Mar 21 (IBNS): Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, recently visited Washington, D.C. to discuss trade, jobs and environmental issues, a media release said.

UN urges building more just, equal societies to increase people’s happiness and well-being

Mar 21, 2017, at 12:26 pm

New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News): Speaking at an event on Monday marking the International Day of Happiness, the deputy United Nations chief called for more inclusive, equitable and balanced approaches to development that promote sustainability, poverty eradication, happiness and well-being of all peoples.

Put Libya ahead of ‘narrow interests,’ UN envoy urges as situation worsens across the country

Mar 21, 2017, at 12:25 pm

New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News): Warning of escalating tension across the North African country due to mobilization of forces, worsening security situation in capital, Tripoli, as well as recent violence in Misrata and Benghazi, the United Nations envoy for Libya on Monday called on all parties to unite and to put the country ahead of their “own narrow interests.”

UN disability rights committee opens with a call to spotlight gender issues

Mar 21, 2017, at 12:24 pm

New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News): The United Nations committee monitoring efforts to protect rights of persons with disabilities on Monday opened its spring session on Monday in Geneva with a call to pay special attention to gender issues.

Ahead of International Day, UN rights chief urges governments to target hate speech, crimes

Mar 21, 2017, at 12:23 pm

New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News): On the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the United Nations human rights chief on Monday reminded Governments around the world that they have a legal obligation to stop hate speech and hate crimes, and called on people everywhere to “stand up for someone’s rights.”

UN aid 'pushed to limits' as 320,000 more civilians may flee west Mosul

Mar 21, 2017, at 04:41 am

New York, Mar 20 (Just Earth News): Humanitarian agencies are bracing for the possibility that in coming weeks about 300,000 to 320,000 civilians may flee the western districts of Iraqi's Mosul city where Government forces are fighting to oust the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorists, a senior United Nations aid official in the country has said.

Theresa May to trigger Brexit on Mar 29

Mar 21, 2017, at 02:23 am

London, Mar 20 (IBNS): Prime Minister of United Kingdom (UK) is going to trigger the process of leaving European Union on Mar 29, according to BBC News.

Tehmina Janjua assumes charge as Foreign Secretary of Pakistan

Mar 21, 2017, at 01:57 am

Islamabad, Mar 20 (IBNS): Pakistan on Monday announced that Tehmina Janjua has assumed charge as the Foreign Secretary of the nation.

Afghanistan: US airstrikes kill 13 ISIS militants

Mar 20, 2017, at 05:22 pm

Kabul, Mar 20 (IBNS): At least 13 ISIS militants were killed in separate airstrikes conducted by the US in Afghanistan, local Khaama Press reported.

Indian Catholic priest stabbed inside Melbourne church

Mar 20, 2017, at 03:32 pm

Fawkner, Melbourne, Mar 20 (IBNS): An elderly man has been charged with stabbing an Indian Catholic priest inside a church in Australia's Melbourne, reports said.

U.S. government sues Canadian resident for $1.1M over FBAR

Mar 19, 2017, at 06:02 pm

Toronto, Mar 19 (IBNS): A Canadian resident has been sued by the U.S. Justice Department for not having filed a form to the U.S. government listing his bank accounts outside the United States, media reports said.

Canadian employees lack career development opportunities: Survey reports

Mar 19, 2017, at 05:40 pm

Toronto, Mar 19 (IBNS): Canadian employees had been complaining that they lacking career development opportunities and were wiling to see a cut in their pay as an alternative to getting better career development opportunities, media reports said.

Ahead of International Day, UN and Smurfs team up to promote happiness and sustainable development

Mar 19, 2017, at 05:31 am

New York, Mar 19 (Just Earth News): Every person – no matter how big, small or blue – can make the world more peaceful, equitable and healthy, the United Nations on Saturday told young people at a special ceremony for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that included the Smurfs and a handover of the key to Smurfdom.

Afghanistan: At least 63 militants killed in past week, says Gen. Rahimi

Mar 18, 2017, at 09:35 pm

Kabul, Mar 18 (IBNS): At least 63 militants were killed in the past seven days in several counter terrorism operations in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, provincial police chief General Abdul Rahman Rahimi said.

Afghanistan: Airstrike kills at least 19 militants

Mar 18, 2017, at 09:34 pm

Kabul, Mar 18 (IBNS): At least 19 militants were killed in an airstrike carried out by the Afghan army in the country's Baghlan province, local Khaama Press reported.

US proposal to reintroduce B.C. grizzlies in North Cascade area gets huge response

Mar 18, 2017, at 02:52 pm

Toronto, Mar 18 (IBNS): The United States recently identified The Wells Gray area of central B.C.-- which had 317 grizzlies in 2012-- along with a larger area in northwest Montana, as possible sources of bear population to be tapped for reintroducing these to The North Cascade area, media reports said.

Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in Afghanistan for one year

Mar 18, 2017, at 02:03 pm

New York, Mar 18 (Just Earth News): The Security Council on Friday extended the mandate of United Nations assistance operation in Afghanistan until 17 March 2018, stressing the political mission’s role in supporting an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

UN forum in Paris to spotlight mobile learning for refugees and displaced persons

Mar 18, 2017, at 02:02 pm

New York, Mar 18 (Just Earth News): Education experts and government officials will gather at the Paris headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 20 to 24 March, to discuss ways of expanding the use of mobile technologies to “reach people where they are” and improve education opportunities for refugees and displaced persons and others in emergency situations.