Amid rise of ‘fake news,’ authorities should ensure truthful info reaches public – UN, regional experts

Mar 11, 2017, at 01:50 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Noting growing prevalence of “fake news” and propaganda in both legacy and social media, United Nations and key regional human rights experts have called on State actors to ensure that they disseminate reliable and trustworthy information, including about matters of public interest, such as the economy, public health, security and the environment.

Vigilance against Zika virus should ‘remain high,’ UN health agency says in new guidance

Mar 11, 2017, at 01:49 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Although a decline in cases of Zika virus infection has been reported in some countries, there is still a need for heightened vigilance, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday, issuing fresh guidance on the virus that has been linked to birth defects and neurological complications.

UN agency spotlights role of Governments in preventing child exploitation in tourism

Mar 11, 2017, at 01:49 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): The United Nations-backed meeting on tourism has spotlighted the leading role of Governments in preventing all forms of child exploitation in the leisure travel industry.

As fresh violence in Yemen sends thousands fleeing their homes, UN agency urges support

Mar 11, 2017, at 01:48 pm

New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): With tens of thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes following a spike in fighting across western and central Yemen, the United Nations refugee agency on Friday appealed for more international support, as well as unrestricted access within the country so that it can reach those now facing “abysmal conditions.”

Colombian fighting displaced more than 900 families since January - UN agency

Mar 11, 2017, at 04:43 am

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Despite a peace agreement, ongoing fighting in the Colombian Pacific Coast has displaced more than 3,500 people so far this year – many of them from the Afro-Colombian or indigenous communities, the United Nations refugee agency on Friday announced.

Turkey: UN report details allegations of serious rights violations in country's southeast

Mar 11, 2017, at 04:43 am

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): The UN human rights office on Friday published a report detailing allegations of massive destruction, killings and numerous other serious human rights violations committed between July 2015 and December 2016 in southeast Turkey.

With fighting near industrial sites, UN expert warns Ukrainians of chemical disaster risk

Mar 11, 2017, at 04:42 am

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Unless the fighting in eastern Ukraine is stopped and precautions are taken to secure industrial facilities in the area, the armed conflict could lead to a catastrophic chemical disaster, an independent United Nations human rights expert on Friday warned.

Canada: PM Justin Trudeau gets award at Houston energy conference

Mar 11, 2017, at 03:56 am

Toronto, Mar 10 (IBNS): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the proud recipient of 'CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award for his commitment to sustainability', informed CERAWeek.

Kuchibhotla's alleged murderer appears in US court

Mar 10, 2017, at 08:54 pm

Olathe, Mar 10 (IBNS) : Adam Purinton, a Kansas City man, accused in the fatal shooting at an Indian engineer in an Olathe bar last month, made a brief appearance on Thursday in Johnson County District Court, The Kansas City Star reported.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye removed from office, court upholds impeachment

Mar 10, 2017, at 06:39 pm

Seoul, Mar 10 (IBNS): South Korean judges upheld the country's President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, removing her from office, the media reported on Friday.

Healthcare will be a success despite speculation, says Trump

Mar 10, 2017, at 04:10 pm

Washington, Mar 10 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump on Thursday slammed the media for the negative portrayal of his conceived healthcare.

UN announces new approach to 'stamp out' sexual exploitation and abuse

Mar 10, 2017, at 02:14 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Underscoring that the United Nations should not be, in any way, associated with the vile and vicious crimes of rape, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, Secretary-General António Guterres has outlined a new victim-centred approach to prevent and respond to such abuses committed by those serving under the UN flag.

Americas region adopts 'historic' disaster risk reduction plan at UN-backed forum in Montreal

Mar 10, 2017, at 02:13 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Around 50 countries and territories of the Americas at a United Nations-supported conference in Montreal, Canada, agreed a Regional Action Plan on Thursday to better protect their citizens from the destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters.

'Holistic thinking' needed for peace, development in Lake Chad region – Deputy UN chief Mohammed

Mar 10, 2017, at 02:11 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Highlighting the multifaceted nature of the crisis in Africa's Lake Chad Basin, the deputy United Nations chief underlined the need for a holistic approach that includes responding to the Boko Haram as well as closing the gap between humanitarian assistance and development interventions.

Mali: UN expert calls for stronger protection of civilians amid ongoing violence

Mar 10, 2017, at 02:10 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Serious security threats in north and central Mali put local populations and humanitarian aid workers at risk, a United Nations human rights expert said on Thursday.

Burundian authorities 'shut doors' to engagement, cooperation – Security Council told

Mar 10, 2017, at 02:09 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Nearly two years after the political impasse started in Burundi, national authorities are reducing their cooperation with the United Nations system which risks undermining efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis and cutting assistance to a population in need, the Security Council was told on Thursday.

UN agriculture agency warns of water scarcity in North Africa and Near East

Mar 10, 2017, at 02:08 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Accessible fresh water in North Africa and the Middle East has fallen by two-thirds over the past 40 years, posing a huge challenge requiring “an urgent and massive response,” the head of the United Nations agriculture agency said on Thursday.

New UN supply chain system to slash delays, save lives in large-scale health crises

Mar 10, 2017, at 02:07 pm

New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): In collaboration with partners and as a part of a global supply chain network, the United Nations emergency food relief agency has set about developing the first-ever information platform to better manage supply chains and efficiently match deliveries with demand in responding to large-scale health emergencies such as pandemic outbreaks.

Next intra-Syrian talks set for late March – UN envoy

Mar 10, 2017, at 02:06 pm

New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): The next round of the United Nations-facilitated intra-Syrian talks is expected to convene on 23 March to discuss issues related to governance, constitution, elections and counter terrorism, the UN Special Envoy for Syria has said.

Ontario rolls out Fair Hydro Plan cutting hydro bills by 25 percent

Mar 10, 2017, at 08:16 am

Toronto, Mar 9 (IBNS): Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan aiming to lower every residential hydro bill by an average of 25 per cent is being implemented in collaboration with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), to improve efficiency of the province’s electricity market and bring relief to the consumers.

Police raid marijuana dispensaries across Canada

Mar 10, 2017, at 05:14 am

Toronto, Mar 9 (!BNS): Canada wide raid by police on marijuana dispensaries belonging to Marc Emery and his wife Jodie resulted in their arrest at Pearson International Airport on Wednesday night as they were on their way to a pot festival in Europe, media release said.

mobileLIVE wins Canada's Best Managed Companies title

Mar 10, 2017, at 05:02 am

Toronto, Mar 9 (IBNS): Nestled in Ontario's Richmond Hill, IT professional services company, mobileLIVE has been honoured with the prestigious Canada's Best Managed Companies designation.

UN chief Guterres unveils proposals to end 'scourge' of sexual exploitation and abuse

Mar 10, 2017, at 04:34 am

New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Underscoring that the United Nations should not be, in any way, associated with the vile and vicious crimes of rape, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, Secretary-General António Guterres has outlined a new victim-centred approach to prevent and respond to such abuses committed by those serving under the UN flag.

UN refugee agency issues renewed funding plea for Syria, as conflict enters seventh year

Mar 10, 2017, at 04:31 am

New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Unless drastic measures are taken to share up peace and security in Syria, the situation – which marks its sixth anniversary next week – will worsen, the United Nations refugee agency today said urging the international community to redouble its support for the 13.5 million people in need of aid.

Kabul attack: ISIS releases pictures of attackers

Mar 09, 2017, at 08:38 pm

Kabul, Mar 9 (IBNS): ISIS has released picture of militants who were involved in the attack at a hospital in Afghanistan capital Kabul on Wednesday, media reports said.

Fire in Guatemala children's home leaves 22 dead

Mar 09, 2017, at 07:32 pm

Guatemala City, Mar 9 (IBNS): Fire at a government-run shelter in Guatemala killed 22 girls while dozens are being treated for burns, according to media reports on Thursday.

Pakistan: Hindu woman axed to death

Mar 09, 2017, at 05:59 pm

Nasirabad, Mar 9 (IBNS): A Hindu woman has been axed to death in Pakistan's Baba Kot area of Nasirabad district, media reports said on Thursday.

Kabul militant attack: US condemns

Mar 09, 2017, at 03:27 pm

Washington, Mar 9 (IBNS): The US on Thursday condemned the militant attack at a hospital in Afghanistan's Kabul city which left at least 30 people killed.

Pakistan condemns Kabul attack

Mar 09, 2017, at 03:21 pm

Kabul, Mar 9 (IBNS): Pakistan has condemned the terrorist attack on a hospital in Kabul city of Afghanistan on Wednesday which left at least 30 people killed.

Viet Nam: UN experts urge Government to release blogger ‘Mother Mushroom’

Mar 09, 2017, at 02:33 pm

New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): A group of UN human rights experts has urged the Government of Viet Nam to immediately release a popular blogger, known as Mother Mushroom, who has been detained since October last year.